North Lake Tahoe is one of the world’s great ski regions and home to a greater concentration of ski resorts than any other region of North America. Stretching across the Caifornia – Nevada border, the choice of ski destinations is incredible ranging from world class resorts like Olympic destination Squaw Valley and neighbouring Alpine Meadows or the stunning Northstar to smaller, intimate ski centres like Donner Summit where you’ll quickly be on first name terms with the lift operator.
What all have in common is great snow and lots of it. In fact Squaw Valley got so much snow in winter 2016-17 it was still operating its ski lifts for snowsports the following summer. In between those snow showers North Lake Tahoe still manages to clock up 274 sunshine days a year.
There’s an incredible variety of terrain from perfectly groomed, smooth, gentle runs that are great to learn on or for the youngest children to play on, through to some of the planet’s steepest and most challenging terrain, also with world class terrain parks, for those in search of a serious challenge on the slopes.
There are in fact more than 20 downhill and cross-country ski centres around the Lake Tahoe. Besides skiing and boarding winter activities like snowmobiling, dogsledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and winter cruises on the Lake are also popular.
Some of the slopes are located directly above 22 miles long Lake Tahoe, the largest Alpine lake in the USA. After a day skiing or boarding the selection of restaurants, bars and shops as well as off-slope activities are once again world class in North Lake Tahoe. There are lakeside restaurants where you can enjoy locally sourced ingredients served Californian style, bars to sample a regional microbrew, Californian wine or a signature Tahoe cocktail.
Those with a special interest in Hollywood and Americana will be pleased to know that Lake Tahoe has long been a favourite of world famous film stars and other celebrities, and still is. In Crystal Bay, the Cal Neva Resort, Spa & Casino was once owned by Frank Sinatra and frequented by the Rat Pack and Marilyn Monroe. Their underground tunnel tour is very popular, and was the primary way Frank Sinatra accessed the showroom from his private bungalow. The final good news is that North Lake Tahoe is very easy to reach. Simply fly in to San Francisco and drive up, or you can fly right in to the region on a flight to Reno Tahoe airport, a short hop from the slopes.
