Spectacular places and scenic spots. 16 Lake Tahoe Winter Recreation Map
Ski resorts, snowshoe trails and communities. 21 Where to Ski and Ride
A quick guide to Tahoe’s 14 downhill ski resorts.
24 Cross-Country Ski Resorts
The nation’s largest concentration of groomed trails. 26 More Outdoor Adventure
More ways to enjoy the snow and lake.
28 Vibrant Communities
Vacation “base camps” and excursions. 30 Stormy Day Fun
Head indoors to museums, shops and movies.
Cover: Young pine trees greet sunrise above North Tahoe, PHOTO BY MIKE EADINGTON
Left: Morning Alpenglow, Stoney Cove, PHOTO BY MIKE EADINGTON
LAKE TAHOE VISITOR GUIDE WINTER/SPRING 2025-2026
Publisher & Editor Chaco Mohler
Art Director Allison Monroe
Distribution Mitch Landaburu
Published by C2M Media LLC
P.O. Box 5897
Tahoe City, CA 96145
Inquiries: chaco@c2m.media
Enjoying The Season Together
Winter at Lake Tahoe is both beautiful and exciting, especially for snow sports enthusiasts. The “Lake of the Sky” brings together visitors and residents who share not only a love for sliding down mountains but an appreciation for the natural world—the brilliant contrast of Lake Tahoe’s deep blue surrounded by white peaks, the fantastic forms snow takes when sculpted by wind, sun and temperature.
Celebrating the things we share with the people around us seems appropriate not only during the holiday season but throughout winter. I try to keep it in mind when attempting to keep a chill attitude in holiday ski traffic, for example. But when it comes to chill attitude, it’s better to avoid the situations that test it, of course, and that comes down in part to solid planning and choosing how you get around.
STAY FLEXIBLE
While a last-minute Tahoe trip can turn out to be magic, advance planning and reservations are strongly recommended for holidays and weekends. But even with well-laid plans, winter can demand flexibility. Any fresh snow on the road will dramatically slow traffic and elongate drive times. Local and state crews do a great job of keeping major roads clear throughout winter, but big blizzards close both major and secondary roads, and can cause power outages. Pay attention to forecasts and adjust your plans to avoid any predicted road closures.
LOOK TO FREE TRANSIT OPTIONS
Tahoe has an extensive public transportation system, much of it free of charge, including ski resort shuttles and micro-transit.
Keep in mind if you’re driving your own vehicle to a ski area that some resorts charge for parking, especially on weekends and holidays, and require reservations.
All public transportation in North Tahoe and Truckee is free, including ski shuttles and door-to-door, minivan transit called TART Connect, with real time tracking via a user-friendly app (QR code on next page). On Tahoe’s South Shore, Lake Link operates free, on-demand shuttles that serve the casino “core” and surrounding lodging and residential neighborhoods. Ski resorts Heavenly Mountain and Sierra-at-Tahoe have free shuttles from South Shore lodging to their slopes.
BEARS IN WINTER?
Tahoe’s black bears don’t technically hibernate in winter but enter a state called “torpor,” where warm temperatures can awaken them and, in low or no snow periods, send them looking for food. By April and May, it’s advisable to not leave food in a car parked overnight. Bears have a keen sense of smell and open unlocked car doors or break windows.
KEEP IT CHILL
Respect for the natural environment is a core Tahoe value. Please stay out of fragile meadows in low or no snow periods. Don’t litter as it gets spread by snowblowers into the watershed. Respect for our fellow humans also seems admirable: Respect for our fellow drivers, fellow skiers and riders, and respect for the front-line workers who make vacations in Tahoe possible. Enjoy your Tahoe-time!
CHACO MOHLER Publisher
Golden afternoon light on fresh powder, Brockway Ridge, PHOTO BY MIKE EADINGTON
Socata TBM
ADVERTISERS & SERVICES
DINING
SHOPS & RENTALS
TAHOE CITY CHOCOLATES 24
Sweets & Ice Cream tahoecitychocolates.com
LODGING
CEDAR CREST COTTAGES/NATURAL RETREATS 12 Vacation Rentals naturalretreats.com/cedarcrest
RIVER RANCH LODGE 13
Hotel & Restaurant riverranchlodge.com
MEDICAL
BARTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 7 Inpatient & Outpatient Services Bartonhealth.org
TAHOE FOREST HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 11, 19 Inpatient & Outpatient Services Tfhd.com
SIERRA SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 2 Tahoe & Truckee Luxury Leader sierrasothebys.com
TRANSPORTATION
GARY AIR 9
Regional Charter Flights Garyair.us TAHOE AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT 9 Free Daily North Tahoe & Truckee service Tahoetruckeetransit.com
VISITOR SERVICES
TOWN OF TRUCKEE/CALIFORNIA
WELCOME CENTER 530.587.8808 truckee.com
INCLINE VILLAGE CRYSTAL BAY VISITORS BUREAU 775.832.1606 gotahoenorth.com
TAHOE CITY VISITORS CENTER 530.581.6900 gotahoenorth.com
TAHOE SOUTH VISITORS CENTER 775.588.4591 tahoesouth.com
Lake Tahoe Your Cozy Winter Escape
Ideal Destination? Found. Now let’s pick the perfect home base.
Natural Retreats’ collection of Lake Tahoe vacation rentals hug the mountains along the North Shore. Choose from ski-in/ski-out access, log cabins with adorable wood-burning stoves, or timber homes with expansive decks and lots of space to snuggle and enjoy the lake view.
Find a home as breathtaking as your surroundings. Travel Inspired. Travel Well. Travel On.
Scan the QR code to book your Lake Tahoe vacation rental. NaturalRetreats.com/NorthLakeTahoe
• Snowshoe Tours–Full Moon &
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Test Your Tahoe Knowledge
What are the superlatives of Tahoe in Winter?
1. The constant water temperature of Lake Tahoe at 700 foot depth is:
A) 35 degrees F
B) 39 degrees F
C) 42 degrees F
D) 44 degrees F
2. The average depth of Lake Tahoe is:
A) 830 feet
B) 910 feet
C) 1000 feet
D) 120 feet
3. Do any parts of Lake Tahoe freeze during cold winters?
4. What is the average annual snowfall in Tahoe’s mountains?
A) 15 feet
B) 21 feet
C) 25 feet
D) 30 feet
5. How many downhill ski resorts are there in the Tahoe region?
A) 9
B) 11
C) 12
D) 14
6. What is the oldest downhill ski resort in the Tahoe region?
A) Soda Springs
B) Granlibakken
C) Sky Tavern
D) Sugar Bowl
7. What Tahoe ski resort has four different base areas?
8. What Tahoe cross-country resort is North America’s largest?
A) Tahoe Donner
B) Royal Gorge
C) Tahoe Meadows
D) Kirkwood
For answers, turn to page 24.
Tahoe’s Greatest Winter Hits
Winter highlights and excursions
Olympic Valley/Village at Palisades Tahoe
This scenic mountain valley was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. The pedestrian base village has a unique variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and outdoor seating near firepits. Beautiful sightseeing rides are offered on the aerial tram. Weather permitting, nearby Everline Resort offers cross-country skiing and ice skating.
Heavenly Village/Stateline
Heavenly Village and four nearby casino towers at Stateline are a world-class nucleus of fun. Shops and dining spots line both sides of Highway 50, linked by wide sidewalks and open areas. Heavenly Village has ice skating and sightseeing rides on its aerial gondola, carrying passengers up to 9,123-foot elevation and spectacular views.
Tahoe City/Truckee River Outlet State Park
Tahoe City clears snow from a network of sidewalks and bike paths overlooking the lake, linking one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. Gatekeeper Museum and its Native American basket collection are part of Truckee River Outlet State Park, as is the dam that controls the top six feet of the lake.
Palisades Tahoe aerial tram, PHOTO: AMANALANG
PHOTO: SUNDRY PHOTOGRAPHY
Downtown Truckee/Donner Memorial State Park
Truckee’s charming, “Old West” downtown district is bisected by the Transcontinental Railroad and the Truckee River. The many historic buildings house a variety of quality restaurants, shops, galleries and brew pubs. Donner Memorial State Park is less than three miles to the west, its museum telling the stories of the infamous Donner Party and other Western pioneers.
Emerald Bay
Tahoe’s most photographed spot, Emerald Bay resembles a Norwegian fjord surrounded by steep mountainsides, dotted with an island topped by a stone tea house. Parking can be extremely limited in winter, however, and this section of Highway 89 will often be closed for multiple days after large snowstorms.
Virginia City
This 1860s silver boomtown was pivotal to helping the Union finance the Civil War. Its town center is well-preserved, with wooden boardwalks fronting shops and “watering holes.” The high-desert drive to and from the town completes the Old West journey.
Hope Valley/Kirkwood
The scenic drive on highways 89 and 88 to Kirkwood ski resort winds south from Lake Tahoe through Hope Valley and past Caples Lake. In wintery conditions, the journey is about an hour one-way. Hope Valley is popular with snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Highway 89 continues east from there toward the small historic town of Markleeville.
Mt. Rose Highway Viewpoint
A short drive above Incline Village on Nevada Highway 431 is a scenic pull-off with unobstructed views of the Lake Tahoe Basin, its parking spots usually cleared of snow. The highway heads north from there, traversing a 8,911 foot elevation pass and then winding down the mountainside to Reno.
Winter Fun Winter Fun
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
RESERVATIONS ENCOURAGED FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON Walk-up space is limited, especially on weekends/holidays
RESERVE ONLINE AT TCPUD.ORG/WINTER
Visit tcpud.org/winter for details on sessions, season passes, and reservations.
530.583.1516 | 251 NORTH LAKE BLVD.
Reservations
Where to Ski & Ride
Tahoe’s 14 downhill resorts offer a full variety of options.
Tahoe has the largest concentration of ski areas in America, including huge resorts that encompass multiple peaks served by dozens of super-efficient ski lifts. Each of Tahoe’s “Large” resorts listed below have enough terrain to satisfy advanced skiers and riders for multiple days. But they also have more expensive day passes and thousands of season passholders adding to lift lines on busy days.
Tahoe’s “Medium” resorts are large enough to be popular with many local skiers and riders, who tend to buy mid-week, non-holiday season passes and leave the slopes largely to day-pass visitors on weekends.
Young families and beginners may find Tahoe’s “Small” resorts just the right fit. These ski areas have few season pass holders and generally less-expensive day passes.
Large PALISADES TAHOE
42 Lifts—6,000 acres
A premier American winter resort and expert mecca, with multiple mountains of terrain. The nation’s third largest ski resort has two distinct base areas, Alpine and Palisades, connected by a 2.4-mile-long gondola. More than a dozen lifts head out from the Village at Palisades, and its restaurants, bars and shops. From either base area, four scenic valleys of trails, bowls and forests await your exploration, offering everything from epic expert steeps and big park jumps to excellent beginner terrain.
HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN
28 Lifts—4,800 acres
Huge winter resort with much to offer every ability.
Heavenly is a two-state experience, with 34 miles of wide intermediate trails and some of the most spectacular views in the ski world. The resort has four entry points; Heavenly Village gondola and California Main Lodge lifts are the two most commonly used. There are beginner runs atop both the gondola and California Main Lodge lifts. Heavenly boosts the West Coast’s largest snowmaking system and Tahoe’s highest summit elevation.
Mt. Rose chutes, PHOTO BY CHACO MOHLER
NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA
20 Lifts—3,170 acres
Quality grooming, high-end parks and services. Northstar offers excellent skiing with long, well-groomed trails and extensive snowmaking system. Experts have Lookout Mountain steeps and multiple terrain parks. The resort is convenient for those staying nearby, but drive-ins on busy days should expect remote parking and shuttle bus rides.
KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN
15 Lifts—2,300 acres
One of America’s deepest average snow-packs. Kirkwood is a big mountain with entertaining terrain for beginners-to-experts. The drive from South Lake Tahoe is a scenic, 40- to 60-minutes under most winter road conditions, which helps limit crowds during some busy periods. Kirkwood’s high base and summit elevations and location atop the Sierra Crest often give it Tahoe’s deepest natural snowpack.
SIERRA-AT-TAHOE
14 Lifts—2,000 acres
Varied, open terrain and excellent parks. Located just west of Echo Summit off Interstate 50, Sierra often has one of the region’s deepest snowpacks and is a favorite of South Tahoe locals. The resort has bounced back from the devasting 2021 Caldor Fire, with its western runs now a wide-open bowl. Sierra has a strong variety of park terrain and a half pipe where Olympic champs train. There are also fun lower-intermediate trails and accessible beginner runs.
SUGAR BOWL
13 Lifts—1,650 acres
Scenic trails for all abilities, deep average snow pack. Located on the Sierra Crest only 10-minutes from Interstate 80, Sugar Bowl often boosts excellent snow conditions. The resort’s 3 peaks are connected by fun trails, particularly for intermediate to advanced abilities. Excellent beginner terrain is located next to Judah base lodge.
Medium
MT. ROSE
8 Lifts—1,200 acres
Diverse variety of terrain and high elevation. Mt. Rose is a quick, 25- to 30-minute drive from Reno, making it a popular season pass for the city’s many avid skiers and snowboarders. The resort’s high elevation can give it some of Tahoe’s best ski conditions, or leave its top runs exposed to high winds. The “Chutes” are seriously steep expert runs. The resort has added a new lift and trail to its extensive beginner terrain.
HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN
8 Lifts—2,010 acres
Incredible views and relaxed atmosphere. Located on Highway 89 on Tahoe’s West Shore, the resort’s lower elevation can often protect its runs from storm winds. It becomes a liability, however, during warmer winters. The upper mountain has marvelous tree skiing and spectacular lake views. The resort is re-opening this season after a oneyear closure.
DIAMOND PEAK
7 Lifts—655 acres
Family-oriented, impressive views, advanced terrain. Incline Village’s community ski resort features some of Tahoe’s greatest winter views. Beginner runs are conveniently located next to the parking lot. Intermediate to advanced skiers ride the Crystal Express lift to long trails and 360-degree panoramas. Diamond Peak also has extensive snowmaking capabilities. Small
DONNER SKI RANCH
8 Lifts—500 acres
Intermediate variety on the Sierra Crest.
A small resort with a surprising variety of intermediate trails, inexpensive lift pass, and convenient location near the summit of Old Highway 40, off Interstate 80.
BOREAL MOUNTAIN
8 Lifts—380 acres
Magnet for freestyle riders, with lights at night. Located directly off Interstate 80 on Donner Summit, Boreal delivers fun for freestyle snowboarders and skiers in several terrain parks and a half-pipe. Most of the slopes are lit at night and covered by snowmaking.
SODA SPRINGS
3 Lifts—200 acres
Beginner to lower intermediate ability. A short drive from Interstate 80, Soda Springs offers beginner and intermediate runs off its one peak.
TAHOE DONNER
4 Lifts—120 acres
Neighborhood hill, fun for young families. The ski hill for the Tahoe Donner development, located above Truckee. The resort caters to beginners.
GRANLIBAKKEN
2 Lifts—74 acres
Beginner and family spot.
This lodging property features an adjacent ski hill open to the public, located just south of Tahoe City.
(From left) Carving Diamond Peak, PHOTO BY RYAN SALM/COURTESY DIAMOND PEAK SKI RESORT; Quail Face at Ski Homewood, PHOTO BY CHACO MOHLER
Cross-Country Resorts
New equipment and technique have given this sport more speed and excitement.
ROYAL GORGE
140 km groomed
The nation’s largest cross-country resort.
TAHOE DONNER
100 km groomed
Large variety of advanced terrain and the West’s best XC lodge.
TAHOE XC
65 km groomed
Trails for all abilities, plus snowshoeing and dog trails.
KIRKWOOD
60 km groomed
High elevation location near the Sierra Crest.
NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA
39 km groomed
Trails start near the top of the gondola.
SMALLER TRAIL SYSTEMS
In South Tahoe, head to Lake Tahoe Community College or Camp Richardson; North Tahoe options include Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, North Tahoe Regional Park, Everline Resort, Granlibakken Resort, Sugar Pine Point State Park, and public land south of the summit of Nevada Highway 431.
Test Your Tahoe Knowledge Answers
From our quiz on page 13.
1. B) Tahoe’s water temperature at 700 feet depth and below is a constant 39 degrees F.
2. C) The lake’s average depth is 1000 feet (U.C. Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center).
3. Yes, during unusually cold weeks, Emerald Bay and shallows on the lakeshore freeze over. The majority of Lake Tahoe’s surface never freezes.
4. D) Donner Summit near Truckee receives 30 feet of snowfall annually (Central Sierra Snowlab).
5. D) There are 14 Tahoe downhill ski resorts.
6. B) Granlibakken, near Tahoe City, opened in 1927.
7. Heavenly Mountain Resort
8. B) Royal Gorge.
Nordic Skate Skiing, PHOTO BY JEREMY POLAND
More Outdoor Adventures
Not into skiing? Here are other ways to enjoy winter in Tahoe.
SNOWSHOEING
Snowshoes are widely available for rent at shops around the region. Lightweight and strong, they allow exploring of the largely level forests and meadows around Lake Tahoe. Poles are recommended for stability.
For more secure grip when climbing or descending gentle slopes, look for versions with larger metal “claws” below the balls of your feet. Only specialized mountaineering snowshoes are appropriate for climbing or descending steeper mountain slopes.
Snowshoeing areas include Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, Tahoe Meadows atop Highway 431, Camp Richardson and Sugar Pine Point State Park.
SNOWMOBILING
Go for a spin around a groomed circuit at snowmobile rental locations near Stateline or in Meyers in South Tahoe. Join tour operations at Zephyr Cove or at the summit of Highway 267 and travel to spectacular lake views. Snowmobile tours and rentals are offered at additional North Tahoe locations.
East Shore sunset, PHOTO BY MIKE EADINGTON
LAKE CRUISES
Weather permitting, M.S. Dixie II in Zephyr Cove departs weekly during winter months on round-trip voyages to Emerald Bay, with large interior seating areas. A few charter fishing boat captains take clients out on the lake on calmer winter days, with Tahoe’s famously large Mackinaw Trout still active in the depths. Fishing guides may not be taking advanced winter bookings, depending on seasonal conditions.
ICE SKATING
Outdoor skating rinks are usually open during the winter months at Heavenly Village, Edgewood Tahoe Resort, Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, Truckee River Regional Park, and the Village at Northstar. Indoor, South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena is an excellent facility with an NHL-sized rink; check www. tahoearena.com for an updated schedule.
SNOWPLAY
Snow-tubing hills with snow-play zones are found at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, Hansen’s Resort in South Lake Tahoe, and several ski resorts, including Boreal Mountain, Kirkwood, Palisades Tahoe and Granlibakken. Sledding and tubing spots on public land include: Kahle Park and Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Tahoe; North Tahoe Regional Park; Incline Village Snow Play Area; 64-Acres just south of Tahoe City; Sugar Pine Point State Park; Tahoe Meadows at the summit of NV Highway 431; and just west of the mid-town freeway off-ramp in Truckee. Be aware that sledding and snow-tubing outside organized areas carries risk of injury or worse from impact with trees, rocks and other sledders. You are responsible for the safety of yourself, family members and potentially others. Practice good sense and keep the day fun!
PHOTO: RIDOFRANZ
PHOTO: NADEZHDA1906
PHOTO: VAWILEY
PHOTO: GOLDENANGEL
The Region’s Diverse Towns
STATELINE/CITY OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
This bi-state community encompasses blocks to either side of 18 miles of highways 50 and 89, with the concentration of visitor attractions close to the state border: Heavenly Village and its ski gondola, and Harrah’s, Caesars Republic, Golden Nugget and Bally’s casinos. Sidewalks are usually cleared from the casinos to Heavenly Village and surrounding shopping, dining and lodging.
NORTH TAHOE
Small resort towns dot Lake Tahoe’s north and west shores. Gambling is legal in Incline Village and nearby casinos at the Nevada state border. Sidewalks are cleared in Kings Beach and Tahoe City, both towns with a variety of unique shops and restaurants, plus great lake views. Olympic Valley and Palisades Tahoe resort are approximately 7 miles from Tahoe City.
TRUCKEE
Truckee is an historically significant Old West frontier
RENO
Downtown Reno includes three well-known casinos interconnected as The Row, plus the Riverwalk District’s shops
PHOTO: CHRIS CASACELI
and dining. Reno’s Mid-Town is an eclectic shopping and dining destination. Other Reno casino/hotels include Atlantis, Grand Sierra and the Nugget. City attractions include the Nevada Museum of Art and National Auto Museum.
CARSON CITY/CARSON VALLEY
Carson City is the state capital and home to the Nevada State Museum and Nevada Railroad Museum. The wide Carson Valley has dramatic Western vistas and the towns Minden, Gardnerville and Genoa, Nevada’s oldest settlement.
VIRGINIA CITY
The site of the historic Comstock Lode silver strike, Virginia City thrived from 1860 to 1875. Now the well-preserved downtown of shops, restaurants, saloons and churches, connected by wooden walkways, give visitors a wonderful look into the Old West.
Bad Weather Options
MUSEUMS
There are a wide variety of museums in the Tahoe region and in neighboring Reno and Carson City. Discover the region’s history at Donner Emigrant Trail Museum near Truckee, Gatekeepers Museum in Tahoe City, and Lake Tahoe Historical Museum in South Lake Tahoe.
For a unique and entertaining look at the Lake Tahoe environment, visit the interactive Tahoe Science Center on the first floor of University of California Davis’ Tahoe Environmental Research Center in Incline Village. Exhibits include entertaining 3-D movies. Tours are available Tuesday through Friday by reservation only.
“Down mountain” in Carson City find both the Nevada Museum and Nevada Railroad Museum. Historic Virginia City, Nevada has numerous museums and attractions. For
exciting art and design, head to Reno and the Nevada Museum of Art and National Auto Museum.
SHOPPING
Boutiques, art galleries, gift and souvenirs shops can be found in many Tahoe communities. For sidewalks kept clear of snow leading to multiple shops, and with convenient parking, head to Heavenly Village/Stateline, Tahoe City, Incline Center, or Kings Beach. Downtown Truckee has a fun selection of unique shops in its historic buildings.
MORE INDOOR FUN
Movie theatres with daily showings can be found in South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Tahoe City and Northstar California. Casinos at Stateline and Crystal Bay, Nevada, have free entertainment and arcade games, as well as 24-hour gambling. Public libraries are open with limited hours in South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Tahoe City and Truckee.
“Lake Tahoe’s Premier Photographic Gallery”
The Eadington‘s High Mountain Imagery production studio and digital imaging is relocating to Kings Beach, CA.
Offering artist services, giclees, sign printing, custom printing and many other services. Come by and meet the makers! Exciting
