Ski, Snowboard, Snow & Water Activities - Tahoe

Share your knowledge of the local ski scene. Where should people go? How can they avoid the crowds? What kind of lift and rental rates can they expect? Is water equipment available to rent and what about moorage?

If you stay at Tahoe 3, you will need to drive to the Stagecoach lift and use the parking lots that are there. For those who want to snowboard or ski at Heavenly, it is best to try for Tahoe 1 or Tahoe 2. The Heavenly shuttle and the shuttles for the timeshare properties close to the Worldmark properties come frequently and will take you to the Stagecoach lift. At the Stagecoach lift area, you can catch a shuttle down to the Boulder lift or the transit center which is close to the casinos.

At the transit center, you can catch a Heavenly shuttle to the California lift, or walk to the Gondola to get up the mountain.

Dear WM Friends,
I know that snow is seasonal and virtually unpredictable, but what are the chances of having snow at any of the ski resorts in med-December? 20%? 50%? 90%? We have reservations to take my uncle, who is an avid skier and will be visiting from Japan. I'd hate to disappoint him, since he is coming specifically to ski in America, but we will take him to Canada if necessary. (Although I would prefer to spend my money in California because we need to stimulate the economy and keep our money here!)
Thanks for any insight.

Does anyone know if there's a place nearby to sled? We'll have 2 small children with us who don't ski.

We're going to be at Tahoe I right after Christmas and are thinking about taking skiing lessons. It doesn't look like you can take group lessons at Heavenly's Boulder location. How is it getting to the Gondola? Or is there somewhere else we can take lessons?