Lake Tahoe´s Most Secnic Cross Country And Snowshoe Center Located At Kirkwood Mountain Resort

80 Kilometers of Groomed Trails with Variety of Classes, Equipment and Events for the Winter Enthusiast

(Kirkwood, Calif.) – Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are another way for snow sports enthusiasts to exercise and enjoy the spectacular winter scenery at Kirkwood http://www.kirkwood.com. The Kirkwood Cross Country and Snowshoe Center (KCCSC) sits at 7,800 feet elevation, hosts 80 kilometers of trails that are groomed daily and over 4,000 acres of terrain. Location, unique terrain features and snow quality make the KCCSC a top choice of locals and visitors.

Snow quality has been recognized by SKI Magazine as it devoted the October 2007 magazine cover  to Kirkwood and readers ranked the resort No. 8 for snow quality among all North American resorts. It marks the first time in over 25 years since a Lake Tahoe resort has been on the cover with such prominent exposure. Kirkwood is the only Tahoe resort that has been ranked in the top 10 for its snow quality 18 out of the 20 years SKI Magazine’s Reader’s Poll has existed.

The KCCSC trails climb to within a few feet of the Sierra Crest affording expansive views of the Kirkwood Valley and the surrounding High Sierra. Additional trails meander through serene meadows along scenic ridgelines and beneath volcanic lava cliffs. 20 percent of Kirkwood’s cross-country and snowshoe trail system is beginner terrain with 20 percent advanced and 60 percent intermediate.

The Meadow System connects the cross-country center to the Kirkwood Village. The meadow system has two, five-kilometer loops. The outside loop is dog-friendly and the inner loop is for skiers only. The Caples Creek System begins with a roller coaster ride descending quickly down to a peaceful meadow full of wildlife, where the trail winds with the flow of Caples creek.

The Schneider Trail System is located at a higher elevation, climbing to more than 9,000 feet, affording panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness areas. The elaborate trail system crosses open bowls, winds through the forest and climbs along ridges. These trails are accessed by car for those who wish to avoid the steep terrain of “Agony and Ecstasy” that connect the system to the Caples Creek trails. 

Seven-time World Masters Champion Debbi Waldear oversees the Cross Country Ski School at KCCSC, which offers the Ski and Skills Tour for those just learning the sport as well as those needing a refresher. This includes comprehensive instruction on styles and techniques for cross country skiing and skate skiing on varying terrain. State-of-the-art equipment from Rossignol and Evo are available for rent and purchase to help reduce the learning curve and make these winter activities more enjoyable.

The Snowshoe Technique and Tour is an instructional class although those who can walk can usually snowshoe with ease. The class covers equipment use and technique as well as hiking on the trails with a guide. The KCCSC has several models of high-tech snowshoes for rent.

A KCCSC adult season pass is available all season long for $199; junior season passes (ages13-18) as well as senior season passes (age 65 and older) are $175. Season passes for children (ages seven to 12) are $60. Dogs are allowed on select trails with a $20 season pet pass. Trails are open daily until 5 p.m. Lessons, rental equipment, packages and full- and half-day passes are also available. For a schedule of snowshoeing guided hikes, clinics and races visit www.kirkwood.com or call 209.258.7284.

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Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a secluded year-round alpine resort community located 35 minutes from South Lake Tahoe and only 177 miles from San Francisco via scenic Highway 88. Located at a base elevation of 7,800 feet, it offers unparalleled mountain recreation with skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in addition to Villages with ice-skating, boutique shopping and restaurants. Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a private retreat, never crowded and receives more snow than any other Tahoe resort. Consistently recognized by national media outlets for its quality snow and terrain variety, this storied resort offers an unmatched experience with a USA Today nationally recognized beginner area. Skiing Magazine readers recognized Kirkwood as one of the top resorts in the nation (November 2006). Ranked Overall as the 12th Resort in the Country, Kirkwood leads Lake Tahoe’s South Shore resorts with a top position. Live on the mountain and ski to your doorstep this winter at Timber Ridge or build your second home at The Palisades, Kirkwood’s most pristine on-mountain residence. Expedition Lodge is the area’s first on-mountain private residence club groundbreaking spring 2007. Visit www.livekirkwood.com or call Kirkwood Mountain Realty (888) 593-7767 for more information. For Kirkwood’s online pressroom, please visit www.kirkwood.com or call 209-258-6000 for information.