Shimmering softly in myriad shades of blue and green, Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada state line, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the USA and also its second deepest with an average depth of 1000 ft. Driving around the lakeshore’s 72 miles would give you quite a workout behind the wheel, but also reward you with spellbinding scenery. Generally speaking, the north shore is quiet and upscale, the west shore rugged and old-timey, the east shore undeveloped, and the south shore busy with casinos.
The sun shines on Tahoe three out of four days in the year, making it ideal for outdoor pursuits of all stripes. Swimming, boating, kayaking, windsurfing and other water-based activities are all popular, as are hiking and camping among the horned peaks around the lake. Winter brings bundles of snow, perfect for hitting the slopes at more than a dozen ski resorts.
Just outside the charming lakeside town of Tahoe City, few ski hounds can resist the siren call of the mega-sized, world-class, see-and-be-seen resort, Squaw Valley - nicknamed Squawlywood - that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Hardcore skiers thrill to white-knuckle cornices, chutes and bowls, while beginners can practice their turns in a separate area on the upper mountain. Northstar at Tahoe is one of the finest year-round mountain resorts in North America. Northstar-at-TahoeTM Resort is host to a new base area village featuring 35 unique shops and restaurants , a conference center, 9,000 square foot skating rink, on-site lodging, special events and more. A winter sport enthusiast's paradise, Northstar® Resort offers 89 ski trails spread across 2,904 acres, award-winning terrain parks and snow sports including alpine and Telemark skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. Summer activities include mountain biking, golfing, scenic lift rides for sightseeing and hiking, fly-fishing and more. And of course with the opening of the all new Ritz Carlton The Highlands, the destination has just up'd the anty on down to earth luxury experiences.
Close to Tahoe City too is Alpine Meadows, a no-nonsense resort with an open-boundary policy making it the most backcountry-friendly around. Boarders can jib down the mountain in a terrain park designed by Eric Rosenwald. Also look for the adorable - and supersmart - ski patrol dogs.
And again close to Tahoe city is the charm of Homewood, proving bigger isn’t always better. Locals and in-the-know visitors cherish the awesome lake views, laid-back ambience, smaller crowds, tree-lined slopes and open bowls (including the excellent but expert ‘Quail Face’). Families love the wide, gentle slopes and free kids’ tickets. This is also the best place to ski during stormy weather.
Cradled by mountains and the Tahoe National Forest, Truckee is a thriving town steeped in Old West history. It was put on the map by the railroad, grew rich on logging and ice harvesting, and even had its brush with Hollywood during the 1924 filming of Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush. Today tourism fills much of the city’s coffers, thanks to a well-preserved historical downtown and its proximity to Lake Tahoe’s north shores and world-class ski resorts.
West of Truckee, 3-mile-long Donner Lake is a busy recreational hub. The Donner Party camped nearby during the fateful winter of 1846. Donner Summit, further west, has six downhill and cross-country ski resorts.
With dozens of hotels, eateries and malls lining busy Hwy 50, South Lake Tahoe projects an urban vibe with the liveliest nightlife on the lake, as well as gambling in Stateline, just across the Nevada border, and world-class skiing at Heavenly.
