Homewood is something of a surprise. Roughly halfway between the communities on the north shore and the congestion of the south shore, it is in something of a no-man's-land and is often overlooked. Yet it's a pretty substantial ski area that packs a pretty substantial wallop. There are lines on Quail Face that are seriously steep even if they are short; otherwise, Homewood terrain reflects a relatively even balance between intermediate and expert runs. But the calming family atmosphere—reflected in the resort's unofficial logo, "Smile, you're at Homewood"—makes it one of Tahoe's best beginner resorts. In-your-face views of Lake Tahoe are a Homewood specialty, but with that comes a downside. Because its base is at the edge of the lake, Homewood isn't blessed with the abundant, light snow of some other Tahoe areas. In mid-winter, Homewood can be a great getaway spot, but early and late in the season, when the snow cover is thinner, you're better off going elsewhere.

Where: Homewood is a three-hour drive southeast from San Francisco, a two-hour drive from Sacramento, and a one-hour drive from Reno.