US Travel Guide - Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Entertainment

CHILL-OUT

The world-class ski areas at the lake are famous for massive amounts of snow, expertly groomed runs and a long season. Boreal Ski Resort is usually the first to open, sometimes as early as Halloween. Their state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment combine with the cold temperatures to get a head-start on the ski season. During years of high snowfall, the winter activities can last until the 4th of July! Alpine Meadows gives the novice skier a great place to prefect their abilities, as well as advanced slopes. Diamond Peak always provides fun for the entire family with activities for all ages to enjoy. Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe enjoys the highest base elevation in the area at more than 8,200 feet. Northstar-at-Tahoe calls itself the 'Mountain of Fun? especially for speed demons. Squaw Valley is perhaps best known for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics, and it remains a premier venue for all winter sports. Heavenly Ski Resort is aptly named with exquisite views of the lake and 4,800 skiable acres. Kirkwood is an isolated area in a canyon surrounded by high peaks and often has the deepest snow in the United States. Cross-country devotees will find Royal Gorge one of the best destinations in North America with more than 9,000 acres of snow-covered terrain. Granlibakken Ski Resort offers free cross-country skiing on non-maintained trails with a fabulous view of the lake. Snowboard activities can be found at most resorts with Sugarbowl being a favorite.

DIVOT DELIGHTS

The area surrounding the lake is dotted with golf courses suitable for novice and expert alike, with the season starting usually in May and going through October. The Incline Village Golf Resort features two challenging playing areas. The Championship Course designed by noted Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and the Mountain Course created by the talented Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Northstar-at-Tahoe offers ball-hungry fairways along with spectacular scenery. Resort at Squaw Creek is home to another creation by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and filled with natural hazards. The Old Brockway Golf Club is an old standby built in 1924 and host to the first Bing Crosby Tournament. Frank Sinatra and 'Rat Pack? buddies once enjoyed cavorting on the greens while trying to maintain par. Perhaps the premier golf destination at the lake is Edgewood Tahoe, rated as one of the 'Top 25 in the Country? by Golf Digest. One look, and you'll know why. A George Fazio creation, it is home to the American Century Golf Championship held annually in July.

WILDERNESS, WILDLIFE AND WATER

Hikers and backpackers will take delight in the Desolation Wilderness area encompassing 100 square miles with majestic peaks, alpine lakes and miles of backcountry. The Tahoe Rim Trail, created by the toil of volunteers, completely circles the lake. For more than 150-miles, the trail follows along ridge-tops that go as high as 9,400 feet in elevation. Mountain goats, deer, elk and big-horn sheep will probably be your companions along the trails. Bear and mountain lions also call this area home, as well as wild birds galore, rabbits and squirrels. The angler can find well over 400 fishing areas within an hour of Lake Tahoe, which in itself provides the ultimate experience with seven species of game fish in the deep, cold waters. Prized Mackinaw trout, Chinook and Kokanee salmon are the favored catch of the day. Tahoe never freezes so fishing can be enjoyed year-round on all parts of the lake with either a California or Nevada fishing license. The Truckee River, the only outlet of the lake, also provides bountiful angling all the way to Pyramid Lake, famous for the Lahonton Cutthroat. Fanny Bridge Rafting and Truckee River Rafting allow you a unique and close-up view of the river. If you have an attitude for altitude, there are several great ways to get a birds-eye view of the spectacular scenery at the lake. Balloons Over Tahoe and Para-Sail Tahoe each give a serene, yet exciting, way to see everything. If you're not that adventurous, try the Heavenly Aerial Tram. Borges Carriage Rides will show you the area and keep you close to terra firma.

FAMILIAR HANGOUTS AND GAMES OF CHANCE

Little Joe and Hoss hung out at the Ponderosa Ranch while filming the series, Bonanza. You can step back in time when you visit this fun place for the whole family. Zephyr Cove has long been known as a recreation venue for all ages, as well as the home of the M.S. Dixie II. The paddlewheeler will take you on an unforgettable cruise of the lake to Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle. Hornblower Cruises provides an equally enjoyable tour on the Tahoe Queen leaving from Marina Village. A fun event hosted every Labor Day is the Lake Tahoe Great Sternwheeler Race when the two vessels try to outdo one another. Hollywood buffs are certainly familiar with the Cal-Neva Resort. Nostalgia hangs thick as one reminisces about Sinatra and the 'Rat Pack', JFK, Marilyn, and the mob. The place is as popular as ever with top entertainment and first-class casino action. Harveys Casino, along with Harrahs Resort were among the first places to offer gaming at the lake and are still going strong as tourist destinations. Caesars and the Hyatt Regency always feature top entertainment, as well as fabulous gaming of all genres. Kids Camp at Harveys and Camp Hyatt offer children a vacation of their very own while the adults do their thing at the tables. Another place for kids to enjoy is Mountain Buddy Club at Squaw Valley. Action fanatics will love the Tahoe Extreme Sports Camp.

SHAKESPEARE ON THE SHORE

Culturally active, the lake area offers many annual special events that have become extremely popular throughout the years. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is a month-long presentation of the Bards greatest plays. An amazing outdoor stage hosts classical actors with beautiful Sand Harbor in the background. The Summer Music Festival begins in July and is hosted at different venues around the lake until Labor Day. The outdoor concerts are composed of Broadway, pops, jazz and classical music. Another summer-long event is the Valhalla Arts and Music Festival beginning in June and running through September. The Valhalla Renaissance Faire held at Camp Richardson in June is super entertaining for the youngsters. The Tahoe International Film Festival is an annual gala hosted at various venues including the Cal-Neva and Squaw Valley Resorts. History buffs will enjoy touring the Watson Cabin Museum, the Ehrman Mansion and the Tallac Historic Site.

Linda Carpenter