Kirkwood 4 Perfect Days

Breakfast:
Known to have the best breakfast sandwich on the hill, the Kirkwood General Store also has a full service espresso bar. It is your one-stop-shop, featuring a full service deli with breakfast options, sandwiches, salads and pastas, fruit smoothies, ice cream and more.

Morning Activities:
There is no better way to explore all the legendary terrain Kirkwood has to offer than through Expedition: Kirkwood. Expedition: Kirkwood is for the adventurer looking for an authentic, big-mountain experience. The unique programs include avalanche certification courses, beacon training, cat tours, private guides and women’s specific programs. Not to be left out, the Junior Expedition Team (JETS) fosters the curiosity of thrill-seeking, young adventurers.

Lunch:
After a morning on the slopes, your appetite will be raging. Stop by Monte Wolfe’s Mountain Kitchen in the heart of the Mountain Village and pick up a Wolfe Burger, complete with chipotle aioli, cheese, bacon, and sautéed onions stuffed between two homestyle burger patties. 

Afternoon Activities:
When the chair lifts stop turning, take advantage of a two-and-a-half hour Evening Snow Cat Tour. The expedition, which begins at 4:30, includes hot cocoa and snacks, the perfect après ski adventure for the family.

Dinner:
For a fine dining experience in an intimate setting, “Off the Wall” Bar and Grill in The Lodge at Kirkwood offers spectacular views and southwest and Pacific Rim cuisine. Dinner is only offered at “Off the Wall” Bar on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays, and reservations are required by calling 209-258-7365.

Breakfast:

For a hassle-free stop on the way to first chair, swing by Monte Wolfe’s Mountain Kitchen in the Village. Coffee from Alpen Sierra pairs nicely with fresh baked-daily pastries or a hot breakfast item.

Morning activity:

Hop on Chair 2 (Caples Crest) and start the day on the Backside. Chair 4 (Sunrise) will take you to the extreme terrain of The Wave, Fawn Ridge and Thunder Saddle. Be sure to hit up Happiness Is, the longest run of mountain - 2.5 miles.

Lunch:

For a quick pit stop between powder runs, visit the Outback Grille on the backside of the mountain, near the base of Chair #4 (Sunrise). Check out the new Jamaican Jerk Chicken as you lounge on ‘the beach.’

Afternoon activities:

Try out a different kind of skiing at the Cross Country and Snowshoe Center located on Highway 88. Pick up your snowshoe or cross country rentals and discover the beginner-friendly trails on the Meadow.

Dinner:

Want to stay in and relax without the hassle of cooking or going out? Check out Alpine Home Services, which offers personal chef options brought right to your vacation spot. They do the shopping, preparation, and clean-up, allowing you to enjoy the final product…and the leftovers!

Breakfast:

On the way to drop your kids off at ski school, visit Snowshoe Thompsons at Timber Creek for fresh baked breakfast pastries and hot coffee.

Morning Activity:

Now that you’ve got a few days in as a warm-up, be sure you’ve hit up all the bowls and chutes that Kirkwood is famous for. Check off: Wagon Wheel Bowl, Eagle Bowl, Sentinel Bowl and Palisades Bowl.

Lunch:

To soak up some rays with the whole family, kick back on the Sun Deck at the Red Cliffs Cafeteria with some burgers and fries. There are also indoor dining options inside the Red Cliffs lodge.

Afternoon Activities:

With attention spans lagging by Day 3, take the kids to the Thunder Mountain Kid’s Snowmobile Park. Located at Timber Creek below Chair 7 in the Kid’s Adventure Zone, the park operates on weekends and holidays and is perfect for children less than 125 pounds. Sledding and snow play are also offered in the Adventure Zone.

Dinner:

Take a step back in time at the historic Kirkwood Inn on Highway 88, just east of Kirkwood Meadows Drive. Built in 1864 by Zachary Kirkwood, the Inn retains its original character with its rustic log cabin design. The Inn features Western cuisine for lunch and dinner daily, complete with a full service bar.

Evening activity:

Need an alternate way to wind down after a long day on the slopes? Enjoy a guided Sunset Snowshoe Trek or Full Moon Snowshoe Trek. Reservations are required for both, and they are offered on limited dates, so check it out early.

Breakfast:

You know it’s good when you have to go back for a second round. Head back to the Kirkwood General Store and try something different.

Morning Activity:

Looking for new gear? Even if you’re not, it’s worth popping into the Burton/K2 Demo Center in the Main Village Plaza to test drive the latest models of skis and snowboards on the market. Be sure to ask the staff for their ‘gear pick of the day’.

Lunch:

If visiting on a weekend or holiday, the Spur Grill in the Village offers a dash of fresh mountain air, as well as burgers and hot dogs. Try their specialty, the Southern Slaw Dog, a hot dog with pulled pork and coleslaw.

Afternoon activity:

Ziplining isn’t just for summer. At Zip Tahoe, it’s year-round. Give your legs a break from the powder and take in an overview of the mountain on a fully guided tour. Located at the top of Chair 7, Zip Tahoe is open seven days a week. 

Dinner:

The perfect après spot at Kirkwood, Bub’s Pub has something for everyone. Enjoy one of Bub’s famous brick-oven pizzas from a window seating with stunning views of the mountain. Located across from Chair 6, Bub’s Pub has multiple TVs, pool, video games and happy hour specials.

Evening activity:

End your vacation with a relaxing massage at Body Slopes Massage in the Mountain Club Fitness Center. A variety of spa services will help soothe sore muscles and rejuvenate the mind.