Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
40 reviews for Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours
40 reviews in English
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Review from Rey F.
San Jose, CA
3/3/2011
Hands down has to be the best bus tours in the Bay Area.
You really get your bang for you buck with Tahoe Snow and Sun.
As a Kirkwood Season pass holder I have done plenty of other trips but none compare to this one.
I have been taking the Kirkwood bus trip and has 3 pickup place for the three regions of the Bay Area. San Jose for the South bay, San Fransisco of course, and Berkley for the East bay.
The host Jamie is real cool guy he often meets up with the group to provide refreshments when we get there and some BBQ and drinks after the long day of shredding and YES Jamie does reassure you get your helping of beer to ease your body from hitting the slopes.
Bus ride is really chill sleep on the way up. On your way back they provide a number of movies that the bus selects to watch and just a short social time to share the good vibes with before the movie starts.
All and all just a real great service and great time with Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours!!Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 3/4/2011
Much apreciated Rey! See you guys next Saturday at The Wood More » -
Review from Elizabeth V.
San Jose, CA
9/25/2011
I have taken Tahoe Snow & Sun (1 time) and Nac Ski Bus (3 times). Overall I prefer Tahoe Snow & Sun. I also know there is Bay Area Ski Bus as well as Snowbomb bus (I think those 2 work together). I don't take the the others because they are considerably more expensive.
Tahoe Snow & Sun
Pros
- A Number of trips each weekend
- CHEAP (which is prolly most important for most people)
- Well organized
- FOOD included
Cons
- Only Saturday and Sunday Trips
- Because of the way their stops are set up it takes more time to get to/from the mountain if you are picking up in San Jose. (-1 star)
I just listed the stuff that I feel they could control. Things like the buses are cramped, long rides to/from the mountain, etc....I think those are things the charter service handles. Also if you go to Alpine make sure to know that since it is difficult to get down from that resort the trip may be pretty damn longer then expected. I think we got back from Alpine at like 11:30 or 12:00. If you want to tip be sure to bring cash. -
Review from Mike S.
San Jose, CA
1/23/2012
Taking a bus is definitely the best way to travel to Tahoe from the bay - I will use Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours again. I won't bother listing all the good things because there are plenty of other reviews that do that. Instead, I'm going to explain why I did not give them 5/5 stars.
South Bay people are shown no love! We have to wake up very early, and get to the bus at 4:30am. SF and Berkeley folks have the luxury to show up to their location at 5:30. Since they get to show up later, is it too much to ask for South Bay people to be dropped off first on the way home? Returning from the South won't lengthen the overall trip, but will be more fair to everyone on the bus.
At the Movies... Anyone who is still physically capable of skiing/snowboarding has been spoiled by today's technology. Most of us own smartphones, laptops, music players, or tablets that can continually entertain us with high definition video and stereo sound; characteristics that cannot be said about the video system aboard the bus. The image quality was so bad that subtitles were illegible. Rather than making it impossible to sleep because of the obnoxiously loud noise, I say its better to leave entertainment responsible to the individuals. It's a nice gesture for the company to play movies, but I think it's become more a nuisance.
On a neither positive nor negative note: the bus can get cold while in the mountains. Definitely bring a thick blanket and a pillow for maximum comfort. It's no problem to bring these items and leave them in your seat during the day. -
Review from Rommel P.
Emeryville, CA
2/16/2011 8 photos
I blame the bus driver and the elements for the first bus trip fail, but I'd like to think second times a charm.
I've been going on day trips since I've started snowboarding but that can get tiring really quickly. You have a great day snowboarding, then reality hits you hard, you still gotta drive all the way back home to the bay area... BUMMER.
With Tahoe Snow And Sun Tours, let someone else do the driving. All you gotta do is wake up at the butt crack of dawn and have a seat in a comfy bus to snooze the entire way!
The lift ticket and bus packages are fairly reasonable. Just a ride to the resort is 45 bucks! that's a tank of gas getting up there.
The BBQ at the end of the day really hits the spot. Beer, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chips (Granny GOOSE chips! old school) , fire pit and chairs. What more can a guy ask for?
I think in the future frequent riders should have some kind of buy 5 get one free or have a set price for 10 rides for someone who just needs a lift up there.
Bottom line is if you don't wanna drive let Tahoe snow and sun take you there. Thanks Jamie and Co for a great experience.Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 2/28/2011
Thanks for the great review. Love the comment about the… More » -
Review from Jesse C.
San Francisco, CA
2/27/2011
(Feb 26, 2011) Saturday's trip was my first ever time up to Tahoe let alone snowboarding, ever. Being a newbie to well...everything to do with skiing, I was hesitant about the early morning of a 5:30 pickup from SF. It certainly was planned out extremely well.
-Get picked up at 5:30 from SF
-Sleep on the way to the mountain or enjoy the sights
-Ski/Snowboard until thoroughly exhausted and happy
-BBQ before boarding the bus for the trip back (we had pizza, soda and beer. all goooooood stuff)
-Watch two movies on the way back (never heard of them but they were very entertaining to me) They made the trip back feel short!
The service was great, Stan is a great driver, Jamie is a great organizer. Whats that saying about things that come in threes?
I am now officially hooked. For my first time snowboarding, this was the way to do it. This is a day trip I hope to take again and I totally recommend it to newbies like myself. I hope to get a group together for the next trip up.
Oh and the package deal for the ride, lift tickets and rentals was very good value!Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 2/28/2011
Jesse, I really appreciate you taking the time to write such… More » -
Review from Teng L.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2011
I feel like I've gotta support the little guys here. Even though their bus seats seem to be the smallest, they have the best price and very good service. Some of the other (not to be named here haha) services don't offer nearly as good (or none) food at the end of the trip. The whole operation feels very small scale so these guys seem to be trying a bit harder.
Honestly I'm not really sure how these guys make any money, cause even at bulk rates the tickets aren't cheap, so I'd guess they make about $20 a person really. With a full bus of around 50(?), that's like $1000 a trip. With about 20 trips a season, they only make 20K a year? I'm guessing they have to pay overhead for the driver (nice dude, needs to wear sunglasses while driving though, I worry he'll get cataracts later in life), and unless they own the buses outright they probably have to pay to rent them too. I hope these guys have day jobs haha.
The guys who reviewed this place with 3 stars partly because of Sandlot being played on the way back is nuts! Sandlot is one of my favorite childhood movies of all time! OF ALL TIME! That movie is the only reason I have a pair of Chuck Taylors. They are magic shoes! Otherwise he's actually right about the movies being played too loud. Recently when I went on the bus they seemed to have fixed the problem cause now the volume is lower and they put on the subtitles. They also have these nice new 15inch(?) LCD displays now too, which beat out the other buses' displays by a long shot.
tl;dr Nice bus company. Good food, good service, decent price. Stretch before getting back on the bus before the end of the day! -
Review from Reza F.
San Mateo, CA
2/27/2011
This service just might be the best thing since sliced bread was invented.
I went up with the crew two weeks in a row and more than likely will be going next week as well. This is hands down the best way to do day trips!
1- wake up and get to your nearest pickup location
2- get on the bus, sit and fall asleep
3- wake up, get your lift ticket handed to you and hit the slopes
4- have an incredible time snowboarding/skiing
5- get back for burgers, hot dogs, beer and a bit of social time
6- get on the bus and watch movies or sleep
7- thank the awesome staff for such fantastic operation they have going and go home!
Jamie, April, Greg, Stan... These guys are more than just staff for a great service/business, they are people just like us who enjoy going up and hitting the slopes.
I hands down recommend you give this service a shot if your interested in day trips to some of the best resorts in tahoe for an extremely reasonable price.
Oh, did I mention they also have WIFI on the bus? Just in case you cannot stay away from facebook, twitter and yelp, they have you covered. -
Review from Shaun M.
Hayward, CA
2/14/2011
Great deal on package!! Unless you live close to tahoe just imagine the long drive you have ahead of you and back especially after skiing or snowboarding for 6 hours. This is my 1st bus ride and I definitely will go again sometime soon.
if you were driving to the Resort: Gas: $60 + Lift ticket: $60+ Total = $120
and if you need rental gear its even more
Tahoe snow and sun tours: $82 bucks!! (trip and lift ticket included)
Pros:
-Great deal
-BBQ at the end of the trip (BURGERS, HOT DOG, BEER, SODA)
-Sleep
-Wifi connection on the bus
-Movies on the way back
Cons:
-Seats are a little small but i was still able to get comfortable and rest
I think every penny was worth my trip to kirkwood. I had a great time on the trip and enjoyed the services the bus has provided. It has a bathroom so if you need to use it they got one. They played 2 movies which were Social Network and The Town. Too bad I couldnt finish The Town because I got to my stop but overall the service was great and im pretty sure you wont find a better deal than this.Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 3/4/2011
Thanks Shaun! We appreciate you guys coming back. I'll work… More » -
Review from Jonathan L.
San Francisco, CA
1/11/2011
First time doing a bus trip up to Tahoe and it was a good experience. We left SF at 5:30am and after a quick stop in Berkeley, we arrived at Kirkwood around 9:30. Since we could just sleep on the bus, time flew by quickly and we could enjoy a whole day of skiing without worrying about driving back. Plus, at the end of the day, the company provides some food, mainly bbq food like burgers. The only gripe for the entire trip was that the burger was pretty undercooked. Even after recooking it, the patty was still mushy. The ride back was pretty cool. They showed two movies to keep us entertained.
For $82 that includes the bus ride and a lift ticket, this was a pretty good deal. I'd definitely do it again for a day trip. I'll just have to pass on the burger next time. -
Review from Fred T.
Redwood City, CA
2/6/2011
Great value and we even had other tour buses asking whether they could buy food from us. Of the 15 buses in the lot, we were the only ones that had food OR beer/cola. BBQ starts at 3:45 and we leave at 4:30. Got back to SF by 8:10.
Bathrooms on the bus are a big plus, though not many people used it, was nice to know it is there.
Bring an iPod with mellow music in case you want to snooze on the way home instead of watching movies.
Jamie is a great guy.
FredComment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 2/8/2011
Thanks for the awesome review Fred. It was good to meet… More » -
Review from Dennis S.
Oakland, CA
3/7/2011
I can see why TS&ST has received high marks. We were picked up on schedule and in no time we reached NorthStar.
It's a little difficult to sleep although it's a huge luxury bus. There's definitely "more bounce to the ounce." I managed to nap for a bit with bass infused ear buds, neck pillow and a hat pulled down over my eyes. For all you night owls/ insomniacs there's Wi-Fi and outlets so u can surf and get your charge.
After a good day of boarding, me and the crew were discussing, when did chili, chips, soda, salsa and beer equate to BBQ? Because that was what was served at the buses BBQ. I'm not complaining, it was just something to laugh at.
There was an injury, so we had to wait an extra 40 minutes before departing. We had a skilled driver (Bob), who was still able to get us back to the bay by 8PM amidst traffic and rain fall.
TS&ST will be my go-to transportation when I can't drive up or catch a ride with a friend. -
Review from I L.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2011
Worth every dollar. You get:
- bus trip up
- coffee
- lift ticket
- BBQ food afterwards (burger, hotdog, soda)
- they play a movie on the way back. Okay, the movie selection isn't so great, but I bet they'd be okay with a DVD that someone brings
I arrived at Kirkwood at 9:30 and returned at 3:30, though the absolute last call is 4:30.
Not having to drive is priceless. The crew is friendly, and the other riders are a very energetic, fun crowd to be with. I'm definitely going to book with this group again. -
Review from David Z.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2011
Unless you can find tickets for dirt cheap WITHOUT having to drive, this is your best option. Plus, a hot burger and hot dog at the end of a long day is like icing on the cake (Jamie even came prepared with veggie burgers!). Being able to relax on the way back already made the whole trip worth it. Definitely going to go up again with these guys (hopefully) this season.
PS. They fixed the movie selections. We had 4 choices of movies and the volume wasn't too loud (the guy sitting next to me was still able to sleep on the way back). -
Review from Gabriela H.
San Rafael, CA
3/2/2011
I really recommend the Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours! Lo recomiendo!
It was a good service and the owner super nice! Everything was well organized! Good price and I liked the barbeque after a long day skiing!
The only thing I can complain was the selection of the movies we watched it LOL
So happy! -
Review from Victor C.
2/26/2009
My friend and I decided to take a day trip up to Tahoe on Sunday... didn't really want to drive, so we looked into other options...
After exploring the three-four other options available, we settled on Tahoe Snow and Sun, since it was one of the cheaper alternatives and solid reviews from other yelpers.
Destination: Kirkwood
Pick-Up: 5:30am
SF Pick-up Location: 2nd/Harrison next to Gordon Biersch
No delays in our departure: +1
Quick stop in Berkeley: No biggie
Driver took the wrong turn (twice): kinda irked
Driver took almost an hour to put on chains: more irked
(side note: I later heard him talking to someone else that it had to do with different tires on one side)
Arrived kind of late... but you can't really blame Tahoe S&S
Greeted after a rough day on the mountains with some chili (veggie and meat) and beef barley soup piping hot next to the bus! And they had a mini-keg too. Definitely hit the spot.
For maybe $15-20 more than the price of a regular lift ticket... you cannot go wrong with this. -
Review from Gary L.
Oakland, CA
3/8/2009
Ok. Here it is, laid out as simply as possible.
Kirkwood lift ticket = $72
Tahoe Snow and Sun bus ride + lift ticket = $79
So unless I can drive the 300 mile round trip for $7, I think there should be no reason ever to drive up there yourself for a day trip.
Aside from having to get up at the ass crack of dawn to get to the meeting place in Berkeley (for the East Bay folk), the ride was very smooth and uneventful. Most people just tried to get some shut eye before hitting the slopes.
They also make things super convenient for you. As soon as you get to the resort, the bus parks around their own local crew who have the lift tickets ready to hand out. No extra waiting in line. When the day is done and it's time to go home, they provide food and beverages before the trip home. This time we had burgers and dogs. The condiments were pretty minimal, but hey it's free food. Plus they even had a mini-kegger which deserves 5 stars on its own. The only bad thing was one of the movies that they showed on the ride back.
The Lodger - The tale that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's THE LODGER gets a modern sheen in this thriller that features a star-filled cast. Hope Davis plays a woman who takes on a mysterious lodger (Simon Baker), even as a serial killer is turning West Hollywood into a graveyard. But the murders aren't simple slices and dices; the killer is recreating the work of history's most famous killer: Jack the Ripper. Shane West and Alfred Molina also star as detectives investigating the string of gruesome crimes.
There's a reason why this movie went straight to DVD. -
Review from Daniel S.
San Francisco, CA
3/15/2010
These dudes are amazing. What's not to love? You get to sleep all the way to the mountains, ride all day, bbq and keg of beer at the bus, movies home. Ahhhh... completely delicious. The only way to do a day trip up and back.
This last trip, I had booked a bus ride-only ticket to heavenly with them since I already had a pass there. They canceled the heavenly trip and offered to either refund my money or switch me to their Kirkwood trip the next day with a free lift ticket for my inconvenience. How can you complain about that?
Kirkwood is the bomb and so is Tahoe Snow & Sun. But, hey, let's keep this like our little secret ok? Shhhhh. See ya on the bus. -
Review from Micaiah F.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2010
The team at Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours has always been overly accommodating to our needs. My first experience with TSST was as a guest on their bus trips. What a great experience that was. They got us to the mountain on time and catered to our needs.
My company Force by Design Inc. recently worked closely with Jamie and the team to organize a VIP ski weekend for our best clients and associates. We could not have been happier. The ski passes were available for us quickly, Jamie even guided an advance terrain tour for us. What a great experience!
Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours comes highly recommended. Quit driving to Tahoe every weekend and ride the bus, be green! -
Review from Cookie Monster z.
Saratoga, CA
1/19/2009
I took a Sunday day trip to try out snowboarding with my sister and we didn't want to drive up there, so a friend of mine gave me this link and we booked the "Learn to Package," which was everything we needed for the trip since we were newbies. The package deal includes the round trip bus ride, equipment rental, 2 hour lesson, and the beginner lift ticket.
We basically came on the bus (we were a bit late, but being the last pick up area--Berkeley, people were still loading their gear, so we quickly got outta the car and into the bus), slept/sat there for approx 3 hours, arrived at our destination and were given a map, our lift ticket sticker and equipment rental/lesson paperwork. The guys were really helpful in letting us know where to catch the shuttle to the bunny slopes.
For the departure, they had a cookout when we arrived. We had some good, piping hot chili (they even had vegetarian chili!) and they even had beer for those 21+ y.o. We departed at 4:30pm, sharp. Most everyone were sleeping on the bus during the ride back. It was pretty much quiet on the bus. We arrived to our location around 8pm.
It was that simple and easy. -
Review from Paras B.
San Jose, CA
3/1/2010
My dad talked me into going with them last minute and I agreed. We had a great time and you just can't beat the price. For $82 per person we got a ride to the snow and it even paid for our lift tickets.
We were the first to be picked up so it was EARLY but we got to sleep on the bus there and back. They had hot chocolate and coffee upon arrival. Very organized...they also had a cookout at the end of the day with chili, chips, beer and soda and not to mention fire pit. What else could you ask for for $82 bucks. Beer...come on, it cost $5 at the resort.
Thank you guys we had a blast.Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 3/17/2010
Thanks for the kind words. I spoke with your dad the Sunday… More » -
Review from Jessica B.
San Francisco, CA
2/27/2011
I was so happy to find a ski bus that went from San Francisco to Tahoe! I had a great time going on one of these trips. We were picked up on time at 5:30am, the bus was quiet on the way up so everyone could sleep, and it seemed like we got off the bus and got to the lifts in no time! The bus ride was long, but having our tickets ready made everything else super fast! They also had coffee which was cool. It seemed like we had the perfect amount of time to snowboard, then we went back to the bus for bbq stuff! We watched a few movies on the way back, and were back to the city at about the time they said! This trip was so much fun! I will definitely be using Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours again!!
Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 2/28/2011
Jessica - Thanks for the awesome review. Glad we lived up… More » -
Review from Kazam A.
San Jose, CA
2/23/2009
On a whim, I found these guys thru CL and decided to sign up at 10PM the night before. I was a bit skeptical at first because of the low price($79), but the YELP reviews on here helped.
I arrived at Westgate aroudn 4AM and everything was ready to go. I just shoved my stuff in the lower bay storage, sat in my seat and the bus left promptly at 4:30. The nice young lady asked me for my name on the checklist and we were on our way. Everyone pretty much falls asleep and the lights are off. The seats recline more than an airline chair, but I suggest briging your own pillow for more comfort. There is a bathroom on there as well (good for when you have too much beer...read on).
We arrived at Kirkwood a little after 9AM (even with having to put chains on. The driver was amazingly fast!). Lift passes were waiting just outside the bus (the main organizers all live in Tahoe, so they're set up and ready to go).
Once you're done, these guys make sure you have a good welcome back.... they have a nice fire going, hot chocolate, keg beer and chili (yes, vegan chili, too). I can't say enuf how much the little things really add up. Plus, the organizers are REALLY nice guys. They were going out of their way (even tho busy serving) to get to know everyone on the bus.
On the way back, they showed a couple of movies and we were back in SJ around 8:30.
If I did this myself (or even a basic rideshare), it wouldn' come close to this. I was well rested and fed after this trip. I really can't ask for more.
How much did I pay? Not a dime over $79 by the end of the day.
Hands down, an A+ experience. These guys are just starting out, so help em out and get your friends on this!! (and it's cheaper than Snowbomb) I'm going again within the next week or so! -
Review from Clayton A.
Capitola, CA
3/2/2011
Best way to do a day trip to Ski in Tahoe. They drive you, give you a lift ticket feed you, give you beer, show you a movie, and don't bother you when they sleep. For some of you that my sound like the closest thing to a perfect spouse but, the difference is this a ton CHEAPER. haha Its perfect.
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Review from Christina L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/9/2009
I think Gary L. said it best. After all, life is all about the mathematics! With a regular Kirkwood lift ticket being $72 and the ticket AND busride with Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours being $79 there's no possible way that my review could be less than 5 stars. Nonetheless, there were several other + points and things to note that I think are important so here they are:
1. VERY punctual - don't be late! We were picked up in San Francisco and arrived exactly at 5:30 am! The second we got on the bus we started moving so don't be lollygaggin' here. Serious stuff. Also, keep in mind that generally the tours are booked to capacity so if you get there just in time it is doubtful that you will find seats close to each other for the entire party. There were some seats that were reserved for other passengers - not sure what that's all about but I guess somehow that is a possibility?
2. FOOD and BEER - served at 3:30 pm for the Kirkwood package and the bus is set to go at 4:30. Excellent way to get people back to the bus on time! Unfortunately, again, we got there just in time at 4:20 pm and there were no burgers left...lots of beer though! We ended up with 2 slices of cheese and a hungry ride back but I can't say that they didn't warn us...
3. Service - very friendly, especially the local group bbq-ing beside the bus. It's a small group of people running the you company so it seems like they're all very invested in offering friendly service.
4. Movies - can't complain! We watched Iron Man and The Lodger which was an interesting horror movie but a horrible choice considering after drop-off I had to wait in the Berkeley Marina...in the dark...alone...with my batteryless cell phone.
5. Ride - driver seemed experienced and capable. We went on a very beautiful sunny day so I can't comment on how it would be in a snowstorm. Took a couple turns a little too fast which was slightly unnerving and went through a back route that was confusing but, ultimately, I think it saved us time on the trip back =)
That's all!! As the most inexpensive and reliable snowbus option I would definitely recommend you choose Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours! -
Review from David H.
San Francisco, CA
11/17/2009
Such a great deal! This is a lot cheaper than some of the other snow busses.
This is WAY better than driving yourself up there. You do have to get up kinda early but at least you can sleep on the ride up. The folks who run this bus are super nice and friendly. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the bus and heading back to the snow! -
Review from Sonia C.
Lafayette, CA
3/1/2010
I went to Kirkwood with TSST for the first time yesterday and was favorably impressed: The bus arrived on time and got us to Kirkwood without incident. Coffee, tea and lift tickets were distributed upon our arrival. The chili at the end of the day was delicious and the fire pit was nice and toasty. The beer might not have been as fancy as some would have liked but, hey, it was free! On the ride home, our hostess took a vote to see which two of four movies we wanted to watch. We decided on Zombieland and This is It.
Here are my complaints: the bus was cramped, one of the tvs didn't work, and the bathroom didn't lock. I mentioned these problems to one of the owners of TSST and was told that the buses are chartered and some are better than others. These minor criticisms do not detract from my overall positive experience with TSST. I'm probably going to go back to Kirkwood with TSST next weekend! -
Review from Veeks B.
San Francisco, CA
2/22/2010
Some people like to take their personal limo driver up to Tahoe, but since I can't afford that, I found this service to be a great value!
I think with Tahoe Snow and Sun tours I got what I paid for...plus more. The staff was really friendly and accomondating, the BBQ and beers were welcomed at the end of the day. If you love snowboarding/skiing (like I do), don't want to drive, save money and have a good time....this is for you! -
Review from Jonathan L.
Saratoga, CA
1/18/2009
Bottom Line: Really awesome tour bus.
My first time taking a bus to Tahoe so I was a bit skeptical at first. I met up with the bus in San Jose (4:30AM) and we took off picking other people up in SF and Berkeley. Arrived at Kirkwood around 9:30AM. Lift tickets were ready outside the bus door as soon as we arrived so no time was wasted. End of the day was cool b/c of the free beer, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and more beer. I took the tour bus on Grand Opening day so, I'm not sure if they're still tailgating at the end of the day.
Looking forward to using their services for the rest of the snowboarding season and will see what summer has in store.....
FIVE STARS -
Review from andrea b.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/21/2011
We went with this operation for the first time to Heavenly Valley--my daughter had never skied and it had been many years for me. We bought the lesson, rentals, tickets and all--fabulous price. Bus picked us up promptly in San Jose, moved onto SF and Berkeley--effortless early morning (we brought pillows and slept). Arrived to a gorgeous day at Heavenly Valley. We were met off the bus by the incredibly efficient team who checked us in, led us to the shuttle, led us into the rental place-wonderfully orchestrated. Great day of skiing (lesson for my daughter was too crowded, but luckily, an instructor took her aside and worked one-on-one for the last 45 minutes). Skied the rest of the day. Came back to bus, where there was a BBQ--beers and all. Movies, laughter and bliss for the ride home.
This is a first rate operation. I cannot say enough about how easy and totally enjoyable it was.
Thank you Tahoe Snow and Sun!
A. Borsuk -
Review from Taryn L.
San Jose, CA
1/19/2011
My boyfriend and I took the bus to Kirkwood last valentine's day and had a great time. The bus was a little older - but who cares? You can bring snacks or whatever on the bus and just relax. I really enjoyed the bbq at the end of the day and everyone riding the bus got along really well. The movies were a little old but reading the new reviews they might have gotten some new ones. I have never been more glued to a Steven King movie in my life...
I will be taking TSST again very soon!Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 1/19/2011
Thanks for the great review. The movies were my bad. The… More » -
Review from Sam D.
San Jose, CA
12/20/2010
What a great experience. Went with a friend during a snow storm. The driver got out, put chains on and continued on. No hassle trip.
I slept on the way over and they had two movies on the way back. Leg room is okay for a 6' guy, but the seats do recline. Overall great. Would go again -
Review from Badri A.
Berkeley, CA
3/1/2011
$82 for:
ride to Kirkwood
lift ticket
coffee/cocoa upon arrival
BBQ/pizza dinner and beer at the end of the day
friendly crew
movies
and lots of sleep on the bus.
Why would you ever drive?!? -
Review from Jimmy D.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2010
Did the Kirkwood run last sun:
Pros:
- was nice letting someone else do the driving
- we didn't crash
- somewhat affordable - though you can get Kirkwood discount lift tickets everywhere for $60 and the trip was $82 so you are basically paying $22 for the bus ride
- free beer for the ride back - tho it was Pabst - blechh! You'd think they would at least spring for Bud
- very organized - the leader/guide person on the bus was very clear with instructions
Cons:
- bus seats super uncomfortable and cramped - though i'm a taller (though just 6') guy. sort of felt like i was on a small airplane - narrow, firm seats - simply no comparison to the comfort of riding in a car
- they blasted some some straight to DVD movie - "Sandlot" - on the way back. it was so loud even turning my ipod to full didn't drown it out - made for an unpleasant and sleepless ride home
- no BBQ/food - the website touts the fact they offer an "end of day BBQ or cookout." ummm... they seemed to have discontinued that benefit... we stopped at some strip mall halfway back and I shoved some disgusting Burger Thing food down my pie-hole
All things considered, if you *hate* the drive to and from Tahoe or simply do not have a car, it's not a bad deal. If you or a friend do, in fact, have a car and you get a few people together you could all pitch in $22 each and pay for gas *and* stay the night somewhere or eat at a nice restaurant (buying the driver dinner, of course) with the extra money.
Not sure if I would do it again, the bus/DVD being so uncomfortable.
Kudos to the driver for not crashing and killing us though. :)Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 3/17/2010
Mark, sorry you didn't have the experience that most enjoy.… More » -
Review from Ira L.
San Jose, CA
3/15/2009
This is not a deal, it's a steal! $79 gets you round trip to Kirkwood, lift ticket, BBQ and drinks, and a really great bunch of hosts. I went up to Kirkwood today, we got to the slopes at 9:15 and the lift tickets were already waiting for us, so it was right onto the mountain. They fire up the BBQ at 3:30, but the bus doesn't leave until 4:30, so you can catch the very last lift if you want, or hang out with the hosts and enjoy some BBQ, beer, and sodas at the end of the day. This is definitely THE WAY to do a day trip to Tahoe!
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Review from Martin O.
San Francisco, CA
3/8/2011
I was in need of a one way ticket back to SF after boarding at NorthStar. I spoke with Jaime who invited me to the BBQ before the trip back. Two batches of chili (vegetarian, meat) were delicious after a long day of boarding. Beverages were also provided (PBR, sodas)....all food/drink included in the ticket price! I've used NACski in the past, both are around the same price but TS&S has that extra hospitality that will keep me coming back. Smooth/quiet ride, a couple of DVD's and free WIFI to keep you entertained. Thanks again, I had a great time even prior to getting on the bus!
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Review from Jannine M.
San Francisco, CA
3/23/2009
Everything positive I want to say has already been said here.
I'd just like to add one thing though ... our party of 4 did the overnighter to Heavenly and Kirkwood. After returning to SF with day Heavenly trippers on Saturday night, the bus comes back on Sunday with Kirkwood day trippers. Fortunately, a foot and a half of snow yesterday meant a great day on the powder but a bad day with road closures. Ultimately, our bus never made it to Kirkwood on Sunday due to the weather and after a day on the slopes, our group was personally driven back on Sunday night to SF. The weather was insane with Highway 50 closed, jack-knifed trucks on the roads etc...all this resulting in the TSST staff member driving a circuituous route via North Lake to get us home. The trip took about 7 hours and we were dropped off at our apartment (as opposed to the bus pick-up point) close to midnight before the poor guy had to make the return trip back to Tahoe.
We cant thank TSST enough - getting us home at all costs after a weekend of fun was truly exceptional service.
My advise - if you want the best deal ever as well as that extra bit of care, then go TSST for your next day or overnight trip to Tahoe. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Berkeley, CA
1/10/2011
I've taken 2 trips with this company: nice people, good service (well organized & on time), very fair price. You'll enjoy sleeping instead of driving. It makes the day on the slopes much more fun.
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Review from Raymond H.
San Bruno, CA
1/9/2011
I took trips with these folks when it was under a different company and am glad that they are back. The stop at SF is in a good area and if the bus gets back early enough you can even have a beer or two at Gordon Biersch before heading home. I was on the 1/8 Northstar bus and got back around 8:00. Free beer/soda and BBQ burger/hotdog at end of day is a nice touch. They would be my only choice if I want to take a day trip.
Comment from James G. of Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours 1/19/2011
Raymond, it was great catching up with you at Northstar.… More » -
Review from Will C.
Berkeley, CA
1/1/2011
By far the best way to get to the hill! Last year was my first season in the area and I had no car and a tight schedule so I tried all the bus trip companies, including about 3 trips with these guys. I won't make the mistake of giving anyone else my business again! Tahoe Snow and Sun is run by a bunch of great people who just love skiing and snowboarding and are eager to share the sports they love with others. The selection of resorts and choice of pick-up/drop-off spots are second to none and the cost is shockingly, bafflingly, staggeringly low. Even now that I do have wheels of my own, it's cheaper and safer to ride with Tahoe Snow and Sun; they make day-trips effortless that would otherwise be hazardous and through what I can only conclude is a pact with Satan himself somehow save you money in the process. When weather permits it, the apres-ski bbqs are always a highlight, not only for the tasty grub but for the conversations with the guys behind this wonderful company who know Tahoe like the backs of their hands and can share insider knowledge to make your season the best it can be. As you can see from the reviews, the company inspires devotion like no other. I've told all my friends about Tahoe Snow and Sun and drag them along as often as possible. If you make a trip with Tahoe Snow & Sun, you'll want to tell the world about them too!
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Review from andreas B.
San Francisco, CA
12/8/2009
These guys are great. Outstanding customer service, great price!!! I used them at least 4 times last season and always had a good experience! Definitely using them this season again.
