GET outside Winter cruising on Big Blue

BY KAYLA ANDERSON

Many people come to the Tahoe Sierra to get out on Big Blue, but as the seasons change from sunny skies to snowy ones, it can be a bit harder to do so. While the lake never freezes because it’s so deep (except along some shorelines in an anomaly winter like this), the sub-40-degree F water temperatures will keep you from jumping in, even on the warmest days. Fortunately, there are a few companies that provide unique travel experiences via the water to Emerald Bay — that don’t require one to get wet. They are open to the public and available yearround, if the weather is nice and there’s enough of an interest. Here is how to get out on the water in the chillier months.

“Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave”

Based in Tahoe Keys Marina, “Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave” offers central heating and a fireplace to keep passengers warm while taking in the views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains. It holds up to 47 people between its indoor seating and outdoor decks. Passengers are treated to a smooth ride over to Rubicon and Emerald Bay as one of its longtime captains and crew share fun facts and information about this corner of Lake Tahoe.

Bald eagles, osprey and other wildlife may be spotted along the shoreline more often in the winter months.

Along with the outside giant party bow, the elegant 70-foot-long yacht has an inside lounge, a stateroom and fully stocked bar. If you need a break from sightseeing, you may even be able to catch a football game in the winter thanks to its new flatscreen TV.

Bald eagles, osprey and other wildlife may be spotted along the shoreline more often in the winter months. Daytime scenic cruises, sunset cruises and happy-hour cruises are available daily year-round so it’s likely you may not see another boat out there if you cruise midweek. | tahoebleuwave.com

21 Bald Eagles Counted

on our ultimate

CheckOff #54

Tahoe Winter bucket list at bit.ly/tahoe-bucket-list passengers can get an up-close view of Vikingsholm while listening to a narrated history. There will also be a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise on Feb. 14. | zephyrcove.com

“Safari Rose” & “Spirit of Tahoe”

Tied up next to the dock at Ski Run Marina, Tahoe Cruises’ newest boat, “Spirit of Tahoe,” can carry up to 133 passengers to Emerald Bay. “Spirit of Tahoe” originally came from Fort Myers, Fla., before making its way through the Gulf to Texas where it was retrofitted to meet Lake Tahoe’s needs. The 75-foot-long yacht has two fully stocked bars, an upper deck with small concessions and a state-of-the-art sonar system that can see down to the bottom of the lake, even at its deepest point.

This unique paddle wheeler has been cruising out of Zephyr Cove over to Emerald Bay and back since 1994, providing sightseeing and dinner cruises for up to 500 guests all winter. In its Mississippi-steamboat-like vessel, passengers glide across the water for 2½ hours, learning fun history and facts about the Lake of the Sky.

This is the largest cruising boat on Lake Tahoe with the bonus that it’s climate-controlled and a family-favorite activity. During the winter, dinner cruises are on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and feature live music.

Daytime sightseeing cruises are at noon Fridays through Mondays and

Tahoe Cruises is mainly known for “Safari Rose,” an 80-foot luxury yacht that’s been around since 1959. It still has its original staterooms, bar and three restrooms. It is being renovated this winter and will likely then only continue to be used for private events and charters.

Two-hour public cruises go out daily if there’s a minimum of 15 online bookings. The Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise departs at noon. However, I suggest going on the Sunset Champagne Cruise that departs at 3:30 p.m. It includes complimentary champagne and nonalcoholic beverages. | tahoecruises. com n

During the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science’s 44th annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count in January, 21 Bald Eagles were counted in the Tahoe Basin. The group counted 15 individual adults, 4 immatures and 2 eagles of undetermined age, making 2023’s count slightly below average for the previous 10 years of 25, but only half the number seen during its record-breaking count of 42 two years ago, according to TINS.

Fewer birds on this year’s count may be due in part to the overall weather patterns surrounding the count. Strong winds create whitecaps on Lake Tahoe’s surface, which severely affects the bird’s ability to spot and hunt prey. This, in turn reduces movement in the birds, which are mostly detected when they are hunting or moving locations. Wind also affects volunteers’ ability to spot the eagles. As well, a few stations were inaccessible this year due to road closures. | tinsweb.org

PREVENT SNOW-RELATED GAS LEAKS

The Sierra received remarkable snowfall in a short period of time, leading to a spike in propane-related calls to local fire agencies and homeowners can take steps to prevent snow-related gas leaks.