North America
Kirkwood Resort Guide
Closed for the season
Best months to book: February, January, March · last season + 30-yr record
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Closed for the season — closed April 19
Weather data is still collected for informational purposes.
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Resort Guide
Kirkwood is a ski resort located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, renowned for its high alpine terrain and abundant snowfall. The resort features over 2,300 acres of skiable terrain, including challenging steeps, open bowls, and scenic glades, catering to advanced skiers and riders. Kirkwood offers a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere with essential amenities such as ski-in/ski-out lodging, dining, and a ski and ride school, making it a destination for those seeking a more secluded and adventurous mountain experience. Its unique location and terrain variety distinguish it as a premier spot for powder enthusiasts and those looking for a less crowded alternative in the Lake Tahoe region.
Gallery
Click to expand • 9 total photos
Terrain & lifts
Resort-reported stats for Kirkwood
Lifts
15
Skiable area
2300 ac
Longest run
4 km / 2.5 mi
Runs by difficulty(86 total)
Beginner
10
12% of terrain
Intermediate
26
30% of terrain
Advanced
33
38% of terrain
Expert
17
20% of terrain
Run counts estimated from resort-reported totals and terrain mix.
Terrain by difficulty
- Beginner12%
- Intermediate30%
- Advanced38%
- Expert20%
Lift fleet
- High-speed quad2
- Quad chair1
- Triple chair6
- Double chair1
- Surface lift5
Resort Info
Season dates
Ski passes
Access tiers change by season — confirm benefits on the pass operator's site.
Top Après Ski
The Cornice Grill – A classic après-ski spot at Kirkwood, The Cornice Grill is celebrated for its cozy atmosphere, hearty pub fare, and welcoming bar, making it a favorite gathering place for skiers to unwind with drinks and share stories after a day on the mountain.
Season vs Historic
Updated Wed, Sep 23, 07:02 AM UTC
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Season Total
This Season to Date
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vs 5-Year Avg
Off-season · 664cm full-season avg
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vs 30-Year Avg
Off-season · 574cm full-season avg
664cm
5-Yr Avg by Now
The last completed season totaled ~571 cm. That's 14% below the 5-year average (664 cm). Versus the 30-year baseline: near the 30-year average (574 cm).
Kirkwood Season Snowfall
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Kirkwood Snow History
Average annual snowfall is 631cm with an average of 90 snowfall days per season. The recent decade runs 29% above this average (812cm over the last ten tracked seasons). The table below shows monthly averages across 30 seasons of archive data (modeled snowpack at mid-elevation).
| Month | Avg Snowfall | Snowfall Days | Avg Base Depth | Max Base Depth | Biggest Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 62cm | 10 days | 14cm | 37cm | 21cm |
| December | 127cm | 14 days | 57cm | 100cm | 32cm |
| January | 120cm | 13 days | 104cm | 148cm | 29cm |
| February | 120cm | 14 days | 140cm | 180cm | 27cm |
| March | 104cm | 14 days | 168cm | 205cm | 26cm |
| April | 56cm | 11 days | 155cm | 189cm | 17cm |
| May | 22cm | 6 days | 95cm | 136cm | 10cm |
Source: SnowSure archive · Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis at mid-elevation. Depth is modeled, not resort-reported.
SnowSure Score by Month
Season 2025-26
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No full season on record
55 days scored, from 22 Feb
61
Best Day
13 Apr
3
Excellent+ Days
Scored 50 or above
5
Powder Days
6cm+ fresh snow
Highest-scoring days
February 2026
- 4722 Feb
- 4423 Feb
- 3224 Feb
March 2026
- 3125 Mar
- 2831 Mar
- 265 Mar
April 2026
- 6113 Apr21cm
- 5714 Apr3cm
- 5512 Apr17cm
April scored highest for Kirkwood in 2025-26. Based on 55 days the resort was verified open. One season of scores describes what happened, not what to expect.
Season at a Glance
Next season(2026-27)
Opens Dec 4, 2026
Multi-season averages will appear once SnowSure has tracked more than one full season.
Best Months to Visit
February
Peak Season
January
Peak Season
March
Good
December
Good
Note: Based on typical ski season patterns for this region.
Frequently asked questions about Kirkwood
- Where is Kirkwood?
- Kirkwood is a ski resort in the United States.
- How high is Kirkwood?
- Kirkwood runs from a base elevation of 2,377 m (7,799 ft) to a summit of 2,987 m (9,800 ft), giving a vertical drop of 610 m (2,001 ft).
- How big is Kirkwood?
- Kirkwood has 2,300 acres (931 hectares) of skiable terrain, 86 marked runs and 15 lifts.
- Which ski pass covers Kirkwood?
- Kirkwood is on the Epic Pass. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.
- When is ski season at Kirkwood?
- Kirkwood typically operates from December to April. Exact opening and closing dates shift each year with snowfall — check the resort's current season dates before booking.
- How much snow does Kirkwood get in a typical season?
- Kirkwood averages 354 inches / 899 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.
