Touring Tahoe’s Alps

the outdoors | recreation | events | mountain life

BY KAYLA ANDERSON

On the way back to the staging area with the Carson River running next to us. | Kayla Anderson TOP RIGHT: Kayla Anderson on a snowmobile. | Courtesy Paul Wright BOTTOM LEFT: Selfie with Paul Wright and Kayla Anderson. | Courtesy Paul Wright

It was a snowy, wintry morning and for the first time in more than a month, the Tahoe Sierra was cloaked in snow. As quiet flurries continued to come down, a handful of people filtered into the Lake Tahoe Adventures headquarters to sign up for a snowmobile tour in Hope Valley. We all were fitted for helmets and borrowed or rented any warm gear we needed before boarding a tour bus to take us out to the Hope Valley Recreation Area. Lake Tahoe Adventures manages snowmobile tours out of two locations, one at Zephyr Cove Resort in Stateline, Nev., and one that meets in South Lake Tahoe that shuttles guests to Hope Valley. Between the two locations, Lake Tahoe Adventures has a fleet of more than 100 snowmobiles and runs several tours per day. Complimentary shuttle service is available from several locations for its guests. Last season, Lake Tahoe Adventures was running six tours a day out of Hope Valley and every one of them was sold out. Even though the tours were running at 50 percent capacity because of the pandemic, it was clear that they were in high demand. On this cold mid-February day, 20 people boarded the bus to head out to Hope Valley. About 95 percent of them were couples on their Tahoe vacation. Everyone was cozy and quiet in the

bus as we made our way out to Blue Lakes Road that was seemingly in its own little winter snowstorm; the surrounding terrain was blanketed in white. A half-hour later, we filed out of the bus and stood in front of 30 to 40 snowmobiles. From here we broke off into groups and I met my tour guide, Paul once the snow melts. Hope Valley Campground near Upper Blue Lake does seem like a good place to take a staycation. “You can fish, paddleboard, it’s a nice little escape for us locals,” Wright said. As we followed Carson River, he pointed out where the Pacific Crest Trail passes through, and we stopped to make vertical snow angels in a good-sized snowbank. It snowed the whole time and riding through fresh powder was amazing. Wright said that on clear days, the majestic mountain range that surrounds Hope Valley is reminiscent of European Alps, unlike anything else you’ll see in Tahoe. Two hours later, we were back at the snowmobiling staging area and I was surprised to learn that we had traversed 20 miles. The whole experience seemed surreal, getting the amazing opportunity to take in Hope Valley via snowmobile. I couldn’t stop my ear-to-ear smile throughout the entire ride — even if it meant eating a snowflake or two. | laketahoeadventures.com n

Wright. He’s lived in South Lake Tahoe for seven years and has been a guide with Lake Tahoe Adventures for at least four of them. Together we ripped along the flat and broad two-lane Blue Lakes Road, snowed over and closed to cars in the winter. We went through trees, climbed a small mountain and through a meadow where a scene in the movie “Die Hard 2” was filmed. Wright pointed out a mountain that looked like the Matterhorn. We rode 5 miles to Benny’s Cabins, named after the original landowner who eventually sold the land to the U.S. Forest Service. The cabins were featured in the movie “Misery.” It’s still a working ranch in the summer and deer/steer crossing signs marked the roadway. Riding a snowmobile with heated throttle grips through this pristine landscape on a snowy day with a great guide was an adrenaline rush in itself, but there’s so much more to take in. Wright pointed out Lower Blue Lake, his favorite summer camping spots and miles of dirt roads by Tamarack Lake where he likes to take his motorcycle

Courtesy USFS

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is again offering its Ski with a Ranger program at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Tours depart from Tamarack Lodge at the top of the Heavenly Gondola every Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The tours last about one hour and will be offered through April 15, weather permitting. Participants must be at least intermediate level skiers/boarders and provide their own lift ticket. No reservations are required. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis and group size is limited to 12.

Tours are led by Forest Service staff and volunteers to help educate the public about conservation and promote environmental literacy and stewardship.

Participants are required to wear masks when social distancing is not possible. | fs.usda.gov

Truckee Tahoe AirShow & Family Festival

Incline Village Championship Course recently received three prestigious rankings on golfpass.com’s Golfers’ Choice 2022 lists. More than 320,000 golfers submitted feedback to rank the Top 50 out of more than 3,000 public courses in the country and the Championship Course ranked No. 17. In addition to the overall ranking, golfers assessed the courses in several subcategories including conditions and layout. Incline Village Championship Course ranked No. 2 for conditions and No. 3 for layout. | yourtahoeplace.com

Jake Pollock, Incline Village Championship Course

The Truckee Tahoe AirShow & Family Festival will be returning in July after the Truckee Tahoe Airport District approved the event’s return. The festival announced on its Facebook page that the event would return in July with a date to be announced soon. | Truckee Tahoe Airshow on Facebook

- Andrew R. (5-star review on Google)

Truckee Donner Land Trust

The California Wildlife Conservation Board recently voted to transfer 41 acres next to the 26-acre Truckee Springs parcel in downtown Truckee to Truckee Donner Land Trust to preserve as open space, according to the Trust.

Truckee Springs is now 67 acres, spanning from South River Street almost all the way to Highway 89. The new portion of the property has numerous river access points, riparian habitat, mixed conifer forest and a meadow.

Truckee Donner Land Trust is working to provide public access as soon as possible because there is no parking available on the property or on South River Street. | truckeedonnerlandtrust. org

A view of some of Olympic Valley’s peak. | Palisades Tahoe

The gondola will connect the two base areas: Alpine Meadows, background, and Olympic Valley, foreground. | Palisades Tahoe

The highly anticipated $65 million Base-to-Base Gondola at Palisades Tahoe will be completed for the 202223 winter season, Alterra Mountain Company announced in a press release on Feb. 28. The gondola will connect the two mountains of the resort – Alpine Meadows and Olympic Valley – for the first time, giving skiers and riders a new way to access a combined 6,000 acres of storied terrain.

The 16-minute gondola ride will take skiers and riders between the two base areas, The Village at Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Lodge, reducing road congestion in the region and making it easier to enjoy both mountains in a single day. It is the first gondola of its kind in North America, with four terminals connecting two base areas via a climb of nearly 2,000 vertical feet, offering panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada, according to the release. | palisadestahoe.com

Placer County Board of Supervisors has renamed three county roads that contained the word squaw. Squaw Valley Road was renamed Olympic Valley Road, Squaw Peak Road was renamed Shirley Canyon Road and Squaw Peak Way was renamed Marmot Way.

Placer County conducted a community survey to seek feedback on the name changes. A second phase of the road-renaming process will continue with name changes for three private county roads. The process to rename Squaw Valley Park is ongoing.

The former Squaw Valley Ski Area was renamed in September 2021 to Palisades Tahoe. Two chairlifts at the resort were also renamed.

The Washoe Tribe has said that its leading efforts to rename geographical points in Olympic Valley including Squaw Peak and Squaw Creek. Such changes must be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for consideration. | placer.ca.gov

• Keep dogs leashed • Pedestrians must yield to bikes • Don’t stop on the trail; move to the side • E-bikes allowed on most paths; check in advance • Cyclists call out when passing pedestrians • Limited service in winter. Pack out all trash, including dog waste bags.

Easy-moderate | 6 miles RT | tahoefund.org Runs along Lake Tahoe and connects to Hwy. 28 from south end of Incline Village, Nev., to Sand Harbor State Park. Parking near Ponderosa Ranch Road. Electric assist OK. Paid parking. TART

Easy | 7.4 miles RT | washoecounty.us Walking path runs along Hwy. 28 through Incline Village. Access to shopping and parks. Paved between both intersections of Southwood Blvd. Boot packed between east intersection of Southwood Blvd. and Country Club Drive. TART

Easy | 5 miles RT | washoecounty.us Runs along Lake Tahoe Boulevard and connects to Hwy. 28 at each end of Incline Village. Park at Preston Field on Hwy. 28. Electric assist OK. TART

Easy | 1.8 miles RT Starts on shore of Lake Tahoe at Tahoe Vista Recreation Area and continues up National Avenue past Grey Lane. Parking at Tahoe Vista Recreation Area. TART

Easy | 3 miles RT | northtahoeparks.com Located at North Tahoe Regional Park the trail connects to to Pinedrop Lane off Highway 267. Parking fee.

Easy-moderate | 8+ miles RT | tcpud.org First 2.5 miles mostly level with a half-mile climb up Dollar Hill. Cross Highway 28 to access 2.2-mile section to Fulton Crescent above Carnelian Bay. Public parking at 64 Acres, Commons Beach, Jackpine and Grove Street. Electric assist OK. Section from Dollar Hill to Fulton Crescent boot-packed only. TART

Easy | 9+ miles RT | tcpud.org 4.5 miles from the Tahoe City wye to Alpine Meadows Road, with trails continuing to Olympic Valley. The trail is scenic, separate from the highway, and is mostly fl at terrain with a few short, gentle grades with trout fi shing, river rafting and picnicking along the way. Connects with Squaw Valley Road or continue to Truckee. Public parking at 64 Acres and Squaw Valley Park at Squaw Valley Road. Electric assist OK. TART

Moderate | 25+ miles RT | tcpud.org Mostly separate from the highway, the trail includes a few miles of highway shoulder and residential streets. Terrain is varied with a few steep sections. Access to picnicking, beaches and playgrounds. Public parking at 64 Acres. Electric assist OK. TART

Easy | 4 miles RT | tcpud.org A 2-mile trail runs beside Squaw Valley Road to the ski area from the Squaw Valley condos to Victoria Road, with views of the meadow and surrounding peaks. Public parking at Squaw Valley Park or Village at Squaw. Electric assist OK. TART

Easy | 3.2 miles RT Connections Lake Tahoe Boulevard (Highway 50) and Pioneer Trail with access to Lake Tahoe Community College.

Easy | 6 miles RT The trail parallels State Route 89 (Emerald Bay Road) for more than 3 miles, offering access to a number of local historic and recreational amenities. Limited parking.

Easy | 7 miles RT Section cleared along Sawmill Road starting at Lake Tahoe Boulevard then connects to run along Highway 89 to Meyers ending at Luther Pass Road.

Easy | 1.2 miles RT Connects from Lake Tahoe Boulevard to Barbara Ave.

Easy | 1.2 miles RT Connects from Lake Tahoe Boulevard to Pioneer Trail.

Easy | 7 miles RT | cityofslt.us Follow the bike trail along South Shore, with sections along Lakeview Commons, Reagan Beach and playgrounds. Public parking at Parks and Recreation lot on Rufus Allen Boulevard.

Easy | 5.4 miles RT Runs through the heart of the town of Truckee from the west end to historic downtown Truckee.

Easy | 1.8 miles RT Runs along Highway 89 connecting Donner Pass Road to the Mousehole.

Easy | 1.2 miles RT Connects from Soaring Way and runs along Joeger Drive to River View Sports Park.

Easy | 2 miles RT Runs from Stevens Lane along Donner Pass Road, turns down Rue Ivy to connect to Alder Drive. Park at U.S. Forest Service offi ce on Stevens Lane.

Moderate | 3 miles RT Wooded path from Trout Creek Park (paid parking) in downtown Truckee to Northwoods Blvd. (parking free).

Easy | 10 miles RT | tdrpd.org Stretches from downtown Truckee to Truckee River Regional Park, River View Sports Park and Glenshire. Park at either park or East River Street. Electric assist OK. TART

Find more Family Friendly activities at TheTahoeWeekly.com

(888) 769-1924 | edgewoodtahoe.com Open air rink. Rentals available.

(530) 542-4230 | theshopsatheavenly.com Open air rink. South Tahoe

(530) 562-1010 | northstarcalifornia.com Open air rink. Free access. TART INCLINE VILLAGE NORTH SHORE Snow Play Area on Fairway Blvd., next to the Chateau, on the driving range. Bring equipment.

KAHLE PARK SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (775) 586-7271 | douglascountynv.gov Off Highway 207. Bring equipment. South Tahoe

KINGVALE RESORT TRUCKEE (530) 427-5090 | kingvaleresort.com Snow park open Friday-Monday. Bring sleds. Plastic sleds available to buy. Tubes not allowed. Parking & snow park fee, cash only.

(530) 542-6262 | cityofslt.com Indoor facility open year-round. South Tahoe

(530) 583-1516 | wintersportspark.com Ice skating & rentals. Clubhouse. TART

(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com At Truckee River Regional Park. Skate rentals, broomball leagues, ice dancing & hockey lessons. Skate rentals & season passes available. TART

MEISS MEADOW HOPE VALLEY AREA (209) 295-4251 Highway 88 near Carson Pass. Bring equipment.*

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA TRUCKEE northstarcalifornia.com TART

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK NORTH SHORE (530) 546-0605 | northtahoeparks.com End of National Avenue off Hwy 28. Rentals not available this season. TART

PALISADES TAHOE OLYMPIC VALLEY (530) 452-4511 | palisadestahoe.com Tubing area. TART

ADVENTURE MOUNTAIN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (530) 659-7217 | adventuremountaintahoe.com On top of Echo Summit with machine-groomed sledding, tubing & snowplay. First-come, fi rst-served.

BLACKWOOD CANYON WEST SHORE (530) 543-2600 Snowplay area off Hwy. 89, 3 miles south of Tahoe City. Bring equipment.*

BOREAL MOUNTAIN TRUCKEE rideboreal.com Tubing open to everyone 42” and taller; smaller children are limited to snow play area only. Personal sleds not permitted. Night sessions available. Reserve online.

CARSON PASS HOPE VALLEY AREA (209) 295-4251 Highway 88 near Carson Pass. Bring equipment.*

DONNER SKI RANCH TRUCKEE donnerskiranch.com Tubing hills with moving carpet.

DONNER SUMMIT TRUCKEE (530) 587-3558 South side of I-80, Castle Peak exit. Bring equipment.*

ECHO LAKE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (530) 644-2324 Highway 50 at Echo Lake Road. Bring equipment.*

GRANLIBAKKEN WEST SHORE (530) 581-7533 | granlibakken.com Machine-groomed snow play area; no tubes or toboggans allowed. All ages. Reserve online.

HANSEN’S RESORT SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (530) 544-3361 | hansensresort.com 400-foot-long groomed tube run on Ski Run Blvd. Firstcome, fi rst-served.

HEAVENLY SOUTH LAKE TAHOE skiheavenly.com Tubing at top of gondola with four lanes.

HOMEWOOD ADVENTURE CENTER WEST SHORE (530) 525-2992 | skihomewood.com At Homewood Mountain Resort with Magic Carpet. Reserve online.

HOPE VALLEY HOPE VALLEY AREA (775) 882-2766 Highway 88 at Blue Lakes Road. Bring equipment.* SAWMILL POND SOUTH LAKE TAHOE On Lake Tahoe Blvd. Bring equipment. South Tahoe

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (530) 659-7453 | sierraattahoe.com Blizzard Mountain offers two lift-accessible snow tubing lanes, snow play and sledding area.

SODA SPRINGS TRUCKEE skisodasprings.com Mountain Adventure offers kids tubing carousel, all-age tubing, Snow Jeep rides, Start Park, snow play area and mini snowmobiles. Reserve online.

SPOONER LAKE EAST SHORE (775) 831-0494 State park open for snow play. Bring equipment. Parking fee.

SQUAW VALLEY PARK OLYMPIC VALLEY placer.ca.gov Free snowplay area. Free parking to access cleared walking paths in Olympic Valley to Tahoe City. Bring equipment. TART

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK NORTH SHORE (530) 583-1516 | wintersportspark.com Sledding & cross-country trails. Rentals available. Clubhouse. Reserve online. TART

TAHOE DONNER TRUCKEE (530) 587-9437 | tahoedonner.com At Trout Creek Recreation Center. No personal sleds. Reserve online.

TAHOE SNOWMOBILE TUBING SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (530) 542-3294 | tahoesnowmobiles.com Two locations at Tahoe Paradise & Stateline, Nev. Reserve online.

TAYLOR CREEK SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (530) 543-2600 Highway 89, north of Camp Richardson Road. Bring equipment.* South Tahoe

TUBETAHOE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (530) 600-2304 | tubetahoe.com 500 feet of machine-groomed tubing lanes in Meyers. Equipment provided. South Tahoe

YUBA PASS TRUCKEE (530) 994-3401 Highway 49 at Yuba Pass. Bring equipment.* Located in the Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City · SteveSchmiersJewelry.com · 530.583.5709

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING · SLEDDING SNOWSHOEING · ICE SKATING

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

FOR THE ‘21-22 SEASON

Limited walk-ups will be permitted, but not guaranteed.

RESERVE ONLINE AT TCPUD.ORG/WINTER LAST DAY  MARCH 13