LAKE TAHOE ADVENTURES

Winter, spring, summer, fall, there’s one destination that indeed does it all to perfection. Lake Tahoe is that heavenly place where a deep blue lake takes center stage. Mostly in California (a third of it is in Nevada), Lake Tahoe has long been where Westerners play in a gorgeous setting. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is the highest alpine lake in the United States, the tenth deepest lake in the world, and perhaps the most beautiful.

SKIING & MORE
Wintertime is a spectacular time of year in Lake Tahoe, as big dumps of mountain snow combine with the region’s yearly recording of 300 days of sun. South Lake Tahoe is the epicenter of the lake’s action all year round, with Heavenly Ski Resort dominating the winter scene. The massive mountain is over 10,000 feet high, annually gets over 250 feet of snow, and extends to California and Nevada, with two base areas in each state. Skiers and snowboarders find perfect power there virtually every season.

Heavenly is the one that is right in the center of the action, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, casinos, and more. Still, numerous other slightly more remote ski-snowboard resorts are also in the mountains surrounding the lake. Palisades Tahoe, on the northwestern side of the lake, is the other world-famous ski center. It hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics (when the resort was called Squaw Valley) and today combines two legendary mountains offering runs that seem to go on forever. Gentler, family-friendly ski centers include Homewood Mountain Resort, Grandlibakken Ski and Sled Hill, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Diamond Peak Resort.

The snow season usually lasts here at least through May, giving you the chance to also try cross-country skiing, snow tubing (so much fun!), snowshoeing, and ice skating. Skating doesn’t often happen on Lake Tahoe, however, because the lake is so deep it doesn’t freeze; bring your skates and try Sawmill Pond for an authentic alpine experience, or rent a pair to hit the Ice Skating at Heavenly Village or Edgewood on Ice right in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. You can even try a “polar paddle” on the lake using a clear-bottomed kayak (book at Clearly Tahoe Tours)!

YEAR-ROUND FUN
While there’s usually still snow in the mountains in the spring, the melt-off begins, too, which means hiking trails offer up waterfalls, the lake is ready for warm days of stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking (although the water is still pretty chilly), and by May the many picturesque golf courses that dot the lakeside are open for play. Edgewood Tahoe Resort on the Nevada side has a stunning setting and two fine dining spots for post-play enjoyment, with Brooks’ Bar & Deck overlooking the course and the lake.

Summer brings all that and more, adding mountain biking, alpine hiking, and Heavenly’s seriously exciting adventures. Take the Heavenly gondola to find zip lining, summer tubing, and the Ridge Rider Coaster, a wild ride down the mountain. Or hit one of the beaches that dot the lake for sun and a swim, play beach volleyball at Zephyr Cove Beach, and charter a fishing boat for an angler’s perfect day on the lake. We love the Tahoe Tastings wine tour on the lake, riding in their gorgeous 1953 Chris Craft Venetian water taxi, and seeing Emerald Cove and Vikingsholm Castle while sipping on eight fine wines as you go. Now that’s the Tahoe summer good life! 

WHERE TO STAY 
For a gorgeous condo-style villa in South Lake Tahoe, check out The Marriott Vacation Clubs offerings at Marriott’s Timber Cove and Grand Residence. Both are ideally situated at the base of Heavenly’s gondola (it is literally out their doors) and are part of the Marriott vacation ownership brand, which includes their Sheraton and Westin Vacation Clubs. The clubs are designed for people to buy into the system and then use points to stay in any of the 90+ worldwide properties included in the clubs.

At both Tahoe resorts, the villas are large and luxurious, with living rooms, fireplaces, full kitchens up to three bedrooms (if needed), and plenty of amenities, all with no resort fees. Beyond the gondola right out the door, you’re in the midst of Heavenly Village, with restaurants, shops, clubs, outdoor music performances, and more within easy walking distance, including the lake itself and casinos like Harvey’s, where Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen is cooking up classic British fare including a spectacular Beef Wellington.

If you’re not an owner in The Marriott Vacation Clubs, you can still book a stay, often at a very attractive nightly rate, by being willing to explore ownership options; villas are available as traditional hotel rentals, depending on availability. However, owners get first crack at bookings in Tahoe (and around the world), so expect it to be tough to find a high-season villa available.

For more information about Lake Tahoe, go to visitlaketahoe.com;
for Heavenly, go to skiheavenly.com;
Clearly Tahoe is at clearlytahoe.com;
go to Tahoe Tastings tahoetastings.com/lake-tahoe-wine-tasting;
and for more information about the Marriott Vacation Club visit themarriottvacationclubs.marriott.com