Kirkwood Mountain Resort
{{Short description|Ski area in California, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox ski area
| name = Kirkwood Mountain Resort
| logo =
| picture = TimberCreekExpressLift KirkwoodMountainResort Feb2012.jpg
| caption =
| location = Thimble Peak
Covered Wagon Peak
Alpine County, CA
Amador County, CA
| nearest_city = Kirkwood, California
| pushpin_map = California#United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|38.684|-120.068|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_label_position =
| map_caption = Location in California
| status = Operating
| owner = Vail Resorts
| vertical = {{convert|2000|ft|abbr=on}}
| top_elevation = {{convert|9800|ft|abbr=on}}
| base_elevation = {{convert|7800|ft|abbr=on}}
| skiable_area = {{convert|2300|acre|abbr=on}}
| number_trails = 65+ total
13px 12% beginner
13px 30% intermediate
13px 58% advanced/expert
| longest_run = {{convert|2.5|mi|abbr=on}}
| liftsystem = 15 lifts (2 high speed quads, 1 fixed-grip quad, 6 triple chairs, 1 double chair, 1 surface lifts, 2 magic carpets)
| lift_capacity = passengers/hr
| terrainparks = Bandit Park
Outlaw Park
| snowfall = ~{{convert|500|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| snowmaking = limited acreage
| nightskiing = No
| external_link = [http://www.kirkwood.com www.kirkwood.com]
}}
Kirkwood Mountain Resort, part of the Epic Pass, is a ski resort in Kirkwood, California, south of Lake Tahoe. The resort focuses on skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain-biking in the summer.
Located approximately {{convert|33|mi|abbr=on}} south of South Lake Tahoe, California, Kirkwood is accessible via State Route 88 and is nestled within the Eldorado National Forest. While most of the region's resorts are situated at the northern end of the lake, near Truckee, California, Kirkwood, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Resort are found on the southern side of the lake.
Skiing and snowboarding
Kirkwood is a resort with an average of high snowfalls and a selection of advanced skiing terrain. The resort receives seasonal snowfall of {{convert|472|in|cm|abbr=on}}, ranking behind only Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in the Sierra Nevada in terms of snow accumulation.Tony Crocker {{cite web |url=http://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-11-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212112601/http://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/ |archive-date=2005-02-12 }} Two new surface tows were introduced at Kirkwood during the 2008–2009 season to provide skiers and snowboarders with greater access to terrain along Vista Ridge and Fawn Ridge.
Kirkwood hosted a leg of the North American Freeskiing Championships in 2009 and 2010. This is an event that showcases top freeskiers competing in challenging terrain.Steve Yingling / Tahoe Daily Tribune. {{cite web|url=https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/north-american-freeskiing-championships-returns-to-kirkwood/ |title=North American Freeskiing Championships returns to Kirkwood |access-date=2023-09-19}}
History
Kirkwood opened in 1972 after year-round Caltrans snow plowing service began operations for Highway 88 (CA 88) in 1971.{{cite news |title=Kirkwood: A story of raw adventure and perseverance |url=https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/kirkwood-a-story-of-raw-adventure-and-perseverance-slideshow/ |access-date=January 13, 2019}} This all-weather highway connects the resort to the populated western regions of California. Kirkwood Mountain Resort is one of the more recent ski resorts to open in the Lake Tahoe region.
Ownership
Vail Resorts, Inc. acquired Kirkwood Mountain Resort in April 2012.{{cite press release |date=22 February 2012 |title=Vail Resorts To Acquire Kirkwood Mountain Resort |url=https://news.vailresorts.com/2012-02-22-VAIL-RESORTS-TO-ACQUIRE-KIRKWOOD-MOUNTAIN-RESORT-IN-LAKE-TAHOE,-CALIF-,-CREATING-AN-UNPARALLELED-OFFERING-FOR-SKIERS-AND-RIDERS-IN-THE-TAHOE-REGION-WITH-THE-COMBINATION-OF-HEAVENLY-AND-NORTHSTAR }} Prior to 2012, Vail Resorts acquired two other resorts in the Tahoe region: Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.kirkwood.com/ Kirkwood Mountain Resort]
{{California Ski areas navbox}}
{{Sierra Nevada}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Mountain biking venues in the United States
Category:Ski areas and resorts in California
Category:Companies based in Alpine County, California
Category:Tourist attractions in Alpine County, California
Category:Buildings and structures in Alpine County, California
Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy