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From Olympic-rate trails to flying mannequins, Tahoe is home to several mountain resorts that offer something off the beaten slopes for everyone.

The peaks included Kirkwood, which boasts the most snow in Tahoe' and an award-winning beginner area; Sierra-at-Tahoe, with its wind-protected location and back terrain for experienced skiers; laid-back Alpine Meadows; Homewood Mountain Resort, the place to ski from peak to shore; Mt. Rose, which maintains some of the steepest trails in North America; Boreal, ideal for snowboarders; the family-friendly Sugar Bowl, and Squaw Valley USA, which hosted the 1960 Olympic Winter Games and still flaunts the trademark multi-colored rings.

What's more, several resorts are in the midst of new programming, renovations, or expansions, offering even more for skiers of all ages and abilities.

Diamond Peak (www.diamondpeak.com) ski resort in Incline Village, Nev., for instance, is one of the smaller resorts, with full-day lift tickets for $48, spectacular views, and a fun, family atmosphere.

The mountain is also gaining notoriety for its annual Dummy Downhill, which calls on the talents of the public and the mountain's staff to create launchable, skiing dummies that are pushed down the mountain and sent careening over a massive jump. The event incorporates live music, an outdoor BBQ, and prime seating on Diamond Peak's deck for the main event.

More fast-paced than Diamond Peak is Heavenly (www.skiheavenly.com), one of the area's larger resorts that straddles the California/Nevada state line and offers all-ability skiing and a wide range of amenities.

Rising from the spectacle of South Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nev., tickets at Heavenly are sold in three-to-10-day packages starting at $130; the resort is also known for its low package rates and rewards programs.

Beyond that, Heavenly is a prime destination for those looking for an extra thrill: it's within walking-distance of Tahoe's famous high-rise hotels and casinos, such as Harrah's and Mont Bleu, formerly Caesars. Late-night dance clubs and hookah bars, the newest trend within the college set, are not hard to find, and the Heavenly Angels, party girls who regularly host dance- and drink-fueled events, are equally ubiquitous.

Tahoe's largest mountain resort, Northstar at Tahoe (www.northstarattahoe.com) in Truckee, Calif., also boasts an extensive array of activities to keep things interesting.

Visitors can ski, snowboard, tube, or snowshoe for about $70 a day or less with a package rate. In the evenings, traditional winter sports are kicked up a notch with special programs, such as cross-country ski tours doubling as wine tastings, or moonlight dog-sled trips.

To cap a day of skiing in the high altitudes, the Village at Northstar, an expansive dining, shopping, entertainment and vacation-living area, is an excellent destination to wind down. Fire pits keep travelers warm as they sip a hot toddy and take in live music, and several chic shopping and dining spots elevate the experience.

These offerings and more are proof of Tahoe's new image; a hip destination for skiers in search of just a little lift, or the total package.

Learn more about this author, Jaclyn C. Stevenson.
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