With a vertical rise of just 500 feet, Boreal's emphasis is on terrain parks rather than expansive terrain, a place where snowboarders and new-school trick skiers in particular can get their kicks. But Boreal's real selling point is as a place for first-timers to learn to ski or snowboard. The area claims to have taught more than 300,000 "never evers." If you want to learn the sport before heading to the bigger resorts in the Tahoe area, Boreal is a good place to start.

Where: Boreal is Tahoe's most accessible resort from Northern California, directly off Interstate 80.