Your first ski or snowboard day from Las Vegas

Yes, there’s skiing about an hour from the Strip. Lee Canyon, on Mount Charleston, is a full ski and snowboard resort with a beginner area, rentals and lessons. The resort describes itself as “less than an hour from the Strip”; allow more from Henderson and when it snows. The 2026/27 season is scheduled to open November 20, 2026, and opening day depends on snow. A lot of locals are surprised to hear it exists. This page is the short version of everything a first-timer needs, in the order you’ll need it.

Book ahead: ticket, rentals and lesson

Lee Canyon’s beginner guide puts it plainly: buy your lift ticket “online and in advance,” and “rentals and lessons sell out fast.” Its ticket page adds that lift tickets “must be purchased online,” with demand pricing that starts “as low as $9” on select dates. Do it in this order:

1. Lift ticket. Pick your date on the resort’s calendar. Prices go up with demand, so quieter weekdays usually cost less. See Lee Canyon lift tickets for how the calendar, Lee Cash and date changes work.
2. Rentals. The resort says you need a lift ticket or pass before you can rent. Reserve a pick-up time when you buy.
3. Lesson. The free 45-minute Snow Experience is for first-timers 13 and older with a lift ticket. Paid group and private lessons are on snowboarding at Lee Canyon.

Going more than a couple of times this season, or adding Brian Head? Read which ski pass to buy before you buy day tickets.

What to rent and what to bring

Lee Canyon’s rental shop has skis, snowboards, boots and poles, and helmets for $12 when we checked. It does not rent goggles, gloves or jackets; you can buy those at Lee Canyon Sports at the base or bring your own. If you’d rather pick up gear in town the night before, rentals for Lee Canyon compares the resort with shops in Las Vegas, and ski and snowboard shops in Las Vegas and Henderson covers where to buy, tune or trade gear. Buying your own? The SnowJam Las Vegas gear sale on Nov 14–15, 2026 has boot fitting, and its Membership includes a free weekday Lee Canyon lift-ticket voucher.

What to pack

Lee Canyon’s gear guide tells first-timers to “focus on the three W’s: Wicking, Warmth, and Waterproof.”

• Wicking base layer: “moisture wicking synthetic material or merino wool (avoid cotton!).”
• Warmth mid layer: a fleece jacket, wool sweater or synthetic puffy vest, easy to take off if you get warm.
• Waterproof shell: a ski jacket and waterproof snow pants.
• Gloves or mittens: waterproof. The resort suggests a second pair on a heavy snow day.
• Goggles: “highly recommended”; sunglasses are a backup for clear, calm days.
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+) and SPF lip balm: the resort says high elevation and snow glare intensify UV, even when it’s cold.
• Helmet: “highly recommended for all participants and are required for all lessons.” Rent one if you don’t own one.
• A warm hat, for breaks and walking around the base, plus water and a snack.

Packing for the rest of your trip too? Our sister site temperature.vegas has Las Vegas weather in January, the valley’s coldest stretch, with its own list of what to bring for nights in town that can dip below freezing.

The storage-bin trick for the car

This part is our own advice, not a rule from anyone. Keep one lidded plastic bin per person and pack it the night before: dry layers on top, gloves and goggles in a side pocket or bag so they don’t get crushed. Bring a second bin or a big bag for wet gear on the way home, and a towel and dry socks for the drive. Keep a separate “car kit” bin in the trunk all season. NDOT’s winter list of things to carry includes tire chains and a tow strap, a flashlight and spare batteries, an ice scraper, a snow shovel, jumper cables, a small bag of sand, extra winter clothes, a blanket, non-perishable food and water, and first aid supplies.

Getting there

The route is US-95 north, then SR-156 (Lee Canyon Road) to the end of the road. Getting to Lee Canyon has the route, parking and timing, and winter driving to Lee Canyon and Brian Head covers chain rules and the drive map. Three things to know before you go:

• Get gas first. Lee Canyon’s beginner guide says services are limited and to make sure you have enough gas before heading up.
• No cell service. The resort says “there is no cell phone service at the resort,” and NDOT says reception isn’t available on most of SR-156, SR-157 and SR-158. Download your tickets and an offline map before you leave town, and tell someone your plan.
• Chains. Lee Canyon says chains or 4WD/AWD with snow tires are “often required during winter storm periods.” Check nvroads.com or call 511 before you leave.

When you arrive

• Print your passes at a Pick-Up Box. Scan the QR code in your confirmation email; the kiosk prints reloadable RFID cards.
• Check in early. The beginner guide says to check in for lessons 30 minutes ahead and be on-snow ready 15 minutes before. Its gear guide says to arrive at least an hour before a morning lesson to park, pick up tickets and get fitted.
• Start at Rabbit Peak. The resort recommends first-time skiers and snowboarders start there.
• Eat early or late. The lodges are busiest from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pick a meet-up spot with your group.
• Return rentals to the rental shop at the end of the day, poles included.

Which pass?

For one or two days, buy single-day tickets online in advance. If you’ll go often, or add trips to Brian Head or Arizona Snowbowl, compare the Power Pass products. Which ski pass to buy if you live in Las Vegas lays out what each pass covers.

Staying safe

Ski patrol, the nearest hospitals and checking your health plan are on before your first snowboard day. A lesson is the simplest way to start: an instructor will show you how to stop and turn before you head up a lift.