Mitchell R Sopoci enjoys all of the natural beauty and features that the Reno, NV area has to offer. That includes a heavily involvement with the snow sport industry and controls a good portion of Lake Tahoe’s economy. As a regular buyer of Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass, Mitchell R Sopoci gets to enjoy some of the best ski areas that Lake Tahoe has to offer, all with one all-inclusive pass. Below, he shares the perks of each resort and why they bear such influence over his annual choices.

Heavenly
Heavenly may be one of the biggest resorts in all of Lake Tahoe, but as far as conditions and terrain go it falls to the bottom of Mitchell’s list. What makes Heavenly great is that the views are incredible and it is right in the heart of Tahoe’s downtown area that has casinos and ample venues for nightlife. Whenever friends come into town he often takes them to the Heavenly area to capture the essence of the state line area.

Northstar
Located in North Lake Tahoe near Truckee is Northstar, one of the most well-known resorts in Tahoe as well as the world of snowboarding as a whole. Northstar’s gigantic park area has been the training ground for many Olympic gold medalists, plus the ski area is separate from Tahoe’s most touristy regions, giving it some freedom from overcrowding and such. Plus, the tree runs at Northstar are absolutely incredible.

Kirkwood
Kirkwood was the latest of Tahoe’s resorts to be acquired by Vail Resorts, which has made it a premier member of the Epic Pass family. Kirkwood may be small in relation to the other resorts on the pass, but it boasts arguably the best terrain in a pristine area. Mitchell R Sopoci is most excited about having this resort on his pass because it carries much more of a local vibe than the other resorts. It is low-key and minimal in production, yet is in a picturesque area that could easily be used for more touristy purposes. But instead, Kirkwood is a guaranteed good time because it is simple, beautiful and fun.