It North Lake Tahoe it seems that downhill ski and board resorts rule, especially with more than a dozen to choose from. What locals know is that cross country resorts are nearly as numerous as their steeper counterparts, and just as legendary.
Credit: Jeff Dow
Did you know that the region boasts the largest cross country resort in the country – Royal Gorge? Just minutes off Interstate 80 and atop of the world on snowy Donner Summit, Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort has 320km (that’s approximately 200 miles) of groomed tracks and trails along with two rustic, Old Tahoe lodging properties, the ski-in, ski-out Ice Lakes Lodge and the quaint Rainbow Lodge.
Looking for something a little more, well, competitive? Squaw Valley may have hosted the majority of the 1960 Winter Olympic events, but the cross-country races, including the popular biathlon, were actually held on Tahoe’s West Shore at Sugar Pine Point State Park. There Nordic enthusiasts choose from four distinct, well-marked trails, making up 15km of terrain. The park is also home to historic Ehrman Mansion.
Another great spot to check out, and a locals’ favorite, is Tahoe XC which is just behind Tahoe City’s commercial core with 65km of groomed trails, a day lodge and café. A great all-around resort, well-mannered dogs can join their humans on either of two dog-friendly trails, and there’s more than eight km of beginner and intermediate terrain. Dog day passes are $4 and season passes are just $49. Tahoe XC is also the start of the prestigious Great Ski Race, now in its 36th year. Slated for March 4, 2012, competitors race 30 km from the resort to Truckee.
If you want to mix it with the locals more check out Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area located on the North Shore at the junction of Highway 28 and 50. There are 80km of groomed ski trails spread out over a scenic 9,000 acres. Spooner Lake also rents their remote, cozy log cabins in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park for those interested in a multi-day cross-country or snowshoe adventure.
Still looking for more? Here are some other great places to check out:
North Tahoe Regional Park, Tahoe Vista: Great for beginners with 5km of groomed trails and family play area with pay parking
Northstar California, Tahoe Donner Ski Resort and Granlibakken Resort: All paired up with downhill resorts if you’re traveling in “mixed company”. Northstar’s Cross Country Ski and Snowboard Center, located at the base of the resort’s alpine area, has 40km of carefully groomed, picturesque trails. Tahoe Donner Downhill and Cross Country Ski Area in Truckee has 115km of skiable cross-country terrain. Granlibakken Lodge, just outside of Tahoe City on the West Shore and located in a serene valley, has lift access to several miles of Nordic skiing terrain, including charming Page Meadows and access to the famed Tahoe Rim Trail, in addition to its beginner downhill slope.
Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley: Adjacent to Squaw Valley’s massive downhill area, this luxurious AAA four-diamond resort has 18km of meticulously groomed trails winding through a stunning meadow and hillside. A cool 70% percent of the terrain is geared specifically for beginners.
So you’ve taken time off work and booked a trip to Tahoe this winter. Check item #1 off your list. Now you’ve got an entirely different task ahead: figure out how much you can pack into your trip to make it the best ever. We could come up with a thousand things to do, but that’s what GoTahoeNorth.com is all about.
Here are some tips from fans of North Lake Tahoe on the can’t-miss, must-do, make-plans-to-enjoy things you should add to your list.
Outdoors
Snowshoe(from Esther B.). You can snowshoe in a ton of places around Tahoe, from designated trails and hiking areas, like the Tahoe Meadows at the Mt. Rose Summit, to resorts including Tahoe-Donner Cross Country Ski Area, Northstar California and Squaw Valley. Several companies, such as Tahoe Adventure Company, offer snowshoe tours, and many more shops have rentals available for day trips.
Dog Sledding(from Alena S.). Truly an experience to remember (trust us, we cherish our memory). Wilderness Adventures has hour-long tours through the Squaw Valley Meadow, between the ski resort and Resort at Squaw Creek. The guide leads a team of 8-10 huskies with a four-person sled.
Hang loose and enjoy (from Richard A.). North Lake Tahoe is definitely built for relaxation. In the winter you can still hang out on beaches and enjoy the serenity of the lake. Or, enjoy a hot beverage and the company of friends at any of the area’s watering holes, coffee houses, lodges or villages. There’s never a shortage of warm fires and great views at Tahoe.
Paddleboard Lake Tahoe on a Bluebird Day (Andy C.). This may seem a little crazy, but if you throw on a wetsuit and try really hard not to fall in, it could turn out to be your best day on the lake, ever. Consider this, in the winter there are far fewer boats on the water, making it like glass on a calm, sunny day. There’s nothing but you on a board paddling across a blue expanse and surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Paints a picture, doesn’t it? Check out this post for details on where to rent a SUP for the day.
Indoors
Rent a cabin(from Jodi S.). Definitely a cozy way to experience Tahoe and maintain that homey feel. Cabins in the area range in price and size and have a variety of amenities from ski-in/ski-out to pet friendly, lakefront views, hot tubs and more.
Visit The Center for Environmental Sciences, Sierra Nevada College (from Diane M.). Open Tuesday – Friday from 1 – 5 p.m., you can tour the center and learn about Lake Tahoe’s ecology, see research in action, fly through a 3D model of Lake Tahoe and dive under the water, and also learn about the building’s sustainable design.
It’s leaf peeping season – almost. After a brief snowfall in early October the trails and roads in North Lake Tahoe are just starting to show signs of autumn. Aspens in the area are transforming from a sea of green to a brilliant shade of yellow, making for a stunning contrast against Tahoe’s solid wall of pines and firs. That striking contrasts leads many a hiker, kayaker or cyclist to take pause and soak it all up.
The last two weeks of October and the first two weeks of November are when the region’s trees really start to change over. There are a number of great venues for soaking up Tahoe’s fall foliage, but those using your own two feet are by far the most popular.
Locals recommend road cycling, inline skating and running up Blackwood Canyon on the West Shore, which is located three to four miles south of Tahoe City. What makes Blackwood unique is its paved road that takes you from 6,200 feet lake level to Barker Pass at 7,200 feet.
Stately Eagle Rock, a popular Tahoe landmark, sits just south of the Blackwood Canyon entrance and is an easy 15-minute hike to the top, offering 180-degree panoramic views of the entire region. The California Tahoe Conservancy recently completed a new trail to the top, which has significantly reduced pollutants into Lake Tahoe.
Located nine miles south of Sand Harbor State Park (just outside of Incline Village), Spooner Lake offers lush meadows and shimmering aspen groves that surround a scenic alpine lake. You’ll find miles of hiking trails, as well as a good starting point if you’re venturing into the backcountry for a backpacking excursion.
Changing fall foliage can also be found on Lake Tahoe’s most popular hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trail – the Tahoe Rim Trail. A 165-mile trail that completely circles Lake Tahoe, this dirt path has eight trailheads making it easy to access. Some favorite spots are Tahoe Meadows on the Mt. Rose Summit (Highway 431), Tahoe City off Fairway Drive behind the town’s commercial core and Barker Pass up Blackwood Canyon, the paved road is open to cars until the snow flies.
August 9 at Lake Tahoe kicks off a four-day training session for two adaptive athletes on an adventure that culminates in a January 17, 2012 arrival at the South Pole. While they’ll be heading towards the Pole in a small group with just guides and a documentary team, they’re looking for a virtual “armada” of paddlers to join them in their Tahoe training, either paddling along or cheering from shore as the wrap up each leg.
John Davis
As part of rigorous training for a 100-mile journey across the Antarctic landscape – all of which will be professionally filmed – Lake Tahoe residents and spinal cord-injury athletes John Davis, a two-time Paralympics gold medalist, and Grant Korgan, a world-class kayaker and adventurer, are set to kayak approximately 50 miles in 4 days following the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. Seasoned guides Doug Stoup and Tal Fletcher of Lake Tahoe will accompany Davis and Korgan on stand up paddleboards.
Davis rates paddling Lake Tahoe as a soulful experience. “You’re completely surrounded by snowcapped peaks while sitting atop tranquil waters so clear that you can literally see 75 feet down. But the lake also makes for a fantastic cross-training venue as we’ll be paddling approximately 96,800 paddle strokes, just more than half the 176,174 pole pushes required to trek 100 miles across the frozen landscape to the South Pole.”
Grant Korgan
“The Push” expedition team encourages the public to join the paddle, whether it be for an hour or day, creating a human-powered armada to follow and cheer on the team via kayaks and stand up paddleboards. According to Korgan, “With this Lake Tahoe paddle training event, as well as the overall mission of ‘The Push,’ we hope to inspire people of all walks of life that they too can achieve the seemingly insurmountable. We encourage them to push their own everyday limits and live up to their ultimate potential.”
If you’d like to paddle along or cheer from the shore, here’s the rough schedule of events:
Day 1
Tuesday, August 9, 10 miles
6 a.m.: Launch from Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe paddling clockwise 7 miles to Carnelian Bay, California.
Approx. Noon: “The Push” team will land at a lakefront estate for a private lunch and presentation. Any paddling spectators can head on to Waterman’s Landing in Carnelian Bay for a light lunch.
“The Push” team then paddles to Waterman’s Landing for a quick stop before continuing onto Tahoe Vista, California, completing leg one
Approx. 5 p.m.: Arrive at Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort. One of the most festive days of the trip, this landing is open to the public and will include live music, along with free stand up paddleboard and kayak rentals and demonstrations.
Day 2
Wednesday, August 10, 16 miles
8 a.m.: Departing Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort and paddle 16 miles along the North Shore to camp lakeside on Nevada’s East Shore.
Day 3
Thursday, August 11, 12 miles
Paddle from East Shore clockwise along the lake to a campground located on Tahoe’s West Shore
Day 4
Friday, August 12, 12 miles
Depart early morning and paddle to the historic Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point on the West Shore, 10 miles south of Tahoe City
Noon: Picnic lunch at Ehrman Mansion, then continue on to Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge
Approx. 6 p.m.: Arrive at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge. Another great spectator and cheering opportunity.
“The Push” Lake Tahoe Paddle Event is the second training event for the athletes, who visited Norway’s Svalbard arctic archipelago this past spring. A third filmed training session hits the ice in South America this September, with a final training event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert this October. “The Push” is targeting a documentary film release for summer/fall of 2012. Follow the journey of “The Push.”
“The Push” is in support of the High Fives Foundation, a California-based non-profit organization whose mission is to help winter athletes suffering life-altering injuries get back on their feet, and ideally, get back to their sport.
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) at Tahoe isn’t just another activity. It’s a lifestyle.
This is the fourth in a series of four blogs highlighting all that’s SUP at Tahoe. Read one, two and three.
They say invention is the mother of necessity. For Nate Brouwer it was the opposite. After numerous sunset paddles across Tahoe in the company of his dog Stella he figured out that his board sucked. His impulse to design the perfect SUP for flat water touring, whether the water was flat or not, led to Tahoe SUP, Lake Tahoe’s premier SUP manufacturer. The addition of Tahoe SUP to the area nurtured a seed that was already planted and came at a time when SUP was taking off.
Since then, Tahoe’s SUP culture has grown, spawning numerous retailers, rental shops and events. (See blogs 1, 2 and 3 for details.) The lifestyle of SUP has enthusiasts out on the lake before and after work, on lunch breaks, or looking for jobs that can have them enjoying SUP while also getting paid. Not a bad gig if you ask us.
Others are finding that SUP incorporates movements that encourage proper breathing and balance as well as efficient and effective movement of energy through the body. Movement4Life, a Tahoe-area holistic healing outfit, includes a Paddle 4 Heath component to their rehabilitation therapies allowing clients to train their bodies on SUP while healing.
Sylvain Duclos took his yoga practice to the water as well, incorporating an SUP Yoga class into his Mountain Lotus Yoga class offerings.
Whether you’re serious about stand up paddle boarding (SUP) or just looking for a little funthere are plenty of events at Tahoe to satisfy.
This is the third in a series of four blogs highlighting all that’s SUP at Tahoe. Read the first and second.
Drawing the largest crowds, Tahoe’s “pro-am” SUP events are scattered throughout spring and summer, and heck, even winter.
One of the most well-known races is the 2011 Quiksilver Ta-Hoe Nalu Stand-Up Paddle Classic, August 13 – 14 launching from Kings Beach. Two days of events are for all ages and skill levels and include $25,000 in cash and prizes. New to the Ta-Hoe Nalu this summer is the Ta-Hoe Nalu Stand Up Paddleboard Experience, which invites beginners to learn how to paddle from an elite athlete and then go on a guided tour with them. A $30 fee per person includes demo board, paddle instruction, guided tour, event t-shirt and lunch ticket.
The Tahoe Cup is an annual race series sponsored by O’Neill . Events include May’s Donner Lake race along with the Jam From The Dam, July 9 and the Fall Classic, a 22-mile race from Camp Richardson along the south shore to Kings Beach, September 18. The Jam From The Dam has participants racing from Commons Beach in Tahoe City six miles to the Waterman’s Landing, a new restaurant and stand up paddleboard shop, in Carnelian Bay next to the Sierra Boat Company. Like the Ta-Hoe Nalu, it’s a great opportunity for spectators to demo equipment in a fun and festive environment. Hosted by the Lake Tahoe Paddleboard Association, the Tahoe Cup races are open to professional and amateur athletes.
Additional pro-am races throughout the year include the Thunderbird Run in early June and the Ta-Hoe Nalu SnowFest Arctic Paddle in early March.
For a more relaxed SUP experience at Tahoe consider the weekly SUP series events organized by Adrift Tahoe in Kings Beach. The Thursday night race series is an opportunity for amateurs to challenge each other in a fun SUP setting. The series kicks of June 30 and entry into each race is $5. Additional series events include SUP Yoga, WOW (Women on Water) and Beach & Board Fitness.
While paddling across a body of water while standing up seems challenging, it’s easier than it looks and a lot of fun. That’s what stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is all about—having fun while also enjoying a challenge.
This is the second in a series of four blogs highlighting all that’s SUP at Tahoe. Read the first here.
Whether you’re a first-timer checking out the SUP scene or a seasoned pro, getting out on Tahoe with a paddle board is easy. There is a variety of rental and retail shops around the north shore that have a great selection of equipment. Check out the list at the bottom of this post for details. They’ll fit you with a board that’s the right length and a paddle. Some shops also include a leash that you’ll strap to your ankle in case the board gets away from you. While you’ll see a lot of photos of people enjoying SUP on Tahoe without PFD’s, shops can also outfit you with those as well. (Based on experience from this blogger, it’s not a bad idea to wear a PFD if you’re just starting out or not used to Tahoe’s sometimes frigid waters. One dump into the water and you’ll be glad you wore it.)
When renting, most shops will give you brief instruction to get started. The basics are to climb onto the board and position yourself on your knees, all of this while in the water. You’ll stand up one leg at a time and balance yourself, working to keep your center of gravity low. From there grip the paddle with both hands, much the way you would for kayaking, and paddle. Again, from personal experience, going from kneeling to standing can be the hardest part. Some may find that kneeling and paddling on their first excursion is a good start.
Some Tahoe SUP rental shops also offer extended instruction, either private and hourly or in a group setting. In addition, Adrift Tahoe currently offers SUP tours. Check online at the rental locations below for details.
Head to Tahoe this summer and you may see more stand up paddle boards (SUP) on the water than kayaks or other watercraft. As the nation’s largest stand up flat-water paddle board venue, it’s quickly becoming a mecca for boarders looking to relax and enjoy the sport in a premier location.
This is the first in a series of four blogs highlighting all that’s SUP at Tahoe.
First, why is Tahoe such a great SUP venue? Lake Tahoe is world renowned for its cobalt blue waters that gives those on its surface a clear view of depths up to 75 feet. And one of the best ways to explore its deeps is human-powered via paddle.
According to Ernie Brassard stand up paddle boarding is one of the most scenic and green ways to take in Lake Tahoe. You get a completely different perspective of the lake and the surrounding mountains from the water than you do from the trail. Ernie is president of the 2011 Quiksilver Ta-Hoe Nalu Stand-Up Paddle Classic, August 13-14 in Kings Beach, and a guru to many when it comes to all things boards.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet and scenic paddle or a glimpse at the shore side of some of Tahoe’s most spectacular estates, you can find it along Tahoe’s north shore. Start from Sand Harbor State Park for large boulders, a sandy bottom, hidden coves and lively beaches for a great morning paddle. If you’re taking a half-day adventure you can make it to Thunderbird Lodge for a water-side look at the historic estate, and still have time for a picnic along a hidden beach before paddling back. Paddle out from Kings Beach or Tahoe City and you’ll have views of some of the area’s best homes.
SUP is easy to enjoy at Tahoe for visitors thanks to a wide variety of outfitters around the North Lake Tahoe region that specialize in human-powered water sports. Here’s a quick list of rental and retail shops:
If you’re planning to take an extended paddle at Tahoe, consider checking out the Lake Tahoe Water Trail which includes parking and lodging details, information on where you can exit the water and avoid private property and other tips for paddling safety at the lake.
Volunteer vacations are becoming more popular as travelers look for deeper meaning in their lives and adventures. Travelers are also looking to go green and be more environmentally aware on their trips. We can’t think of a more beautiful place to be environmentally aware and volunteer than Tahoe. Can you?
This summer there are some great volunteer opportunities at Tahoe/Truckee area California State Parks. While the parks weren’t on the recently announced closure list of 70 of the Systems 278 park units, the parks budget has been drastically reduced leading to a need to fill some needed gaps. Volunteers for California State Parks not only have the satisfaction of filling service gaps, they are also rewarded with entrance passes to our parks and invitation to volunteer only events.
Here are the current needs:
Vikingsholm Accessibility Escort Docent
The Docent will meet pre-registered visitors at the Visitor Center at DL Bliss SP and escort them, in your private vehicle, down the service road to Vikingsholm. Upon arrival, the docent will provide an accessible tour of Vikingsholm and be available to answer questions and provide visitor assistance. The commitment is 3 hours once a week throughout the summer. Orientation and training session is Tuesday June 15 10-3pm. This is a great opportunity for people wanting to be a part of our interpretive team at Vikinghsolm and provide a much need service to our disabled guests.
Visitor Service Intern (Park Greeter)
The intern will work at the entrance station located on the day use side of Sugar Pine Point SP. Volunteers will provide visitor information about the park, collect entrance fees and assist the staff with other duties. This is a great opportunity for local youth to gain valuable work experience and provide much needed visitor support. The commitment is 5 hours per week throughout the summer. Orientation is Thursday June 23 10am.
Living History Day
On Saturday, July 30 more than 1500 visitors head to Sugar Pine Point SP for the annual Living History Day. California State Parks is assembling a team of over 100 volunteers to help both on the day of event and chairpersons for the Raffle/Fundraising and Volunteer Support chairs. More information on the event.
Garden Restoration Volunteer
Help plant history by assisting to recreate the historic native garden on the grounds of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate at Sugar Pine Point SP. Volunteers may drop by and work with the gardener every Wednesday beginning June 15th. Bring your gloves and knee pads for this drop-in volunteer opportunity.
For more information about volunteering for California State Parks in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee area contact Heidi Doyle or call 530-583-3074.
Today is Blog Action Day, an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action. This year’s issue is water and that’s something we know a thing or two about. After all, Lake Tahoe is the center of our “universe” ranking as the third-deepest lake in North America and the 10th-deepest in the world.
“. . . the water was not merely transparent, but dazzlingly, brilliantly so.”
- a description of Lake Tahoe by Mark Twain, Roughing It (1871)
If you’ve been to Tahoe you know one of its most famous features is its clarity, initially measured at 100 feet in 1968. Since then clarity has dropped nearly one foot each year and is just around 70 feet today. Through extensive research several causes have been identified as major contributors to the water clarity decline. The most prominent cause is excessive algal growth due to higher nitrogen and phosphorus levels from automobile emissions and urban and forested area runoffs. Fine sediments from roadways and urban areas also cloud the water becoming suspended rather than sinking to the bottom.
According to DoSomething.org 46% of America’s lakes are too polluted for fishing, swimming or aquatic life. And runoff from the nitrogen-rich Mississippi River has caused a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico the size of Massachusetts. Fortunately this isn’t the case in Tahoe and we enjoy a plethora of fish species in the lake’s waters including Mackinaw, Kokanee salmon and rainbow and brown trout. Animals such as mule deer, ground squirrels, coyotes, black bears, hawks, geese, woodpeckers and bald eagles also depend on the lake’s clear waters for sustenance. This all makes for an amazing vacation experience whether you’re fishing on the lake or spotting wildlife on one of the area’s many hiking trails.
Read more about Tahoe’s clarity and what you can do to “keep Tahoe blue” such as hiking only on existing trails, picking up your litter and after your pets, and properly servicing your engines and motors on vehicles and watercraft.
If you’ve done something to help “keep Tahoe blue” let us know.
