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    Nevada, USA

    Lee Canyon

    27 runs, 195 acres in the Spring Mountains, 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. No expert terrain.

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    Season 2026 - 2027
    Opens
    27 Nov 2026
    Closes
    21 Mar 2027
    Days open
    114
    Annual snow
    157in
    Snow record
    0in
    2026-27 so far
    0% of a typical winter65in
    Explore 2 winters of snowfall→
    The Overview
    MF
    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
    157in
    Annual snow
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    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%
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    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
    157 in
    Annual snow
    The record

    Historical snowfall at Lee Canyon

    Daily snow reports at Lee Canyon go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.

    22 in
    Snowiest day
    18 Feb 2026
    0 in
    This winter · 2026-27
    so far
    65 in
    Typical winter
    average of complete seasons
    Explore historical snowfall →
    Winter totals
    in
    Past wintersThis winter
    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.

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    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches

    Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches

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    31 Oct 2026
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    31 Oct 2026
    Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years

    Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years

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    30 Oct 2026
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    30 Oct 2026
    Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace

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    30 Oct 2026
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    29 Oct 2026
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    29 Oct 2026
    Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season

    Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season

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    28 Oct 2026

    Lee Canyon Trail Map

    Downloadable Lee Canyon trail map

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    Live Lee Canyon conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

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    Live Lee Canyon conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
    Lee Canyon trail map↓ Download PDF
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    Terrain split
    27
    runs
    Beginner20%
    Intermediate60%
    Advanced20%
    Expert0%
    195 acres skiable79 hectares
    Advertisement
    Resort Stats
    Elevation
    Base8,658ft
    Summit9,370ft
    Annual snowfall
    157in
    Season
    2026 - 2027
    27 Nov 2026 - 21 Mar 2027
    Trail coverage
    27 runs
    195 acres (79 ha)
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    About Lee Canyon's trail map

    Explore Lee Canyon's full trail map with 27 runs across the mountain, colour-coded by difficulty and shown alongside the terrain split. Use it to plan a day that matches your ability, find lift-served pockets of your favourite grade, and see how the resort links together. Download the piste map (PDF) ↗

    More Lee Canyon intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.