This post may contain affiliate links where we earn from qualifying purchases from referring you to our favorite products and brands. As an amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Find out more in our disclosure.
If you’re planning a California ski trip, lodging is one of the most important considerations that can make or break your trip. Tahoe California is packed full of lodging options, but if you want the best place to stay, head straight to the hill. That’s right if you’re skiing Heavenly, Northstar or Palisades Tahoe, the best place to stay is ski in ski out. Not only does it make things simpler, but it gives you so much more time on the ski hill and gets rid of the stress of driving in parking in these crowded ski towns.
Of course, in Tahoe, you’ll see stunning views all around with the massive mountains all surrounding Lake Tahoe, which peeks out between ski runs!
When searching for the best hotels in Tahoe, California for families, it’s important to consider all of the things that you and your family would love to do. The great thing about family lodging in Tahoe, California is that you have the best of every climate and natural beauty. There are mountains to one side and the lake to the other, so you still have beachy options not too far away wherever you stay.
As a parent, one of the best things that you can do for your family is to find kid-friendly lodging with plenty of fun things for the kids to do, even when they’re not on the ski hill. We love looking for places with a pool or hot tub, a game room (or games at the room), and plenty of fun things within walking distance like sledding, skating, or winter hikes. Below you’ll find three regions, separated into the best Tahoe, California hotels with families in mind. You can ski, snowboard, make snow angels, and have impromptu snowball fights with your family. These family-friendly Tahoe, California hotels are places where some of the best memories are made with your loved ones.
Best Ski In Ski Out Stays at Palisades Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe is our favorite place to ski at Tahoe with kids. It’s got a huge variety of terrain, fantastic mid-mountain lodges, and a really great base village that the kids will love. Truthfully, you can’t go wrong with a stay at Palisades Tahoe.
Squaw Valley Lodge
Located at the base of Squaw Valley, the Squaw Valley Lodge, dubbed one of the best Tahoe hotels for families,and is a slopeside townhome, boasting two stories of luxurious bedrooms, a full kitchen with everything you need to cook a few meals for your family, and a living room with deep-cushioned couches for relaxing around the fireplace after an afternoon out in the snow. Bring along a deck of cards or a board game for family fun on the furnished patio of one of the best ski-in ski-out vacation rentals in Tahoe, with beautiful views of the mountains and woodlands. It’s one of the many reasons to love this option for family on mountain lodging in Palisades Tahoe.
The Squaw Valley Lodge, a popular option for family lodging, features shared amenities for all guests, including two outdoor spas with saunas, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and two tennis courts. There are also three indoor hot tubs and one steam room, all perfect for unwinding and decompressing on a vacation that’s sure to rank as your favorite. It’s why this lodge is named one of the most kid-friendly hotels at Palisades Tahoe.
This property, is right next door to Squaw Valley Aerial Tram and Gold Coast Funitel, as well as multiple blue, green, and black diamond trails for beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Looking for fun away from Squaw Valley Lodge for a few hours? Check out Lake Tahoe Commons Beach, located six miles from the lodge, for seaside sights and sandy adventures with your family.
Village at Palisades Tahoe
Centered at the heart of The Village at Palisades, this condo, a popular option for family lodging in Tahoe, California, is a private, one-bedroom, one-bathroom luxury apartment in the midst of the action. The balcony offers stunning views of Shirley Canyon, while guests are mere steps from the pedestrian-only sidewalks leading to restaurants, shops, boutiques, and entertainment. There’s even a yoga studio and fitness center for visitors of all ages.
Activities surrounding this Tahoe condo are seasonal and based on the weather. Trails to hike, walk, bike, and horseback ride crisscross the mountainside, while winter sports include skis, snowboards, sleds, snowmobiles, and snowshoes. You can even find a few natural ice-skating rinks that your kids are sure to love near this popular ski in ski out Tahoe condo. Plus, the Aerial Tram Ski Lift is right next door.
PlumpJack Inn
Less than 200 feet from the Squaw Valley Aerial Tram sits the PlumpJack Inn, a family ski in ski out in Tahoe vacation rental with family-friendly amenities, like free movie channels, streaming services, and complimentary robes and slippers. The Inn offers the epitome of comfort in plush furnishings, scenic views of the mountainsides from private balconies, and a luxurious outdoor patio and sundeck with Adirondack chairs and fire pits. These amenities make the inn one of the best ski-in ski-out vacation rentals in Tahoe, California.
For skiers and snowboarders to this popular family rental at Palisades Tahoe has an on-site ski shop for rentals, as well as storage for guests’ winter equipment between trips on the slopes. For lunches and dinners, the PlumpJack Café and Bar, offers American fare favorites, like cheeseburgers, shrimp and grits, and short ribs. The kids’ menu features chicken nuggets and mac & cheese, perfect for picky eaters. While the whole family will love the homemade ice cream, root beer floats, and chocolate cake.
Best Ski In Ski Out For Families at Heavenly
Forest Suites Resort at Heavenly Village
Seated at the center of South Lake Tahoe, Forest Suites Resort at Heavenly Village, a popular place for family on-mountain lodging at Heavenly, is smackdab between the action of the mountains and the sun of the lakeshores. You can go in either direction to find natural wonders like Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach or the Heavenly Lake Tahoe Ski Resort.
Forest Suites Resort, one of the best hotels in Tahoe, California for families, boasts kid-friendly amenities that families will love, like a heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tubs, and spa services at the on-site fitness center. Mom and dad will love the options of massages while their kids can interact and have fun with well-trained babysitting staff that makes this a great on mountain family-friendly stay in Tahoe.
The Gondola at Heavenly, located next to one of the most kid-friendly hotels in Tahoe, California, is within walking distance of the resort entrance, offering ski in ski out access to the slopes. For good eats, try out the Gunbarrel Tavern, Blue Dog Gourmet Pizza, or Heaven’s Little Café – all within 650 feet of Forest Suites Resort at Heavenly Village.
Red Wolf Lodge
Red Wolf Lodge is one of tour top family-friendly Tahoe Hotels because it is all about indulgence and comfort, both individually and as a family. Each apartment features a fireplace and spa bathtub, perfect for cozying up and unwinding after a long day in the snow. There’s also a full, well-equipped kitchen for cooking up your favorite pancake breakfasts, as well as a comfy dining area where you and your kids can excitedly talk about your big plans for the day.
For skiers, snowboarders, and lovers of winter fun, there’s Far East and Red Dog – both of which are popular family ski in ski out in Tahoe, California access points. This lodge has great access to a wide variety of trails, as well as areas off the ski hill that are perfect for building snowmen, making snow angels, and having old-fashioned snowball fights. In the summertime, there’s on-property fishing and hiking opportunities for guests to this ski in ski out Tahoe, California. Dining and shopping experiences are less than 10 minutes away at the Alpine Village.
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
Convenient to Heavenly Village, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, a popular family ski in ski-out hotel in Tahoe, features your choice of luxury, family-friendly suites. There are budget-friendly suites, as well as high-end balcony suites with views overlooking the Heavenly Ski Resort Gondola and mountainsides. Each suite is separated into rooms like apartments, with a small office room, living room, well-furnished bedrooms, and private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries. Some suites, at this on mountain Heavenly hotel are even stocked with board games for families to enjoy during their stays.
Located on the main level of Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, is the family-friendly Echo Restaurant, serving up family-friendly lunch and dinner menus with plenty of fresh, delicious options for kids of all ages. There’s also an indoor heated swimming pool, hot tubs, and three outdoor garden atriums for guests to enjoy.
The Gondola at Heavenly is located less than a minute’s walk from the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel.There’s ski storage, rentals, and shops for winter gear at the bottom of the slopes.
Northstar Ski Resort Best On Mountain Lodging
Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe
For a full luxury experience, plan a stay at the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe. Known for its attention to detail and luxury, this is the perfect place to spoil your family on a Tahoe ski trip to Northstar. This luxury ski-in ski-out hotel at Northstar has a spa, 2 swimming pools, and 3 restaurants so you can get everything you need without ever leaving the resort.
When you’re here, you’ll feel like you’re staying at a giant luxury cabin in the mountains. With its mountain decor and giant fireplace, you may never want to go home! To make things easier for your family, make sure to take advantage of the ski valet, and to ask for help with booking any childcare needs as well. Kids will love the game room and parents will love the HUGE workout room where they can sweat off some stress on their own. This is a luxury Tahoe hotel where attention to detail is key, and you’ll feel pampered and spoiled the whole time.
Northstar Ski Trails Condo
The Northstar Ski Trails Condo, located next door to both Village Express and Big Springs Express Gondola, is a Northstar favorite for families seeking Tahoe, California on mountain lodging. Accommodations are comfortable and modern, with amenities like satellite television, an on-site sauna, and fully equipped, well-stocked kitchen. There are bike paths and hiking trails surrounding the property, and seasonal bike rentals are available at reception.
Northstar Ski Trails Condo is a pet-friendly location with a small fee, so there’s no need to leave Fido behind on your family vacation. It’s what makes the condo one of the best ski in ski out hotels in Tahoe, California. Guests have the mountains to one side and the beaches to the other. Kings Beach is located 6 miles from the property, while the condo sits on the snowy slopes of Truckee.
While the kitchen is well-equipped for cooking meals, families may enjoy a venture into town for good eats. The kid-friendly Outpost Café, located within five miles of Northstar Ski Trails Condo serves up classic breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites, like chicken fried steaks, buttermilk flapjacks, peppercorn cheeseburgers, and BBQ tri tip.
Wrap Up
No matter where you stay at Tahoe, you’re sure to have a great time. The views here are stunning, the snow is fantastic, and if you choose one of the stays above, you’ll have one of the best on-mountain lodging in Tahoe for families!