Skiing, boarding

The elevation at the base lodges of ski areas can determine whether you get snow or rain. Also note that during some storms, it can rain at the lodge and snow above on the higher slopes.

8,000 feet: Mount Rose, 8,260 feet, on Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, (775) 849-0704, www.skirose.com.

7,500 feet: Kirkwood, 7,800 feet, off Highway 88 near Carson Pass, (800) 967-7500, www.kirkwood.com.

7,000 feet: Boreal, 7,200 feet, off I-80, (530) 426-3666, www.rideboreal.com; Donner Ski Ranch, 7,031 feet, located off Highway 40 near Donner Pass, (530) 426-3635, www.donnerskiranch.com.

6,500 feet: Sugar Bowl, 6,883 feet, off Highway 40 near Donner Pass, (530) 426-1111, www.sugarbowl.com; Diamond Peak, 6,700 feet, near Incline Village, (775) 831-3211, www.diamondpeak.com; Sierra at Tahoe, 6,640 feet, off Highway 50 near Echo Summit, (530) 659-7453, www.sierraattahoe.com; Heavenly, 6,540 feet, at South Lake Tahoe, (775) 586-7000, www.skiheavenly.com.

6,000 feet: Squaw Valley, 6,200 feet, and Alpine Meadows, 6,835 feet, adjoining areas and operated as one; off Highway 89, (800) 403-0206, www.squawalpine.com; Northstar California, 6,330 feet, off Highway 267, (530) 562-1330, www.northstar california.com; Homewood, 6,230 feet, on Highway 89 on west shore of Lake Tahoe. (530) 525-2900, www.skihomewood.com.

5,500 feet: Royal Gorge cross-country, 5,800 feet, off Highway 40 at Soda Springs. (530) 426-3871, www.royalgorge.com.