The Country’s Best Ski Town Is a City

It’s not often that a ski vacation brings together epic ski resort offerings and the limitless amenities of a city. When you make Reno Tahoe your urban base camp for winter adventure, you get the best of both worlds. Take your pick of world-class Tahoe ski resorts, all within an hour of downtown Reno, and pair them with a vibrant city scene with endless dining options and access to tons of off-the-slopes activities. Once you experience the urban base camp lifestyle in Reno Tahoe, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to plan a ski trip based out of the Biggest Little City. Spend the day exploring more than 170 trails, 16 bowls, and 3,600 skiable acres at Palisades Tahoe. Check out Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, a local favorite, where you can drop into the heart-pumping Chutes or cruise the groomers. Then head back to Reno for an urban après scene. What does that entail? Here’s a look at all the après-ski fun Reno Tahoe has in store this ski season.

Hot Springs and Chill

Nothing beats a soak when you’re fresh off the slopes. If you’re skiing Diamond Peak Resort, near Incline Village, take the scenic route back to the city and stop off at Carson Hot Springs. A respite for the Washoe people and later for travelers en route to the California Gold Rush, this geothermal spring is the perfect place to let tired legs recover after a big ski day. The facility has a large outdoor pool and smaller private pools—all naturally heated to the perfect soaking temperature. For an upscale experience, opt for Spa Atlantis, inside Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. This deluxe spa has been awarded the highly coveted Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star designation. Treat yourself with a hydrating body wrap to replenish dry winter skin, or bliss out with a massage. Make a day of it by enjoying the other spa amenities like the brine inhalation light therapy lounge and soaking tubs before and after your treatment.

Dine Downtown

Big ski days make for big appetites. In downtown Reno, your après-ski dining options are as wide open as your favorite groomer. Right in the middle of the downtown action in the Riverwalk District, Liberty Food and Wine Exchange serves up shareable dishes that are perfect for groups and families. Start with a cocktail or glass of wine from the vacation-worthy drink menu and a classic après-ski crowd pleaser: Gruyère and white wine fondue served with green apples and a brioche pretzel. Then choose from a menu of hearty dishes—wood-fired pizzas crafted with homemade sourdough crust and regionally sourced ingredients, artisan-style pasta dishes, or steaks freshly cut at the Liberty USDA butcher shop—that hit the spot after a day on the snow.

More of a brewpub person? Opt for The Depot. Originally constructed as the headquarters of the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, this historic building is now home to Nevada’s first combined brewery and distillery that specializes in craft beer and whiskey. The on-site restaurant serves upscale takes on classic pub fare, including steak frites with bourbon honey butter and grass-fed burgers with bacon-onion jam and white wine aioli. Pair your meal with a whiskey cocktail or the brewery’s flagship Ranch Hand pilsner.

Experience the City’s Culture

For a truly local vibe, head across the river to MidTown, where you’ll find streets lined with shops, unique cocktail bars, and more than 100 murals. Grab a table at Centro, across the river in MidTown. This American-style tapas bar serves a metropolitan atmosphere alongside creative, shareable plates that will satisfy your whole crew. Order a variety for the table—lemon piccata meatballs, Korean barbecue spiced cauliflower, and salmon bruschetta on grilled focaccia. If you’re still hungry, there are always more plates to try.

Down the street, Homegrown Gastropub delights guests with hearty dishes made from organic, locally sourced ingredients. Tuck into a generous serving of red wine–braised pot roast served with sautéed baby carrots, asparagus, and house garlic mashed potatoes. Or go for the braised baby back ribs—a house specialty—slathered in house barbecue sauce and served with cheesy corn grits and organic wilted greens.

Keep the Fun Going

With access to public land and open spaces right outside the city, Reno will keep you entertained off the slopes. Fuel up at Hub Coffee Roasters before renting snowshoes in town. Then head to Chickadee Ridge for a mellow 2.3-mile out-and-back trail offering beginner-friendly terrain with big views overlooking the Desolation Wilderness and Lake Tahoe. In late winter and early spring, chickadees—known locally as cheeseburger birds because of their distinct song that sounds like the word “cheeseburger”—make for an exciting spectacle on their namesake trail. With their black caps, these friendly native birds are easy to spot. You may even get a chance for a closer look—bold chickadees are known to land on hikers atop the ridge.

Need some time out of the elements? Try the indoor bouldering gym at Whitney Peak Hotel. This competition-level facility features 7,000 square feet of bouldering routes and offers day passes to non-hotel guests. Or head just east of town to the Fly High Trampoline Park in Sparks, where you can work those ski legs and maybe even dial a new terrain park trick. While you’re on that side of town, don’t miss a chance to stop by the Generator, a community maker space where local artists bring large-scale fabrication art to life. The space is open to the public for tours Tuesday through Saturday, when you can see work-in-progress pieces and watch the artists in action.

Reno Tahoe is where ambition is rewarded and you can push those boundaries, try something new, and make memories to last a lifetime. Head to VisitRenoTahoe.com for inspiration and begin planning today.