Lake Tahoe is one among California’s out of doors gems, stuffed with alternatives for escape year-round. Whereas snowboarding and snowboarding are the predominant attracts for the snowy months, there are many different issues to do in Lake Tahoe within the winter for individuals who aren’t as inclined to hit the slopes.
We go to Lake Tahoe nearly yearly, principally day journeys or lengthy weekenders. However this yr, we had the great alternative to expertise an actual Lake Tahoe winter — a full six weeks throughout ski season. Apart from hitting the slopes, we had loads of time to discover different Lake Tahoe winter actions as effectively.
Greatest a part of Lake Tahoe to go to in winter
Earlier than we get into Tahoe winter actions, let’s speak location for a sec.
Lake Tahoe is huge! The lake itself measures 72 miles round, with loads of lodging and actions throughout it. Usually, of us divide it into North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe.
The place you select to remain in Lake Tahoe is dependent upon which varieties of actions swimsuit you the perfect. North Lake Tahoe tends to be extra wilderness and extra outside actions, whereas South Lake Tahoe has extra of a mix of outside escapades and nightlife.
However it’s in the end additionally about the place you could find lodging. Resorts and trip leases in Tahoe can ebook up manner prematurely, which additionally guides the place folks find yourself. I’ve discovered that South Lake Tahoe tends to have extra availability and choices.
Keep in mind to ebook forward of time to search out the perfect choices, particularly if you would like dog-friendly spots with scorching tubs! No matter the place you keep, you will get usually get to the opposite areas of Lake Tahoe inside an hour or so.
Okay, now onto our favourite issues to do in Lake Tahoe within the winter once you’re not on the slopes.
1. Discover Tahoe’s many bays and harbors
Lake Tahoe is a beaut. Take a stroll alongside any a part of the shore, and also you’ll end up absorbed in its magnificence.
Whereas summertime is a extra widespread season to discover the lake, don’t let the climate deter you. You could not wish to go boating or paddleboarding such as you would in the summertime, however you may nonetheless discover the various attractive bays and harbors in North America’s largest alpine lake within the winter.
Two can’t miss spots are Emerald Bay and Sand Harbor, that are coincidentally diagonal from one another, with the previous within the SW space of the lake, and the latter within the NW part. Parking is usually a ache at each areas although, so go early and with the expectation of getting to attend a bit.
2. Strive a unique winter sport
Simply since you don’t downhill ski or snowboard doesn’t imply you may’t get into winter sports activities in Tahoe!
Go snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is simply what it feels like. You set a large shoe on and also you stroll by the snow.
Whereas which may sound foolish (I do know I believed so at first), it’s completely obligatory if you wish to stroll by the attractive Tahoe backcountry. These snowshoes distribute your weight higher so that you don’t sink into the snow with each step. (That may positively nonetheless occur although!)
Snowshoeing makes for an superior, low-cost group exercise. I first tried snowshoeing on a birthday journey to Tahoe, and we had a blast!
Sled down a hill
For one more enjoyable and low-cost exercise, seize a sled and go down a hill!
I beloved seeing youngsters and adults alike sledding in each official sledding areas and simply random hills round Tahoe. This may sound quaint, nevertheless it reminded of once I was little and we performed exterior on a regular basis, with little or no gear and no expertise concerned (in contrast to at present).
Strive cross-country snowboarding
Sure, sure, I do know that is technically nonetheless snowboarding, nevertheless it’s not what most individuals consider after they consider snowboarding.
I first realized of cross-country snowboarding as a result of it’s one a part of biathlon (the opposite half being taking pictures), and was stunned to study simply how a lot bodily power it takes. In any case, in contrast to downhill snowboarding, there’s no gravity that can assist you alongside. It’s all you pulling your self by the snow.
There are specifically groomed areas for cross-country snowboarding identical to there are ski resorts for downhill snowboarding, together with tons of backcountry acreage for individuals who are extra expert. Three nice choices across the lake embody North Tahoe Regional Park, Tahoe Cross Nation Ski Space in Tahoe Metropolis (east Lake Tahoe), and Camp Richardson (south Lake Tahoe).
When you’re focused on a spot the place you are able to do the entire above, go to Camp Richardson. It’s all the time on everybody’s record of the perfect issues to do in South Lake Tahoe within the winter for good trigger — there’s a winter exercise for everybody there!
Rediscover ice skating
I do know you may ice skate mainly anyplace nowadays, however there’s one thing magical about ice skating outside whereas surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Lake Tahoe itself by no means truly freezes, however a number of the smaller lakes and ponds close by do throughout colder winters. Whereas folks do ice skate on them, forest rangers and different authorities typically warning towards doing so because it’s unimaginable to know the situation of the ice.
As an alternative, there are ice skating rinks in South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Metropolis, and different cities across the lake the place you may lease ice skates and have enjoyable in a safe, managed setting.
3. Discover Lake Tahoe’s winter hikes
Lake Tahoe is surrounded by a lot forested land, there are superb hikes to be discovered in all places. Throughout our prolonged keep in Tahoe, one among our favourite issues was to take our pup into the huge expanses of wilderness by our cabin.
Kokomo is an absolute snow canine, and he LOVED operating by the contemporary powder.
Some enjoyable winter hikes in north Tahoe embody Sawtooth Loop Path by Truckee, and Pine Drop Path, which matches from Kings Seashore to North Tahoe Regional Park.
On the east facet, don’t miss the brand new Tahoe East Shore Path close to Incline Village. For years, this facet of the lake was harder to discover because of the shortage of parking close to scorching spots like Sand Harbor, however this new path plus the parking tons created with it opens up the east facet of the lake. On hotter winter days, this principally flat path will be fully freed from snow.
One other great place for a winter hike is the Flume Path, which is correct subsequent to the Tahoe East Shore Path. This one begins on the Tunnel Creek Café and goes uphill. It’s a extremely popular climbing and mountain biking path in the summertime months, and far much less crowded through the winter.
When you’re on the south facet of the lake, contemplate Van Sickle Bi-State Park, which crisscrosses California and Nevada.
4. Go to Tahoe’s historic cities
When you’ve had sufficient of the outside for a second, go to one among Tahoe’s cities as an alternative.
Truckee, Tahoe Metropolis, and South Lake Tahoe all have a lot to supply by way of meals, purchasing, and actions. Seize a scrumptious meal on the Previous City Faucet in Truckee, take a historic stroll round Tahoe Metropolis’s shoreline, or discover the various shops and eating places of South Lake Tahoe.
The historic path alongside Commons Seashore in Tahoe Metropolis was one among most nice surprises for a historical past nerd like me. It was so cool to see and find out about Tahoe Metropolis’s previous. My favourite was this beachside jail — discuss a view!
5. Go playing
The casinos of Stateline are one of many foremost attracts of South Lake Tahoe, and one of many causes that Tahoe is so widespread for people with all varieties of pursuits. Spend the day on the slopes or out on the lake after which exit to the casinos at night time? You are able to do that in Lake Tahoe.
Stateline, actually named as a result of it begins on the California-Nevada stateline, has 4 on line casino resorts: Exhausting Rock, Harrah’s, Harvey’s, and MontBleu. They’re all roughly inside strolling distance of one another, so you may hop between them as you would like. The minimal playing age is 21.
6. Take a day journey to Reno
When you’re on the north facet of the lake, you can too head over to Reno for some on line casino motion. Relying on the place you’re in north Tahoe, it takes 30-45 minutes to get to Reno (versus 1+ hour to Stateline).
After all, there’s way more to “The Greatest Little Metropolis within the World” than simply casinos.
When you love automobiles, Reno is house to the Nationwide Car Museum that’s decked out with traditional automobiles. If nature and science are extra your factor, take a look at the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, an interactive and academic celebration of the Silver State. There’s additionally a stunning riverwalk that jogged my memory of Chicago’s downtown space, albeit at a smaller scale and with mountains within the background.
7. Play within the snow!
Construct a snowman. Make a snow angel. Have a snowball struggle.
Want I say extra?
8. Get pleasure from Tahoe’s meals and booze
And naturally, can I actually discuss anyplace with out speaking concerning the meals and drinks?
I’ll be the primary to confess that Tahoe isn’t a culinary vacation spot. (For a special day, although, Edgewood Restaurant in Stateline is a gem.)
As an alternative, the food and drinks in Tahoe is all concerning the expertise. Even for those who don’t ski or snowboard, go to après-ski at a resort. My favorites for après-ski are Northstar and Heavenly, each of which supply tons of choices (together with the non-food and drink facets!).
If an informal ambiance is extra your factor, take a look at Fiftyfifty Brewing or one of many dozen different breweries round Lake Tahoe. There should be one thing about craft beers and snow-capped mountains!
Hope this information makes you extra excited a few journey to expertise Lake Tahoe within the winter, even for those who don’t ski or snowboard!
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