The sparkling brilliance of a sapphire sky. The snow-capped glow of indigo mountains. The crystalline clarity of a cobalt lake. This is North Lake Tahoe, and it is the most dazzling and fascinating winter destination on the continent.
Renowned for the natural beauty that makes it such a sought-after retreat, the region has long captured the interest—and hearts—of visitors. In 1861, Mark Twain stated, “To obtain the air the angels breathe, you must go to Tahoe.” Observations like this begin to give you some idea of just how wondrous this part of the world truly is.
The heart of the North Lake Tahoe experience is the stellar caliber of skiing and snowboarding. Promising—and delivering—delights for everyone, the area’s resorts offer a heady mix of fun-for-the-family activities and I-can’t-believe-I’m-doing-this adventures.
Try a soul-soothing cruise on a wide-open bowl. Test your skill—and your nerve—speeding down a natural chute or jumping off a steep cornice. Spend the morning nose-deep in the splendor of a forested powder stash. Soar to new heights in the adventure-central atmosphere of the area’s many terrain parks and halfpipes.
Float through snow-covered trees or bump down a mogul field. Whatever strikes your fancy or stirs your soul, you’ll find it here.
The North Shore of Lake Tahoe spans the states of California and Nevada, and is ideally situated to receive great dumps of snow. More than 30 feet fall every year, and each new season seems to beat the previous winter’s record. All that snow is nicely contradicted by an average of 300 days of annual sunshine, a clear indication that North Lake Tahoe represents one of Mother Nature’s finest hours.
Here, big snow is enhanced by big options. Lake Tahoe is home to the largest concentration of ski resorts in all of North America, which means you can ski and ride for weeks without ever hitting the same run twice.
The past few years have seen millions of dollars in regional enhancements and improvements, resulting in new villages and lifts, expanded terrain, state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment, and innovative teaching programs. You can witness the progress at any of the region’s more than 10 resorts—both large and small—that cater to skiers and riders of all ages and abilities.
Alpine Meadows offers a mountain experience rich in pristine beauty and rewarding slopes. Internationally recognized for its diverse terrain, the resort offers everything from beginner and intermediate groomers with sweeping views of Lake Tahoe to backcountry-accessed skiing and boarding that beckon the most zealous adventurers. Renowned within the Tahoe Basin for its deep snowfall, Alpine Meadows regularly extends its season into late May.
Located in Incline Village overlooking Lake Tahoe, Diamond Peak features 1,840 vertical feet of terrain, no lift lines, and breathtaking views. As one of Tahoe’s most scenic and affordable resorts, Diamond Peak combines value-priced programs with spectacular skiing and boarding on superbly groomed runs.
Homewood offers the perfect union of unparalleled lake views and terrain for all ability levels. With diversity in mind, it runs the gamut from open, groomed boulevards to gladed runs…from pristine powder bowls to steep chutes. Affordable pricing, excellent ski-school programs, and a friendly staff make this a very family-focused resort.
Boasting the highest base elevation in Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose gets your heart thumping at its 8,260-foot-elevation lodge, then launches you nearly 1,800 vertical feet to some of the most spectacular terrain in Lake Tahoe. The resort features not only the steep challenges of The Chutes, but also some of the most ideal learning terrain. It’s also the closest to Reno/Tahoe International Airport, the gateway to the Sierra.
Northstar-at-Tahoe draws visitors with its 2,420 skiable acres and a variety of lodging, restaurants, and boutiques—charmingly set in the atmosphere of a new mountainside village that opened in December, 2005. Offering particular appeal to families, the resort features award-winning children’s programs, ice skating, impeccably groomed parks and pipes, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley USA lures visitors with its 4,000 skiable acres and six peaks of open-bowl terrain. Two halfpipes, three terrain parks, mountaintop ice skating (and swimming in the spring), snow tubing, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing, and events galore make Squaw a must-visit during any North Lake Tahoe vacation. The new Intrawest Village at Squaw Valley USA offers lodging, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes to indulge every possible creature comfort.
A classic alpine resort known for its deep snow and rich history, Sugar Bowl was home to the first chairlift in California and the first gondola in the nation. Noted for memorable style and customer service, the resort recently added four express quads and a 20,000-sq.-ft. day lodge.
North Lake Tahoe’s superb skiing and boarding are enhanced by outdoor and indoor activities designed to keep you happily entertained from sunrise to sunset. Make the most of record-smashing snowfalls and face-bronzing sunshine with cross-country skiing and sledding. Practice your figure-eights on one of the area’s ice rinks. Indulge in an old-fashioned evening by taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride under the stars. Experiment with the many sports that start with “snow” and end with fun—like tubing, shoeing, mobiling, biking, and scooting. Each new season seems to add something new to the list.
Feed your creative spirit at one of the local galleries, where you’ll find paintings, photography, sculpture, art glass, and more by artists acclaimed locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Spend an afternoon in a spa or fitness center, where you can pamper yourself or push your workout to the limit.
To get a true taste of the local color, be sure to attend one of the region’s winter carnivals, where ski-run torchlight parades and special events highlight a host of activities. If you’re a winter sports enthusiast, you can cheer for your favorites at a freestyle competition, pro race, or snowboard championship. And if gaming is on your agenda, you can test your skill at blackjack, poker, Pai Gow, roulette, or craps at the local casinos.
A visit to the North Shore wouldn’t be complete without a tour of the lake. An authentic paddlewheeler cruise gets you up close and personal with its awe-inspiring beauty. If you prefer the bird’s-eye view, a hot-air balloon ride promises extraordinary vistas.
This spectacular expanse of blue is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, with 72 miles of shoreline. Its deepest point measures 1,645 feet, with an average depth of 989 feet. The surface area is 193 square miles, and it holds 39 trillion gallons of water. If Lake Tahoe were tipped over and emptied out, its contents would cover the entire state of California in 14.5 inches of water, while Texas would be under 8.5 inches of water.
If you can tear yourself away from the majesty of the lake, you might want to sample North Shore’s extensive menu of dining options. Whether you’re in the mood to feast like royalty or like a kid in a candy store, the region’s many restaurants come through. Choose from California cuisine and continental dining…regional Italian specialties and the most exotic sushi. If casual fare is more to your liking, dig into a burger with the works, pizza made entirely from scratch, or authentic Chinese dishes.
With so much to do and so much to see, sleep seems an unnecessary part of the package. But when you’re ready to rest your fun-weary head, you can take your pick from a diversity of accommodations suited to every lifestyle. Enjoy the ski-in/ski-out convenience of a slopeside condo. Savor nature’s quiet beauty in a forested cabin. Feed your romantic spirit in a quaint chalet. Or indulge in the glamour of a luxurious casino/hotel. Whatever your preference or budget, North Lake Tahoe has an option to ensure your comfort.
To keep the visitor experience fresh each season, the North Shore takes pride in ensuring that the region is never quite the same place twice. In 2006, new lodging properties include the Cedar House Sport Hotel, located in Truckee just minutes from several ski resorts. This 42-room boutique features a lobby with full bar, 12 designer suites, an outdoor heated spa, meeting facilities, and complimentary wi-fi service.
The Resort at Squaw Creek recently completed a $53 million renovation, upgrading its 405 guest rooms and suites with new kitchens, fireplaces, and flat-screen TVs. Additional improvements were made to the lobby, spa, restaurants, and conference facilities. While the four-diamond property recently converted to private ownership, the resort continues to accommodate overnight and long-term guests throughout the year.
The 424-room Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino in Incline Village has been transformed by a $60 million renovation. A ruggedly elegant getaway abundant with classic Tahoe style, it is highlighted by lagoon-style swimming pools open year-round, the 24-hour Grand Lodge Casino, and a lakefront location just minutes from world-class skiing.
The Crystal Bay Club Crown Room Showroom is the new entertainment hot spot in Incline Village/Crystal Bay, featuring live weekly entertainment and headlining performances throughout the year. The Summit Sierra, the new outdoor lifestyle mall, delights shoppers with an assortment of upscale retailers, including Dillards, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Apple, Banana Republic, and Orvis.
However you choose to celebrate winter, North Lake Tahoe affords the opportunity to do it in style. Here, you can feed all your senses with the region’s rich blend of history and heritage…excitement and adventure. It is truly like no other place on earth—a world of beauty, of wonder, of brilliant blue. |
