The Squeeze In has been pleasing kids since 1974. Kids get toy baskets, get to write on the walls, have a special menu and are treated like actual guests at the Squeeze In home. Order their rockin’ hot cocoa piled high with whipped cream and sprinkles. It’s a winner every time, along with the signature Teddy Bear Pancake! A bear shaped smile for every kid, young and old!
At the Tahoe House, kids feel right at home by the cozy fire, with loaner crayons, colorings books and plastic and wooden toys – all of which keeps them busy as they wolf down their bagel. Family owned and operated since 1977, the Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet features baked breads and pastries, the “best coffee on the lake,” sandwiches and much more!
Tubing, Sledding, Snow Play!!
Granlilbakken Granlibakken ski area features a groomed snowplay area with rental saucers for sledding. Open daily, weather permitting.
Snowtubing at Squaw Valley USA Squaw’s tubing park at the Papoose Learning Center offers two tubing lanes for varying thrill levels. Open daily, weather permitting.
Sledding and Tubing at Soda Springs Winter Resort Currently only open on weekends, at Soda Springs you can sled and tube! Sledding lanes, tubing lanes and a Little Dipper children’s area provide a variety of thrill and fun for adults and children alike.
Tubing Hill at Northstar-at-Tahoe Northstar-at-Tahoe offers tubing serviced by two separate tow lifts at mid-mountain just above the Gondola.
Right now are perfect conditions to put on those skates and head to one (or all!) of North Lake Tahoe’s ice skating rinks:
Ice Skating Rink at the Village at Northstar Located at the heart of the Village at Northstar, this 9,000 square foot rink is the center of a hubbub of activity, day and night. Rentals, lessons available.
Olympic Ice Pavilion Enjoy scenic views of the Lake while skating atop Squaw Valley on an Olympic-size rink at High Camp recreation complex. Open 11am – 9pm during the winter season. Rentals, lessons available.
Ice Skating Rink at the Resort at Squaw Creek Skate on the Resort at Squaw Creek’s own private rink with heated waterfalls, hot tubs, a pool and the peaks of Squaw Valley as a backdrop. Rentals available. Open December to April.
Truckee Ice Skating Rink The Truckee rink features skate rentals, a snack bar, group and private lessons for all age groups taught by experienced instructors, broomball leagues, and more.
These are just a handful of the family opportunities up in North Lake Tahoe right now. What are your favorite family activities?
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.
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Dogs love Lake Tahoe. After all, there’s plenty of hiking and swimming to enjoy. And for the more adventurous canine rafting and boating are options as well.
Lake Tahoe loves dogs too. If you stop into the Incline Village Visitors Center or even the Tahoe City Post Office chances are your pooch will be welcomed with a treat.
So how to go about planning a trip to Tahoe with your dog? First find some lodging that offers sleeping quarters for two- and four-legged guests. You can search GoTahoeNorth.com’s accommodations listings by “Pets” to generate a list of canine-cuddly locations.
Here are a few of the doggie favorites in the North Lake Tahoe region:
1. Tahoe Moon Properties, Tahoe City: More than 50 dog-friendly rentals from small cozy cabins to ski-in condos. Properties are equipped with dog baskets that include dog tags with rental home information, dog towels, sheets for covering beds and furniture, a sticky roller for hair removal, dog biscuits and a poop scoop and bags. Tahoe Moon charges a fee of $40/dog that covers additional cleaning.
2. Holiday House, Tahoe Vista: Six-lakefront suites providing panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. The owner “welcomes pets to enjoy our piece of Heaven” and the property is centrally located to all things Tahoe, including beaches and restaurants. Don’t be surprised to see a German shepherd, named Sierra, out on the water on a stand up paddleboard with the property’s owner. There is a $30 flat fee for dogs for up to three days, and $10/night for extended stays.
3. Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages, West Shore in Tahoma: Winner of the Golden Bone Award for exceptional service from DogFriendly.com. Guests stay in charming red cottages, reminiscent of Lake Tahoe 50 years ago, but with all the amenities that guests expect today. The owners at Tahoma Meadows will also post your dog pictures from Tahoe on their website. A good resource is their Pet Information webpage, titled “Adventures with Your Dog at Tahoe,” which includes places – from beaches to hiking and cross country skiing – to enjoy with your pet. Fees are $20/night per dog.
4. Tahoma Lodge, West Shore in Tahoma: A historic, family-owned property with one and two-bedroom cabins geared for families. Nearby Sugar Pine Point State Park, which offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and is home to the notable Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, is perfect for morning jaunts as dogs on leash are invited on the paved trails. Dogs are $10/night.
5. PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, Olympic Valley: Pampers pets with comfy beds, doggie treats, bowls for food and water, a customized PlumpJack guest ID tag, as well as dog-friendly rooms located on the first floor for easy in and out. A $150 fee per room is assessed when you bring your four-legged friend. Nearby Shirley Canyon is a must-hike for dog owners, especially with its many waterfalls that encourage Fido to get wet. And, don’t miss one of the newest additions to the Village at Squaw Valley – Squaw Dogs is a shop featuring food, supplements, life vests, toys, leashes and harnesses that will keep your dog healthy and active for all your adventures.
6. Mother Nature’s Inn, Tahoe City: Decorated with wildlife, nature-themed décor and renovated in 2004 to maintain its classic Tahoe charm, offers dog-friendly rooms that are also budget friendly. The property is centrally located, and guests are literally able to walk everywhere, including to coffee shops, chic clothing boutiques, and restaurants.
7. Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, mid-mountain at Northstar-At-Tahoe Resort: The five-star luxurious resort also welcomes pets to enjoy the ambience that includes rooms with in-room fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, private walkout balconies and views of Martis Valley. Pet fees are $125 (non-refundable).
8. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino, Incline Village: This AAA Four-Diamond resort welcomes you and your pooch, but they must be 25 pounds or lighter. Pets to this stunning locale are charged $50/night.
9. The Rustic Cottages, Tahoe Vista: Nestled on two acres of pine trees these old Tahoe-style cottages include many that are dog-friendly. The historic property was originally the sawmill and labor camp of the Brockway Lumber Company and was converted to vacation cottages in 1925. Pets are $20/night.
10. Cedar House Sport Hotel, Truckee: Baxter Baird, the owner’s adorable border collie, just may be your first greeter and you may recognize him from the hotel’s advertisements. The property offers rooms that are an eclectic mix of contemporary design and functionality with an organic edge geared for relaxed comfort. Dogs are welcomed with special treats, dog beds, and bowls. The dog-loving staff is also a great resource in providing guests with preferred dog venues throughout the area.
If you’re looking for music outdoors with a variety of concerts, headliners and festivals then you’re looking for Lake Tahoe’s High Notes. Here’s a look at the summer-long music series, running through September.
Free Weekly Summer Concerts
Tahoe’s lined up free outdoor live performances every night of the week, except Mondays. Check out:
Tahoe City’s Concerts at Commons Beach, Sundays
Bluesdays every Tuesday at the Village at Squaw Valley
Wednesday Music in the Park at the Truckee Regional Park
Truckee Thursdays with live tunes along Commercial Row
Kings Beach rings in the weekend lakeside each Friday
Squaw Valley is also home to the inaugural KT Tribute Concert Series the first Friday of each month with free concerts under the legendary peak of KT-22
Be sure to check out the historic casino corridor where the Crystal Bay Club has free concerts throughout the week, as well as ticketed bands from the Bay Area.
Summer Headliner Events
The summer calendar is also packed with a number of fabulous ticketed musical events held throughout the region. In addition to its popular Shakespeare on the Beach, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival offers a Monday music series in their scenic Sand Harbor amphitheater. This summer’s calendar is the best of the best with the Reno Philharmonic performing Broadway on the Beach July 18, Mumbo Gumbo August 1 and Jelly Bread August 15.
Right on the picturesque Truckee River, River Ranch Lodge has its annual Summer Concert Series with Zepparella July 22 and Great American Taxi August 4.
The Lake Tahoe Music Festival has long been one of the summer’s must-attend events with a variety of musical performances, including the Blues Traveler July 21, Colbie Caillat August 4 and Michael Bolton August 25 at the Village at Northstar.
In addition to its free events, the Crystal Bay Club brings in ticketed performers, including Delhi 2 Dublin, July 16, that hosts gritty hip hop and electronic beats with traditional Indian influences and Celtic sounds. A locals’ favorite, 80s Dance Party Tainted Love, plays August 13, with the “Avant Cellist” Zoe Keating on August 18.
The Robert Cray Band performs August 13 on the driving range next to the Trout Creek Recreation Center at Tahoe Donner in Truckee. The Grammy-award winning Cray is considered to be one of the most impressive vocalists and guitarists on the contemporary rhythm and blues scene.
Summer Music Festivals
Namaste in North Lake Tahoe this summer with the ultimate in yoga throwdowns as the popular Wanderlust Festival returns to the scenic valley of Squaw Valley July 28-31. In addition to yoga sessions and wellness programs, the event includes the positive vibrations of Michael Franti and Spearhead, the electronic dance party mashups of Girl Talk and the ecstatic chants of Jai Uttal.
This year’s 4th of July at Tahoe is set to be unique, that’s for sure. With a series of fireworks events scattered around the lake at various dates and times you can catch multiple shows throughout the weekend. Or hit the slopes. Yep, late season snowfalls have opened up skiing and boarding opportunities at several area resorts.
Here’s a look at what’s happening this 4th of July weekend:
July 1 – 4: Incline Village takes things to the next level with their traditional Red, White & Tahoe Blue festivities which include patriotic chalk drawing contest, opening ceremonies with a tribute to veterans, doggie dress-up contest, beer tasting and brats, brunch with Shakespeare, firecracker trail trek and free fireworks Monday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m. off Incline Beach
July 3: Squaw Valley’s famed 21st Annual Lake Cushing Crossing, a favorite pond-skimming event, and a free afternoon concert with Big Head Todd and the Monsters at the KT Sundeck
July 3: Kings Beach hosts their annual fireworks display with a free show as well as a deck party celebration at the North Tahoe Event Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
July 4: Sugar Bowl Ski Resort reopens for skiing and riding, but for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 season pass holders only
July 4: Tahoe City celebrates 65 years of fireworks at Commons Beach with free show at 9:30 p.m., a popular show for families
July 4: Truckee 4th of July Fireworks at West End Beach at Donner Lake at dusk. Tickets are $6/person (in advance only) and are available through the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District
The esteemed Amgen Tour of California recently picked Lake Tahoe for its 2011 Stage 1 and Stage 2 legs. Although cancelled due to a fluke snowstorm, the Tour has successfully introduced the world to what locals have known for years – nothing beats biking in North Lake Tahoe.
Whether you’re tearing it up via a thousand dollar-plus road bike around Lake Tahoe’s scenic 72-mile shoreline, maneuvering the dirt tracks on a steep uphill to Twin Peaks on the West Shore or kicking it along Incline Village’s Lakeshore Drive with your toddler who has just graduated to training wheels, there is a trail especially for you.
For Lance Armstrong wannabes, locals recommend the Rainbow Bridge route.
“Hands down one of the best rides is from Truckee to Cisco Grove,” said Hardy Bullock, the Elijah Bleu’s race team captain. One of Truckee’s newest coffee shops, Elijah Bleu’s is just as serious about cycling as they are about their java.
“The climb along Old Highway 40 is famous for Rainbow Bridge built back in 1926, its spectacular views of Donner Lake and the 1,000-foot-plus climb,” said Bullock.
Named after an old water flume created in Tahoe’s heyday to provide lumber to Virginia City’s burgeoning silver mines, the Flume Trail is now geared for bikes.
“Lake Tahoe’s Flume Trail may be one of the best known mountain biking trails in the world – and for good reason,” said Max Jones, owner of Flume Trail Bikes, who offers guided tours of the trail, a shuttle service as well as rents bikes and nearby backcountry log cabins to bikers and hikers. “It’s a challenging single track with twists and turns offering up some of the best views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.”
But let’s not forget the kids. Families have long made up the majority of visitors heading to North Lake Tahoe every summer, and the region’s miles of car-free, paved trails makes it easy to enjoy a leisurely ride along the North and West shores.
“One of our most popular rides for families is along the scenic Truckee River from Tahoe City to Squaw V
alley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympic,” said Andy Chapman, tourism director of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “A convenient and entertaining lunch spot is River Ranch Lodge, right on the trail, as its outdoor patio overlooks the rafters disembarking from the river. The Olympic Rings at the entrance to Squaw Valley is a great photo opportunity and a nearby park has a fantastic soccer field.”
Tahoe’s guided biking services are also many and give visitors a chance to experience the area’s many and varied trails with professional guides who are also well versed in Lake Tahoe’s history, flora and fauna. Tahoe Adventure Company, based in Tahoe Vista and Truckee, offers one of the best combo excursions.
“Summer in North Lake Tahoe is about the trails and the water,” said Kevin Hickey, owner of Tahoe Adventure Company, who provides a one-day kayaking and mountain biking adventure. “Paddling in the morning along the boulders and hidden beaches of the East Shore and then riding on a downhill dirt trail that same afternoon might be one of the finest ways to experience all the region has to offer.”
As spectators and visitors make their way to Lake Tahoe this weekend for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, they will not experience any road detours or alternative routes while driving to North Lake Tahoe.
“There are no road constructions projects, diversions or bypasses scheduled for North Lake Tahoe this weekend and Monday during the Amgen Tour of California,” said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “All interstates and highways are wide open.”
Whether coming via Interstate 80 East, Highway 89, and Highway 267 from Northern California or Highway 431 from Reno and Highway 50 from Carson City, motorists will not be subject to delays or having to take alternative routes.
North Lake Tahoe is also an ideal way to access South Lake Tahoe, home of the Stage 1 Amgen Tour of California Start on Sunday, May 15, as visitors can drive to the South Shore from North Lake Tahoe via Highway 89 (West Shore) and Highway 28 (East Shore). As recently reported, construction will close U.S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit near South Shore beginning today, Wednesday, May 11, through Thursday, May 26. There are also alternate routes up Highway 50 from Northern California, which add 30 to 45 minutes to travels to South Lake Tahoe.
The 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the largest cycling event in North America, will start at Lake Tahoe, one of the country’s most spectacular destinations and nationally renowned cycling meccas. Lake Tahoe’s first-ever involvement in the race will feature a lap-and-a-half around the lake beginning at the California/Nevada border in South Lake Tahoe with the Stage 1 Finish at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort (Sunday, May 15) in North Lake Tahoe. North Lake Tahoe also hosts the Stage 2 Start (Monday, May 16) at Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.
The Amgen Tour of California covers more than 800 miles, traveling between 15 host cities over the course of eight days from May 15-22, 2011.
North Lake Tahoe is also hosting the Tahoe 10-Day Countdown, which kicked off May 5, prior to Stage 1 and Stage 2 with a number of community-oriented events planned in the region’s commercial core districts that are now accessible via the paved bike paths that have been cleared of record snowfall and swept clean.
For details about the 2011 Amgen Tour of California in Lake Tahoe, including race routes, course logs (times), parking venues, a gallery of images and events, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com.
The most festive venues are going to be the Stage 1 Start in South Lake Tahoe, Stage 1 Finish at Northstar–at-Tahoe Resort (both May 15), and the Stage 2 Start in Squaw Valley USA, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics (May 16).
South Lake Tahoe to Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort via West Shore
The first option is following the peloton from the start (10:30 a.m.) in South Lake Tahoe as it makes its way west through the commercial core and onto Emerald Bay Road (between 11:09 a.m. – 11:16 a.m.) on the West Shore, then into Tahoe City (11:49 a.m. – 12:03 p.m.) and Kings Beach (12:11 p.m. – 12:29 p.m.). From Kings Beach, the riders will continue on Highway 28 to the East Shore, while spectators will turn north onto Highway 267 (Brockway Summit) and head to the finish line (3:12 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
South Lake Tahoe to Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort via East Shore
The second possibility has spectators taking in the start in South Lake Tahoe and experiencing the festivities at Lake Tahoe Expo at the Horizon Casino Resort after the riders have left. Spectators are then advised to head onto Highway 50, heading to the East Shore and catching the riders in Crystal Bay (12:15 p.m. – 12:34 p.m.) or Incline Village (between 12:21 p.m. – 12:40 p.m.), before making the turn north onto Highway 267 and getting to the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort for the finish (3:12 p.m. – 4 p.m.).
Lake Tahoe’s Best Climbs – Kings of the Mountain
According to the region’s cycling gurus, some of the best spots are on a steep climb or at
the bottom of a precipitous descent.
1) Iconic Emerald Bay is one of Lake Tahoe’s most photographed areas and a fantastic spot to watch the racers, predicted to top the summit between 11:09 a.m. and 11:16 a.m. This is the first of three Kings of the Mountain race finishes for Stage 1. Parking here, on the West Shore, is tight with only two parking lots available: Eagle Falls Trail Head and Vikingsholm Visitors Center. Spectators’ best bet is to get there early.
2) Spooner Summit on the northeast corner of the lake, where Highways 50 and 28 intersect. It’s also where the cyclists will make the long and steady ascent to an elevation of 7,150 feet around 12:50 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. This is the second King of the Mountain finish. There are three parking lots here: Spooner Lake State Park, Snow Park and the Tahoe Rim Trail Access Road.
3) Brockway Summit on Highway 267 to 7,000 feet and is the last King of the Mountain finish, which is expected to take place between 3:03 p.m. and 3:52 p.m. Per the California Highway Patrol, Brockway Summit (Highway 267) will close 20 to 30 minutes before the race passes. Spectators who are interested in viewing the finish should be over the summit before the racers come through. Parking is extremely limited with just a few pull out stops and hiking trails parking.
And for those that just can’t get enough “carnage” during Stage 1, the descent of Emerald Bay on the West Shore has riders reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour into the flats of Homewood (11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.). The Spooner Summit descent has cyclists going even faster – 45 miles per hour – as they descend back toward the lake to the tunnel at Cave Rock. After cresting Brockway Summit, the lead group will plunge down a rapid descent into a hard left turn onto Northstar Drive (3:09 p.m. – 4 p.m.), where both sprinters and climbers will setup for a high-speed blast to the finish line at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort (3:12 p.m. – 4:03 p.m.).
4) As part of the Stage 2 route from Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento, May 16, the 1,000-foot climb up Old Highway 40 to scenic Rainbow Bridge (10:55 a.m. – 11:02 a.m.) offers spectacular views along with close ups of the riders. However, there is only one parking lot at this summit.
The Stage 2 Start at the Village at Squaw Valley (10:15 a.m.), under the Olympic Rings, might be a better option, especially as racers make a celebratory one-and-a-half laps around the village before departing onto Squaw Valley Road. Spectators can see cyclists fine tune their bikes before checking in with race officials, and after the start they can enjoy leisurely meals at nearby cafes and restaurants.
Other Ideal Viewing Venues – Special Viewing Parties
Lake Tahoe’s commercial cores are perfect for viewing the Stage 1 peloton as many are hosting special viewing parties, such as South Lake Tahoe’s MontBleu Resort, Casino & Spa, the official start of the race (10:30 a.m.), as well as Heavenly Village and Embassy Suites; Ski Run Blvd. (10:39 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.) the “Y,” where 89 and 50 intersect, a BMX Demo will be taking place showcasing Olympic medalists (10:47 p.m. – 10:50 a.m.); Homewood Moountain Ski Resort on the West Shore (11:45 a.m.); Tahoe Tree Company, just outside of Tahoe City on the West Shore (11:49 a.m. – 12:03 p.m.); Heritage Plaza in downtown Tahoe City; Tahoe Vista State Recreation Area in Tahoe Vista; Blue Onion Café and the Old Brockway Golf Course in Kings Beach (12:11 p.m. – 12:29 p.m.); the historic Crystal Bay casino corridor (12:15 p.m. – 12:34 p.m.); Incline Village on the North Shore (12:21 p.m. – 12:40 p.m.) with a party at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe; and Zephyr Cove on the East Shore (1:30 p.m.).
Along the Stage 2 route, a fantastic viewing spot is the Truckee “mousehole” (10:37 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.), the site of the King of the Mousehole Sprint, where Highway 89 crosses under the Union Pacific Railroad through a narrow 25-foot wide concrete arch structure, as well as along Donner Pass Road (10:38 a.m. – 10:42 a.m.).
All of these areas offer up parking lots (on a first-come, first-serve basis), dining options, shopping and bike rental companies for those that are geared up to ride. Many are also hosting festivities surrounding the 2011 Amgen tour of California, including family activities and bike expos. For a list of local businesses offering activities, where to park (a Google map), lodging packages and special events, visit www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.
Times for the Amgen Tour of California race are approximate, based on average speeds of the peloton and are subject to change. To ensure ideal viewing of the race, plan ahead for traffic delays. The visitor bureaus encourage spectators to abide by the “pack-in pack-out” motto to help keep our national treasure clean, as well as bike or walk to key race viewing points. For real time updates during the race, visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
For a complete calendar of Tahoe’s 10-Day Countown, events leading up to the race (May 5-14), as well as activities during Stage 1 (May 15) and Stage 2 (May 16), click to www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com.
For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete list of events and lodging accommodations, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For details about the Tour and information about volunteering, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
Lake Tahoe has long been a training ground for some of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders, but its mountains have also provided professional cyclists with challenging terrain to better prepare themselves for the country’s most prestigious races, including the2011 Amgen Tour of California.
Amid the parka-wearing, ski-toting residents and visitors, Lake Tahoe is home to an avid group of competitive cyclists who train year-round, both indoors and out. The go-to place for cyclists to improve athletic performance, especially during the winter months, is Performance JM in Truckee, owned by Olympic gold and silver medalist Julia Mancuso.
“Our cycling instructors are all competitive road racers, triathletes or mountain bike racers, who specifically work with Olympic athletes, professionals, as well as aspiring athletes,” said Fitness Director Chris Cloyd.
Cyclists here have the advantage of training at altitude, 6,200 feet, which helps provide endurance athletes with a training advantage. The facility is equipped with all the latest technological advances to take athletes to that next level of competition.
To get riders in the saddle and out on the open road among the region’s renowned alpine lakes and forested setting, Lake Tahoe’s cycling gurus have a long list of the best routes that get the nod from the professionals.
According to Gary Bell, owner of Sierra Ski and Cycle Works in South Lake Tahoe, anyone who rides a bike should take to the 72-mile course around Tahoe’s lakeshore, part of the race’s Stage 1, at least once in a lifetime.
As recently as last summer, local cyclists reported sightings of American professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer, a three-time winner of theAmgen Tour of California, training along the lake’s picturesque West Shore.
Paco Lindsay of Paco’s Truckee Bike and Ski in Truckee recommends adding an additional leg to the Lake Tahoe-lake loop.
“Blackwood Canyon on the West Shore is a fantastic add-on to the around-Tahoe excursion,” said Lindsay. “The turn off is three miles south of Tahoe City at Kaspian Campground. The road is paved and winds all the way up to Barker Pass, gaining approximately 1,300 feet in elevation from lake level.”
But Leipheimer isn’t the first professional cyclist to train Lake Tahoe, nor will he be the last. According to Rich Staley, owner of Great Basin Bicycles in Reno, Nevada, Greg LeMond, three-time Tour of France winner and Reno native, included Tahoe as part of his rigorous training regime.
“LeMond would ride from Washoe to Virginia City to Carson City (Nevada), then up Highway 50 to Spooner Summit (7,200 feet), onto Mount Rose along Highway 431 (8,260 feet) and back to his house in Washoe.”
According to Staley, this loop is also one of the most popular rides in the area.
Another classic training ride incorporates a Lake Tahoe icon – Rainbow Bridge.
“Hands down one of the best rides is from Truckee to Cisco Grove (California),” said Hardy Bullock, the Elijah Bleu’s race team captain. One of Truckee’s newest coffee shops, Elijah Bleu’s is just as serious about cycling as they are about their java.
“The climb along Old Highway 40 is famous for Rainbow Bridge built back in 1926, its spectacular views of Donner Lake and the 1,000-foot + climb,” said Bullock. It’s also part of the Stage 2 route for the Amgen Tour of California.
Dean Schaecher, another of Lake Tahoe’s avid cyclists and owner of The Pour House, a Truckee-based hip wine shop and tasting bar, agrees.
“This is a classic training route that all the racers use as a benchmark of their fitness,” said Schaecher. “They can quote you their best time on the course on any given year. There are many great rides in Lake Tahoe, but Donner is THE one.”
Bullock also recommends Martis Peak on Highway 267, an out-and-back from Truckee, as an ideal route. It also happens to be his own personal favorite, and is the toughest ride his team trains on. The professional cyclists competing in theAmgen Tour of Californiawill also hit Brockway Summit, but will be coming from Kings Beach, California, the last significant hill climb before the Stage 1 finish at Northstar-at-Tahoe.
“The ride is approximately 40 miles roundtrip, with the first 10 miles flat across Truckee’s Martis Valley then moving into a steep 10-mile climb to Brockway Summit, at approximately 7,200 feet” said Bullock.
Cycling enthusiasts new to the area or those that enjoy the camaraderie of riding in a group can also take to the road in theStart at the Top – Lake Tahoe Legends Ride.
The ride, part of Lake Tahoe’s 10-Day Countdown and held just prior to the kick-off of the2011 Amgen Tour of California, is scheduled for Saturday, May 14. It explores the majority of the first lap of Stage 1, and gives riders a chance to rub elbows with cycling legends, such as Bobby Julich, Sky ProCycling Race Coach and 2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist.
Whatever training ride undertaken, recreational or competitive, the pros tend to end the day at one of Lake Tahoe’s many watering holes with the traditional Tahoe cycling, post-ride beverage of choice: beer, of course.
Lake Tahoe is pulling out all the stops to provide cyclists and spectators with an unforgettable experience during the 2011 Amgen Tour of California. After the fantastic Stage 1 finish at Northstar-At-Tahoe North Lake Tahoe hosts the Stage 2 Start at Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Monday, May 16. The action starts directly under the historic Olympic rings at the center of the Village at Squaw Valley with riders peddling the cobbled corridors before turning onto Squaw Valley Road and then descending to the Olympic Flame entrance and a left-hand turn onto Highway 89.
The peloton follows the picturesque Truckee River corridor as they make their way on Highway 89 toward Truckee and through the two roundabouts near the Interstate 80 overpass. Riders will then turn left onto historic Donner Pass Road before riding the ramp over Interstate 80 and past Donner Memorial State Park, home to the infamous Donner Party.
The pack continues along the northern shoreline of Donner Lake as they make their approach to the steeps of Old Highway 40 on their way to Donner Summit and the day’s first King of the Mountain finish. With some of the best views of the approaching riders and Donner Lake far below, this spot is sure to jammed-packed with enthusiastic spectators.
In previous years, the race has drawn some of the world’s most recognizable and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, world champions and Olympic medalists including Lance Armstrong, Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Ivan Basso, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck.
The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover 800 miles and visit 15 Host Cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling.Stages for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:
Stage 1: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at Tahoe Resort
Stage 2: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose
Stage 5: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside to Paso Robles
Stage 6: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial
Stage 7: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
Stage 8: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks
The summer calendar is also packed with a number of fabulous ticketed musical events held throughout the region. In addition to its popular Shakespeare on the Beach, the 
Namaste in North Lake Tahoe this summer with the ultimate in yoga throwdowns as the popular 
This year’s 4th of July at Tahoe is set to be unique, that’s for sure. With a series of fireworks events scattered around the lake at various dates and times you can catch multiple shows throughout the weekend. Or hit the slopes. Yep, late season snowfalls have opened up skiing and boarding opportunities at several area resorts. 
Whether you’re tearing it up via a thousand dollar-plus road bike around Lake Tahoe’s scenic 72-mile shoreline, maneuvering the dirt tracks on a steep uphill to Twin Peaks on the West Shore or kicking it along Incline Village’s Lakeshore Drive with your toddler who has just graduated to training wheels, there is a trail especially for you.
