Complete Guide to a South Lake Tahoe Winter Vacation (2024)
If you are looking for a cold weather getaway in the United States, a South Lake Tahoe winter vacation is for you.
Lake Tahoe is a large, beautiful freshwater lake on the border of California and Nevada. South Lake Tahoe is the largest town on the lake and straddles the California-Nevada border.
On the Nevada side, you’ll find large resorts and casinos (imagine a very mini, a bit outdated Las Vegas).
On the California side, enjoy an alpine village and beautiful resorts.
What makes South Lake Tahoe the perfect winter vacation is the snowy landscape and Heavenly Mountain Resort that overlooks the lake.
I recently took a South Lake Tahoe winter vacation to enjoy skiing and celebrate Valentines day. The vacation was full of relaxation, breathtaking views, and great skiing.
Read the below guide to a South Lake Tahoe winter vacation to begin planning your trip.
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The Best Things to Do in South Lake Tahoe in the Winter
As mentioned above, South Lake Tahoe is a great winter destination in the United States. There are many cold-weather activities in and around the town.
Some of the best things to do include visiting the many amazing ski resorts or snowmobiling. If you want to escape the cold, you can also visit a casino or take a scenic drive.
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✅ Dozens of runs for all skill levels
✅ Lake views from the ski runs
1. Skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort
The most popular activity and most common reason to visit South Lake Tahoe in the winter is Heavenly Mountain Resort.
This large ski resort straddles the California and Nevada border. Its target audience is families and intermediate skiers. The mountain has many blue level runs, many of which are groomed.
To ski at Heavenly Mountain Resort, select one of the four bases as a starting point. The Heavenly village base is the most convenient and most popular.
For less crowds, utilize either of the Nevada bases. For expert skiers and black runs, stick to the secondary California base.
Once on the mountain, follow the connected trails and comprehensive lift system to explore the mountain. Enjoy the lake views, quality snow and spacious runs.
While skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort is a must on your South Lake Tahoe winter vacation, the below activities are well-worth your time as well.
2. Helicopter Tour Over the Lake
My favorite thing about winter in South Lake Tahoe is the incredible natural beauty. Between the white snowy mountains and sparking blue lake, it’s hard to beat it.
This helicopter tour is a super unique and memorable way to see the lake. The tour starts at the South Lake Tahoe Airport, then flies over the lake, mountains, and past multiple waterfalls.
If you’ve never taken a helicopter tour before, I highly recommend trying it out here!
3. Snowshoeing Tour
If you aren’t a skier, one of the best South Lake Tahoe winter activities is snowshoeing. It’s a great way to explore the snowy climate and get some light exercise.
This tour includes all of the required snowshoeing equipment and a safety lesson. Then, you will set out on a guided tour will a local professional.
They will assist you in seeing the best areas safely. The guides will also point out the best spots for photography and will help capture photos.
4. Snowmobiling in Lake Tahoe
To do South Lake Tahoe winter right, be sure to enjoy the snow- either from the slopes or snowmobile. Or both! If you want to enjoy the beautiful mountains and are not a skier, snowmobiling is for you.
Many local outfitters have snowmobiling tours. Most tours will include a safety briefing, short instructions, then a ride through the forest and around the mountain.
5. Drive Around Lake Tahoe
The drive around Lake Tahoe is considered one of the most beautiful drives in the United States. Starting in South Lake Tahoe, follow the collection of freeways around the coast and through the mountains.
Be sure to monitor road conditions since South Lake Tahoe winter can be quite snowy and icy, and closures are common. Plan to spend a full day on the road to visit the below stops.
King’s Beach- Stop at this north Lake Tahoe beach town for lunch or to soak in gorgeous views of the lake.
Northstar Mountain Resort- This ultra-lux mountain resort is centered around the Ritz Carlton. Enjoy lunch at the Ritz or in Northstar village.
Truckee- Historic Truckee is full of small-town charm from the refurbished buildings to the local shops and restaurants. Be sure to spend a couple hours walking the street of this town and supporting local businesses.
Squaw Mountain- Squaw valley ski area is the location of the 1960 winter Olympics and one of the main Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Check out the Olympic rings and still-lit torch for a piece of history.
6. Visit a Casino
Since South Lake Tahoe partially resides in Nevada, casinos are legal and highly active. Across Stateline, spend an afternoon checking out the casinos at Harrah’s or Harveys.
If you are not a fan of gambling (like me), walk through the casinos for a taste of the Nevada culture and to escape the wintery cold.
Where to Stay in South Lake Tahoe
Though South Lake Tahoe is small, there are many accommodation options. The below options are perfect for travelers that appreciate extra space, exceptional service, lake views and luxurious finishes.
Marriott Grand Residence Club
The Marriott Grand Residence Club is in the middle of Heavenly village, steps from the gondola. The one-three bedroom units have quality finishes, cozy fireplaces, and an unbeatable location.
The resort also has a full-service spa, fitness center and outdoor heated pool.
Edgewood Tahoe Resort
Located on the water, the Edgewood Tahoe Resort is great for lake views, luxury rooms and privacy. The resort includes a private sand beach, golf course, spa and three restaurants.
The restaurants at the Edgewood are commonly rated the highest in the area.
Vacation Rental in South Lake Tahoe
As always, a vacation rental is a great option for larger groups. There are many luxury rentals in the area including village condos and lakefront homes.
On my recent trip, I stayed in the rental pictured above. The location and view cannot be beat.
Where to Eat in South Lake Tahoe
For me, restaurants and food are a huge part of travel. After a long day of skiing, a good dinner seems to taste even better. The below restaurants are a great choice during your winter vacation to Tahoe.
Riva Grill
Riva Grill is a beautiful lake-front restaurant near the Heavenly village. During the summer, you can enjoy a meal on their large deck. During the winter, cozy up inside next to the wall of windows and soak in the views.
Riva Grill has something on the menu for everyone from fish to burgers. Be sure to try one of their signature rum “woody” drinks as well.
Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen
The South Lake Tahoe location of Hell’s Kitchen is the little brother to the iconic Vegas location. Tucked in the Harvey’s resort casino, this restaurant has the glam of Vegas in the heart of Tahoe.
Enjoy Gordon Ramsey signature dishes such as beef wellington or risotto. Be sure to book your reservation at least a month ahead of time as this spot fills up quickly.
Edgewood Restaurant
The Edgewood restaurant is in the beautiful resort of the same name. The luxury dining room has a rustic cabin feel with large picture windows facing the lake.
This restaurant serves contemporary-American cuisine such as seared scallops, prime steak, and duck breast. Enjoy the Edgewood restaurant for a special occasion or date night during your vacation.
Getting to South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is located on the Nevada-California border. To get there, fly into the Reno or Sacramento airport.
From Reno, drive 1 hour or from Sacramento, drive 3. Be sure to rent a vehicle with four-wheel drive as the mountain passes get snowy and icy during the winter months.
From the Bay area or downtown San Francisco, Lake Tahoe is a simple drive. To north lake, drive approximately 3 hours. To south lake, drive around 4 hours.
As mentioned above, be sure to monitor road conditions.
Packing for a South Lake Tahoe Winter Trip
For a South Lake Winter Trip, plan to pack comfortable layers and warm clothing. Layering clothes are useful for managing the different temperatures.
The village is usually 30-40 degrees in the winter and the mountain can get much colder. The below items are good staples to pack to ensure you will stay warm throughout the vacation.
Warm winter coat– A winter coat will be great for walking the village, doing the above-mentioned activities, or even skiing. I recommend this coat for day use and this one if you will use it to ski.
Layering options– As mentioned above, layers will be your friend in a South Lake Tahoe winter. Pack a base layer, warm fleece, and a light shell.
Winter boots– The trick to staying warm is keeping your feet warm and dry. I recommend this pair or this pair to be both functional and fashionable.
Check out my guide to packing for a ski trip for more outfit ideas.
Summary of What to Do in South Lake Tahoe Winter
To plan the perfect South Lake Tahoe Winter vacation, follow the above tips and prioritize the activities that bring you the most joy.
For me, the perfect balance was spending most days skiing and one day exploring the rest of the lake. Balance outdoor adventure with the luxurious restaurants and hotels the area has to offer.
Related Posts:
- Skiing In South Lake Tahoe: Guide To Heavenly Mountain Resort
- Guide To Visiting Steamboat Springs In Winter: Skiing And Other Fun Things To Do
- Quick Guide To A Weekend In San Diego – What To Do And See In Two Days
- Guide To Napa In October – What To Do In Napa Valley In Fall
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