What’s New at Diamond Peak Ski Resort for the 2026-27 Ski Season
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. (Fall 2026) – Diamond Peak Ski Resort is planning to open for skiing and snowboarding on Thursday, December 3, 2026, conditions permitting.
Celebrating 60 seasons of fun, again: When it opened on November 19, 1966, Diamond Peak Ski Resort – then known as Ski Incline – ushered in a new era of skiing in the Tahoe Basin. As the first resort in the West to utilize a man-made snowmaking system to augment what Mother Nature provided in the wintertime, the slopes of Ski Incline became a family-friendly destination from the very beginning.
Last winter, for its 60th season of operations, the resort celebrated with commemorative events, nostalgic gear giveaways, $60 lift tickets and more. And this year, given the November anniversary date, we’re still celebrating our “Diamond” anniversary with even more of the same. Stay tuned for announcements on more retro “$60 Days” lift ticket days and community-focused engagement campaigns to connect old-school and brand-new skiers and riders.
Also, in honor of our diamond anniversary, the resort commissioned a commemorative 60th anniversary poster design by local artist Bryn Merrell. Bryn took one of the resort’s signature panoramic Lake Tahoe views from the slopes and transformed it into a beautiful tribute to 60 great years of snowsports fun. Pick up a complimentary copy at any of Diamond Peak’s special events or by stopping by the Diamond Peak Sports Shop inside the Base Lodge this season.
Why Diamond Peak is Different: Community-owned, fiercely independent and community-driven – those are the key differentiating factors that make Diamond Peak distinct in the crowded Lake Tahoe ski resort scene. “Small but thrilling” would be another apt description, because with 1,840 vertical feet of skiable terrain packed into 655 acres, Diamond Peak offers some of the most skiable vertical in the Tahoe Basin. Add in panoramic Tahoe views from nearly every run on the mountain, incredible glades for tree skiing/riding, and one of Tahoe’s most progressive terrain parks (The Village), and it’s no wonder locals know Diamond Peak to be “Tahoe’s hidden gem.”
As a community-owned ski resort, Diamond Peak stands out in the Tahoe Basin and greater U.S. ski industry as a beacon to skiers and riders looking for a friendly, non-corporate vibe.
Expanded Beginner Lessons: Diamond Peak’s Ski & Ride Center (ages 7+) will offer expanded beginner group lessons this season, bumping the lesson time up to 2.5 hours, with group lessons running from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and from 1 – 3:30 p.m.
The newly expanded lessons will allow first-time skiers and riders more time on the snow with an instructor, leading to greater progression in just one session. Beginner skiers and riders will also benefit as the longer lesson times mean more opportunities to try out different terrain at the resort.
The Children’s Ski & Ride Center (ages 4 – 6) will continue to offer 2-hour lessons but is adding a midday lesson at 12pm for first timers in addition to the morning and afternoon time slots.
Diamond Peak offers a first-time group lesson package which includes lift tickets, ski or snowboard lessons and all-day rental equipment for a discounted package price, and participants in the morning sessions can add an afternoon lesson for a further discount, or work on applying what they’ve learned on their own.
Snowmaking Upgrades: Diamond Peak has upgraded its snowmaking capabilities in the base area where multiple trails converge and chairlift loading areas require extra snowpack. This year a new TechnoAlpin TT10 tower-mounted fan gun and TR10 movable fan gun have been added to the snowmaking arsenal. Both fan guns utilize TechnoAlpin’s latest technology, ensuring greater snow production in all kinds of conditions.
Get Lifted Coffee + Waffles: The new Get Lifted Coffee + Waffles food trailer will be making appearances in the Diamond Peak Base Area Plaza during busy weekends and holidays this ski season, offering a selection of unique espresso drinks, waffles, hot chocolate and more.
Friday Fundays Après-Ski DJ Series: Join local DJ Dom Morelli and friends on select Fridays each month of the ski season for “Friday Fundays” après-ski DJ dance parties at the Diamond Peak Loft Bar in the Base Lodge. When the weather allows, the party will move outdoors to the Loft Bar Sun Deck featuring views of the slopes and Lake Tahoe in the distance. The schedule will be posted to the Diamond Peak events calendar when dates are finalized.
Ski More, Save More 2-Day and 3-Day Flex Passes: The more you ski, the more you save with 2-day and 3-day Flex Pass multiday lift tickets. These direct-to-lift mini passes offer two or three days of skiing or snowboarding any day this winter. A 3-Day Flex Pass is the best deal for people planning to ski multiple days, but not quite enough to justify a full season pass. 3-Day Flex Passes will go on sale in time for Black Friday at a special discounted rate.
Pass Holder Early Ups Event: Diamond Peak season pass holders are invited to join their fellow pass holders for an hour of early access to freshly groomed slopes (or fresh powder, depending on Mother Nature) and a complimentary continental breakfast on a date TBD in February 2027. Diamond Peak’s lift operations team will open the Lakeview chairlift an hour early at 8:00 a.m. for season pass holders only, and there will be a selection of pastries, fruit and coffee/tea/juice at the mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge for pass holders to enjoy during their early access.
Bonus Lift Tickets for Season Pass Holders: Diamond Peak’s 2026-27 season pass holders will enjoy at least 42 complimentary lift tickets at 14 partner resorts across the country this winter – generally three days at each resort. Participating resorts include Bogus Basin (ID), Cherry Peak (UT), Cooper (CO), Eaglecrest Ski Area (AK), Loveland Ski Area (CO), Monarch Mountain (CO), Mount Bohemia (MI), Mt. Ashland (OR), Mt. Shasta Ski Park (CA), Plattekill Mountain (NY), Red River Ski Area (NM), Snow King Resort (WY), Tahoe Donner XC & Downhill (CA), and Whitecap Mountain Resort (WI). Every Diamond Peak pass holder also receives four discounted Bring-A-Friend Tickets, which can be used to bring friends to Diamond Peak. Visit DiamondPeak.com for details, restrictions and the full list of perks.
Future Diamond Peak Development Projects: Diamond Peak is in the early stages of a series of major capital investment projects which will bring upgraded snowmaking technology, new chairlift infrastructure, lower-mountain learning area improvements, new lower-mountain cat tracks to better connect infrequently used runs, and potentially a brand-new mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge facility. Details of these projects can be found online in the News section of our website.
About Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Since 1966, Diamond Peak Ski Resort has been North Lake Tahoe’s hidden gem. Located in Incline Village, Nevada, the affordable, family-friendly resort offers 655 acres and 1,840 vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding, with incredible views of Lake Tahoe, terrain for all levels, and some of the best tree skiing in the Tahoe Basin. For more information or to check the snow report, visit DiamondPeak.com or call (775) 832–1177.
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If you have any further questions, need additional material, or would like to come tour the mountain on assignment, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you and connecting on social media.
Sincerely,
Paul Raymore
Marketing & Communications Manager, Diamond Peak Ski Resort
775.832.1120
Jaclyn Ream
Assistant Marketing & Communications Manager, Diamond Peak Ski Resort
775.832.1117
