Kirkwood Ski Resort

The first ski experience I had  was over here.. It was great... It was back in 2006.. It was midway through ski season and there was enough snow.. The day we came here, the sun was bright and shiny... We had a ski lesson at the beginning.. It was a bit tough.. but once we go the hang of it it was good.. The funda is not keep our legs stiff and make them a bit flexible and move it along with your body.. Anyways we had a great ski on the beginner slopes.. We had unlimited ride tickets so we went up thrice and came down... fell down a couple of times due to inexperience but luckily no broken bones.. our legs were pretty sore for the next couple of days as the boots were very heavy.. about 2 - 3 pounds each..

Anyways it was a great experience...

Amazing day of snowboarding!
This was my favorite mountain in the Northern Sierras. I hit a few of them this winter after taking a LONG hiatus from snowboarding. Kirkwood is what an east coaster expects from the Sierras...a beautiful windy drive over a mountain pass through some avy zones...a secluded and gorgeous spread out mountain where you can see the guy getting first tracks in the bowl on your way up right at 9:00 AM.
I was there on Easter Sunday 2013 and got 6" of overnight freshies and a 50 degree bluebird day with just enough cool breeze to keep the slush at bay. Perfect into to Kirkwood.
Since it seemed like mostly an intermediate/expert mountain and I was just coming back to boarding - I booked a half day group lesson - really just to have someone to board with. I learned to board by "keeping up" in the 90s and so there's some mechanics and technique stuff I don't know. So when I ended up getting a 1 1/2 hr private lesson instead with the most amazing woman, I really hit the jackpot! Her name was Teri Jones and if you are ever at Kirkwood - request a private lesson with her because she will take you to the next level and leave you bursting with confidence. On my 3rd day back from 12 years off a board we did mostly blues but hit Upper Zachary. With a little coaching on dynamic riding, posture and balance I was able to get through most of the steeper upper part without constantly washing out going to the heelside. I was able to link turn through most of it and didn't have to sideslip or falling leaf like an idiot. It was instrumental in getting my black diamond confidence back, because in the afternoon after the lesson I went over to Snowsnake Gully (the exit of The Wall run) and had the time of my life. Best run of the season - best run of the last 12 years!
I really wanted to come back for her one day Expedition Kirkwood women's camp on closing day. But my boss had me working that day. But if you need to hit steeps or learn to shred Sierra cement, I suggest you call up Kirkwood and ask for Terri Jones. She was amazing!

Can't say I can give a good review for Kirkwood since I'm new to skiing, but if I were to make a good guess, I would say for more experienced skiers, try Heavenly.  Kirkwood is definitely a fun place for beginners to intermediate levels.  

GOOD: Rob and David, really good trainers for beginner skiers.  They really can spot your problem areas, and help you correct them.  They also make you enjoy your time while learning, and spend pretty much the entire day with you - which for me - beginners need.  They help you when you fall down, and teach you proper ways to get on and off a lift, to stop  when down a slope, and how to walk it skis.

The slopes in Kirkwood are not so high and straight down - good for beginners.  There are no sharp turns or really deep hills at the Bunny Slopes.  

BAD: Renting is a bit chaotic.  They don't accomodate as well or direct you fully(they assume you've been here a million times already), so as a beginner I had absolutely no idea what to do or how to get my ski equipment.  

1) You first register your name, and info on a computer if this is your first time or don't come often at all.  After that your info is pretty much in the system at all ski resort locations.
2) Get a fitting for shoe size, but those on.
3) Get your skies and poles(one of my friends wasn't even given poles, she had to go back in to get them)

The rental area to do the fitting is rather small, crowded, and accident prone with all it's black - pole - obstacles in the way to form lines.  The so-called "locker" space is actually a grey bucket behind the counter for someone to watch. $5.00 for a bucket.

The cafe is a good size.  They have some drinking water and a bathroom.  They have chairs outside in the snow, and plenty of racks to park your skis/poles.

My recommendation: if you are absolute new to skiing. Tackle Kirkwood until you have mastered not falling down so much at the easy to intermediate runs.  Then checkout other resorts.  Plus during holidays(I went during Easter), there aren't as many people as other places.