Lake Tahoe – split between California and Nevada – is one of the top ski destinations in the world and boasts 15 ski resorts. The lake itself is 1,645 feet deep and the second deepest lake in the U.S. behind Crater Lake in Oregon. It is also one of the largest lakes, 192 sqare miles, and highest at an elevation of 6229 feet.

When planning a trip to Lake Tahoe your first decision will be North Shore (Nevada) or South Shore (California/Nevada). It’s about an hour’s drive from one end to the other on a two lane road so you may want to stick to one destination. If you’re into skiing, sledding, gambling and nightlife then South Lake/Stateline is the spot for you. If you prefer skiing, snowshoeing, dinner for two, and gorgeous lake views, plan on visiting North Lake or Squaw.

How to Get There

By Plane

The nearest airport to Lake Tahoe is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a 45 mile drive to North Lake Tahoe. You can also fly into Sacramento International Airport, a two-hour drive from Lake Tahoe. Private planes can land at Lake Tahoe Airport, located on the South Shore, but winter snow conditions may make this option unpredictable.

If you’re interested in chartering a jet flight out of California you have many companies to choose from:

• XOJET, Inc. out of San Carlos
• TAG Aviation in Burlingame
• Le Bas International in San Luis Obispo
• ElleJet Aviation Services out of San Diego
• Air Royale international in Beverly Hills
• ACM Aviation in San Jose.

By Car

Nestled high in the Seirra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a one-hour drive from Reno and three hours from San Francisco depending on the weather and traffic. In winter weather on a busy holiday weekend, the drive will take closer to four or five hours. You should always check the weather, snowfall, and traffic reports before starting your drive and keep snow chains in the car just in case. The drive to North Lake Tahoe on Highway 80 is usually a little easier and quicker then the Highway 50 route to South Lake and Kirkwood.

Where to Stay

Destination Clubs in Lake Tahoe
(To see a map of all the destination club home locations, check out our map widget.)

There are several destination club locations in Lake Tahoe:

• Exclusive Resorts (9 homes) all are in North Lake area near Squaw or Northstar
• Portofino Club (1 home)
• Crescendo (1 home) located in North Lake at the Village at Northstar
• Quintess, Leading Residences of the World (1 home) in North Lake, Great Beat Lodge at Northstar

Private Escapes (1 home)

Other Fractional Luxury Accommodations

Lake Tahoe Marriott Grand Residence Club – South Shore, near the base of the Heavenly gondola. Rooms, studios, one and two bedroom condos. This residence club is near Stateline and the casinos in the downtown South Lake area. The two bedroom condo at 1350 sq, ft. goes for $300,000 to $600,000.

Old Greewood – Three of four bedroom cabins range from 2,470 to 3,000 square feet and two or three bedroom townhomes range from 1,270 to 1,843 square feet. In the $60,000 to $230,000 range.

Northstar Club at Lake Tahoe – Membership benefits includ being located in the heart of the ski village, luxuriously appointed units – including internet access, fully equipped kitchens, balconies and decks – daily housekeeping service, continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres, online vacation planning tools, concierge service, heated garage, year round secure storage for ski equipment, and a rec center. Their flexible reservation system gives you four planned weeks each year (2 summer, 2 winter). You can use them yourself, trade, or give to friends. Two long term space available weeks (1 summer, 1 winter) – for personal use only. Unlimited additional weeks are given for any unassigned space.

Resort Equities – Their network of fractional real estate at Lake Tahoe includes, Silver Fox Residence, Big Springs at Northstar; Great Bear Lodge, Northstar Village; Catamount Lodge, Northstar Village; and Iron Horse Penthouse, Northstar Village. Fractional 1/6th to 1/8th ownership is $375,000 to $800,000 with annual fees of $10,000 to $20,000. Each owner may reserve many weeks each year plus have the opportunity for additional use on a space available basis.

Luxury Resort & Hotel Picks

The Resort at Squaw – (photo, right) Located in the North Shore area in Olympic Valley, the resort has 403 rooms. It’s $250 to $400 per night for double rooms, and $450 to $1,900 for suites. Ski-in ski-out access, four restaurants, four bars, three pools, and a large spa. Mountain Buddies, a fully-supervised children’s program is also offered. Ranked among the top 50 resorts in North America by Conde Nast Traveler.

Northstar Resort – Located in North Shore in Tahoe City, the resort has 262 rooms and 100 newly opened Iron Horse Village luxury condos with one to four bedrooms. $250 to $1,470 per night.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino – Guest at their Regency Club enjoy a private-access upper floor room offering lavish amenities like concierge service and private lounge serving breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Mountain and/or partial lake views complement rustic lodge decor reflecting a 1920’s ‘Grand Lodge’ experience. We’ve also heard the Lakeside Cottage Rooms are fantastic – a 875-sq.-ft. cottage on a stunning private beach, decorated in mountain lodge decor, each cottage has separate living and dining areas, and a king bedroom. Downstairs units feature kitchenette and outdoor patio. Upstairs units offer spacious balcony, wetbar and additional half bath.

Harrah’s – Their newly remodeled executive rooms feature stunning views of Lake Tahoe and surrounding Sierras, plus all the conveniences you would find in a suite, including one king or two queen beds, his and her bathrooms. There’s wireless internet access adn Nintendo for the kids.

Where to Eat

Wild Goose – 7320 N. Lake Blvd, Lake Tahoe, California. 530-546-3640. Per Frommer’s – Wild Goose is the finest restaurant in Lake Tahoe and one of the best in all of California. Contemporary American cuisine.

Evan’s American Gourmet Café – 536 Emerald Bay Rd, Lake Tahoe, California. 530-542-1990. Recommended by Frommers.

Ivano’s – 605 Hwy. 50, #4, Lake Tahoe, California. 775-586-1070. Italian cuisine with an extensive wine list. A Frommers recommendation.

Cottonwood Off Brockway Rd. in Truckee, Calfornia. 530- 587-5711.
Le Bistro 130 West St., Reno, Nevada in the Incline Village. Closed on Sunday and Monday; no lunch. 775-323-2227

Mirabelle – 290 Kingsbury Grade, Stateline, Nevada. Closed on Monday, no lunch. 775-586-1007

Big Water Grille – 341 Ski Way, Incline Village, Nevada. 775-833-0606. Great chef and fantastic ingredients unique dishes

Lone Eagle Grill – At the Lake Tahoe Hyatt., 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, Nevada. 775-832-1234. One of the most stunning rooms in all of Tahoe.

Edgewood Restaurant – Lake Parkway Stateline, Nevada. 775-588-2787. A hidden gem off the beaten bath great sunsets and views.

What to Do

Lake Tahoe offers stunning views and great year-round activities such as skiing, hiking, boating, golf, dining and gambling. There numerous ski resorts situated on all four shores of the lake and in nearby towns. Summertime turns this ski haven into a lakefront beach town with kayaking, swimming and sunset cruises.

Where to Ski & Snowboard

Heavenly Resort – In Stateline, this ski resort is the only one on the South Shore. It also has the highest elevation (10,067 ft.) of any resort at Lake Tahoe. There are three snowboard parks, 4,800 skiable acres, 30 lifts, and 86 runs. Heavenly also has daycare for kids ages six weeks to six years. There is ski school/daycare for children ages three to six, and full-day programs for older kids. Heavenly Resort is great for families with arcades, recreation centers, bowling alleys, and movie theaters nearby. It’s also close to Lake Tahoe’s casinos.

Squaw Valley USA – Six miles north of Tahoe City, Squaw Valley is one of the world’s finest year-round resorts with skiing available on six peaks. Seventy percent of their 4,000 acres of skiable area are geared toward beginners and intermediates. Children’s World offers child care and ski school. Non-skiiers can enjoy Olympic Ice Pavilion for year-round ice-skating, a swimming lagoon and spa available in the spring and summer, snow tubing, snowboarding school, and even bungee jumping. Of course there are places to eat and drink, as well as an arcade, movie theater and climbing wall. Central Park serves the snowboarders, while the Cross-Country Ski Center has 400 acres of groomed trails.

Diamond Peak – In Incline Village, this ski resort offers a low-key, less crowded, less expensive, and beautiful skiing experience. A great place for families, there are many skiing and snowboarding opportunity for kids including a snowboard park and sledding area, and a snow-play program for smaller children. You can even bring your dog with you at the Diamond Peak Cross Country and Snowshoe Center east of Incline Village.

Homewood Mountain – Another great family ski area in Homewood, 6 miles south of Tahoe City and 19 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Hwy. 89. 1,260 acres, 56 runs, 8 lifts, and gorgeous lake views.

Northstar-at-Tahoe – Located six miles noth of Kings Beach City near Truckee, this ski resort has 70 runs covering 2,420 acres on two mountains and is among the top rated western resorts. Saw Tooth Ridge provides back country skiing, while the Learning Center offers classes in skiing, snowboarding, cross country, and the latest snow toys, including the snowskate – a skateboard deck without the wheels. There is child care for kids aged two to six. The resort also has instruction, a special “magic carpet” lift and Paw Parks, a pint-size obstacle course, just for kids.

Alpine Meadows – In Tahoe City, this resort has 100 runs on over 2,400 acres. There are kids’ programs, a family ski zone, and the “wild side” for the double black diamond skiiers. This low-key resort has a special beginner surface lift designed for children, novice skiers, and snowboarders.

Kirkwood – Located 30 miles south of South Lake Tahoe, it’s one of the region’s top ski areas with lots of snow and great spring time skiing. 2,300 skiable acres, 12 lifts, and 65 trails. Many child ski programs and daycare for children ages two through six. The Cross Country Ski Center has lessons for all ages. Don’t forget about Kirkwood’s wonderful summertime hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Sierra-at-Tahoe – In Twin Bridges, 12 miles west of South Lake Tahoe, it’s Tahoe’s third-largest ski area with more than 2,000 acres of slopes. There are four terrain parks for both boarders and skiers, and 200 acres of backcountry terrain. You can also ski the trees if you’re so inclined.

Sugar Bowl – Just 3 miles east of the Soda Springs/Norden exit of I-80. A great place to ski if you’re driving in from the Bay Area or Sacramento and don’t want to go all the way to Tahoe. The resort offers 13 lifts, 1,500 skiable acres, child care, ski school, and snowboard parks.

Where to Gamble

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Casino & Resort
Bill’s Casino Lake Tahoe (smoke free)

Other Activities

Borges Family Sleigh Rides in Stateline, Nevada – Take an old-fashioned sleigh ride in one of the five antique European sleighs which vary in size to accommodate anywhere from two to 20 people. Enviro-Rents Tahoe Ecosports – Enjoy some fun, outdoor activities in the summer season protecting the natural environment. Activities include kayaking, sailing and mountain biking.

Best Golf

Lake Tahoe Golf Course – 18 holes (public) – 2500 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, California. 530-577-0788. $70 on weekends or weekdays (includes cart). $51 twilight fees.

Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course – 18 holes (public) – 180 Lake Parkway, Stateline, Nevada. 888-881-8659. $225 on weekends or weekdays (includes cart). Multiple award winning course including Golfweek Magazine’s America’s Best Public-Access Courses for Nevada 2006, Golf Digest Magazine’s America’s 100 Greatest Public-Access Golf Courses 2005-2006, Golf Digest Magazine’s Top Rated Golf Courses for Nevada 2005-2006, and Golfweek Magazine’s America’s Best Public-Access Courses for Nevada 2005.

Genoa Lakes Golf Resort #2 18 holes (public) – co-designed by PGA champions Peter Jacobsen and John Harbottle III. 2901 Jacks Valley Road, Genoa, Nevada. 888-452-4653. $105 on weekends and $85 on weekdays (includes cart). Honorable Mention in The West Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Public-Access Courses 2000.

Old Greenwood – 18 holes (public) – designed by Jack Nicklaus. 12915 Fairway Dr., Truckee, CA, 800- 754-3070. $170 green fees on weekends and weekdays (includes cart). $100 twilight fees (includes cart). 3 out of 10 ranking in Golf Magazine’s Top 10 New Public-Access Golf Courses in America 2004. Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine’s Ten Best New Private Course in the U.S. 2004.

Insider Tips

1. Driving Tip: When heavy snow begins to fall on the highway, local authorities may require you to stop and put chains on your tires unless you have 4wheel drive. Often you’ll see local entrepreneurs offering to put your chains on for you for $10 – not a bad deal.
2. If you like roughing it, but not being too far from civilization, try the Lost Trail Lodge at 8600 Coldstream Trail, Truckee, California. 530-320-9268. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada near Donner Memorial State Park, the lodge has four private cabins connected by a common room, and a shared kitchen. It has private hot tubs, and wooden lofts for the kids to bunk in. Forget about phone lines, an internet connection, or direct road access for most of the year. Instead, you’ll have to hike or cross-country ski – half a mile in the summer and four miles in the winter – to get to the lodge. Yet, the Lost Trail Lodge is less than five miles from I-80 and Truckee.

Other sctivitiesto try – river rafting in the summer, Royal Gorge cross country skiing, parasailing North and South Lake, and the Heavenly or Squaw gondolas.

3. To see live webcam footage of the slopes right now, click here.

Images courtesy of wikipedia.com, squawcreek.com and tahoe.ski.com.

Editors Note: Thanks to regular reader and Private Escapes member, Peter Kuhn, who knows the Tahoe area well, and contributed his recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat.