I Flew from NYC To Palisades Tahoe for a 36-Hour Summer Ski Trip

This article originally appeared on Ski Mag

I have never been actual spring skiing before. As someone who is perpetually cold, spring skiing should be right up my alley, but I had yet to have the opportunity. That is, until this past weekend.

After a lackluster winter of snow on the East Coast, where I reside, I knew I wasn't done skiing for the year. And when I learned that several west coast mountains would be open well through June and even onto July, I booked a flight.

However, I, like many, find myself quite busy in the summer. Between concerts, birthdays, and trips to the lake, I didn't have much time to make my west coast pilgrimage, in fact, I only had two days. Thankfully, this shouldn’t be an issue if you're willing to go a little light on sleep.

With my destination, Palisades Tahoe, which scored a whopping 723 inches of snow this year secured, I set forth on my journey to conquer one last ski day and to learn of the wonders of spring (albeit this was technically summer) skiing. Since Palisades is the self-proclaimed "Spring Skiing Capital," I knew it was the perfect place to try to the novelty for the first time, plus, this was the resort's first time open for spring skiing since 2018.

I departed early Friday morning from New York City and, after a quick layover, landed in Reno just after noon. I grabbed my rental car and headed to the mountains, with the drive clocking in right around the one-hour mark. Everything about my quick trip was working out perfectly.

Once on the Palisades property, I had plenty of time to acquaint myself with the area and the altitude. I strolled through the village, where all shops and restaurants were open, and had the opportunity to take the Aerial Tram to the High Camp. I was blown away by the view of the lake surrounded by mountains and the amount of snow.

Even though the white stuff decently covered the area of the resort serviced by the tram, this was not the area we would ski. Instead, the tram brings visitors up for the views, to several trailheads, or to check out the roller skating rink, wildflowers that are beginning to pop up, or the Olympic Museum (there's also a pool, but it wasn't operational).

Fully stoked for skiing the next day, I retreated to my hotel for some quick R&R (and because with a trip so short, there was no need to try to adjust to the west coast timezone...East Coast bedtime for me)!

I started my ski day bright and early, and the first major surprise, the sun was already up. What a treat compared to the blustery and dark wake-ups of ski trips past. Gear loaded into my rental car, I drove the 10 minutes to the Alpine side of Palisades. During the winter, this side can now be accessed via gondola, but today I took the scenic route (literally). I was not alone in my plan for a June ski day, and the parking lot was already filling by the time I rolled in around 7:30 a.m. (10:30 a.m. for my East Coast brain, I practically slept in). The lifts start spinning at 8 a.m., an hour earlier than in the winter.

Gearing up in the parking lot was pleasant, there was no fear of accidentally stepping on snow or a wet car rug, my fingers weren't numb trying to buckle my boots, and I wasn't straddling the line between overheating and freezing... was I finally starting to side with team spring ski?

As I walked across the patio, I grabbed a flower lei for myself because, as I learned, spring skiing is fun. Like, dress up in a crazy outfit type of fun. While some of my fellow skiers opted for shorts, Hawaiian shirts, or no shirt, I decided to play it safe and out myself as a newbie. I wore snow pants, a light fleece, and a vest I later ditched--sunglasses instead of goggles and a helmet. I was thrilled not to need gloves. My ski of choice was a nice, wide set of Blizzard Sheeva's, which, I must add, matched my lei perfectly.

The resort has three lifts running for spring skiing out of the Alpine base area: the main lift Summit Express, Roundhouse, and the lower section of Treeline Cirque. I waited in a short line before hopping on to finally make my crazy travel all worth it: spring ski, which was glorious. The snow was slushy and heavy, the sky a brilliant blue, and the feeling of skiing one more day was priceless.

I skied all morning feeling like I did when I was younger, running toward the ocean on a family vacation after being cooped up in the car for hours. Absolutely marveled at life and feeling weightless. As I finished up my final laps, I felt satisfied, and while we always long for more skiing, I was content that this would be my last day on snow for a while.

I packed up my car and headed back as quickly as I came. Since the lifts stop at 2 p.m., I had a half day to spend around the lake. I spent some time lounging on the rocks at Commons Beach and drove down to Emerland Bay, remarking at the mountains surrounding the lake and thinking, "How lucky am I?". Apparently, only so lucky because my redeye flight to the East Coast was delayed, but even so, I got to enjoy a few more moments on the East Shore trail at sunset.

Once nightfall fell, I returned to Reno and checked into my flight. All in all, my trip was about 35 hours long, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, my one suggestion to myself and anyone else new to spring skiing is to apply SPF chapstick heavily. While I didn't have time to purchase a souvenir, my sunburnt lips are the remaining token of my trip.

If you have an inkling to ski again this year, Palisades Tahoe is open for one more weekend, aptly named "Freedom Fest" which will run until July 4, the grand closing. Nearby Mammoth Mountain is open on weekends through the end of August (as conditions permit) and crowd favorite Timberline Lodge in Oregon, will also be open through mid-August.

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