Getting Here & Parking

Q: Why are you making this change and why now?

A: Traffic/road congestion and parking challenges have been a very serious topic of conversation within our community for quite a while, and this winter has perhaps been the most challenging yet. These are not just Kirkwood issues – they’ve been deeply felt across Tahoe. After taking a deep dive into our current parking practices and traffic patterns, analyzing our own parking capacity and constraints, learning from other resorts across our network, and much consideration and conversation here in-resort, we believe that leaning into a reservations-based parking program can, and will, make a difference.  

We have plenty of choices for guests related to parking, including most parking options remaining free.

Q: When you say it will be paid during “peak periods,” what does that mean?

A: We define peak periods as weekends, holidays, and Pass restricted days. Peak periods in the 2024/25 season for our Tahoe area resorts include:

Q: How are you defining the “weekend?”

A: We define the weekend period as Saturday and Sunday.

Q: How will this parking system be enforced?

A:In partnership with a third-party parking management company, our parking attendants will support these new parking policies – including parking transactions as appropriate and carpool validations via our parking reservations website. 

Q: What hours of the day will reservations be required/paid parking be enforced during weekends and peak periods?

A: Reservations will be required for all lots until 12pm on weekends and during peak periods.

Q: Where can I make a reservation, and how far in advance can I make it?

A: Reservations can be made or updated anytime throughout the season at parkkirkwood.com.

Q: How will this parking system be managed?

A: In partnership with a third-party parking management company, our parking attendants will support this new parking system – including parking transactions as appropriate and carpool validations.

Q: How many people do you have to have in your car to qualify for free carpool parking?

A: To park for free in any of our lots on weekends and peak periods, you will need four (4) or more people in a single vehicle. No matter how many people you have, you must still make a reservation for parking in all lots on weekends and during peak periods before 12pm.

Q: I understand all the lots require reservations on weekends and peak periods until 12pm, but what about during the week?

A: All our lots will remain free, regardless of how many passengers are in a single vehicle, with no reservations required, Monday – Friday (excluding weekdays during peak periods).

Q: What are the blue and orange zones?

A: On weekends and peak periods, our parking will be split into orange and blue zones. The orange zone is for advance paid and carpool reservations. The blue zone is free parking (reservations still required).

Q: How far in advance do you expect parking reservations to fill?

A: We anticipate reservations to go quickly and recommend you secure a spot in advance, should you plan to park in any of our lots on a weekend or peak period before 12pm.

Q: What should I do if reservations are unavailable for the day(s) I’m planning to visit?

A: To provide everyone a chance to secure parking, additional reservations will be released every Sunday for the upcoming weekend and again on Friday for the following weekend. We understand that some people like to plan trips months in advance, while others prefer last-minute plans. Our system is designed to accommodate both. Additionally, canceled reservations will be reopened for booking, so check back regularly for availability.

Q: How many reservations can I make at once?

A: Each guest may hold up to five reservations at one time. Once a reservation has been used, guests can add another to their account to return back to five at any one time. There is no limit to how many reservations a guest can make throughout the course of the season.

Q: How can I cancel a reservation?

A: You may cancel reservations via our parking reservations website that will launch closer to the start of next season. Cancellations can be made for a refund until 8am the morning of the reservation. There are penalties for not cancelling by this time/”no-showing” for your reservation.

Q: What happens if I make a reservation and don’t show up?

A: If you no longer plan to use your reservation, you must cancel by 8am the day of your planned arrival for a refund. There will be a penalty for no-showing for your reservation that will escalate for every following no-show offense. We reserve the right to restrict anyone’s ability to make future reservations if the reservation system is being abused or manipulated in any way.

Q; Is there a cutoff time to make a reservation?

A: No. Until reservations are sold out for any given day, you can make your reservation up to the time you arrive.

Q: What happens if I don’t have/can’t get a reservation on a weekend or during a peak period prior to 12pm?

A: If you do not have a reservation for any of our lots on a weekend or peak period, it means we will be at 100% parking capacity and will not be able to accommodate your vehicle until after 12pm.

Q: What if I am driving a rental vehicle and don’t have my plate information yet to make a reservation?

A: When you make your reservation, add your private vehicle license plate number to make the reservation. When you receive your rental car, log in to your account and change your license plate number to match your rental car plates.

Q: I have an ADA/Disabled license plate or placard. Do I need to make a parking reservation?

A: Yes, if you have an ADA placard or disabled license plate, you will need to make a reservation for parking on weekends and peak periods before 12pm; however, these spots will be free.

Q: If I have a lesson booked with Ski and Ride School, do I need to make a reservation?

A: Yes – you will need to make a parking reservation to park during weekends and peak periods even when you have a lesson booked. Our Ski and Ride School will provide more information about parking reservations prior to your scheduled lesson.We manage reservations to ensure that guests with scheduled lessons will always have the option to book a parking reservation accordingly; however, carpool policy & fees still apply.

Q: If my child is on the ski/ride team, do I need a reservation?

A: Yes, a reservation will be required during weekends and peak periods. We highly recommend and encourage carpooling with other Team families, and we will send information to participating families prior to the 2024/25 season beginning.

Q: Is there a season parking pass I can purchase for every weekend and peak period?

A: Not at this time.

Q: For reservations in paid lots on weekends and peak periods, do I pay at the parking lot, or ahead of time online?

A: For paid parking reservations, payment will be made online at the time of reservation, unless you have 4+ people in your vehicle – in that case it is free, but a reservation is still required. More information on the carpool validation process will be shared in future updates.

Q: What is the cost of paid parking during weekends and peak periods / Which lots are paid on weekends and peak periods?

A: During weekends and peak periods, reserved paid lots will be designated as the ‘orange zone’ and include: VIP, Village Lot, Volcano, Upper Red Cliffs, Lower Red Cliffs, Upper 7, Middle 7, Tennis Court Street Parking, Admin, Loop Rd., and Chair 9. These lots will be $20 to park for 3 or fewer occupants in a single vehicle. This is a decrease in price by $15 from recent seasons. If guests have 4+ occupants in a single vehicle, it is free to park in these lots, but a reservation on weekends and peak periods is still required for all vehicles. For more details and to explore our interactive parking map, visit ParkKirkwood.co

Q: What if my car doesn’t fit three additional people and ski gear, and I don’t want to pay on a weekend or peak period?

A: Parking reservations are always required at all lots at Kirkwood during weekends and peak periods, but if you are unable to carpool with 4+, you may park for free (with a reservation) in the ‘blue zone,’ which includes: Lower 7, Kirkwood Meadows Drive (north of Loop Rd. 88), Kirkwood Inn, Shop Lot, and Cross Country. For more details and to explore our interactive parking map, visit ParkKirkwood.com. We will also continue supporting shuttle services to and from Kirkwood from both the Bay Area and Sacramento. If you'd prefer to skip making reservations or carpooling, consider planning your visit during a mid-week, non-peak period.

Q: Where will revenue from paid parking go?

A: We continually assess needs for reinvestment in roads, parking, and transportation efficiency and experience at our resorts, and revenue from paid parking will be prioritized accordingly.

Q: Is this just another money-making play for your resorts?

A: This program is designed with the guest experience in mind. Its primary goal is to eliminate the risk of not securing a spot at Kirkwood (with a reservation) and to reduce the frequency and severity of highway backups on peak days. Any revenue generated will be reinvested to enhance the guest experience. The plan also encourages carpooling, aiming to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and improve overall traffic flow and access to the resort.

Q: Where will employees park on the weekends and peak periods?

A: Employees can still park for free and will not need reservations at any time.

Q: Are there any shuttles that run to/from Kirkwood?

A: Yes – we’ll continue to support shuttle services to/from Kirkwood running from the Bay Area and Sacramento like Sports Basement’s Kirkwood Bus, Tahoe Ski Trips Kirkwood shuttles, and North American Charter Ski buses.