The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Diamond Peak's summit reaches 8,540 feet, dropping 1,840 vertical feet to a base at 6,699 feet across 40 runs spread over 655 acres above Incline Village, Nevada. Terrain splits 46 per cent intermediate, 30 per cent advanced, 18 per cent beginner and 6 per cent expert. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 300 inches. Diamond Peak carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation and is publicly owned by the Incline Village General Improvement District.
Seven lifts, including three double chairs and three quad chairs, serve the 40-run network with panoramic views over Lake Tahoe from much of the upper mountain. As a public utility district-owned ski area rather than a private or corporate resort, Diamond Peak reinvests revenue into the local Incline Village and Crystal Bay community rather than external shareholders. The resort's black-diamond-heavy expansion in the 1980s gave rise to its current name. Its Lake Tahoe views are considered among the best of any resort on the lake's north shore.
Diamond Peak began in 1966 as Ski Incline, developed by Incline Village founders Art Wood and Harold Tiller and designed by Austrian ski consultant Luggi Foeger, opening on 19 November 1966 just four months after construction began. The Incline Village General Improvement District exercised an option to purchase the ski area in 1976, financed through revenue bonds, bringing it under public ownership. A 1985 expansion added substantial new black-diamond-rated terrain, prompting the name change from Ski Incline to Diamond Peak at Ski Incline, later shortened to Diamond Peak.
With no major pass affiliation, Diamond Peak sells its own day tickets and season passes directly. Adult daily tickets range from 130 to 170 US dollars depending on date, with a beginner-specific ticket at a lower rate and free access for seniors 80 and over. The resort suits Lake Tahoe visitors and Incline Village residents seeking uncrowded, view-focused skiing over the larger commercial resorts elsewhere on the lake. Its public ownership model keeps it distinct from the corporately owned resorts that dominate the Tahoe Basin.
1,841ft
Vertical
40
Runs
655 acres
Skiable
25ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
40 runs across 655 acres skiable
Diamond Peak spreads 40 runs across 655 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 46%, with 7 beginner runs to find your feet and 14 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
40
runs
40 runs across 4 grades
Beginner7 runs · 18%
Intermediate18 runs · 46%
Advanced12 runs · 30%
Expert2 runs · 6%
Time it right
When to visit Diamond Peak
The 2025-26 season at Diamond Peak ran from 13 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly sixteen-week window typical for a mid-elevation Lake Tahoe resort. The resort's base at 6,699 feet supports a solid season length without the extended windows seen at higher-elevation Sierra Nevada resorts. Season dates can shift based on early and late-season snowpack. This length is consistent with other north shore Tahoe competitors of similar elevation.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 300 inches benefits from Diamond Peak's position above Lake Tahoe's north shore, catching Sierra Nevada storm systems. This natural snowfall, combined with snowmaking, supports a reliable season through the Tahoe winter. Base depth builds through midwinter given the region's typical storm cycles. The lake's moderating effect can influence snow character at the resort's lower elevations compared with higher Sierra peaks.
January and February typically bring the deepest natural snowpack, consistent with the broader Sierra Nevada storm pattern. Holiday periods from Christmas through New Year bring heavier crowds given the resort's popularity with Tahoe visitors, though it remains less crowded than the larger commercial resorts nearby. March offers a balance of strong snow totals and improving weather. Weekday visits are generally quieter than weekends throughout the season.
Diamond Peak's calendar centres on serving the local Incline Village and Crystal Bay community alongside Tahoe visitors, reflecting its public ownership model. Specific festival or event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The resort's panoramic Lake Tahoe views remain a defining seasonal draw regardless of specific programming. As a publicly owned resort, its calendar priorities differ somewhat from profit-maximising corporate competitors on the lake.
Season 2025 - 2026
13 Dec 2025
Opens
5 Apr 2026
Closes
113
Days open
25 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Diamond Peak, and where to stay
Diamond Peak sits above Incline Village on Lake Tahoe's north shore in Nevada, with a base elevation of 6,699 feet and a summit at 8,540 feet across a 1,840-foot vertical drop over 655 acres. This is the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin, distinct from the more heavily developed California side. Much of the mountain offers panoramic views over Lake Tahoe itself. The Sierra Nevada range surrounds the broader Tahoe Basin.
Incline Village is the nearest town, a planned community developed in the 1960s alongside the ski area's own origins as Ski Incline. Crystal Bay, a smaller nearby community, also falls within the Incline Village General Improvement District's service area. Reno, Nevada, lies within a reasonable drive, making Diamond Peak accessible without crossing into California. The broader Tahoe Basin carries a mix of resort development and protected natural land.
Nevada State Route 431, the Mount Rose Highway, and other local roads connect Incline Village and Diamond Peak to the broader Reno-Tahoe road network. The drive from Reno takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour under normal conditions. Winter driving on mountain routes into the Tahoe Basin can include snowpack and chain requirements during storms. No direct public transport service reaches the resort, making a car necessary for access.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the nearest airport with extensive commercial service, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the resort by road. This makes Diamond Peak notably more accessible by air than many California-side Tahoe resorts, which often require a longer drive from Reno or Sacramento. No rail service reaches the immediate area. Most visitors fly into Reno and drive directly to Incline Village.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Diamond Peak, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.
17 Sept 2026
Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros
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16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
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4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
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31 Aug 2026
Diamond Peak Webcams
3 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Diamond Peak's live webcams
Check live conditions across Diamond Peak with 3 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Summit Cam8,520ft
- Experience commanding summit views through this Diamond Peak webcam positioned at 2597 meters elevation overlooking Lake Tahoe. This Diamond Peak live cam delivers spectacular panoramas across the iconic alpine lake and surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks. Perfect for assessing upper mountain conditions, this live snow cam showcases the stunning Tahoe vistas that make Diamond Peak a favorite among locals seeking uncrowded Nevada skiing.
- Snowflake Lodge7,461ft
- Monitor mid-mountain terrain through this Diamond Peak webcam at Snowflake Lodge positioned at 2274 meters elevation. This Diamond Peak web cam captures the popular mid-mountain hub and surrounding intermediate runs. Families use this live snow cam to check conditions before exploring the family-friendly terrain that defines this Incline Village ski area above Lake Tahoe's north shore.
- Base Area6,844ft
- Check base area activity through this Diamond Peak webcam at 2086 meters elevation. This Diamond Peak live cam provides real-time views of the main lodge and lift operations. Tahoe locals use this Diamond Peak web cam to assess crowd levels and weather conditions before making the quick drive from Incline Village to Nevada's hidden gem ski resort.
Diamond Peak snow cams FAQ
How often do Diamond Peak snow cams update?
All Diamond Peak snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Diamond Peak.
Which Diamond Peak webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Summit Cam webcam at 2,597m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Diamond Peak webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Diamond Peak lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Diamond Peak snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Diamond Peak snow cams?
Check Diamond Peak webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Diamond Peak lift tickets?
Use our Diamond Peak webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Diamond Peak webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Diamond Peak snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Diamond Peak intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.