The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Lee Canyon's summit reaches 9,371 feet, dropping 713 vertical feet to a base at 8,658 feet across 27 runs spread over 195 acres in the Spring Mountains northwest of Las Vegas. Terrain splits 60 per cent intermediate and 20 per cent each beginner and advanced, with no expert-rated runs. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 157 inches. The resort operates its own Power Pass network under Mountain Capital Partners ownership.
Lee Canyon sits at the base of Lee Peak, just north of Mount Charleston, Nevada's eighth-highest peak at 11,916 feet, within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Four lifts, including two quads and one triple, serve the compact 27-run network. Its position roughly 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip makes it one of the most accessible ski areas to any major US city, a genuine desert-to-snow contrast. The resort's moderate 713-foot vertical drop suits its intermediate-focused terrain.
Informal winter recreation, including sledding and snowshoeing, began in Lee Canyon in the 1930s, followed by a rope tow and warming hut run by the Las Vegas Ski Club in the 1940s. The ski area officially opened in 1963, with the first chairlift installed in 1968 and the main lodge completed in 1970. POWDR Corporation and the Thomas family took over ownership around 2003, before Mountain Capital Partners acquired the resort in April 2023, operating it under a special-use permit with the US Forest Service.
Lee Canyon's own Power Pass gives unlimited access, alongside a local season pass and weekday-only options. Adult day tickets range from 89 to 129 US dollars depending on date, with kids 12 and under skiing free. The resort suits Las Vegas residents and visitors seeking a quick escape to snow without leaving the metropolitan area, roughly 45 minutes from the Strip. Its desert-mountain setting within the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area gives it a distinctive character among US ski areas.
712ft
Vertical
27
Runs
195 acres
Skiable
13ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
27 runs across 195 acres skiable
Lee Canyon covers 195 acres (79 hectares) in the Spring Mountains above Las Vegas, with 27 runs and a vertical of about 710 ft (217 m). The summit sits at 9,370 ft (2,856 m) and the base at 8,660 ft (2,639 m), high enough to hold natural snow in a desert setting. Intermediate runs make up 60% of the terrain, with beginners and advanced skiers sharing the other 40% equally and no expert runs. Just four lifts serve the mountain, two quads, a triple and a surface lift, keeping the layout simple and quick.
The Bluebird quad and Sherwood triple handle most of the skiing, while Rabbit Peak is the beginner lift, with a gentle park for first-time jibbers. The Strip is the terrain park, with table-tops and rails, and groomed intermediate runs descend through the trees from the ridge. This is a small hill, so be honest about the scale: a day here is enough for most visitors. Lee Canyon suits Las Vegas locals, families and beginners keen to try snow, and intermediates will enjoy the high-altitude conditions on a weekday.
Terrain split
27
runs
27 runs across 4 grades
Beginner5 runs · 20%
Intermediate16 runs · 60%
Advanced5 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Lee Canyon
The 2025-26 season at Lee Canyon ran from 7 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week window for a Mojave Desert-adjacent high-elevation resort. The mountain's base at 8,658 feet is high enough to support a reasonable season despite its desert Southwest location. Season dates can shift based on early and late-season snowfall. This length reflects the resort's reliance on its elevation to catch what winter storms do reach the Spring Mountains.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 157 inches is notable given Lee Canyon's proximity to Las Vegas and the surrounding Mojave Desert, a result of the Spring Mountains' elevation intercepting moisture that the desert floor below never sees. This creates a striking natural contrast between desert and snow within a short drive. Base depth and season totals vary considerably year to year given the region's naturally more marginal snow climate compared with the Sierra Nevada or Rockies. Snowmaking plays an important role in supplementing natural snowfall.
January and February typically offer the most reliable conditions once natural and machine-made snow have built a consistent base. The resort's intermediate-heavy terrain, with no expert runs, makes conditions somewhat less weather-dependent than at steeper competitors. Late-season visits in March can be inconsistent given the region's marginal snow climate. Weekday visits are generally quieter than weekends, given Lee Canyon's role serving the large Las Vegas metropolitan population.
Lee Canyon's calendar centres on serving Las Vegas as an accessible day-trip ski destination rather than a multi-day resort. Under Mountain Capital Partners' ownership since 2023, the resort connects to a broader network of Southwest ski areas sharing the Power Pass. Specific festival or event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The novelty of skiing within reach of the Las Vegas Strip remains the resort's most distinctive seasonal draw.
Season 2026 - 2027
27 Nov 2026
Opens
21 Mar 2027
Closes
114
Days open
13 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Lee Canyon, and where to stay
Lee Canyon sits in the Spring Mountains within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, roughly 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas, with a base elevation of 8,658 feet and a summit at 9,371 feet across a 713-foot vertical drop over 195 acres. The base lodge sits at the foot of Lee Peak, just north of Mount Charleston, Nevada's eighth-highest peak. This is the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, a genuine alpine environment within the larger Mojave Desert region.
There is no substantial town immediately at Lee Canyon; the small community of Mount Charleston, with limited lodging and dining, sits closer to the resort than Las Vegas itself. Las Vegas is the dominant nearby city and the resort's primary visitor source, roughly 45 minutes away by road. The contrast between the Las Vegas Strip's desert setting and Lee Canyon's snow-covered peaks is a defining feature of the area. The Spring Mountains rise dramatically from the surrounding desert floor.
Nevada State Route 156 provides the main access route from Las Vegas to Lee Canyon, climbing steadily into the Spring Mountains. The drive from the Las Vegas Strip takes roughly 45 minutes under normal conditions, making Lee Canyon one of the most accessible ski areas to any major US city. Winter driving on Route 156 can include snowpack and occasional chain requirements during storms. No public transport service reaches the resort, making a car necessary for access.
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is the nearest airport, with extensive domestic and international commercial service, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the resort. This makes Lee Canyon unusually accessible by air relative to most US ski areas. No other airport in the region offers comparable service. Most visitors combine a Las Vegas trip with a Lee Canyon day visit rather than travelling specifically for skiing alone.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Lee Canyon, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
9 Oct 2026
Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.
9 Oct 2026
Kelly Canyon, Idaho, Adds Snowmaking, a Bigger Terrain Park and More Parking for 2026-27
Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.
9 Oct 2026
Valle Nevado Extends Season to November 8 After 108 cm in 48 Hours
Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.
9 Oct 2026
Alps Snow Forecast: Cold Front Brings Thursday Snow to the High Alps
The Alps look a lot more like winter today, for a day or so. A cold front is moving west to east, dropping up to 35 cm on high glaciers and peaks, with snow levels falling to around 1,500-1,800 m at times. Don’t plan a trip around it: mid-elevation snow will be thin and wet, every area is closed bar a limited Sölden glacier opening tomorrow, and warmer weather returns by Monday.
8 Oct 2026
California Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Mammoth Leads, Tahoe Follows
Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.
7 Oct 2026
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.
5 Oct 2026
Dolomiti Superski 2026-27: Four New Gondolas, New Reservoirs and an €89 Peak Day Pass
Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.
4 Oct 2026
Lee Canyon Lift System
Lee Canyon runs four lifts: two quad chairs, one triple chair and one surface lift, serving 27 runs across 195 acres. There is no gondola or double chair at this compact resort. Quad chairs provide the main uphill capacity for the intermediate-heavy terrain. The surface lift serves the beginner learning zone near the base.
The lift network has grown from the original 1968 chairlift, the resort's first, installed five years after its 1963 official opening. Quad and triple chairs now cover the mountain's 713-foot vertical drop across its 27 runs. Ownership under Mountain Capital Partners since April 2023 operates within a broader portfolio that includes several other Southwest ski areas under a shared Power Pass. Uphill capacity is modest but suits the resort's role as a quick day-trip destination rather than a multi-day resort.
All lifts return to the base lodge, completed in 1970, at the foot of Lee Peak. There is no mid-mountain facility given the resort's compact 195-acre footprint. The 713-foot vertical drop is covered across the lift network without requiring extensive traversing. This straightforward layout suits a resort focused on quick, accessible skiing for Las Vegas day-trippers.
Mountain Capital Partners' 2023 acquisition brought Lee Canyon into a broader network of Southwest ski areas sharing the Power Pass, though specific new lift investment since the acquisition is not confirmed in available resort information. Previous ownership under POWDR Corporation and the Thomas family from roughly 2003 to 2023 maintained the existing four-lift network. The resort operates under a special-use permit with the US Forest Service, which can shape long-term development decisions. Further lift changes are not confirmed in available resort information.
4lifts across 3 types
2
Quad Chairs
1
Triple Chair
1
Surface Lift
Lee Canyon lift system
Lee Canyon is served by 4 lifts, listed here by type. Check which lifts are turning against the live conditions before you plan your first laps - early lifts and high-speed chairs get you to the best snow fastest.
More Lee Canyon intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.