Hello,  I was able to extend a family vacation in San Franscisco over Christmas to include 3 days in Tahoe.  Not the optimal time, but I couldn't pass up the chance.  I know this is the busiest time of the year in Tahoe and conditions could be anywhere from Nothing open to everything open.  I was just wondering if anybody here has been there during this time and could give me some info on where I would most enjoy my 3 days.  I'm mostly concerned with crowd avoidance rather than extreme terrain.    

This is what I have planned right now in my head: (Conditions Permitting - Thinking positive)

Leave early 6AM Monday, Dec 30th from San Fran and head to SugarBowl for the day.  

We are planning to stay somewhere on the North Shore, around Tahe City area-ish for the 30th, 31st, 1st and flying out of Reno on 2nd. 

So that leaves me with where to ski on Dec 31st and Jan 1st.  I'm thinking Homewood for 31st and then maybe Squaw or Alpine for the 1st (I'll be up earllly). Or do I just need to avoid Squaw altogether along with Northstar?  

I've read Jim Kenney's Picture Reports of Sugarbowl and Homewood on Epicski and they are very helpful, which is why I'm leaning towards those two right now.  

Any info is helpful as I've never been to Tahoe

You have good taste in resorts:-)  Your plan sounds good.  It's tough to skip a rare chance to ski a classic like Squaw, but it will likely be mobbed then, but take your chances if you must and maybe the first few hours on NY's Day would be good?.  Alpine would likely be considerably less crowded.  A lot of people say good things about Mt. Rose, which would likely be even less crowded and on the way to Reno - sort of.  Have a great time.

If I were doing it and trying to avoid crowds, I'd pick the most inconvenient of the areas: Kirkwood. Kirkwood is inconvenient not only because it's pretty far away, but also because of very limited lodging in the area.

However, if you are staying on the North Shore, Kirkwood's not a good choice for you as it is as far South and West as you can be, and still be in the Tahoe area.

To avoid the worst of the crowds, avoid the "name" resorts: Squaw, Alpine, Heavenly

FYI, I just happen to think that Kirkwood is the best of the areas at Tahoe.

Sugar Bowl, Homewood, and Mt. Rose would make for some fun ski days.  The advantage of these smaller places is that it doesn't take long to figure out where to ski.  For Homewood, arrive early so you can get into a parking lot.  Mt. Rose is 45 min from the Reno airport.  On one Tahoe Trip, my ski buddy and I drove from Tahoe City early in the morning, skied until mid-afternoon, and flew out on red-eye flights.  It was a good day!

Mt. Rose is actually two places in one.  The main base includes the rental shop.  The other base at the end of the road has a nice place for lunch.  We arrived early, rented skis, got lift tickets, then drove over to the other side.  Ended up skiing over there most of the time since we weren't up for the steeps on a travel day.  If I were to do that again and needed to rent skis, I would rent at the ski shop on the road up to Mt. Rose.  The rental skis we got were not very good.

I second Mt Rose. It's a very chill place with tons of good skiing and not many people. A very fun atmosphere as well. As for Northstar, if you're look for a challenge then I wouldn't go there. If you're looking for nice groomers, good food, and nice lodges then it may be a good place to check out.  Alpine Meadows is a ton of fun too, and I only got to ski about half of it. As for Kirkwood, I agree with Bob, the place is awesome. The skiing is great. BUT, the drive there from North Tahoe SUCKS!