Seventy feet of snow last winter combined with a massive amount of improvement projects underway and planned for the near future in North Lake Tahoe, has visitors to the area pumped with anticipation of what the 2011/12 season may bring us. And we aren’t just boasting with pride of our mountains. Advance bookings are actually up 35%* compared to the same period in 2010.
This “bounce effect” (although we would like to think we are unique to this spike in numbers; we are indeed labeled and sorted into a category with like others) occurs after a phenomenal snow year. We also refer to this as “FOMO” – a condition of suffering from the “fear of missing out.” Consumers are making lodging arrangements early for this winter based on last year’s banner snow conditions – and we all know that La Niña brought us some epic days on the mountain last year.
But it’s not just the snow bringing our outside friends. There is also $100 million in improvement projects focusing on just our ski region. Between Vail Resorts acquiring Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley owners KSL Capital Partners purchasing Alpine Meadows, North Lake Tahoe is seeing both resorts upping their game and enhancing their products. Millions more are soon coming to North Tahoe with proposed redevelopment plans for Homewood Mountain Resort and the historic Crystal Bay casino corridor.
Who wouldn’t want to come see what all the fuss is about? It goes on…
In addition to Vail Resort’s $30 million, which has already been implemented this season, KSL Capital Partners $50 million, five-year capital revitalization commitments and $20 million spread across other Lake Tahoe ski resorts and community projects, JMA Ventures – owners of Homewood Mountain Resort - are one step closer to creating a pedestrian friendly village on the scenic West Shore that would not only help our friends in economic development but would also create another robust playground for our tourists.
The redevelopment plans include a five-star boutique hotel with up to 75 rooms at the resort’s North Base, as well as a full-service restaurant, spa, fitness facility, meeting space and 15,000-square feet of retail space, in addition to underground parking. The first phase of construction is slated for some time between 2014 and 2017, with the second phase beginning and ending between 2018 and 2020.
On the Nevada side of the North Shore, Boulder Bay is also moving forward on approvals for creating a vibrant, cultural village that will transform the existing Tahoe Biltmore casino property in Crystal Bay into an environmentally sustainable, yet affordable wellness resort. Updated plans, revised based on community feedback and input, call for a 275-room hotel with a 10,000 square-foot casino, 59 whole-ownership units, 14 on-site affordable housing units, 10 off-site affordable housing units, a spa and other amenities. Start and completion of construction is to be determined.
So although we threw a bunch of numbers at you, it’s clear that North Lake Tahoe is gearing up for 2012 and securing its seat at the popular table for winter destinations. Are you suffering from FOMO yet?
*North Lake Tahoe’s booking numbers come from the Mountain Travel Research Program, which provides lodging performance benchmarking to mountain resorts throughout the western U.S.
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.
In Tahoe we’re fortunate to have the mother of all hiking trails right in our backyard. The famed Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile dirt path looping around the entire lake, following the ridges that bound the Tahoe Basin. You can backpack it in its entirety in about 14 consecutive days. But if you don’t have that time commitment, check out any of the eight trailheads with trail segments that range from 12 to 33 miles in length, perfect for a weekend trip. Out and back routes are also available for day hikers.
One of the top locals picks is the Mt. Rose Loop Trail off Highway 431. The 5-6 mile roundtrip hike starts at 8,900 feet and tops out at 9,420 feet. You’ll get picturesque views of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country, and a beautiful waterfall. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the volunteer-based organization that built and maintains the Tahoe Rim Trail, has a calorie counter on its website if you need a little extra incentive – the Mt. Rose Loop burns approximately 1,422 calories if you take about 3 hours. That beats the treadmill any day!
Speaking of waterfalls, Shirley Canyon in Squaw Valley is one of the best, if not the best, hikes to view spectacular waterfalls. This 4-mile roundtrip trail starts at Squaw Peak Road and follows Shirley Creek up and over boulders, past waterfalls to Shirley Lake. From there, you can turn around and head back or keep hiking up to Squaw Valley USA’s High Camp and take the cable car down for free (along with the family pooch).
There is nothing more rewarding than taking a dip in crystal, clear waters after a strenuous hike. Five Lakes, accessible via Alpine Meadows Road, is popular for this very reason. A 5-mile hike, on a well maintained trail, has a tough uphill that gives way to some of North Lake Tahoe’s most popular swimming holes, five serene alpine lakes.
If you’re traveling with eager toddlers who want out of the car now! check out the family-friendly one-mile trek down to the historic Vikingsholm Castle on the West Shore. Park at the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot on Highway 89 and then take a dirt path down to the castle, which offers daily tours in the summer. It’s also a great spot for a packed picnic and offers up a sandy beach with fantastic views of Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe’s only island, and scenic Emerald Bay. This path is also stroller friendly.
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.
Choose from a handful of Fourth of July celebrations, from fireworks on the beach to the multi-day Red, White and Tahoe Blue in Incline Village.
Bring your blanket and picnic basket for a night lakeside at Sand Harbor State Park, where the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival performs July and August.
Taste the finest in culinary delights at the region’s 2nd Annual Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, October 2-9, with 60-plus restaurants offering prix-fixe dishes at exceptional value s- $20, $30 or $40 per person.
Toast the season with winemaker dinners at the notable, lakeside Thunderbird Lodge offering a view like no other; dinners start July 10 with the talented Chef Douglas Dale of Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique.
Experience the solitude on the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile loop trail that meanders along the peaks and valleys around Lake Tahoe, and to the lake’s crystal, clear waters (with a visibility of 70 feet down) to water ski and sail.
Take a swing at any of the more than 50 golf courses within a 60-minute drive of North Lake Tahoe.
It just keeps coming down in North Lake Tahoe, with ski resorts reporting up to 8.5 feet of new snow at their higher elevations from a recent five-day storm. A new storm started pounding the region today, with a possible 2 more feet of new snow to fall by this weekend.
Tahoe’s celebrating the best winter in decades. Ski conditions are outstanding, and with Easter falling later in the calendar this year, it’s expected that many guests will be choosing Tahoe to take advantage of all that snow. Some resorts have even extended their closing dates to better accommodate spring visitors.
Northstar-at-Tahoe is celebrating its biggest winter in 25 years, more than 500 inches of snowfall, surpassing its season average (350 inches) by almost 150 percent. The resort has extended its closing date from April 17 until Sunday, April 24.
Squaw Valley USA is also reporting record numbers, 600 inches of snowfall for the season, the third time in the last 40 years that the resort has hit this mark. Squaw Valley’s snowpack stands at 250 inches, the deepest its ever been since 1952.
Other ski resort closing dates are as follows (and are tentative): Mt Rose – Ski Tahoe, Sunday, April 24; both Squaw Valley USA and Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, Sunday, May 8; and Donner Ski Ranch anticipates staying until the snow is gone (last year the resort closed the first day of summer). All other ski resorts are TBD.
North Lake Tahoe visitors can also take part in a bevy of ski events scheduled for this spring. Diamond Peak Ski Resort opens the gate to high-flying, speed demons of every shape and size for their annual Dummy Downhill Saturday, April 2. Dummies, created out of every conceivable material, are sent down the hill with many crashing and burning after taking flight. Event categories include Longest Jump and Most Creative.
Northstar-at-Tahoe bids goodbye to Old Man Winter with Spring It On! Saturday, April 2 when participants attempt to ski across the resort’s pond on skis or boards without falling into the bone chilling waters. Costumes are encouraged.
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe has the Spring Bash & Pond Skim, Saturday, April 9, when costumed participants show off their skimming skills at this annual spring tradition.
Break out the rear entry boots, swanky sweaters and all the neon you can find for the annual Retro Ski Day & Pool Party at Squaw Valley USA Saturday, April 16. It all takes place at the High Camp Lagoon & Spa with a DJ party that brings guests back to the days of straight skis and Hot Dog the Movie (1984).
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort hosts their Annual Snow Golf Tournament Saturday, April 23. The nine-hole course starts at the top of the Summit Express chair and meanders its way down the mountain with the last holes bringing competitors back to the base lodge. An annual cult favorite, the Mad Cow Downhill is Sunday, May 8 with its mass start, marked by ski patrol detonating an avalanche charge. Racers choose whichever descent route they deem fastest, with the first skier or snowboarder reaching the base lodge declared the winner. Both events are free.
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.
For years lodging properties and recreational companies around the world have been stepping up to offer eco-friendly vacations. Now travelers are taking an active role and making conscientious efforts to travel green.
“Today’s environmental culture requires travelers to travel green,” Bill Hoffman, executive director of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, said. “Being respectful of naturally beautiful environments and delicate destinations is important. We all want to preserve the beauty of Lake Tahoe for future generations.”
One of the best places to learn about Tahoe’s fragile environment is the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village offering self-guided and docent-led tours, hands-on activities and a monthly lecture series. Here visitors can take a 3-D virtual reality flight through Lake Tahoe, peek through a microscope and view tiny aquatic creatures and learn how scientists study the lake’s water quality.
Travelers looking to get more involved can take part in one of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s work parties held on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer consisting of trail building and maintenance along the 165-mile loop trail.
Those exploring the Sierra Nevada terrain also embrace the principles developed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.The principles include:
·Planning and preparing: knowing regulations and special concerns, using a map and preparing for weather and emergencies
·Traveling and camping on durable services: keep camps small and hike on designated trails
·Disposing of waste properly: pack it in, pack it out
·Leaving what you find:as well as not building structures or digging trenches
·Minimizing campfire impacts: use only a lightweight stove when possible
·Respecting wildlife
·Being considerate of other visitors: yield to other hikers
Caring for the lake also means caring for its surroundings and its inhabitants. The Sierra Nevada is home to raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, coyotes and black bears. The United States Forest Service warns against approaching wildlife for the health of the animal as well as the visitor. Animals that are approached too quickly can run into traffic, lose footing on cliffs and fall, be separated from their young, be forced to abandon their nests or dens and become more vulnerable to predators because they are distracted. Animals should not be fed (or allowed to forage) for human food. Packaging such as aluminum or plastic can severely damage the digestive system and human food can cause tooth decay, arthritis or other disease.
The Lake Tahoe’s BEAR League, a grass roots organization formed to keep bears safe, reminds guests and residents that black bears are generally docile but very smart and motivated by food. It is strongly recommended not to leave garbage out overnight unless in a bear-proof container. Other tips include putting ammonia or Pine Sol in every trash bag, not leaving pet food out overnight, cleaning barbeques and not leaving trash or food on decks, in the open, or in crawl spaces.
Being safe is important to preservation.To learn more, visit online.
phenomenal snow year. We also refer to this as “FOMO” – a condition of suffering from the “fear of missing out.” Consumers are making lodging arrangements early for this winter based on last year’s banner snow conditions – and we all know that La Niña brought us some epic days on the mountain last year. 
It just keeps coming down in 
