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The Courses of Far West
Over last five years Far West Freestyle has held competitions on three courses: Hornet's Nest at Northstar, Hills at Palisades-Tahoe (upper mountain), Secret Garden (Red Dog Face) at Palisades-Tahoe (lower mountain). In 2025 the US National Freestyle Championship was hosted on Secret Garden, and in 2026, during a rapidly warming spring, were hosted on the upper mountain, Siberia Bowl. In the history of freestyle, competitions have also been held on The Face at Homewood and North Bowl at Palisades-Tahoe.
Hornet's Nest
Hornet's Nest at Northstar is located off of the Vista Express lift, looker's left, tucked behind the alpine course. Supported by the best in modern snowmaking, it is a reliable course for early season and other competitions. The course length is 210m with a 24 degree pitch.
Walking Accessible
(uphill on snow)
Hills
Hills at Palisades-Tahoe is located on the upper mountain off of the Shirley Lake Express lift, looker's left, just after the ski patrol hut on the ridge. Sheltered on the northside of the upper mountain, Hills collects snow early in the season and holds snow through as late as June. The course length is 180-220m with a 23 to 26 degree pitch.
Skiing
Accessible
Red Dog Face
(Secret Garden)
Red Dog at Palisades-Tahoe on the lower mountain has hosted the US National Championship, many Far West competitions and the Division spring fling. It is visible approaching the resort, located just up from the Red Dog lift base. In 2025, it was longest competition course of the season with a length of 275m. The course length varies from 220-275m, with a pitch of 24-26 degrees depending on grooming, hill location and conditions. It is a skier's favorite, allowing athletes to exhibit a mix of speed, air and turns.
Walking Accessible
Siberia Bowl
Due to thin snow conditions on the lower mountain, the 2026 US Freestyle National Championship was built on the upper mountain, just off the Siberia lift, on the Siberia Bowl / Newport runs for the first time ever at Palisades-Tahoe. The course was unique with views of Lake Tahoe and the resort's namesake run, the legendary Palisades cliffs, just above it. The course design placed jump #2 higher than many WC courses, followed by a longer run out placing emphasis on control. The course length was 215m and pitch 25 degrees. The run is also host to the OV Freestyle spring gaper day bonzai run (below).
