Lake Tahoe is a world-renowned tourist destination all year round, but it really shines in the wintertime. The area around the lake transforms into a snowy wonderland, with activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. This article will give you an overview of what to expect when visiting Lake Tahoe in the winter.
We’ll also recommend some of our favorite places and things to do while you’re there. Plus, the best place to end any winter trip to Lake Tahoe – Embarc dispensary!
Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, is as deep as the Empire State Building is tall. Lake Tahoe is 72 miles around the circumference and has purer water than distilled bottled water!
Impressive, right?
With crystal-clear blue water surrounded on all sides by Sierra Nevada mountains lined with pine trees, Lake Tahoe’s exquisite beauty is unsurpassed. And with its natural history and great beauty, Lake Tahoe is one of the world’s most popular winter tourist destinations. Come winter, the lake freezes, and the skies gush radiant white snow that turns the Lake Tahoe area into a proper winter wonderland. So every winter, Americans blanket themselves in woolens, grab their skis and flock to Lake Tahoe to have the country’s best skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing experience.
But that’s not all that Lake Tahoe has to offer. If you’re not much of an adventure sports person, the area also has enough to entertain those who prefer a more relaxed vacation. Spas, cafes, pubs, museums, art galleries, casinos, hikes, and nature trails all abound for the laid-back traveler. There’s something for everyone!
Lake Tahoe is usually split up into two areas– north and south. Each area has its own specialty and attracts vastly different kinds of tourists.
The lake itself is 22 miles from north to south. So naturally, the vibe changes as you travel along the lake’s north-south axis. While the north is quieter and more rustic, the south is more tourist-friendly with commercial activities, restaurants, casinos, and nightlife. However, the lake’s beauty and overall weather remain the same in both areas.
Let’s take a look at this in a little more detail.
This part of Lake Tahoe, also called North Shore, is more residential and tranquil. You won’t find much nightlife here. Instead, the area is home to gorgeous mountains, trails, and hills that attract skiers. Many slopes and world-class ski resorts can be found in this region, owing to the wide range of mountain terrains.
Some of North Lake Tahoe’s most popular ski resorts are Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl, Northstar California Resort, and Homewood Mountain Resort. These mountains have some of the best skiing and snowboarding trails in Tahoe. The area is also great for cross-country skiing with its many scenic trails.
South Shore or South Lake Tahoe is where you’ll find most tourist attractions and nightlife. The area has many casinos, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, and shopping malls. This is the place to be if you want to enjoy the lake without getting too cold. You can also find some fantastic ski resorts here, including Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and Sierra-at-Tahoe.
There are plenty of other winter activities to enjoy in South Lake Tahoe. Snow tubing is a popular activity for families with young children. You can also ice skate at one of the many outdoor rinks or indoor arenas. Or, if you’re looking for a more unique experience, try dog sledding!
Some of the best reasons to visit South Lake Tahoe are that it is easily assessable, has a lot to offer travelers, and is simply fun. In addition, there’s always something going on at night – from casinos and clubs to bars and restaurants – making it one of the liveliest places in the area.
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place with something for everyone. You can choose to focus on the area’s natural beauty, or you can visit one of the many attractions. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.
While there is an endless list of things to do, let’s look at what we think are the top Lake Tahoe winter activities to ensure you have the best winter holiday ever.
Cross Country Skiing
Winter in Lake Tahoe brings frequent flurries of snowfall, depositing fresh snow on slopes every few days. This makes the mountains here the perfect spot for skiing.
Many top-rated cross-country and downhill ski resorts can be found in Lake Tahoe. They begin taking reservations for winter sports from October onwards. Winter starts in mid-November and lasts till the end of April. This four-month period witnesses a huge number of tourists coming to Lake Tahoe to experience skiing. Have kids who don’t know how to ski? Don’t worry. They can learn from the many experts in the area.
Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking
One of the best ways to experience the serenity and beauty of Lake Tahoe is by going on a hike. Many trails offer stunning views of the lake and its surroundings.
If you want to go hiking in winter, make sure you have proper gear like snowshoes or crampons. You can also join one of the many guided hikes in the area. These are a great way to explore the trails and learn about flora and fauna of Lake Tahoe. Hiking is an excellent activity for families with kids as it’s not too strenuous and can be done at a leisurely pace. It’s also a great way to bond with nature.
Snowshoeing is another awesome winter activity in Lake Tahoe. Snowshoeing is the same as hiking, except for walking over snow using snow shoes and trekking poles for assistance. The shoes are designed to keep your foot from sinking into the snow. It’s a great workout and an opportunity to explore the area differently.
You can go on snowshoeing tours or rent equipment and explore independently. Either way, this activity is perfect for those who want to take relaxed walks around snowclad hills and admire the natural beauty. In addition, Snowshoeing is not particularly hard and (typically ?) only takes a few attempts to get right.
A great snowshoeing trail is The Lam Watah Trail. The trail follows the route that the native American Washoe people once used. The path, dotted with plaques, tells the trail’s history as you walk along. The trail covers a distance of 1.5 miles each way and can be completed in 55 minutes.
Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park
A treetop trek is a great way to have fun with your crew. The Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park has many aerial treks on pine and incense red cedar tree tops with zip-lines and ‘bridges.’ The idea is to complete the trek, overcoming obstacles and difficulties while surrounded by the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains.
The most exciting part of the aerial trek is the unique birds-eye perspective you get when you look down on Lake Tahoe and the mountains! The walks are designed for people of all ages and physical abilities. You can even take the kids along as they have a junior course, especially for them.
Apres-ski
The French word ‘Apres-ski’ literally translates as ‘after ski.’ It essentially refers to the social activities and evening entertainment that follow a day of skiing. Most high-end resorts have apres-ski happy hours at their bars.
Otherwise, you will find dozens of restaurants, bars, and clubs where you can have a boozy, fun-filled evening. Heavenly Village in the south has many apres-ski spots that offer happy hour specials, live music, and fire pits. Check out the Gun Barrel Tavern or the California Burger Company.
South Shore, in particular, has a brilliant beer scene. There are at least seven local breweries plus tap houses and taverns. We’d recommend The Brewery at Lake Tahoe and South of North Brewing.
Road Trip Around the Lake
The most stunning views of Lake Tahoe and its surrounding mountains can only be seen if you spend some time driving around the lake. It takes about 3 hours without stops to cover the entire distance, but we recommend you get out of the car (in your winter boots), explore a bit, and take some pictures.
There are numerous scenic spots around the lake where you can park your car and simply admire the view or go for a short walk. One such spot is Emerald Bay State Park, located on Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore. The park has several hiking trails and an island you can visit by taking a short boat ride.
Cable Car Rides
For non-skiers, riding the gondola or cable car at the Heavenly Ski resort, or any ski resort for that matter, can be an excellent adventure. It takes you right to the top and across the snowy mountains of Lake Tahoe. You can get the most breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and the sparkling blue frozen lake from that height. Palisades Tahoe (earlier called Squaw Valley) in the north offers cable rides with unbelievable views of the area.
Snowmobile Tours
If you’re seeking a thrilling experience, a snowmobile excursion around Lake Tahoe is just what you need. It’s an incredible way to get a sense of the region and appreciate its splendor. Several adventure sports companies offer snowmobile tours. For example, Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center organizes a tour that offers impressive views of Lake Tahoe from the Tahoe Rim Trail. Snowmobile tours are super fun and sure to get your adrenaline pumping in the winter snow!
Relax in Lake Tahoe’s Hot Springs
The Tahoe basin has several hot springs with unique mineral and healing properties. So if you’ve had a long day on the slopes and need something to ease the pain in your legs, a dip in a natural hot tub is just what the doctor ordered.
David Walley’s Hot Springs is perhaps the most well-known. It is home to five hot mineral pools, an outdoor heated pool, a steam room, dry saunas, and a full-service spa. Another fantastic alternative is Sierra Hot Springs, located 30 minutes north of Truckee.
Vikingsholm Castle
Lake Tahoe has its very own castle! Vikingsholm Castle is an imposing Scandinavian-type fortress that sits by the shores of Emerald Bay. The castle is even more stunning in the snow owing to the light dusting of its windows and sloping roofs. The hike to Vikingsholm Castle is also a lot of fun, even in a cold Lake Tahoe winter.
Ice Skating
This one’s pretty obvious for lake towns in the winter months. As cliche as it may be, ice skating is incredibly popular around Lake Tahoe. Kids are very fond of zipping around on their skates. There are several skating rinks in the area, but the really incredible ones are the outdoor rinks.
Heavenly Village has one in the south, while Palisades Tahoe has another in the north. Many of these rinks are surrounded by restaurants, cafes, food stalls, shops, and ice cream stands, giving the place a carnivalesque feel.
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is another activity that’s perfect for the whole family. It doesn’t require special skills and is great fun for people of all ages. You can find several snow tubing parks around Lake Tahoe, such as the one at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.
Ice Fishing
Lake Tahoe is a great place to go ice fishing. The lake is home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and mackinaw trout. However, if you’re not an experienced fisherman, don’t worry. Many companies offer guided ice fishing tours.
Dog Sledding
You mustn’t miss this activity when on a Lake Tahoe winter vacation. Sledding behind a team of dogs as they dash through the snow is an unforgettable experience. You can find several dog sledding companies around the lake, such as Husky Express and Sierra Dogsled Adventures.
Skydiving
For the truly adventurous, skydiving is a must-do activity in Lake Tahoe. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of jumping out of a plane and free falling through the air with stunning views of the lake and mountains around you. Check out Sky Dive Lake Tahoe for an extraordinary adventure.
Enjoy the Spa
If skydiving is too extreme for you, how about a relaxing day at the spa instead? Lake Tahoe is home to several world-class spas, such as the Spa at Squaw Creek and the Spa at Harrah’s. So unwind with a massage, facial, or body treatment and let all your worries melt away.
Whether on a weekend getaway or a long-term Lake Tahoe winter trip, there’s plenty to keep you entertained while enjoying some of the most scenic beauty you can find in the United States.
Before you head out on your adventure or snuggle up next to the outdoor fire pits, visit Embarc Dispensary in South Lake Tahoe! Make sure to visit before planning the rest of your trip!
That way, you can enjoy all that Lake Tahoe offers without worrying about where you’ll find cannabis. We don’t want you stuck on a cable car ride, enjoying the gorgeous panoramic views, longing for a joint or edible that would make the experience much more magical!
No matter what you have planned for your trip, we’ve got you covered with a wide array of flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals, and more. View our menu right now!
