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Winter Van Life: Diamond Peak Ski Resort

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Diamond Peak Van Life Guide

When We Visited: February 2019

Diamond Peak Ski Resort, located in Incline Village, Nevada, was our second ski destination after our van life began in August 2018. You may not have heard of Incline Village, but you probably know Lake Tahoe. Diamond Peak sits in the northeast corner of the Lake Tahoe Basin. While Diamond Peak may not have the same name recognition as Palisades Tahoe or Heavenly, it is a ski resort worth visiting. 

After leaving Tahoe after 20 years, it was not our intention to be back there so soon. However, special circumstances were taking us to UCLA from our first ski destination, Brundage Mountain. We had Brundage season passes for the 2018/19 season, and Diamond Peak was a partner resort offering three free days. Lake Tahoe was on the way to UCLA, so to break up our trip south, we decided to stop by to ride. This wouldn’t be our first time riding at Diamond Peak.

So the bummer about our visit to Diamond Peak in February 2019, was the weather. A storm had just dumped feet of snow around the Tahoe Basin. That part was great. But another storm was right behind it, bringing a lot of wind the day we planned for Diamond Peak. It is not uncommon for ski lifts in Tahoe to go on wind hold, and it was unfortunate the one day we had on our way to UCLA was too windy.

Kyle rode two runs before all lifts went on hold except one. The line for that remaining lift was so long, and the trail open from that lift was so short, it wasn’t worth it to stay. I didn’t bother wasting one of my free days.

Diamond Peak has steep tree runs that make up 500 of their 655 skiable acres and great views of Lake Tahoe. It is less crowded and less expensive than the big guys around Lake Tahoe. And they have 1,840 feet of “true” vertical.

I like to start the day at Diamond Peak with a run on Crystal Ridge because, as its name implies, it runs along the ridge. As you ride the ridge, you can peek down runs on skier’s right to check trail conditions as you decide where you want to go after your next lift ride. Lake Tahoe’s views are also spectacular from up there, which is why Crystal Ridge made CNN Travel’s 100 best ski runs in the world in 2014.

Next time we are in Tahoe during winter, I hope there is an agreeable weather window when Diamond Peak’s lift operations are unaffected.

Plan Your RV/Van Life Road Trip to Diamond Peak

Go Here First…
Winter Van Life: Lake Tahoe

diamondpeak.com
1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, NV 89451
(775) 832-1177
info@diamondpeak.com

Pass affiliation: Ski Cooper 2023/24

Hours: Lifts are scheduled to run daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visit Diamond Peak’s Mountain Report for more information.

Mountain Stats

Driving to Diamond Peak

If you’re coming from South Tahoe or Carson Valley, you’ll travel US Highway 50 (four-lane highway) to Spooner Summit before heading north on Nevada SR 28 (two-lane highway). Spooner Summit is the least likely to close than any other mountain pass in Lake Tahoe. Also, highways 50 and 28 typically see less snow than other parts of Lake Tahoe. SR 28 has tight, icy curves in sections, as well steep drop offs on the lake side with no guard rail.

Highway 28 is one of the most gorgeous sections around Lake Tahoe. If you have time, stop at the Memorial Point Scenic Overlook or Sand Harbor – Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (entrance fee required). If it’s not snowed in or too icy, you can walk the paved Tahoe East Shore Trail.

If you’re coming from Truckee, you’ll travel SR 267 south (two-lane highway). You’ll pass Northstar California, so you might get stuck in their skier traffic. You’ll also go over Brockway Summit to Kings Beach, which is steep and frequently sees vehicle spinouts during winter storms.

If you’re coming from Reno, you’ll go over Mt. Rose Highway or SR 431 (two-lane highway). This is one of the windiest and steepest highways coming into Lake Tahoe. You’ll pass the Mt. Rose ski area, but highway travelers don’t generally get stuck in any major skier traffic.

If you’re coming from Tahoe City, you’ll travel SR 28 (two and four-lane highway) around the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. There are no major mountain passes to go over, but the speed limit is generally slow and there are mellow curves and icy sections.

When you arrive in Incline Village either via SR 431 or SR 28, you’ll take Country Club Drive to Ski Way. You’ll drive Ski Way a little over a mile to Diamond Peak.

Parking at Diamond Peak

Parking is technically free, but if you want premium slope side parking on weekends and peak periods, you’ll pay $30 and $40 respectively. Depending on which lot you end up in, you might have to take Diamond Peak’s free tram to their base area. See their Getting Here, Parking & Ski Shuttle page for more information.

Vehicles must be able to fit in a standard size parking space. There is not enough space for RVs. We had no trouble parking a 20-foot van. A 24-foot van might be on the long side, so if you go, arrive early to find a spot you can squeeze into.

Where to Sleep in Your Van/RV

Ski Area Overnight RV Camping Guide

Overnight RV camping is not permitted at Diamond Peak.

The best camping option is Zephyr Cove Resort’s RV Park & Campground which is 30 minutes in South Tahoe during optimal conditions. Otherwise, check out our Lake Tahoe guide for other camping suggestions.

Working Remotely at Diamond Peak

Tips for Remote Work & Van Life Travel

At the mountain, cell service reliability will vary depending on where you end up parking at Diamond Peak and the amount of people on the network. Otherwise, for the most reliable service, you’ll want to be somewhere along the main drag in Incline Village. If you prefer co-working space, check out Mountain Workspace.

Conveniences near Diamond Peak

Incline Village is a small town, but should have the basics. Otherwise, the Reno area is 40 minutes away with good weather and road conditions. Carson Valley is 35 minutes.

For groceries, Raley’s is the closest option to Diamond Peak in Incline Village. There is also a laundromat next door – Incline Laundry. Pet Station is just down the highway if you need pet supplies. Our favorite 24/7 veterinary hospital is Carson Tahoe Veterinary Hospital in Carson City.

If you need service for your Mercedes Sprinter van, see Mercedes-Benz of Reno. They have a Sprinter tech. (Not all Mercedes do.)

Where to Eat in Incline Village

When we lived in Tahoe, we worked long hours. Prepping, cooking, and cleaning up after dinner didn’t sound manageable at the end of the workday, so we ate out most nights. Here were our favorite places to eat during the year we lived in Incline Village:

Azzara’s – We spent a lot of nights at the bar of this family-owned restaurant eating pizza or the night’s special. Cord, the owner, used to always make it a point to say hello to everyone. We’re still searching for a better Tiramisu than the one made at Azzara’s. I think it’s the alcohol that makes their version stand out. There’s enough you know it’s there, but not too much that it takes away from the other flavors.

Bite – Bite offers a tapas menu. Each of their dishes is meant to be shared between two people, sometimes up to four. The plates are small enough so enough room is left in your tummy to pick several options from the menu. Eating out as a couple, it was more fun to share multiple plates instead of each of us having our own large entree.

You can make reservations at Bite and sit at a table, but our preference was to arrive closer to closing and find a spot at the bar.

T’s Mesquite Rotisserie – After a day of powder runs, I either crave a cheeseburger or a T’s burrito with tri-tip and their hottest salsa. T’s is a local favorite. You may encounter a line out the door, but they work fast. Heads up! They only take cash or a local check.

When we are craving more than a burrito, we pick up T’s Family Pac to go. You get a soy lime or Yucatan flavored whole chicken with your choice of three sides, plus tortillas and salsa or garlic bread.

Tunnel Creek Cafe – This was our go-to if we wanted to pick up something simple in the middle of the day. Their menu has changed over the years, so I need to find some new favorites.

Other Winter Activities

Mount Rose Highway (SR 431) on the Lake Tahoe side has numerous winter recreation opportunities, including snowshoeing, sledding, snowman making, backcountry skiing, and snowmobiling. There are parking options on either side of the highway between Incline Lake Road and Mt. Rose Summit. This area gets congested, but you can find peace the farther you venture from wherever you park. There are no restrooms.

Screwing around at Tahoe Meadows

Other North Tahoe Ski Resorts

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