Winter Vacation in Lake Tahoe | Best Things to Do
A few months ago I spent my winter vacation in Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is an impressive destination for world-class ski resorts and slopes. There are many resorts in Lake Tahoe where you can enjoy skiing. For example, Northstar California Resort, Palisades Tahoe Resort, and Heavenly Ski Resort are the most famous resorts in Lake Tahoe.
Also, you can explore Eagle Falls, Fannette Island, and Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay. Plus you can learn about local history in a museum. I have described about 10 affordable winter vacations in the USA a few days ago and in this article, I’ll explain my winter vacation in Lake Tahoe.
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ToggleSnowshoeing Chickadee Ridge
No one can’t ignore snowshoeing in his winter vacation activity and this is my favorite destination in Lake Tahoe for snowshoe. This is going snowshoe track starting at Tahoe Meadows just north of Incline Village.
The distance is about 2 miles to reach the ridge and you will see a stunning view of Lake Tahoe. Also there you will see lots of Pine trees which look magical covered in snow. This is also a home to Tahoe’s friendly chickadee birds.
Snow Tubing
You will find some places around Lake Tahoe where you can pay an admission to snow tube down. I enjoyed my snow tubing on the free Hills. You will find free sledding hills on Emerald Bay off Highway 89 and Fallen Leaf Lake Road here.
I’d prefer to buy a Snow Tube and other accessories. Otherwise, you have to pay the rental cost. The good matter is that you can use them for any next winter vacation destination.
Explore Scenic Tram Ride
My favorite place to take an aerial scenic tram ride is Palisades Tahoe. The scenic tram ride duration in Palisades is 10 minutes. The 10-minute ride takes you 8000 feet above sea level and you will enjoy fascinating views of the mountains.
When I reached the top and exited the tram, I walked out on the panoramic sun deck. I didn’t miss taking some pictures and videos for my Instagram reals. Don’t miss to grab a drink at the Alpine bar.
Ice Skating at Heavenly Village
If you are not into skiing, Lake Tahoe will be one of the best alternatives. If you go during the week you might have the rink all to yourself. This rink is small but festive. There you will find bars, shops, and restaurants.
Snowshoeing at Donner Memorial State Park
I recently enjoyed snowshoeing at Donner Memorial State Park; the experience was magical. So, I don’t want to miss snowshoeing at Donner Memorial State Park on my list of winter vacations in Lake Hahoe. There you will explore the flat and easily accessible three-mile Trail Loops. The whole park is incredibly scenic.
I’ve witnessed the big snowstorm which created some of the most magical Winter Wonderland conditions. I’ve explored Towering, Snow-covered Pine trees that covered both sides of the trail.
Donner Summit
This Charming town of Truckee is about a 20-minute drive from North Lake Tahoe. One of the great things to do while visiting Truckee is to drive up Donner Pass to Donner Summit. The view was spectacular from the spot.
Enjoy the Donner Lake and Truckee views, especially when covered in snow. Once you have enjoyed the panoramic views, you return and grab a bite in the historic downtown Truckee.
Emerald Bay State Park
If you ask any tourist who has visited Lake Tahoe what is the most touristy location in Lake Tahoe. Then definitely he will tell you about Emerald Bay State Park. This is one of the most beautiful parks in the USA.
One of my favorite times to explore Emerald Bay is in the winter. The snow makes this place an extra picture-perfect scene. I recommended you hike and snowshoeing down the Vikings home trail to the bottom of Emerald Bay State Park.
At the bottom of the park, I explored Lower Eagle Falls. Also, I explored the Bay Pier and the Vikings Home Castle.
Brewery Hopping
After a whole day on the slopes, I visited the Brewery Hopping. This place is famous for grabbing beer and some appetizers. Most of the bars around Tahoe have an outdoor seating area with firefights. Also, you will see their heating lamps making for a cozy experience.
Sunset Hike to Monkey Rock
A sunset hike to the Monkey Rock is a must-do in Lake Tahoe. This place is known for producing brilliant sunsets. There I enjoyed a beautiful sunset on a hike that ended with a stunning view.
Monkey Rock is one of my favorite Sunset in Lake Tahoe. The trail to Monkey Rock is 2.6 miles out and back. So I started hiking in the afternoon to enjoy the beauty of the sunset.
Scenic Gondola Ride At Heavenly
If you don’t snowboard or skier but want to enjoy those heavenly views, you can enjoy the scenic gondola ride to the top of Heavenly Mountain. The adult ticket for the Gondola ride is $96. I think the price is a little bit high. Once I reached the top, I enjoyed the jaw-dropping views from the wraparound observation deck.
Snowmobiling During Winter Vacation in Lake Tahoe
Snowmobiling in Lake Tahoe is an exciting way to enjoy the snowy scenery. If you want to explore Lake Tahoe’s backcountry or ride up stunning winter views, there are many snowmobiling tour operators in the Lake Tahoe area.
Skiing or Snowboarding
The last one is skiing or snowboarding at one of Tahoe’s best mountain resorts. During winter Lake Tahoe is a premier destination. Here are some top-rated ski resorts in Lake Tahoe:
Kirkwood
Sierra at Tahoe
Sugar Boul
Heavenly
Boreal Mountain
Northstar
Palisades Tahoe
I hope you enjoyed my winter vacation in Lake Tahoe and found this article helpful. Join our newsletter community for updated travel news, accessories discounts, etc. If you have any travel stories, you can share them with us by emailing us.