Lake Tahoe / Heavenly

[HiggyBaby 2529]

Considering for spring break skiing. Never been to the area. Where should I be looking? Any specific resorts that provide a ski in / ski out experience? Anything else to look at?

[UnivTex34 1763]

I’d also take any other recs for things to do not involving skiing. Taking the pregnant wife for a long weekend end of Feb. Food recs also great.

 

sorry for the hijack...

[HiggyBaby 2529]

All good. The Mrs doesn’t ski so the more info the better .

[troph 24810]

We went years ago. Can’t speak to the slopes I’m not an expert skier but it was icy and not fun. Gamble, and snowmobiles were our other primary activities.

[Scooter Monzingo 821]

I loved the place. it Is difficult to take a bad photograph there.

[Buzzrock 14921]

Went a million years ago but that view of the lake from the top of Heavenly has stuck with me. Truly breathtaking.

I remember Squaw being steep.

And it’s an easy drive into the Nevada side for some gambling if that’s your thing.

[blacklab 11939]

We went last year for skiing and went up a few days during a trip to SF in the summer and are hopefully going back sometime this spring.

Yes, it can be icy, but it can snow 2 feet a night for a week straight and be some of the best skiing you've ever had. 

Wife and kids aren't big foodies so we stuck to fast food and the casino restaurants and buffets. Tons of airbnb's near the slopes or near the center of town.

If you want to walk out and ski I'd look for a place near stagecoach or boulder lodge. 

I always rent a 4x4 to get around as you never know when you might get dumped on and don't want to be stuck trying to get chains on.

Tons of shopping around the casinos on the california side. Gondola there that can take you up. Easy walk from the casinos or the cheaper hotels around that area. Ice skating and a full grocery store there as well. 

Let me know if you have specific questions, I lived there for a year a long time ago and know the area well.

We usually rent skis from Rock House  https://tahoediscountskis.com/ Really friendly and worked with us when the kids wanted to take a day off from skiing. 

Edited January 19, 2020 by blacklab

[LABEVO 928]

We just did Homewood and Sqaw. Did heavenly years ago which gets packed. South Tahoe has more amenities but prefer north Tahoe for skiing. 

Edited January 19, 2020 by LABEVO

[HiggyBaby 2529]

We went last year for skiing and went up a few days during a trip to SF in the summer and are hopefully going back sometime this spring.
Yes, it can be icy, but it can snow 2 feet a night for a week straight and be some of the best skiing you've ever had. 
Wife and kids aren't big foodies so we stuck to fast food and the casino restaurants and buffets. Tons of airbnb's near the slopes or near the center of town.
If you want to walk out and ski I'd look for a place near stagecoach or boulder lodge. 
I always rent a 4x4 to get around as you never know when you might get dumped on and don't want to be stuck trying to get chains on.
Tons of shopping around the casinos on the california side. Gondola there that can take you up. Easy walk from the casinos or the cheaper hotels around that area. Ice skating and a full grocery store there as well. 
Let me know if you have specific questions, I lived there for a year a long time ago and know the area well.
We usually rent skis from Rock House  https://tahoediscountskis.com/ Really friendly and worked with us when the kids wanted to take a day off from skiing. 

Thanks for the info. We ended up with an Airbnb in south Tahoe and plan to leverage the bus for ski access. Still plan to rent a 4x4 to get us from Reno and around town.

[shakahorn 1645]

57 minutes ago, HiggyBaby said:

 

 

Thanks for the info. We ended up with an Airbnb in south Tahoe and plan to leverage the bus for ski access. Still plan to rent a 4x4 to get us from Reno and around town.

 

 

If you do end up driving to the lift, go up from the Nevada side, Boulder or Stagecoach.  Way less hectic and you can still access the whole mountain.  Never had a problem parking in either lot.

Sonny Bono died up on that side, skiing through the trees.  So maybe try and stay out of the trees.

[blacklab 11939]

Heading up Feb 28-Mar 2.

 

[UnivTex34 1763]

1 minute ago, blacklab said:

Heading up Feb 28-Mar 2.

 

We are there the 27th to the 1st.

[blacklab 11939]

Cool. Hope you don't mind us dropping off the kids so my wife and I can have a nice quiet evening.

[UnivTex34 1763]

Just now, blacklab said:

Cool. Hope you don't mind us dropping off the kids so my wife and I can have a nice quiet evening.

Well, wife is knocked up with our first kiddo, so practice?

 

[blacklab 11939]

Mine are more on the "birth control" side of things. Once you've been around them a bit you'll hope you never have kids.

[UnivTex34 1763]

Welp, you have fun, we are a little late for that....

[Yev Kassem 1031]

Heading out July 7-13 for the American Century Championship with the wife and kiddo (5 yo). Anyone been before?  Planning on getting the weekly badge and doing one practice round and then one or two other competitive days.

Done a bit of research and have seen several options for other activities, but curious if anyone here has recs for stuff to do that time of year. 

Edited February 13, 2020 by Yev Kassem

[DanRydell 799]

Not as convenient (or as scenic) as Heavenly but Kirkwood is the best skiing around Lake Tahoe

[Snow Dog 128]

Ski to the overlook at Heavenly. The view is incredible. Whenever We hit the state line with my peeps we would say, “Welcome to Caaalifornia”.



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[Snow Dog 128]

Sugar Bowl was nice, when you hit the topmost lift, you can see down into Donner Pass near Truckee. The day we were there was after an epic blow. 2-3 feet of snow.
Just couldn’t imagine those poor folks stuck in those conditions. It was cold as fuck but I had state of the art fabrics.
They had corpsicles.
Was interesting that Sugar Bowl was a Disney resort.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[otisdog 365]

On 2/12/2020 at 10:10 PM, Yev Kassem said:

 

Done a bit of research and have seen several options for other activities, but curious if anyone here has recs for stuff to do that time of year. 

Virginia City is a touristic  old western town down the hill in Nevada, and you can float the Truckee River....can't call it whitewater rafting. Truckee has good fly fishing. Patagonia outlet down the hill in Sparks, next to Reno...I always stop in when I'm passing through, never leave empty handed.

[DallasHorn26 586]

On 2/13/2020 at 12:10 AM, Yev Kassem said:

Heading out July 7-13 for the American Century Championship with the wife and kiddo (5 yo). Anyone been before?  Planning on getting the weekly badge and doing one practice round and then one or two other competitive days.

Done a bit of research and have seen several options for other activities, but curious if anyone here has recs for stuff to do that time of year. 

I was there about that time last year. Took the gondola up the mountain to Heavenly Ski Resort. Up there you can hike, ride the ski lifts, alpine coaster, zipline. Incredible views from up there. I Also hiked into Emerald Bay and kayaked around the bay and the little island there. Then of course at night you have the casinos. 

[Snow Dog 128]

Every now and then, the ICS Chili championship is in Reno. ICS was Carrol Shelby’s splitting off from Tolbert and CASI.

 

Had no idea why I mentioned chili and Reno.

Had to fly into there to get to Heavenly.

Brutal crosswind

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[NoRagrets 1125]

Need some advice:

Big Family vacation in July and I need to decide between houses in Incline Village (on mountain with great views) and South Lake Tahoe (Zephyr Cove on mountain with great views).

We don’t care about gambling. Want good beaches and stuff to do with kids, and to avoid riff raft.

[Johnny Chimpo 478]

10 hours ago, NoRagrets said:

Need some advice:

Big Family vacation in July and I need to decide between houses in Incline Village (on mountain with great views) and South Lake Tahoe (Zephyr Cove on mountain with great views).

We don’t care about gambling. Want good beaches and stuff to do with kids, and to avoid riff raft.

South Lake Tahoe is a heap of riff raff. Incline village is typically a little quieter so for that reason in your scenario I would go down that route. 

[Txzen 498]

On 5/4/2021 at 7:55 PM, Johnny Chimpo said:

South Lake Tahoe is a heap of riff raff. Incline village is typically a little quieter so for that reason in your scenario I would go down that route. 

What he said. I’m a west shore guy because I hate people, but at least with Incline you can more easily escape what’s around you - more so than SLT. 
 

Just know that if you want to do Rubicon or Emerald Bay or that area it will be a haul from Incline. But you have Sand Harbor close, which is a really nice place (assuming it’s not a windy day). 

[Txzen 498]

...and now I’m replying to myself, but up North you have Kings Beach Mini Golf, a new paved hike/bike trail to Sand Harbor, the Char Pit, the paved hike bike trail from Tahoe City along the Truckee River and rafting along that same river (highly recommended no matter how old your kids are). 

[wood 11226]

Love Tahoe for skiing. Heavenly? Not so much. Favorites are Kirkwood & Northstar.

Also loved it in the summer. Lots to do. Mountain Biking the Flume Trail & others. Taking a glider ride. Horseback riding, etc ...

Best Lake Tahoe views I've ever seen were from the Flume Trail. Be careful though ...

Edited May 17, 2021 by wood

[wood 11226]

On 2/13/2020 at 12:19 AM, DanRydell said:

Not as convenient (or as scenic) as Heavenly but Kirkwood is the best skiing around Lake Tahoe

This here. Most snow, earliest snow, & latest snow in the area, too.

[wood 11226]

On 1/28/2020 at 2:35 PM, HiggyBaby said:

 

 

Thanks for the info. We ended up with an Airbnb in south Tahoe and plan to leverage the bus for ski access. Still plan to rent a 4x4 to get us from Reno and around town.

 

 

Better get started on that rental. Check the rental car shortage thread.

[Txzen 498]

42 minutes ago, wood said:

This here. Most snow, earliest snow, & latest snow in the area, too.

Kirkwood is terrible. There are no restaurants, no nightlife, no real hotels, practically no on-mountain dining, and many of the lifts are slow non-detachable ass smackers. There's not even really a grocery store, so you need to practically bring all your food for your stay (including breakfast and lunch). You should never, ever go there and make sure to tell all your friends not to go there either. 

[msucolt45 4062]

Wife and I are headed to Tahoe on 6/27. It’ll be our 3rd visit in 6 years. Usually it’s an escape from the Texas summer heat. So far it looks like we’re headed into a week of low 90s, not bad here, but a lot of places around Tahoe don’t have AC! At least it’ll get into the 50s at night.

[NoRagrets 1125]

Recommendations from this thread have been on point!

We have hit up chimney beach and Nevada beach park so far. Leaving early to get a spot at sandy harbor. Place is filling up fast right now.

also, this house is on huge stilts and they did their job during the earthquake a few hours ago. That was not expected.

[DDD Dad 14339]

Pretty good rumble.  I think it was 6.1.

[Longhorn Fever 267]

My wife has to go to a work conference Oct 26-28 in Reno. I am going to join her and we are going to stay through the weekend. We were hoping to head down to Lake Tahoe and maybe a day trip to Yosemite.

It appears we will be there during a shoulder season when a lot of things are closed. We were hoping to take the gondola up to Heavenly but it is among the things not open at that time.

Would appreciate some ideas for activities. We were hoping to do some hikes, but can’t get too strenuous due to her being on her second artificial ankle. I have considered renting a minivan and “camping” in it at one of campgrounds (any rec’s there?), but not sure if that is feasible. We’re also unsure of the weather. How likely would it be to need chains during the last week of October?

Edited September 10, 2022 by Longhorn Fever
Typos

[HeHateMe 886]

Stay in Tahoe and let the wife commute to Reno.  I’m serious… Reno is a grade A jizz stain.

[Longhorn Fever 267]

3 minutes ago, HeHateMe said:

Stay in Tahoe and let the wife commute to Reno.  I’m serious… Reno is a grade A jizz stain.

Ha, well her job has put her up in the hotel/casino where the conference is being held. I think it is the Peppermill. Is it going to be that bad?

[shakahorn 1645]

23 minutes ago, Longhorn Fever said:

Ha, well her job has put her up in the hotel/casino where the conference is being held. I think it is the Peppermill. Is it going to be that bad?

The Peppermill is like the one bright spot in all of Reno.

Yosemite is a pretty long haul from Reno.  I don't think you can drive down, do the park, and drive back to Reno or Tahoe in a day.   Most of the cool stuff is on the west end so you'd want to enter from there.  All of the 'shortcuts' you see on the map are windy mountain roads.  But I don't think you have to worry about snow in late Oct.

[Longhorn Fever 267]

45 minutes ago, shakahorn said:

The Peppermill is like the one bright spot in all of Reno.

Yosemite is a pretty long haul from Reno.  I don't think you can drive down, do the park, and drive back to Reno or Tahoe in a day.   Most of the cool stuff is on the west end so you'd want to enter from there.  All of the 'shortcuts' you see on the map are windy mountain roads.  But I don't think you have to worry about snow in late Oct.

Thanks. We were thinking of going from Reno to Stateline on Friday night. Someone had mentioned a couple of hour drive to Yosemite. Now that I have looked, we would probably be looking closer to a 4-5 hour drive to the valley to see El Capitan. I am hoping that snow won't put a damper on the ability to drive around. I am guessing any camping in Yosemite has been reserved many months in advance.

Edited September 10, 2022 by Longhorn Fever
Autocorrect

[C-Man 27230]

Bumping this. My son is going to boarding school in Olympic Valley starting the week after next. I've never been to Lake Tahoe. We're flying to Reno and driving down a week from tomorrow.  I booked a hotel room in Olympic Valley pretty close to the school and walking distance to Palisades Tahoe. Assuming the little fucker keeps his school in order, he'll be able to hit the mountain to ski/snowboard every single day that he wants to.

Looking for things for us to do on Thursday and Friday. I'm flying back to Dallas on Saturday and his mom is getting him moved into his dorm room on Sunday. Looks like he and I will have Thursday all to ourselves. A good buddy here lived 6-7 years in Truckee and he said we can tube the river right there by Olympic Valley. Is it not freezing cold? I looked and the highs will be mid-70's next week with overnight lows in the 40's. (I'm not complaining as we've stuck in 104-107 land for what feels like two weeks already with another week -- at least -- to go.) Ex is staying down in SLT when she comes up.

We will go back a couple of times at least ski with him once it starts snowing. Seeing discussion of Northstar and Kirkwood, which are close to Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley), and also Heavenly further south. How is Palisades Tahoe?

[Hpara759 1778]

16 hours ago, C-Man said:

Bumping this. My son is going to boarding school in Olympic Valley starting the week after next. I've never been to Lake Tahoe. We're flying to Reno and driving down a week from tomorrow.  I booked a hotel room in Olympic Valley pretty close to the school and walking distance to Palisades Tahoe. Assuming the little fucker keeps his school in order, he'll be able to hit the mountain to ski/snowboard every single day that he wants to.

Looking for things for us to do on Thursday and Friday. I'm flying back to Dallas on Saturday and his mom is getting him moved into his dorm room on Sunday. Looks like he and I will have Thursday all to ourselves. A good buddy here lived 6-7 years in Truckee and he said we can tube the river right there by Olympic Valley. Is it not freezing cold? I looked and the highs will be mid-70's next week with overnight lows in the 40's. (I'm not complaining as we've stuck in 104-107 land for what feels like two weeks already with another week -- at least -- to go.) Ex is staying down in SLT when she comes up.

We will go back a couple of times at least ski with him once it starts snowing. Seeing discussion of Northstar and Kirkwood, which are close to Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley), and also Heavenly further south. How is Palisades Tahoe?

https://tahoegal.com/

had a good time there, about 10 years ago

[Carl Spackler 3483]

20 hours ago, C-Man said:

Bumping this. My son is going to boarding school in Olympic Valley starting the week after next. I've never been to Lake Tahoe. We're flying to Reno and driving down a week from tomorrow.  I booked a hotel room in Olympic Valley pretty close to the school and walking distance to Palisades Tahoe. Assuming the little fucker keeps his school in order, he'll be able to hit the mountain to ski/snowboard every single day that he wants to.

Looking for things for us to do on Thursday and Friday. I'm flying back to Dallas on Saturday and his mom is getting him moved into his dorm room on Sunday. Looks like he and I will have Thursday all to ourselves. A good buddy here lived 6-7 years in Truckee and he said we can tube the river right there by Olympic Valley. Is it not freezing cold? I looked and the highs will be mid-70's next week with overnight lows in the 40's. (I'm not complaining as we've stuck in 104-107 land for what feels like two weeks already with another week -- at least -- to go.) Ex is staying down in SLT when she comes up.

We will go back a couple of times at least ski with him once it starts snowing. Seeing discussion of Northstar and Kirkwood, which are close to Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley), and also Heavenly further south. How is Palisades Tahoe?

The last time I skied PT it was still Squaw.  Outstanding place.  I don't know what they've done with it in the last 5+ years, but the times I've been there the skiing was top notch.  My favorite place to ski in/near Tahoe along with Kirkwood.  KWood is a bit of a schlep from the lake, but worth it IMO.  Heavenly is fun too -- can ski both sides of the state line. 

Tubing the Truckee is fun.  Yes, water will be cold, but the one time I tubed with my son and one of his buddies, we got accustomed to it once we were in for a little while.  Pack a lunch unless you're doing some kind of float where they provide the food.

Downtown Reno has seen better days.  It's kind of run down.  There's a Basque restaurant down there called Louis' that is really good, though.   

[Foosters 17858]

On 8/8/2023 at 1:40 PM, C-Man said:

Bumping this. My son is going to boarding school in Olympic Valley starting the week after next. I've never been to Lake Tahoe. We're flying to Reno and driving down a week from tomorrow.  I booked a hotel room in Olympic Valley pretty close to the school and walking distance to Palisades Tahoe. Assuming the little fucker keeps his school in order, he'll be able to hit the mountain to ski/snowboard every single day that he wants to.

Looking for things for us to do on Thursday and Friday. I'm flying back to Dallas on Saturday and his mom is getting him moved into his dorm room on Sunday. Looks like he and I will have Thursday all to ourselves. A good buddy here lived 6-7 years in Truckee and he said we can tube the river right there by Olympic Valley. Is it not freezing cold? I looked and the highs will be mid-70's next week with overnight lows in the 40's. (I'm not complaining as we've stuck in 104-107 land for what feels like two weeks already with another week -- at least -- to go.) Ex is staying down in SLT when she comes up.

We will go back a couple of times at least ski with him once it starts snowing. Seeing discussion of Northstar and Kirkwood, which are close to Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley), and also Heavenly further south. How is Palisades Tahoe?

I was there a few weeks ago (King's Beach) and the lake water is the warmest I've felt it in years. Honestly, I spent hours each day just diving deep into the lake and swimming around rock formations and stuff. Don't get me wrong, the water is still cold, but for the first time ever I was not uncomfortable. 

[Txzen 498]

Alas, no tubing on the Truckee this year. It's complicated - this year, for a change, it's cancelled because there's too much water and they slowed the flow (as opposed to all the years it was closed because of drought). 

Season cancelled

Spoiler

Normally, the Truckee River Rafting Company starts welcoming visitors on Memorial Day, but not this year. River rafting on a section of the river might be shut down for the entire summer season.

Despite a historic wet winter, the 5-mile stretch of weaving water from Tahoe City to River Ranch Road is currently at low levels. “It is a complicated system. Because of the snowpack, the water master can’t release water from Tahoe because it can lead to flooding downstream,” said Sydney Courcier, Truckee River Rafting Company manager.

She said the rafting season should be in full swing by now, operating about 100 to 200 rafts a day. “We are really sad about it all, but we are happy about the amount of water, and it is good for everything,” said Courcier. 

She said it is possible the risk of flooding downstream may taper off, allowing the release of Lake Tahoe water into the river which could give them a chance to open back up. “We could be back in business in August. We will just have to see,” said Courcier.

That was at the beginning of the season. The company we normally use still says 'closed' so I'm not sure the situation changed. 

Great hike/bike path from Olympic Valley down to Tahoe City. In that area the path is separate from the road. It continues south from there along 89, which has some nice stretches but also forces you to cross the (very busy) road a few times. Can be dicey with kids. 

[Txzen 498]

Also, while I love Kirkwood I would never drive there from the Olympic Valley area. First, highway 89 will be closed come winter time at Emerald Bay so to drive to Kirkwood you'd have to drive around the lake (clockwise) - Kings Beach, Zephyr, SLT. Then there's a pass you'll have to go through which is often a bit dicey. At the very least you'll need chains and/or 4WD. I would do Northstar (closer), Mt Rose (farther) before even thinking of Kirkwood. Heavenly also will require the same route around the lake. Just enjoy where you're at - I think Palisades probably has the best overall ski terrain at Tahoe. 

And Kirkwood sucks - no one should go there. No night life, practically no on-mountain dining, slow butt slamming lifts. Stay away. Terrible place. 

[texasdago 7573]

16 hours ago, Txzen said:

Also, while I love Kirkwood I would never drive there from the Olympic Valley area. First, highway 89 will be closed come winter time at Emerald Bay so to drive to Kirkwood you'd have to drive around the lake (clockwise) - Kings Beach, Zephyr, SLT. Then there's a pass you'll have to go through which is often a bit dicey. At the very least you'll need chains and/or 4WD. I would do Northstar (closer), Mt Rose (farther) before even thinking of Kirkwood. Heavenly also will require the same route around the lake. Just enjoy where you're at - I think Palisades probably has the best overall ski terrain at Tahoe. 

And Kirkwood sucks - no one should go there. No night life, practically no on-mountain dining, slow butt slamming lifts. Stay away. Terrible place. 

LOL.  Yes, rumor has it Kirkwood is primarily a learner's mountain with slow moving carpets and a couple of broken rope tows.  Steepest run is equivalent to Schoolmarm at Keystone.

[Guest]

On 8/8/2023 at 3:40 PM, C-Man said:

Bumping this. My son is going to boarding school in Olympic Valley starting the week after next.

Wait, what? Being from Texas, boarding schools are always something you see in movies and aren't a real thing. 

So you're in Dallas and sending him up there? Is it discipline reasons? Academic reasons? Or are you doing this as an awesome present for him? 

I'm genuinely interested. Shit. I would have loved to go to school at Lake Tahoe.

Edit: Holy shit, just looked up Lake Tahoe Prep and it's $65K a year for school and boarding? Sorry junior, you're going public school.

Edited August 10, 2023 by FirstTimeCaller

[C-Man 27230]

10 minutes ago, FirstTimeCaller said:

Wait, what? Being from Texas, boarding schools are always something you see in movies and aren't a real thing. 

So you're in Dallas and sending him up there? Is it discipline reasons? Academic reasons? Or are you doing this as an awesome present for him? 

I'm genuinely interested. Shit. I would have loved to go to school at Lake Tahoe.

Edit: Holy shit, just looked up Lake Tahoe Prep and it's $65K a year for school and boarding? Sorry junior, you're going public school.

Yeah, it's a therapeutic boarding school. Without going into too many specifics, he has some pretty bad anxiety and self-loathing issues that were crippling him here at home. He's been at wilderness therapy camp in Idaho all summer. When it comes to preparing our kids to go into the world, his mother is basically useless as a parent other than having quite a bit of family money. He basically wouldn't go to school due to bullying and anxiety. He attended his local public school (basically, a private school) and a small private school but couldn't make either work. He simply could not spend any more time at his mother's house and there was no way we could pull off him living with me and my wife on a full-time basis without a LOT of conflict with mom just 5-10 mins away. He's not a bad kid -- he just needs/needed a complete re-boot on life.

[Guest]

I will say, looking at the images, my first thought was how serene it must be to go to school there. Small school, built into nature, not a bunch of huge parking lots, massive buildings, and thousands of kids. 

Best of luck. 

[C-Man 27230]

I will say, looking at the images, my first thought was how serene it must be to go to school there. Small school, built into nature, not a bunch of huge parking lots, massive buildings, and thousands of kids. 
Best of luck. 

Thanks. We were presented with five or six options across the US, from “supportive” to “therapeutic” vs traditional or military-based and I immediately thought this one was my favorite. We knew he needed at least a supportive school vs traditional and his time in Idaho has convinced everybody he needs a therapeutic environment at this time. He also loves to ski, so it seemed like a natural fit. Thankfully, everybody came to the same conclusion.

For selfish reasons, I’m really looking forward to several trips up there during the academic year. I’ll be monitoring Southwest/American for good deals to fly up for a weekend to spend time on the mountain with him. I’ve been told it’s simply gorgeous up there — and nothing I’ve seen seems to indicate otherwise.