n u F y il m a F e d i u G
WINTER 2024 The
#1 source
for family friendly events & activities YourTahoeGuide.com @TahoeGuide
n u F y il m Fa de Gui WINTER 2024
s ' e o h Ta
Explore Winter Wonders BY KATHERINE E. HILL
W
hether it’s gliding across ice rinks or venturing into the
forest on snowshoe, discover endless opportunities for laughter and bonding in Tahoe’s snowy paradise. Here’s a few winter activities to enjoy during your time in Tahoe with something for every age. Find more family-friendly outings at YourTahoeGuide.com/family.
Sledding at Granlibakken in Tahoe City. | Granlibakken 2
Feb. 14-March 26, 2024 | FAMILY FUN GUIDE
Go sledding
Next to a day on the slopes, sledding is always at the top of any kids’ (and many adults’) must-do list. In Tahoe it’s easy to find a spot to sled. Local and state parks are great spots for free sledding. There are also several designated Sno-Parks in the region but you will need to purchase a Sno-Park permit before visiting. There’s also local tubing resorts and most ski areas also offer tubing. Many include magic carpets or a rope tow for tubers, along with music, night sledding, food and beverage and much more to enjoy. You’ll find small sled areas for the littlest tykes to enjoy to big air jumps for older kids. Find a list of local tubing locations in this edition or at YourTahoeGuide.com/tubing. Please be mindful of where you choose to sled – user-created sled hills can damage our sensitive lands and trash left behind by broken plastic sleds can degrade into microplastics and harm wildlife and local waterways. So, please go to a designated sled area. Also, those roadside sledding hills you may think might be a great spot are contaminated by road salt and automobile oil and grease. That is absolutely disgusting.
Snowplay
Spend time together as a family enjoying some good old-fashioned snowplay. Again, local and state parks (and our local beaches) make great, free spots for family fun. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, play on the beach and in the snow. Find a list of local beaches and parks in this edition and at YourTahoeGuide. com/beaches.
Snowshoe adventures
Anyone at any age can snowshoe. It’s an easy and inexpensive sport to enjoy together. Purchase or rent a pair of snowshoes from a local outfitter and then explore local beaches and parks. Most of our local cross-country areas also offer marked snowshoe trails to explore. Better yet, join one of the many guided ski and snowshoe outings offered this winter. From full moon snowshoe tours to star-gazing tours to lakefront adventures to ski adventures with a Forest Service ranger and much more. Read the feature in this edition for more than a dozen guided outings to enjoy.
Take a turn on the ice
A hot cocoa and a turn around the ice skating rink makes for a great winter outing. There are seven local ice skating rinks from Truckee to the South Shore to enjoy. Many also offer lessons. Check out our Ice Skating & Sledding chart in this edition or at YourTahoeGuide.com/tubing.
Take a cruise on Lake Tahoe
Yes, you can take a cruise on Big Blue in the middle of winter. There aren’t as many options as in the summer, but you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery and have Lake Tahoe all to yourself. Try the “Tahoe Bleu Wave,” “MS Dixie II” or “Spirit of Tahoe” all departing from the South Shore. | tahoebleuwave.com, zephyrcove.com, tahoecruises.com
Indoor entertainment
When you’re done on the slopes for the day, there’s great evening options. The Loft offers daily magic shows in the Village at Heavenly or try a round of indoor mini golf at the family-friendly Flatstick Pub, both on the South Shore. Go for a strike with bowling options on both ends of the Lake – Bowl Incline or Tahoe Bowl. | thelofttahoe.com, flatstickpubtahoe.com, bowlincline.com, tahoebowl.com
Kidzone Museum
Tahoe’s only children’s museum is in Truckee and has exhibits and play space for children up to 6 years of age. The nonprofit museum also recently opened a new Winnie the Pooh-themed exhibit, and offers kids’ activities, play groups and events. | kidzonemuseum.org
Tahoe Science Center
Learn about Tahoe environmental and natural history at the Tahoe Science Center with kid-friendly science exhibits for ages 8 and older featuring interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and much more. Located on the campus of UNR, Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nev. | tahoe.ucdavis.edu/tahoesciencecenter
Winter Fun Everyone! for
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING SLEDDING SNOWSHOEING RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
ICE SKATING
FOR THE ‘23-24 SEASON
PROGRAMS AT THE PARK
Limited walk-ups will be offered based on availability.
RESERVE ONLINE AT
• TEEN NIGHTS • ADULT CURLING • YOUTH HOCKEY Program details at tcpud.org
TCPUD.ORG/WINTER Visit tcpud.org/winter for more Know Before You Go tips, details on sessions, season passes, and reservations.
530.583.1516
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2 5 1 N o r t h L a k e B l v d . , Ta h o e C i t y
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tcpud.org 3
FAMILY FUN GUIDE | YourTahoeGuide.com
y l i m Fa
ski, snowshoe adventures await
B
undle up, gear up and get ready for a winter wonderland of snowy family fun adventures
this winter for family members of all ages. Free skiing
Ongoing | Local resorts
There are not many things that are free in Tahoe, but there are some free skiing deals. Nevada Nordic offers free trail access to everyone. Kids 4 and younger ski free at Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood. Children 6 and younger ski free at Diamond Peak. Tahoe XC offers free trail access to those 19 years of age and younger. Tahoe City Winter Sports Park offers free trail access to local kids ages 14 and younger. There also free trail access for cross-county skiing and snowshoeing at local and state parks. | YourTahoeGuide.com/xc
Night XC skiing
Ongoing | ASC Training Center | Donner Summit
ASC offers Nordic night skiing Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until 7:30 p.m. throughout the season. | asctrainingcenter.org
Ski with a Ranger
Fridays | Heavenly Ski Area
Ski with a Ranger at Heavenly. | Kayla Anderson
Full Moon Snowshoe Tours
Feb. 24, March 23 & April 20 | Sugar Pine Point State Park | Tahoma
Explore the natural and cultural history around the Hellman-Ehrman Estate and the Lake Tahoe shoreline. | Tickets sierrastateparks.org
Twilight Snowshoe Hike
March 1 & 22 | Diamond Peak | Incline Village, Nev.
Join this 3-mile round trip hike that includes guides, after-hour access to Diamond Peak and Snowflake Lodge and more. | diamondpeak.com
Free Ski Day
March 9 | Sugar Pine Point State Park | Tahoma
Enjoy a free day in the park with a guided snowshoe hike, snowman contest & snow science exhibit and kids’ crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Limited free parking pass available online. | bit.ly/ski_day
The U.S. Forest Service has expanded its free winter Ski with a Ranger program and is now offering it Fridays at Heavenly at 1 p.m. until March 29; at Alpine Meadows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. until early April; at Kirkwood at 1 p.m. until March 29; and at Sierra-at-Tahoe at 10 a.m. until March 25. Rangers will discuss local natural and cultural history. Participants must be intermediate level. Tours are first-come, first-served. Lift tickets required. Check local Forest Districts for details. | fs.usda.gov
Forest History Snowshoe
Nordic Twilight Tours
Join TINS naturalist Sarah Hockensmith as she leads the way in search of wildlife, water features, and spectacular scenery from a beachy waterfront. | tahoerimtrail.org
Until March 9 (Sat.) | Northstar California | Truckee
The 2- to 2.5-hour tour begins at the Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center at 5 p.m. The group will meander through the pine tree-lined forest and end in The Village at Northstar. Enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate. | northstarcalifornia.com
Snowshoe tours
Until March 30 (Sat.) | Donner Memorial State Park | Truckee
Join a free snowshoe tour at 1 p.m. on Saturdays to explore the park with a historian to learn about local natural and cultural history. Bring gear. | Register bit.ly/ donner_tours
Full Moon Snowshoe Tours
Until April 23 (select dates) | area venues
Tahoe Adventure Company hosts Full Moon Snowshoe Tours on two nights each month. | tahoeadventurecompany.com
Nordic Nights Under the Lights
Feb. 16, March 15 | North Tahoe Regional Park | Tahoe Vista
Stride and glide for free under the lights with races, hot cocoa, music and s’mores from 5 to 7 p.m. | ntpud.org 4
March 10 | Spooner Lake State Park | East Shore
This adventure will be a leisurely snowshoe trek with experts and friends at the Sugar Pine Foundation who will reveal the mysterious world of trees. | tahoerimtrail.org
Wonders of Wildlife & Water
March 19 | Sugar Pine Point State Park | Tahoma
Snowshoe Hike
March 24 | Diamond Peak | Incline Village.
Join TINS for a guided snowshoe hike with director Will Richardson at 7:15 a.m. Learn about winter ecology and the survival strategies and adaptations employed by animals. | RSVP tinsweb.org
Ski, snowshoe tours
March 30 | Donner Memorial State Park | Truckee
Join a free ski tour at 10 a.m. and a snowshoe tour at 1 p.m. to explore the park with a historian to learn about local natural and cultural history. Bring gear. | Register bit.ly/donner_tours
Snowshoe Star Tours April 3 | area venues
Tahoe Adventure Company and Tony Berendsen present telescopic tours of the night sky. It starts with guided sunset snowshoeing, followed by a brilliant tour of the night sky. For ages 8 and older. | tahoeadventurecompany.com
Feb. 14-March 26, 2024 | FAMILY FUN GUIDE
Discover more at YourTahoeGuide.com/family
D L N A 42 NU AN
SKATING & SLEDDING All activities are weather dependent & open as conditions permit
ICE SKATING NORTH SHORE
NORTHSTAR (530) 562-1010 | northstarcalifornia.com Open air rink. Free access. TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK (530) 583-1516 | wintersportspark.com Ice skating & rentals. Clubhouse. OLYMPIC VALLEY
ECHO LAKE (530) 644-2324 Highway 50 at Echo Lake Road. Bring equipment.* HANSEN’S RESORT (530) 544-3361 | hansensresort.com 400-foot-long groomed tube run on Ski Run Blvd. Cash only. HEAVENLY skiheavenly.com Tubing at top of gondola with four lanes.
EVERLINE RESORT (530) 584-4024 Ice & hockey skate rentals available.
KAHLE PARK (775) 586-7271 | douglascountynv.gov Off Highway 207. Bring equipment.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
SAWMILL POND On Lake Tahoe Blvd. Bring equipment.
EDGEWOOD TAHOE (888) 769-1924 | edgewoodtahoe.com Open air rink. Daily 4-9 p.m. Rentals available. HEAVENLY VILLAGE (530) 542-4230 | theshopsatheavenly.com Open air rink. SOUTH LAKE TAHOE ICE ARENA (530) 542-6262 | cityofslt.com Indoor facility open year-round.
SIERRA-AT-TAHOE (530) 659-7453 | sierraattahoe.com Lift-accessible tubing lanes, snow play and sledding area. TAHOE SNOWMOBILE TUBING (530) 542-3294 | tahoesnowmobiles.com At Tahoe Paradise & Stateline, Nev. Reserve online.
TRUCKEE
TAYLOR CREEK (530) 543-2600 Hwy. 89, north of Camp Richardson Road. Bring equipment.*
TRUCKEE RIVER REGIONAL PARK (530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com Skate rentals, ice dancing & hockey lessons.
TUBETAHOE (530) 600-2304 | tubetahoe.com 500 feet of machine-groomed tubing lanes in Meyers.
SLEDDING & TUBING
TRUCKEE
EAST SHORE
SPOONER LAKE (775) 831-0494 State park open for snow play. Bring equipment. Parking fee. HOPE VALLEY AREA
CARSON PASS (209) 295-4251 Highway 88 near Carson Pass. Bring equipment.* HOPE VALLEY (775) 882-2766 Highway 88 at Blue Lakes Road. Bring equipment.* MEISS MEADOW (209) 295-4251 Highway 88 near Carson Pass. Bring equipment.* NORTH SHORE
INCLINE VILLAGE On Fairway Blvd., next to the Chateau. Bring equipment. NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK (530) 546-0605 | northtahoeparks.com End of National Avenue off Hwy 28. Rentals not available. TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK (530) 583-1516 | wintersportspark.com Sledding & cross-country trails. Rentals available. RSVP required. OLYMPIC VALLEY
OLYMPIC VALLEY PARK placer.ca.gov Free snowplay area. Bring equipment. PALISADES TAHOE (530) 452-4511 | palisadestahoe.com Tubing area. Disco Tubing with DJ & lasers at night on select dates Dec. 16-March 9. SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
ADVENTURE MOUNTAIN (530) 659-7217 | adventuremountaintahoe.com Machine-groomed sledding, tubing & snowplay.
FEBRUARY 29 - MARCH 10, 2024
BOREAL MOUNTAIN rideboreal.com RSVP in advance. Night sessions available. DONNER SKI RANCH donnerskiranch.com Tubing hills with moving carpet. DONNER SUMMIT (530) 587-3558 South side of I-80, Castle Peak exit. Bring equipment.* KINGVALE RESORT (530) 427-5090 | kingvaleresort.com Bring sleds or sleds available to buy. NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA northstarcalifornia.com TART Tubing lanes in the Village. SODA SPRINGS skisodasprings.com Up to 10 lanes. RSVP in advance. SUGAR RUSH TUBING sugarbowl.com/tubing 10-lane tubing area at Sugar Bowl. TAHOE DONNER (530) 587-9437 | tahoedonner.com At Trout Creek Recreation Center. YUBA PASS (530) 994-3401 Highway 49 at Yuba Pass. Bring equipment.* WEST SHORE
BLACKWOOD CANYON (530) 543-2600 Sno-Play area off Hwy. 89. Bring equipment.* GRANLIBAKKEN (530) 581-7533 | granlibakken.com Machine-groomed snow play area. Reserve online. Night sledding select dates Dec. 17-Jan. 14.
TRANSIT
North Tahoe & Truckee | laketahoetransit.com South Shore | tahoetransportation.org
*Sno-Park permit required; (916) 324-1222 or ohv.parks.ca.gov/snoparks. Sno-Parks may be closed for extended periods after heavy snow; check conditions in advance. 5
FAMILY FUN GUIDE | YourTahoeGuide.com
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PATTON LANDING Hwy. 28, at Onyx Street
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TRAILS
CARNELIAN WEST BEACH Hwy. 28, next to Gar Woods
C A R NELIA N B AY
DOGS OK
BBQ/GRILL
&
PLAYGROUND
BEACHES PARKS
PICNIC TABLES
Lake Caples aurant Rest Resort Opening Grand 14! Feb.
BEACH
California Alps
RESTROOMS
The
Tahoe’s beaches & parks are great areas to snowshoe or cross-country ski. During winter months, restrooms & other park amenities may be closed. Due to snow access may not available.
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EAST SH ORE
CHIMNEY BEACH & SECRET COVE 5.9 mi. south of Incline Vlg.
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ROUNDHILL PINES BEACH Hwy. 50
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ZEPHYR COVE PARK Hwy. 50
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KINGS BEACH STATE REC AREA Kings Beach
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MOON DUNES BEACH Hwy. 28
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KINGS BEAC H
NORTH TAHOE BEACH Hwy. 28, across from Safeway
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RACOON STREET DOG BEACH Hwy. 28, end of RACOON STREET
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SECLINE BEACH Hwy. 28, at the end of Secline Street
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OLYMPIC VA LLEY
OLYMPIC VALLEY PARK At Hwy. 89 & Olympic Valley Road
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S OUTH LA KE TA H OE
Bear Valley | Hope Valley | Kirkwood Lake Alpine | Markleeville | Woodfords
www.alpinecounty.com
BALDWIN BEACH Hwy. 89
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BIJOU COMMUNITY PARK Al Tahoe Blvd.
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CAMP RICHARDSON Hwy. 89
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EL DORADO BEACH Hwy. 50 at Lakeview Commons KIVA BEACH Hwy. 89 east of Taylor Creek
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NEVADA BEACH Hwy. 50
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POPE BEACH Hwy. 89
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REGAN BEACH Hwy. 50
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64-ACRES PARK & BELL’S LANDING South of Tahoe City
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COMMONS BEACH Hwy. 28, Tahoe City behind old fire station
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LAKE FOREST BEACH Lake Forest Rd, 1.5 miles east of Tahoe City
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POMIN PARK Lake Forest Road, east of Tahoe City
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TA H OE CITY
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HERITAGE PLAZA Hwy. 28, Downtown Tahoe City
connect with nature.
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SKYLANDIA Lake Forest Road, east of Tahoe City
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TAHOE CITY DOG PARK Grove Street
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WILLIAM KENT BEACH 2.5 miles south of Tahoe City
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WILLIAM LAYTON PARK & GATEWAY PARK Hwy. 89, at Dam
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TA H OE V ISTA
N. TAHOE REGIONAL PARK & DOG PARK top of National Ave.
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SANDY BEACH Hwy. 28, across from the Perennial Nursery
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TAHOE VISTA RECREATION AREA Hwy. 28, at National Ave.
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DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK I-80 Donner Lake exit
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MARTIS CREEK Hwy. 267, 1 mile south of Truckee Airport
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RIVER VIEW SPORTS PARK 12200 Joerger Drive
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SHORELINE PARK Donner Pass Road, next to the State Park
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TRUCKEE RIVER REGIONAL PARK Hwy. 267, Truckee
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WEST END BEACH West of Donner Lake
TR UCK EE
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D.L. BLISS STATE PARK Closed for construction
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ELIZABETH WILLIAMS PARK 4 miles south of Tahoe City
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EMERALD BAY BEACH 18.5 miles south of Tahoe City
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KILNER PARK Hwy. 89, 3.5 miles south of Tahoe City
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MARIE SLUCHAK PARK Corner of Hwy. 89 & Pine St., Tahoma
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Adults 70+ and Youth under 19 ski for FREE
MEEKS BAY Hwy. 89, 10 miles south of Tahoe City
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SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK 9.5 miles south of Tahoe City
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925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City, CA. 50+ km of groomed trails.
North Tahoe & Truckee (TART): laketahoetransit.com | South Tahoe (BlueGo): tahoetransportation.org
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WEST SH ORE
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BUS & SHUTTLE SCHEDULES
Feb. 14-March 26, 2024 | FAMILY FUN GUIDE
emotional
Pooh-inspired learning exhibit
friendly
Family events
Glowstick Parade | Tahoe Donner KidZone Museum
KidZone Museum’s “Hundred Acre Wood” exhibit brings to life the century-old Winnie the Pooh stories of author A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard with a focus on social-emotional learning for children up to age 6. The exhibit presents an opportunity for younger children to become familiar with concepts of understanding and identifying feelings, self-reflection, empathy and connection. The museum has sections representing each character and a trait: Winnie the Pooh is happy-go-lucky, Piglet is anxious, Eeyore is sad, Tigger is energetic, Kanga is nurturing, Roo is curious, Rabbit is organized and sometimes critical, and Owl is wise. KidZone Museum has raised nearly half of the funds needed for a new, 10,500-square-foot museum at Truckee River Regional Park to include a science and art center, a teen studio, a sensory space, traveling exhibits and an expanded play space. | kidzonemuseum.org
FEB. 24 Carnival Games & Glowstick Parade Games starts at 4:30 p.m. & parade at 6:15 p.m., Tahoe Donner Downhill. | tahoedonner.com MARCH 1 Family Movie Night Starts at 6 p.m., North Tahoe Event Center, Kings Beach. | ntpud.org MARCH 10 Free tubing day For special needs families, TubeTahoe, Meyers. | tubetahoe.com
MARCH 15 Honolulu Theater for Youth 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fox Cultural Hall, Kings Beach | hfoxchall.org MARCH 17 Family Downhill Challenge Family GS Ski Race, 11 a.m., Tahoe Donner Downhill. | tahoedonner.com MARCH 23 200-Foot Banana Split Extravaganza Grab a spoon and help devour a 200foot banana split, 1:45 p.m., Tahoe Donner Downhill. | tahoedonner.com
WINTER LIVES AT TAHOE
THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR SNOW TUBING AND SNOWMOBILING 7