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What’s New Spring 2019

Last updated: July 2023

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North Lake Tahoe: What’s New Spring 2019

With the region’s record breaking February snowfall, resorts have announced extended seasons as late as July 7. Sustainability initiatives, ski and ride specials, wellness retreats, bluegrass bands, mountain races and culinary events headline the best of spring in North Lake Tahoe.

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. (spring, 2019)––The best of North Lake Tahoe’s mountain and lakeside experiences combine this spring with “dual sport day” opportunities, high-altitude training, new underwater and mountain trails, wellness retreats and signature events.

With 12 downhill and cross country ski resorts and nearly 50 miles of shoreline, spring is idyllic for a half-day of ski/ride in the morning combined with a half day of water and land sports in the afternoon. With February’s record-breaking snowfall, resorts have announced extended seasons through spring, and as late as July 7, contributing to the perfect “dual-sport day.” Travelers can enjoy picturesque hikes through wild lupine fields, biking along the Tahoe Flume Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail, or golf at one of six championship and four executive golf courses.

Spring debuts the Tahoe Via Ferrata, a protected rock climbing route by Alpenglow Expeditions, located in Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows. A term meaning “Iron Road,” Tahoe Via Ferrata is America’s newest Via Ferrata route, and one of under 10 total routes in the U.S. climbers of all skill levels can harness up and scale one of two guided routes.

Scuba divers can take a first look at the new Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail, where interpretative panels have been placed at four dive sites revealing sunken ships in Emerald Bay.

Northstar California’s Bike Park opens in late spring, offering rentals and lessons through the Specialized Academy, as well as team racing events for all ages and abilities through summer. As the region’s only downhill bike facility and the largest lift-served mountain bike park on the West Coast, it offers beginner to advanced cross-country, downhill and e-bike mountain biking trails.

Signature events include the fifth annual WinterWonderGrass, March 29-31 at Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows. The alpine music festival celebrates over 20 bluegrass and roots bands, California and Nevada craft breweries, family activities and ski/ride deals. Granlibakken Tahoe’s Restorative Arts & Yoga Festival, May 31-June 2, celebrates yoga, meditation and wellness set within the historic, tree-covered, 74-acre property.

The award-winning Lake Tahoe Ale Trail combines various modes of “human powered sports” with North Lake Tahoe’s best eateries and watering holes. Furthering North Lake Tahoe’s sustainability initiatives, it encourages guests to navigate by land or by lake using an interactive digital map, found at gotahoenorth.com.

Various outfitters and guiding companies offer stand-up paddle, kayak and boating tours. The new Tahoe Bleu Wave Yacht offers a ski charter service to Homewood Resort during the 2019 ski season.

Capital Improvements

North Lake Tahoe embraces a pedestrian-friendly culture and sustainable ideology with new master planned improvements. The SR-28 Shared Use Path, an 11-mile pedestrian route connecting Incline Village to Sand Harbor, is expected to be complete by early summer 2019. The route provides an alternative, eco-friendly access to popular beaches, including Sand Harbor State Park. It will improve pedestrian safety, water quality and access to parking for motorists.

Tunnel Creek Cafe and Flume Trail Bikes, located at the northern point of SR-28, will reopen this spring after undergoing a winter remodel. Mountain bikers can rent bikes and take a shuttle to nearby Spooner Lake, where they can choose rides from 14 to 40 miles back to Tunnel Creek.

The new Boulder Bay Resort, which will replace the Tahoe Biltmore Lodge and Casino, includes a 275-room hotel, a 20,000-square-foot wellness center and 18 residential condominiums in the historical Crystal Bay. Upon completion, Boulder Bay will offer residents and visitors access to an elegant casino, a spa retreat, an extravagant wine experience, art galleries and boutique shopping. Phase I of the Boulder Bay construction will be complete in the spring of 2019.

Renovation of Tahoe City’s Fanny Bridge will improve pedestrian safety, alleviate traffic and provide safety routes from the west shore. The Fanny Bridge project is expected to be complete in fall 2019.

Events, activities and offerings by destination:

Alibi Ale Works

  • The beloved North Lake Tahoe brewery is set to open a new, more spacious location in Incline Village this spring.

Boreal Mountain California

  • New Pop Up Terrain Parks allow skiers and riders to perform tricks on select dates through March. The exclusive terrain parks last for one week.

  • #FeelGoodFridays, Mar. 15, Apr. 12: $25 lift tickets, live music, food and drink specials, raffles, giveaways and bingo.

Caliente: The Kings Beach cantina offers lakeside aprés experiences with a touch of tequila.

  • Live Music with Renegade Hombres, Fri.-Sat.: Classic rock, blues and salsa.

  • Fish Taco Fridays & Aprés Happy Hour: Aprés ski party with specials and live music.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort – extended ski season, Apr. 21

  • The new Snowflake White IPA, by Alibi Ale Works, is offered exclusively at the mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge.

  • Last Tracks Wine & Beer Tastings, Feb. 9 – Apr. 13, Saturdays: Fine wines and craft brews paired with appetizers at Snowflake Lodge. At the end of the event, ski or snowboard down a freshly groomed run at sunset.

  • 19th annual Dummy Downhill, Mar. 24: Participants build dummies on skis or snowboards and launch them off a jump. Dummies are judged on creativity, best crash and distance traveled.

  • Luggi Foeger Uphill-Downhill Festival, Mar. 30-31:  Participants race to the top of the mountain using their preferred human-powered method––skins, snowshoes or running shoes. Then, they ski, snowboard, snowshoe or run back down to the finish line. The event also includes ski boot races, live music and relays.

Donner Ski Ranch

  • 2019/2020 passes will be sold starting Apr. 15. All passes are unrestricted with no blackout dates.

  • Old School Days offers “rates from the past” every Tue.-Thu. at $40 for adult tickets.

Homewood Mountain Resort – extended ski season, Apr. 21

  • 2019/20 season passes on sale now. Ultimate season pass prices start at $389, and Loyalty season pass prices begin at $349 (available online only).

  • Tahoe Bleu Wave, a new luxury yacht and ski charter, offers a charter service from the Tahoe Keys to Homewood Mountain Resort for a day of skiing. The experience includes a complimentary breakfast, access to a full bar and panoramic views of the lake.

  • Gates & Wakes, Apr. 6: Presented by Superior Boat & Repair, anyone can participate in this ultimate test of skiing skills. Race gates at Homewood and then head to the water to test your water skiing skills—all in one day.

  • 3rd Annual Beer & Gear, Mar. 16-17: Equipment demos, discounted gear and craft beer.

  • DJ’s at Big Blue Bar, Saturdays: A rotating lineup of DJs at the mid-mountain Big Blue View Bar.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

  • Stillwater Spa & Salon offers $70 for a 25 minute massage or facial, now through May 25. It also offers 20 percent off all menu services with proof of ski lift ticket from the last 48 hours.

  • Niman Ranch Scholarship Dinner, Apr. 5: A farm-to-table dinner by Lone Eagle Grille, featuring local Niman Ranch products with wine pairings by Coupe de Foudre in Napa Valley. All proceeds benefit the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation—a scholarship that raises awareness of traditional farming and ranching practices.

Gar Woods Grill & Pier: A Carnelian Bay staple for 30 years, the restaurant offers an array of waterfront spring events.

  • North Shore Nights, select Fridays: An aprés ski party with live music and raffles for ski gear, spa treatments, lift tickets and snowboards.

  • Lakefront Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt, Apr. 21: Lakefront brunch and Easter Egg Hunt for children, followed by the infamous Adult Easter Egg Hunt.

  • Aprés Specials, Fridays: Fireside cocktails and live music.

Granlibakken Tahoe

  • The 3rd annual Restorative Arts & Yoga Festival, May 31-June 2. Yoga instructors, healers and energy workers lead yoga classes, meditation and hikes during a weekend of self-discovery.

  • Easter celebrations, Apr. 21: Enjoy Easter brunch, 7:30-11 a.m., followed by an Easter Egg Hunt, crafts and face-painting.

  • Mountain Flow yoga classes, Saturdays: Inside the resort’s Soul Space.

  • Cedar House Pub Aprés Specials: Live music on Fri.-Sat., and two for one entrees on Thu. and Sun.

  • Skiing, Boarding and Sledding Hill: Improved snow making capabilities allow for extended spring snow sports.

  • Conference Booking Special, through Apr.: 25 percent off all inclusive conferences.

Mountain Lotus Yoga: Located in Tahoe City, the studio will open a second location in Truckee, offering yoga and pilates.

North Tahoe Arts

  • Corison Gallery Spring Exhibits, Feb. 28-Apr.14, select days: Showcases artwork from the region’s college and high school students.

  • Spring workshops, Apr.-June, select days: Pine needle basket weaving, silk painting and oil painting courses.

  • Kid Art Saturdays, select Saturdays through May: Sessions include Paint the Snowman, Build a City and Mother’s Day Bouquet.

North Tahoe Business Association, Mar. 9: Annual Kings Beach Snowfest Parade, followed by the Kings Beach Get S’more Saturdays event.

North Tahoe Public Utility District

  • Snowfest Pancake Breakfast and Dress Up Your Dog Contest, Mar. 9, at the North Tahoe Event Center.

  • North Tahoe Regional Park: Offers an all-weather soccer field that stays plowed throughout the snow season. Visitors can also cross-country ski, snowshoe or hike (depending on snow level) on the park’s many trails, traverse the ropes course at Tahoe TreeTop Adventure Park, play with their pups at the Tahoe Unleashed Dog Park or their family at the Children’s Playground.

  • North Tahoe Event Center: Located at the North Tahoe Regional Park, hosts lakefront private events.

Northstar California – extended ski season, Apr. 21

  • Emma, the world’s first digital mountain assistant, is the collective knowledge of the entire mountain. She answers questions via text message about available terrain, lift line wait times, visitors’ personal ski/ride stats and more.

  • Spring it On, Apr. 5-7: A celebration of the ski season, featuring apres specials, live music and retro ski day.

Mt. Rose

  • Seven ways to save on skiing this spring: From daily specials, to discounted skiing the day you fly, and Mt. Rose offers deals for college students, couples, ladies, locals and active military.

  • New Double Down Passes get you the rest of 2019 and all of 2020 season.

Royal Gorge

  • Pass rates starting at $199 offer unrestricted access seven days a week to an extensive trail network for cross country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

  • The Backyard & Raw Bar at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Spring 2019: Lively aprés ski experience featuring Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial, Blanc and Rosé and a raw bar of chef favorites, including chilled shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell and ceviche.

Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows – extended ski season, July 7

  • Season Ikon Pass – 1 pass, 38 destinations.

  • The new Gold Coast Beach Bar at Squaw Valley’s upper mountain is the place for kicking back in a lounge chair with a cold drink on the snow beach.

  • 5th annual WinterWonderGrass, Mar. 29-31: A celebration of over 20 bluegrass and roots artists, craft brews, family activities and ski/ride specials. Headliners include Greensky Bluegrass, Trampled by Turtles, Leftover Salmon and Sam Bush.

  • 2019 Liberty Mutual Insurance NASTAR National Championships, Apr. 4-7: Showcases the country’s top recreational alpine racers. The weekend will include concerts, autograph signings by NASTAR Pacesetters, raffle and slalom competition.

  • Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival, Apr. 20: Live music and educational booths.

  • High Camp Pool & Hot Tub: Accessible via the Aerial Tram, guests can trade in their skis for bikinis and soak in the High Camp Hot Tub. Enjoy live music and access to the tub-side Umbrella Bar.

  • Sunset Happy Hour at 8,200 feet, Saturdays through March: The scenic Aerial Tram transports visitors to High Camp as the sun sets.

  • Broken Arrow Skyrace, June 21-23: Presented by Salomon, this three-day, four distance trail running event at Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows takes trail runners “where the mountains meet the sky.” Five distances include: a 52k, 26k, Vertical K, 11k and kids race.

Sugar Bowl Resort – extended ski season, Apr. 21

  • 2019/20 season passes go on sale March 18th with a Buy Now, Ride Now benefit.

  • Music Series: Enjoy Wednesday Night Music Series by Ike and Martin at the Sierra Vista Bar, 3-6 p.m.; or Saturdays on the Deck for live music by various artists.

Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge: Tahoe City’s charming waterfront restaurant and lodge offers a season of special and events.

  • Spring Getaway Lodging Special, Mar.-May: Starting at $345, includes two nights of lodging, a $60 credit toward dinner at Sunnyside, continental breakfast, afternoon tea and champagne on arrival. Rates are based on double occupancy (per room): $345 per Partial Lakefront or Garden View room, Sun.-Thu. (available Mar. 29 through May 23); and $375 per Lakefront room, Sun.-Thu. (available Mar. 29 through May 23).

  • Martinis & Music, Mar.-Apr., select Fridays: A sophisticated aprés experience with handcrafted martinis, live music and panoramic views of the lake.

  • Ox’s Picks Winemaker’s Dinner, Mar.-Apr., select days: Entrees paired with wine with a different winery featured each week.

  • Easter Brunch Buffet, Apr. 21: Lakefront brunch and Easter egg hunt.

  • Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet, May 12: Lakefront brunch with mom.

  • Sunnyside’s 32nd Anniversary and Deck Opening Party, May 24: Live music, silent auction and raffles.

Tahoe Biltmore

  • TahoeWed Bridal Fair & Convention, Mar. 29-31: Lake Tahoe’s first interactive bridal faire with workshops, seminars, vendors, raffles, fashion shows and more.

  • Spring lodging specials starting at $59 a night, daily aprés happy hour, March Madness and MLB Opening Day promotions.

  • Easter Brunch, Apr. 21.

  • Mother’s Day Brunch, May 12.

Tahoe Donner

  • Mexican Mondays at The Lodge, Mar.: Chef Freddy Zarate offers an authentic Mexican dish with enjoy $6 house margaritas and $4 Mexican beer specials.

  • Hands on Wax Clinic, Mar. 23: Learn how to wax your skis with Toko Wax guru Roger Chaney.

  • Downhill Dummy Contest, Apr. 14: Teams build unique dummies to send sliding down the hill and off a massive jump.

Tahoe Luxury Properties: The luxury vacation rental service offers spring specials, including “Seventh Night Free” and 10 percent off one-week stays in April on participating homes.

Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society: Owned by the late and infamous George Whittell, the historic Thunderbird Lodge offers luxury parties throughout Spring.

  • Private Wine & Cheese Tour: The opulent experience allows guests to take a trip back in time to Lake Tahoe’s Gilded Age by learning about the enigmatic Tahoe tycoon George Whittell Jr., and touring the historical estate and Thunderbird Yacht. Available to book for a private event.

  • Dinner at the Castle: Featuring wines from the Thunderbird cellar, hors d’oeuvres and a four course culinary experience. Available to book for a private event.

West Shore Cafe & Inn

  • Ski & Stay packages, through Apr. 7: Guests receive two Homewood lift tickets for every two nights booked.

  • Midweek lodging specials, through Apr. 7: Starting at $132 per night, with the third midweek night free.

  • Aprés Ski Specials, Fri.-Mon.: Complimentary s’mores over lakeside fire pits.

About North Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a crown jewel of the Sierra. Formed approximately two million years ago, it is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the United States. North Lake Tahoe spans two states and boasts two dozen beaches, twelve ski resorts, hundreds of miles of biking trails, half a dozen communities, and a growing number of nationally recognized human-powered events, races and festivals. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village.