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Boreal Mountain Resort
Rating Details »
Categories: Ski Resorts, Active Life
19455 Boreal Ridge RdSoda Springs, CA 95728
(530) 426-3666
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- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
60 reviews for Boreal Mountain Resort
Boreal has no illusions of what it is: A mountain transformed into a jibtastic park land filled with every shape and size kicker, tabletop, hip, and spine you can imagine with one of the best half pipes around to boot.
No vertical to speak of, but it is a blast for ground tricks, butters, jibbing, jumps, and the like.
$25 night riding is a great way to waste an evening as well.
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I do not recommend the Boreal Ski Resort, their low price corresponds to their low service and inadequate facilities. They have very limited ski lifts and you will be lucky to get good runs at this place. I recommend paying the extra few dollars and going to another ski resort, to be guaranteed a fun day.
It's nice going on a week long training class in Sacramento and having the opportunity to go up to Boreal for a quick fix to that snowboarding itch. That was the case for me a couple of weeks ago when I got myself a nice free stay at a hotel in Sac. After class got out at 5pm, I rushed home to change and drive up to Boreal or a good 2 hours of boarding right when sunset hit. That was nice. Seeing the sun set as the orange sky reflects off of the white ground.
There are good and bad for night boarding at Boreal. It's cool that you get to board at night regardless, but the floor turns icey making it a painful fall. Also, I find that it's mostly experienced folks that come here during that time. But for $25 on the company per diem, I'm very happy I came here. How I wish if I went to davis for college, this would have been so convenient.
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Boreal is a nice little snow park. $5 for 2 hours of play and $25 for 2 hours of tubing. We just played in the snow with the kids. I was being a little chicken along with my 6 year old to do any tubing. We all still had fun building igloos and having snow ball fights.
The only thing I didn't like was how long it took to get the passes. My husband had to sign a waiver saying we wouldn't sue if we got hurt and that Boreal was not liable. After signing the waiver he had to get back in line and pay for our admission. The whole process took 15-20 mins :( but the kids were able to play in the snow on the side while we waited so that was pretty cool.
I'd come back. The kids had fun and that's all that really matters.
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Happy New Year ! Wishing all of you a happy,healthy and prosperous 09'~!
It's been awhile since I wrote,and I was contemplating on what to write for my first review in 2009.It didn't take long to decide,since I wanted to share and write about what menat the most to me in this lifetime.That is my family..so,this review goes out to my favorite two little people on the face of this planet.My 5yrs old niece and my 8yrs old nephew.
Now,I have learned many years ago when you make a promise to these little people.You better darn right keep it,because they will never let you hear the end of it.I"m serious..it's unfreakin' belivable how they have such great memories.
It all started when I flew back home to the Bay few weeks ago for the Holidays.To make a "really" long story short,I promised my niece and nephew..yes I said the "P" word that I would take them to the snow before I leave.
***Skipping in all the between activities,so I can move forward to the actual review.***
Got back to my sis's house on the evevning of 12/30 from 3 1/2days of boarding at North Star.Exhausted from the trip..and here comes the two little peeps.They asked Uncle,Uncle..when are you taking us up to the snow.Honestly,I love them both to death but deep down inside I was hoping they forgot the promise I made.I was just exhausted...Then came out of their sweet little voices..you Promise Uncle...you Promise !
How could I say no to those cute little faces..there was only one thing for me to do.The right thing..the honorable thing....
The entire family was up at 6am on New Year Eve's Day,and we were out the door by 7am to Boreal Mountain.This mountain is the closest to my sister's place,and I find them to be more family oriented and a great place for beginner skiers and boarders.
Fast forward again..arrived to Boreal by 9:30am..made great time.The average drive from CCC to Boreal is 2 to 2 1/2hrs.
This mountain is a great place for the entire family,I took my two lil ones tubing (aka sledding) for the very first time.Snow tubing is a fun alternative in the snow,it's also good for those that do not ski or snowboard.
The rates varies,you can check out their site for further details on half day and full day passes.
I went with the following:
* Tubing (2hr session $25) Sled provided,you are not allow to bring your own sled.(Reg season $20..it's $25 during Holidays)
* Mini Snowmobile (10 laps $10)
Fast forward..taught my nephew how to board for the very first time.
* Snowboard Rentals ($35 Include child snowboard (Burton) & boots for 12 and under)
* Lift (Child $15)
Fast forward...took my little guy to the beginner area. (Walt's Run)
Easy paths..good powder (mid)..and my lil guy did awesome.I was proud.....
Sorry,I have to keep fast fowarding,there are just too much to write if I had to go into every details of everything we did.
Bottom line,Boreal is my pick for the best terrain parks to spend with the entire family.Prices are great,friendly and helpful staffs,convenience...not overly crowded.
I have a feeling I'll be back to Boreal in 300+ days.*
Left the park at 2pm...the kids immediately fell asleep...it was a big day for them.Made great time and arrived home to my sister's at 4:30pm.
I took a few hours much needed nap...and New Year's Eve at the Hyatt Embarcadero (SF). This review will be at a later time.
So,that was how I ended my year...with my family (most importantly),then my friends !
Best 09' ~!
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Date & Time: Thursday December 25, 2008 @ 10am
Company: Mommy, Michael & Jack
Crowd: Young Families, Teens & 20-Somethings
Vibe: Festive
Decor: Simple Ski Runs
Imbibe: Hot Chocolate
Total: $150 for Tickets & Hot Cocoa for Trois
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I thought I havent been to this place when my coworkers told me we were going here but as I saw the slopes I remembered that it was the first place I've gone snowboarding to! That hill was where I tumbled and fell on my face! Ahhh memories....
Boreal is a nice place to go to for beginners its looks like. They've got 4 green dots (or I think they're called bunny slopes?) to choose from. The have the really flat slanty slope which is a short distance and good for kids or people with no experience to practice on. They've also got a slightly steeper slope (castle peak lift) but still nice and flat with no trees thats nice to practice on. If you've gotten a few practices but still a beginner, then they have the sunset blvd trail which curves around the mountain. Its still an easy trail but it is very long; plus its a little flat in some areas so if you stop and fall a lot and have no momentum then you'll get stuck many times.
They have some intermediate trails (blue square) and the black diamonds which I cant review coz never would I try taking that route. For the hard core boarders and skiers, they have a half pipe and 3 different paths that have jumps and rails to do some tricks on.
The lift tickets are cheap at 47$ for an all day pass and they light up some of the trails for night boarding/skiing. They offer rentals and lessons too. They also have tubing which looks really fun.
Another great thing about this place is that its right off the freeway so you dont have to park you car, then take a shuttle or a gondola to the actual place. Very convenient to leave things in the car pick up. Free parking too! I think they can put some lights on the parking lot though espcially since theyre open at night too. Its hard to see the ice and people can slip and fall very easily.
Oh yeah, they've got some decent food too. I got chili cheese fries that were pretty tasty and a good portion for 6$. They have a good selection of energy drinks to keep people hydrated and they have a bar upstairs too.
The staff are also real nice. They got name tags like "Skinny legs" "little foot" and "Blazin" so you know they're cool people. They are very nice about stopping and slowing down the lift as we get off (because I always fall getting off the lift).
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I remember about 3 years ago when college lift tickets were only $10.
It's $20 now, but that's okay. I don't know why people are complaining. You have to factor in the bad economy and inflation. They gotta make money. $20 is still cheap compared to other places.
And yes, this is a better place for beginners but I don't think it's not bad for people who are more advanced.
They have jump ramps, a half pipe, and some other stuff... I don't know what they're called haha. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember seeing a half pipe here a few years ago!
This place will remain 4 stars for me, until I conquer this place and move onto bigger and better ski resorts!
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Thank you Boreal- you have officially made a woman out of me. After countless failed attempts on your slopes- I finally got the hang of it!
You make my life easier with the cheap lift tickets and the late night closing. You are officially my new bestfriend!
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This place is probably the place you wanna be if you're a broke college kid that wants to skip out on friday classes ... or possibly even thursday classes.
The college fridays are the best deals you can get, but that is probably the only price i'm willing to pay to board on this mountain. Its very good if you want to practice and see if you are into snowboarding/skiing.
The only thing that i didnt like about this mountain is after you have mastered the bunny slope (very short) and want to take something slightly challenging and longer .. its not good for snowboarding! the longest path has a lot of plateaus so it was quite a work out just skating it across.. instead of any boarding.
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Pros: A great place for beginners. Cheaper & closer than other resorts. College student discount tickets on Fridays.
Cons: Short trails. Back trails close early (if open at all). Food is expensive and not that good. When getting off a lift, the snow below is rock hard ice, and is concave, making it extremely difficult to get off the lift without falling or colliding with others that shared the chair. Not sure if that has changed. College student discount tickets are $20 (used to be $10).
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I'm not a very experienced snow enthusiast, but I had a lot of fun attempting to snowboard at Boreal.
Almost all the employees were super nice and welcoming. There was even a really kind old man greeter who said bye to us when we left.
The lodge was huge with a delicious assortment of food. Unfortunately it was all very expensive - just a bag of chips was $2.00!! But I suppose you have to expect that from any sort of vacation spot.
Pretty alright in my opinion, but then again the only other time I've tried any kind of snow sport was in middle school. So what do I know?
I was in the area right after we got snowed in near the end of last season with some friends and decided to play in the park on this day. There was some sort of trick competition going on, so all the snowcats were running getting the jumps and lips nice and groomed. We also spent the majority of the day on the lost dutchmen, bombing down the boarder cross area, nothing gets your blood boiling faster then a run through the high banked section, running three-four people wide that runs into a narrow chicane where the inside line is cut in by a massive dead tree... Good times...
I am now counting down until the start of the next incoming season... Waxing my board starting....... now!
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/17/2008
I have to admit it, I graduated almost 3 years ago from college and I still keep my old beat up… Read more »
PRO:
Located along I-80
Close to Sacramento
Cheap ticket prices
Night skiing/ boarding
Reasonable food prices
CON:
Poor snow quality
Runs are very short!
Can be too busy
Nigh skiing runs are very limited
Slooooow lifts
Gross bathrooms
I would not recommend Boreal for first time mountaineers simply because it can be very crowded and the dismount from the lifts are steep. The snow quality isn't great. When I was there it was a combo between man made powder and ice. However, if you want to have some fun in the snow that is quick to get to this place can be worth the time and money. If you are into terrain parks Boreal has a good one. Anything more than half day or night skiing I recommend going somewhere else.
O.K. I gave it 5 stars because it is a 5 star place for park riding. If you come here expecting to ride big mountain style you will be very disappointed. However, if you come her to ride the pipe, jumps, and park you will be very happy. It is basically one big park. The thing that makes this place cool is the proximity to I-80 and the price. You can get a night season pass for about $100. Great place to learn as it is cheap. Great place to learn how to ride a park.
Yes, right off the freeway!
I enjoyed the Castle Peak quad. It has a good green run with a mini terrain park. The green trails going around the mountain were good too, except for the one behind and to the left of the accelerator, it was too flat to even move down the slope. Overall, it wasn't crowded, probably cuz there was light snow flurries in the morning. I heard it's usually crowded, in which case I would probably downgrade a star.
Borreal is a great beginner place. Ofcourse I'm a beginner so I thoroughly enjoyed it. The trails were pretty easy. Blue runs had some flat areas where you can get stuck in. the snow tubing is fun. Get a discount on tubing from Raley's. Cheap lift tickets make me happy. Cons: The food is not great. I suggest you pack your lunch.
Oh, if you can bring your own boots because the rentals stink! The rental boards are good, but you have to make sure they are set up for you.
We planned on hitting Boreal as our first place for our son's 9th birthday snow getaway. Our intention was to get him ski lessons, a lift, and time for galavanting around in the snow. When we got there, it was quite crowded so we decided to just go tubing since we had only half the day by the time we got there.
We purchased 3 tickets for 2 hours at 1pm and expected to keep tubing until their 3pm closing time (for tubing). We were told the tubes will be provided at the slides. When we got there, they didn't have enough tubes (they overbooked!) and more people were behind us. So, we waited for a tube until some people gave up, which was about 10-20 minutes.
As more people came, everyone formed a line and people slid down, gave up their tube to the next person, got in line, and waited for someone else to give up their tube. Some people got really irate and it started to hamper our attitude also a bit.
In the end, 2pm, we went back and asked for a refund, although there was a big sign that said "ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS." The reason why I'm giving these guys 3 stars is because their staff were really good about handling the overbooking and the refund request.
The staff at the slides kept their cool and organized the line situation to accommodate the overbooking while staving off the angry customers. The guy at the registry also treated us with respect and, after consulting the mgmt, refunded us our money and apologized.
Overall, we could've had a better time given better timing. But, customer service is such a big variable and they did the right thing at the right time. As far as the snow fun itself, our positive attitudes kept us smiling the whole time. Plus, we got a few good slides down for free.
This place popped my snow cherry. Awesome ticket deal on Fridays!
It is a good starter resort for beginners. It's small, and has a few bunny slopes where you can practice your maneuvering skills.
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Pros: cheap; close to SJ; good for beginners in terms of price
Cons: few slopes; there are always lines at the lifts
I came here a few times and liked this place because it is closer to home and fits my pocket nicely, for someone who's only beginning to learn snowboarding, and sucking at it. I do like snowboarding a lot and would love to improve. So I'll definitely keep this place in mind for practicing. My friend mentioned that there's another place for cheap that's not crowded at all. Maybe I'll find this place out and switch preference.
This is a great place for beginner skiers. I was brought here when I was a kid and this was my playing field. My parents would take us here every winter and I remember getting on the green lifts with my brother and together we'd ski down. Sometimes our parents would see us from the lodge and they'd wave to us. Thus, one extra start for nostalgic memories.
Unfortunately as my brother and I got older and the greens became a piece of cake, we soon traveled to the blue runs and before we knew it, mastered Boreal. So then we moved on to other resorts, but for those with little ones and for beginners, this is a great learning environment.
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Boreal is an okay resort. The price on regular days is NOT worth it at all, and you should only go on Fridays, when you can get cheap tickets for being a college student (minus one star for bumping up the price from $10 last year, to $15 the next year, and to $20 this year). I don't even know if it's worth it to go here at the price. On second thought, it's still worth it, but it sucks that it costs so much.
I don't think I've ever had a GREAT day of boarding here ever. The lifts are so-so, and the snow isn't as smooth as the other resorts.
I was first brought here by my friend in 2003. At that time, I had never been on a board and didn't know what I was doing. I have to say, though, that day was fun and informative, but I wouldn't call this a good resort. It's great for beginners and people who like to do ramps.
The good thing about this place is that its the closest mountain to the bay area. Another good thing, is college days and night riding/skiing. They used to charge college students $10 on fridays for day and night. Now I think the prices rose a bit. This place is good for those days that you randomly want to come up but don't want to drive all the way to Lake Tahoe. However, I still think lift ticket prices are overpriced.
I have not had a really good time coming here since my first couple of times. My boyfriend nearly broke his nose, got a concussion, and sprained his wrist when we came here one night (it wasn't cause we didn't know what we were doing, but because the trails were super icy and wasn't well lit). The ski lift operators here are kind of rude. If you fall at the top of the lift, they just stand there and stare at you and yell at you to get out of the way. At other resorts, they run to help you up. Then the next time, my boyfriend (yes I know it seems like bad luck...) lost his cell phone and my camera on one of the trails. I've forgiven him long time ago for that. The trails here are short and the ski lift chairs are tiny. There is one quad chair that's faster to the right of the mountain.
Another thing I forgot to mention, this is our bathroom stop on our way to northstar because the rest stop right after boreal's exit is kind of gross and gas station lines are usually too long. For example, I witnessed some men relieving themselves behind the bathroom at the Shell on highway 80 because the line was too long.
Anyway, go here if you're a newbie or just lazy to drive all the way to Tahoe. Don't go here if you want scenic rides, powder, and nicer people. Go to a resort closer to the lake; you won't regret using all the gas and time to get there.
super pros:
- extremely easy to get to, via 80E. it's right off the freeway, with easy signage pointing the way. easy access to truckee as well, as long as the weather holds.
- lights on til 9 PM for night skiing/boarding.
- walking distance from boreal inn.
- cheap lessons and lift tickets. it's been mentioned by other reviewers that the prices are steadily rising; however, even at $47 per day for an adult lift ticket, it's still a good 30%-40% less than the other resorts we checked out. $20 fridays with college id? zomg.
- phone staff were friendly and got to the point quickly. stark contrast to phone staff of heavenly and sierra.
- short, easy-ish runs for utter n00bs like me. i have no problem with the quality, or number, of slopes available. i'm working on staying on my feet.
- beer on tap. greatest three words in english language. $5.50 for a glass.
middling ground:
- resort food is wack. it's basically all fast food at double the price and half the quality. not that i need a chef when i'm cold and tired and bruised, but if you want more than fries and chicken tenders, you gotta go to truckee. at least i like corn dogs.
- ok, the resort itself is not the most polished place. but, the restrooms are clean.
- staff training seems to run the spectrum from well-informed to just-trained-20-minutes-ago. also, not the most professional folks you can find. i guess i shouldn't expect too much from high school kids, but they should be able to point out where the board check is.
"areas for growth":
- snowboard instructor went WAY too fast for my slow ass. he covered the basics, then threw us off the top of the mountain. i was still working on how to get the hell up off the ground and he was showing us how to S-curve down the hill. the philosophy seems to be to just show-and-tell for an hour, and then let you figure the rest out. as it was, i spent the first day getting the worst beating of my life in recent memory.
- it's been mentioned before: lift operators are not the most helpful folks. if you take a spill getting off the lift (and i always did), you're on your own.
- resort store needs wristguards for people with hands bigger than XS. i learned how to fall on my forearms the hard way.
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I know Boreal is for beginners, but I always have fun there nevertheless. The beginner's package is a great deal; you get equipment, a lesson and lift tickets all for $65. If you're more experienced (and a cheap ass) you can rent equipment elsewhere and climb the slopes on foot. You might actually save a lot of time this way, as the lifts are always crowded and look like an airport. The food is mediocre and way overpriced. I also would recommend NOT going at night. Yes, tickets are much cheaper but if the icy wind doesn't break your spirit, the frozen snow will (along with a few other body parts). Have fun!
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The great philosopher Confucius once had these wise words.
"You get what you pay for."*
And in this case he's completely right. $25 for night skiing is a GREAT price, and makes Boreal an excellent value.
There are only 3 main routes down the mountain during night skiing, and after a few hours they get a little boring. But this is one of the closest places to the Bay Area / Sac Town and it's ON I-80. Again, it's 25 bucks.
The short runs are more tailored towards boarders (lots of jumps and tricks).
The cafe and bar are "movie theater priced", but they're not over-the-top like at the big fancy resorts. Warning: they close the bar an hour before the lifts, supposedly to cut down on drunk driving.
*Actually I may have taken artistic liberty on that quote. His great wisdom is "He who goes to sleep with itchy ass wakes up with smelly finger". FYI.
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Boreal was pretty cool. Me and my girlfriend didn't go on the slopes because it was her first time in the snow and she wanted to ease into it. We went tubing and it was pretty fun. $25 a person for about 2 hours. To the side of the tubing area was a place where u can play in the snow. Nice place.
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Pros:
Closest resort to me, cheap, night boarding, awesome parking
Cons:
LONG LINES, bad customer service
I need to vent about that DICK HEAD Nick that works at Boreal.
So here is the situation when i got my lift ticket i hooked it to my jacket like i always do, never had any problems at all before because i always go late in the season. But this time it was hot so i decided to take my jacket off. I asked one of the other employees from the rental area if it was possible to cut the ticket off and get a new one for my pants. They said yes and directed me to the front desk. That is where i met Nick 5'10 Caucasian male who talked in a high voice. I asked him politely if it was possible to reprint my ticket since i was moving it from my jacket to my pants he said "yes" and after 5mins of loud sighs, frustrated glares at me, and violent clicks on the mouse he turned to me and said "I can't do this, the ticket is now void I'm not able to print you another ticket you will just have to twist it on your pants or something.... Next time don't hook it to your jacket and just hook it to your pants how many times have you been snowboarding? is this your first time? next time don't make the same mistake." after hearing that comment i was shocked. I didn't complain to the manager because I'm not one to make a big fuss over some dick head having a bad day because mommy forgot the peanut butter with his jelly sandwich.
Yeah but all in all everyone else was really cool. Just that dick head Nick.
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TEN YEARS AT BEGINNER LEVEL. Yeah, that's me. This'll be my tenth snowboarding season. Yet, I'm still at beginner level. I rule! I can get down an "intermediate" run just fine, but I tend to fall a lot on the way down. And don't put any small hills in front of me, because if I get off the ground I'm done for! Still... I love the snow and I love snowboarding. I even bought my own board the year I learned!
But this isn't about me and my skills. No, this is about Boreal. Thank you, Boreal. Thank you for being so close. And thank you for being cheap. Those two things make you the greatest resortHAHAHA... sorry, calling you a "resort" makes me laugh, 'cause you're NOT! You're pretty much just the side of a mountain. But I love you just the same, Boreal. Keep on being cheap and close and I'll keep on coming back.
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I am never coming back to Boreal again. Despite the fact Boreal is very easy to get to and their ski lift tickets are cheaper BUT the resort is SOO small! I can board down the mountain in less than 5 mins. I should have paid more for a BETTER resort. However, Boreal is a great place for beginners but if you want longer runs go somewhere else.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/17/2007
5 STARS BECAUSE $10 FRICKIN FRIDAYS!!!
thats is all.
note: $10 lift tickets with a valid college… Read more »
We arrived at Boreal a little after 3pm yesterday. It wasn't too crowded and the line for the lifts (2 total) moved fairly quickly. This is a perfect place for someone who is just starting out (snowboarding or skiing), but I think that all ages and all levels will enjoy their time here.
I really wanted to do the Beginner Package ($65) that included 1 3/4 hour lesson, beginner lift ticket and equipment rental, but we missed the last session at 2:30pm. Private lessons are also available and making a reservation is recommended.
We just ended up going on our own. Surprisingly, it wasn't as hard as I thought and I was standing on my board the first time I went down the slope. Just like surfing, it just came naturally to me. I'm totally addicted now -- I want to buy my own snowboard before I go back again :-)!
I liked the spacious cafe and bar (upper deck bar). It was really nice to relax with a glass of ice-cold $3.00 PBR as I devoured my chili in a sourdough bowl.
$25 for a lift ticket + $35 Snowboard Package = $ FUN $
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I'm a pretty sentimental person, so my instinct was to give 4 stars to this place, because of my latest positive & memorable experience here! But, alas, I can now step back and try to be objective.
We braved a road trip on 12/27/2006, determined to finally learn how to snowboard for the very first time! Boreal was the destination of choice since we just wanted a straight drive on 80 and we wanted to hit the first place we saw. Our plan was to pay for group lessons, and take it from there.
I was pretty unprepared but it didn't stop me. I had my jeans, one fleece jacket, a down vest and some fleece gloves - that was it! It was freezing and I was scared to death.
As soon as we arrived, we noticed a packed parking lot, but we still managed to easily park relatively near the front entrance. As soon as you enter the lodge, there are clearly marked signs for restrooms, rentals, etc. The place was bustling, but despite a few minutes wait in line, the whole process was pretty smooth.
We had a late start that a.m., so our 3:15p arrival was too late for the last group snowboarding lesson. We opted to rent our boards/boots and wing it!!! For $60 each, we had our gear and a lift ticket good through 9pm.
The guy at the snowboard counter was kind enough to give us some few beginner tips, after asking "if you were to kick me, which leg would you use!?" From then, he proceeded to instruct us to put our Left leg in the front (I woulda kicked him with my right leg!), and how to get in/out of the bindings and on/off the lift. By this point, my heart was racing. Not only was I deathly afraid of heights, I have a bad tendency to lose any sense of control, with any increase in velocity!
Rest assured, the hill was full of very nice, patient snowboarders willing to give us more tips. I swear I didn't learn how to get off the lift until I was in line to get on the lift! Thank you, Boreal, for having nice people willing to help out the beginners.
The employees, generally speaking, were extremely awesome. Totally helpful, attentive and personable. Thank you guy at the top of the lift for not getting mad at me or laughing at me; Thank you snowmobile guy for checking up on me as I hiked/boarded up/down the bunny slope even after the lift closed; Thank you everyone who was anywhere near me for giving me my space!
After about an hour or so of beginner boarding (Yes, I did it!), we headed indoors to return our gear and get some grub. The cafeteria leaves much to be desired, but I swear, those were the best darn french fries, particularly after a grueling snowboarding adventure. The "Upper Deck" bar upstairs was a bit divey but maybe that's why I liked it. There were plenty of t.v. screens to keep up with sports scores and a jukebox with some cool music. Also, the view of the slopes added a nice touch.
I'll be back, Boreal. But please please please refill the women's restrooms with adequate supply of toilet seat covers and toilet paper! I can't wait to check out other resorts.
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Fast forward one year...tubing is now $25 per person for 2 hours (previously $20). I can still swallow this considering that you can still get a good number to slides BUT...they now charge $5 just to watch your kid at play. I think this is ridiculous! BOO!
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12/30/2007
I know that a lot of advanced skiers do not consider this a real resort but this is a GREAT place to… Read more »
How can you beat $10 Fridays?
So you can skip class for a day and not feel guilty for blowing your money on gas and on a lift ticket because it's just $10. Very nice, indeed.
When I went, it was snowing like crazy and it was wonderful! I was very much the beginner then, so I had some trouble with the flatter, narrower tree-lined paths. I just didn't know any better, but overall, Boreal is a nice, not-too-crowded place on Fridays to work on your snowboarding without going near broke. Doesn't seem like an exciting place to go snowboarding at, but it does do the job.
The lodge and eating area is spacious and simply serves its purpose. I liked the carpeting which made it easier to walk around. Nice big windows to look out and stare at the snow drifting down. The food wasn't too good though.
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Took the limo up the mountain and had a grand time.
Went here for my first snowboarding experience. I've been skiing since I was 12. Yes, they had moved from wood planks and lashings to composite skis and bindings by then :).
Went here for a group event. Since I was scheduled to be on a business trip when the rest of my team drove up from the Bay Area, my Director changed my flight to go to Reno and hired a limo to take me up the mountain. Pretty sweet.
Took lessons all morning and boarded all afternoon. I must say the ski bunny looking instructor was really good at her job. The small lesson group was all able to his some fairly steep runs that afternoon.
Overall a fine afternoon. Not the most glamorous mountain in the region, but they did a nice job and there was enough variety for us newbs.
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Can you say $10 College Fridays?
For someone like myself who doesn't have a season pass anywhere, this place is great to get reasonable prices to board or ski. With a college ID it's $10 for an all-day lift. Total cost with rentals was $45.
This place may not be as fancy as other places around, but it's got enough for a beginner to enjoy themselves. Surprisingly it wasn't as crowded on the Friday I went, which made it a pleasurable experience.
I mostly stayed on the Gunnar's and Nugget trails. For someone who has only been up three times, it is plenty challenging. We did get adventurous and went on Sunset Blvd. trail (I think). It was nicer to have a longer run and be at the top of the mountain. I won't lik, the blood in the snow did scare me, but I managed down just fine.
Make sure to bring snacks to stuff in the car or a locker or else you'll get stuck paying for overpriced food in the lodge.
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I actually find this place kind of cool. If you're a beginner you'll love it because they offer some of the most easy to learn and not so long runs. If you are a park rat like I am starting to become then you'll have fun on anything from the Core to the various progession park features that are all over the place. Also the Superpipe here is usually open before other resorts.
Boreal has a laid back atmosphere, very family friendly, and people there that shred and ski there are chill. They have a really laid back staff, that are helpful and also cool to chat with too.
It's cheaper than most resorts, and also offer $10 Fridays for college kids. Oh yeah and speaking of which, if you have kids Boreal offers a share pass where both parents can play tag team, one takes care of the kids in Boreals fun center/cafe, the other goes out and shreds or skiis. When you ready to switch, no problem, because you can since you paid for the snow share ticket.
Did I forget to mention that they have night riding? Well yes they do, and that adds even more to how much I think of Boreal. If you work like I do, and can't make it early on the weekdays, guess what, they are open till 9PM and if you come after 3 you pay half price the normal ticket. If you are looking to kill a day, well your full price ticket covers both your day and night session. $40 something bucks for snow play from 9 to 9... sick, and I've done that more than once. Granted that the lighting system covers only a few runs but still lots of fun to be had.
Warning, if you are not either of those, a park rat, a beginner, or a family looking for a nice outting, then this place might not be the best place for you. They offer a backside for people looking to do natural features, but not much after that.
But I digress from my rather lengthy review, go there for yourself and have fun, that's what it's all about.
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What a pleasant surprise! We drove up to Tahoe over President's Day weekend on a Friday and stopped at Boreal around 2:30pm, just late enough to get ready and get the "night ski" lift ticket for cheap. The snow condition was phenomenal this past weekend and that late in the day the snow was still superb. No lines and the night skiing was fantastic. Very kid friendly place and the terrain parks are nice for the kids to go on. Very casual, easy, nice and friendly place. Perfect for a stop on the way to North or West Shore if you want to ski as much as you possibly can. Plus the lift ticket is about as cheap as you can get if you do the night skiing. We will make it a ritual to stop there on our way to Tahoe City if the snow condition is good.
When we first got addicted to boarding, we would come here for the night skiing/boarding just because it was open late... Now, this mountain is just too small for me. It's cheap, good for beginners and closer than a lot of other places.
I have to give it 4 stars though, just because it's a ski resort and I love snowboarding.
ok the drive up there SUCKED chain control have to drive 30 MPH and all took a long time to drive 30 miles.
but the trip itself was great. got there took a nap, some grub, then some beer. I think that drinking and then doing something that takes alot of energy after is not for me. i was really tired after a few runs but sucked it up and kept going. later into the night visibility sucks it was snowing AND they had the manmade snow machines on WHY you ask... i ask also.
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12/10/2008
Fridays! bring your college ID and its cheap, good for the day trips only about 3 hours away( road… Read more »
