Where Can I Ski in Nevada?

Contrary to popular belief, Nevada isn’t all sagebrush and casinos.

Well, it is the high desert, there is an abundance of sagebrush, and you’re never too far from a casino.

However, it’s one of the most mountainous states in the country that provides ample skiing opportunities. Wheeler Peak is the highest point towering at 13,140’ in Central Eastern Nevada near the Utah border.

The Sierra Nevadas on the California border provide some of the most concentrated skiing in Nevada with loads of backcountry access and Mt. Rose, Diamond Peak, and half of Heavenly for resort skiing.

Rose and Diamond peak are smaller family resorts that are still semi-affordable. They’re holding out against the likes of Vail and Alterra, but they both offer some great terrain and are ideally located less than an hour from both Reno and Incline Village.

When the Sierras drop a heavy, wet storm Rose is known for having better snow because it is one of the highest resorts around Tahoe only losing out to Kirkwood and Heavenly. It’s also home to the Chutes, which are a north-facing horseshoe shaped bowl with over 1,000’ of continuous vertical drop at 40-55 degrees.

The other resorts in Nevada are Lee Canyon outside of Las Vegas and Elko Snowbowl in Eastern Nevada.

The Snowbowl isn’t much, but it does have a lift and a rope tow. You can snag a day ticket here for $15, and enjoy the beauty of Eastern Nevada.

Las Vegas isn’t all desert and heat. The peak of Lee Canyon sits at over 11,000’, and they average over 150’’ of snowfall each winter. There’s 195 acres of skiable terrain, and 250 of hike access terrain.

It’s not a bad deal if you’re living in Vegas and jonesing for some ski action.

The Ruby Mountains in Eastern Nevada may be Nevada’s hidden gem for skiing. It’s a strange sight when you’re driving on highway 80 and can start to see the giant Rubies towering over the rest of the Eastern Nevada mountains.

The Rubies have 10 peaks that climb over 10,000’ with two dozen high alpine lakes, and some great backcountry skiing. There’s a couple famous lines in the Rubies that skiers from around the country will make a pilgrimage to check off the bucket list.

The Rubies are also home to the only heli-skiing in Nevada. Ruby Mountains Heli Experience offers different heli packages that include multiple day trips, day trips, and heli assist tours.

Nevada shares a border with a few of the ‘ideal’ ski destinations like California, Utah, and Idaho, so it often goes undetected in the West with so many other ski opportunities.

If you find yourself looking for a new ski adventure, or tired of the crowds, check out some small Nevada resorts or the relatively anonymous Central and Eastern Nevada backcountry.