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01.23.2019
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Tahoe Life

A full week in Tahoe/Truckee? Lucky! Below is our 7-day itinerary for your next week-long Tahoe winter vacation.

Day 1: Explore Truckee & North Tahoe

For your first day in Tahoe/Truckee, you’ll want to take in all of the sights. Take some time to stop in at a museum or two, and learn a bit more about the local culture and history.

  • Donner Summit: The iconic view of Donner Lake from Old 40 is worth the trek. If the road is clear, head up to the Rainbow Bridge for panoramic vistas of Donner Lake and the surrounding High Sierra. If the snowpack allows, hike up to the train tunnels on Donner Summit for an interesting glimpse into traveling over the summit in the past. Stay nearby.
  • Donner Lake: Once you descend from Donner Summit, head to the Donner State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum. The museum offers incredible insights into the infamous Donner Party, as well as the travelers and settlers who preceded and followed them in traversing Donner Summit. Stay nearby.
  • Downtown Truckee: Truckee feels like an old-west town. The rugged mountain town is full of shops, eateries, and bars to warm up after your excursion around Donner. Visit the old jailhouse on Jiboom Street, which used to be the red-light district of Truckee. The past is still tangible in the small shops, bars, and points of interest that line the streets. Stay nearby.
  • Tahoe Sunset: Drive from Truckee into Incline Village to catch a spectacular sunset at Sand Harbor or at one of the Incline Village beaches. A Tahoe sunset is the perfect start to a wonderful week-long holiday. Stay nearby.

Day 2: Book a Mountain Guide

Get to know the mountain like a local. From secret pow stashes to off-the-beaten-path groomers, let a friendly guide show you around the mountain on your first day. You’ll be an old pro by the time the day is done. Below are a couple of the mountains that offer private guide experiences:

  • Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows North Face Mountain Guides: With over 6,000 acres to explore, there is no shortage of new zones to find at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows. Get 20% off demo gear, a gift, and a fully customizable experience with the Squaw/Alpine North Face Mountain Guides. Stay nearby.
  • Northstar California Platinum Mountain Guides: Create a fully customized ski experience. Northstar’s Platinum Mountain Guides will offer you the ultimate mountain experience from arrival to departure. Enjoy perks like preferred parking and preferred lift line access, as well as lunch at a resort eatery. Northstar’s Platinum Guides will take all of the hassle out of a day of skiing. Stay nearby. 

Dinner:

Exhausted after a day on the slopes? Treat yourself to a special meal crafted by a personal chef. Our concierge team can arrange a personal chef that suits your needs--you may even want to hire a chef for the whole weekend! Learn more.

Day 3: Ski, then aprés like a local.

You may want to head back to Northstar or Squaw/Alpine to explore more on your second day, but if you want to experience another Tahoe or Truckee resort, we understand. Below are a few of our favorite mountains in the region.

Ski:

  • Homewood Mountain Resort: Homewood’s tagline is “where the mountains meet the lake.” This low-key resort lives up to its tagline, with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe from the Madden Chair and many of its runs. Stay nearby.
  • Diamond Peak: Another mountain that offers stunning views of Lake Tahoe, Diamond Peak is located just across the lake from Homewood in Incline Village. Diamond Peak offers comprehensive lesson programs for kids ages 3+ and world-class grooming and snowmaking.  Stay nearby.
  • Sugar Bowl Resort:This laid-back mountain often sees the most snow in the region, and offers some of the best terrain in Tahoe without the crowds. This resort was a favorite of Walt Disney’s, and also has a fascinating history in the Tahoe area. Stay nearby.
  • Tahoe Donner: If you’re looking for a great place to get the kiddos on skis, or maybe you’re a beginner yourself, Tahoe Donner is the place to go. Tahoe Donner boasts 40% beginner terrain, a warm, family-friendly vibe, and interchangeable passes for parents with non-skiing children. Generations of Tahoe locals and visitors have learned to ski at Tahoe Donner, and it's easy to see why. Stay nearby.
  • Donner Ski Ranch: This historic family-owned resort offers something for everyone. Donner Ski Ranch might be Tahoe’s best kept secret--affordable lift tickets, access to some amazing side-country and backcountry, and no lift lines make this mountain a great place to explore some of Tahoe’s best terrain. Check out their Old-School Days, with low “throwback” lift ticket and rental packages. Stay nearby.
  • Boreal: If you’ve still got some leftover steam in your legs, head to Boreal for a night skiing session. Boreal is open 9AM-9PM daily, and night tickets can be purchased starting at 3PM. Whether you come out for a day shred or a night shred, Boreal has some of the most innovative terrain parks in the region as well as wide-open groomers and fun off-piste skiing and riding. Stay nearby.

Aprés-Ski:

Tahoe knows how to aprés. From casual bars filled with other tired ski bums to relaxing retreats featuring specialty cocktails, you’ll be sure to find an aprés style that suits you.

Enjoy a cocktail with a view:

Get crafty:

Live Music:

  • Moody’s in Truckee showcases some great bands, and some even greater cocktails. Stay nearby.
  • Gar Woods in Carnelian Bay has live music all winter long. Pair that with one of their iconic Wet Woody’s and you may be tempted to stay a while. Stay nearby.

Unwin(e)d:

Day 4: Go Snowcat Skiing.

Can’t get enough skiing? It’s time to head into the backcountry. Knowledgeable guides and unparalleled access to Tahoe’s most best powder stashes will ensure that you’ll be getting fresh turns long after the resorts are skied out.

  • Pacific Crest Snowcats: Centrally located between Truckee and Squaw Valley, Pacific Crest Snowcat expeditions can create customized trips to suit your needs. Head out to an open bowl for some soul turns, or find some well-spaced trees to work on your technical skills. Stay nearby.
  • Homewood Snowcat Adventures: Enjoy access to 750 acres of terrain beyond the lifts at Homewood Mountain Resort. A highlight of the guided Snowcat Adventures trek is the 1,800 vertical foot ski or shred from the top of Ellis Peak down to the bottom of the Old Homewood Express chairlift. Stay nearby. 

Day 5: Yoga & Massage, followed by a nice dinner

Three days of skiing? You must be exhausted. Enjoy a self-care day filled with yoga, massage, and dinner at one of Tahoe’s finest restaurants.

Yoga:

  • Yoga Room Tahoe: Located in the Cobblestone Center in Tahoe City, Yoga Room Tahoe offers a convenient sanctuary and classes for all ability levels. From restorative yoga classes to sports-focused power yoga, you’ll relax and rejuvenate those tired muscles after a week of Tahoe fun. Stay nearby.
  • Wanderlust Studio: Through a partnership with the international Wanderlust Festivals, this studio nestled in the heart of the Squaw Village offers inspired classes taught by both Tahoe-based instructors as well as renowned instructors from around the globe. Stay nearby.
  • Tahoe Yoga & Wellness Center: From power flow classes to meditation and massage, the knowledgeable instructors Tahoe Yoga & Wellness Center in Truckee will ensure that you leave Tahoe feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Stay nearby.

Massage:

Don’t leave the comfort of your Tahoe cabin! Let our concierge team book an at-home massage treatment for you, using one of our trusted massage therapists.

If you’d prefer to visit a spa during your getaway, below are a few of our favorites.

Dinner:

This is a “treat yourself” day, and you deserve a nice dinner as a part of that, don’t you think? Below are a few of our favorite fine-dining restaurants in North Tahoe and Truckee

  • Restaurant Trokay:Treat yourself to some of the best cuisine that Truckee/Tahoe has to offer with a dinner at Restaurant Trokay. Opt for an entree off of their à la carte menu, or indulge in a Chef’s Tasting Menu, featuring innovative cuisine and expert wine pairings. Stay nearby.
  • Jackrabbit Moon: Experience a seasonal menu featuring both adventurous and familiar cuisine paired thoughtfully with French and American wines in the heart of Incline Village. Stay nearby.
  • Manzanita Lake Tahoe: Indulge in a fine-dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. The Manzanita serves delightful dishes in a warm, lodge-like atmosphere. Stay nearby.
  • Wolfdale’s: Chef Douglas Dale prepares delightful East/West fusion dishes paired with excellent service and great views of Lake Tahoe in the heart of Tahoe City. Stay nearby.

Day 6: Enjoy a delicious breakfast, then go on a Winter Fishing Charter.

Breakfast:

You’ve got a big day ahead-you’ve chartered a fishing vessel on peaceful Lake Tahoe! You better fuel up with the most important meal of the day.

  • Make your own! All of our rentals come with fully-equipped kitchens. Don’t want to bother with the grocery store while on vacation? We get it, that’s why we offer grocery delivery--order for pre-arrival delivery so that your house is fully stocked. Learn more.
  • Want to let someone else do the work? Head to Fire Sign Cafe for hearty breakfasts in a warm, inviting atmosphere. If baked goods are your thing, make a stop at the Tahoe House for fresh pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. Stay nearby.

Fishing:

Fishing in winter? You’ve got it! Experience glassy and peaceful Lake Tahoe during the winter months, when you’ll be some of the only people out on the water.

Day 7: Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, followed by s’mores.

Cross-Country Ski or Snowshoe

What better way to end a Tahoe getaway than exploring the wilderness that abounds around Lake Tahoe and Truckee? Below are a few of our favorite cross-country ski and snowshoe areas.

  • Royal Gorge: Experience America’s largest cross-country ski resort. 6,000 acres of terrain, 140km of trails, and dog-friendly areas make Royal Gorge a must-do. Stay nearby.
  • Tahoe XC Center: Located on Dollar Hill, the Tahoe XC Center offers 65km of trails through the Tahoe National Forest. Dog-friendly trails and fun events and workshops make the Tahoe XC center a great place to spend an afternoon. Stay nearby.
  • Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park: Bring your own skis or snowshoes to this park. You’ll enjoy about 20km of trails on Tahoe’s magical west shore. Enjoy the interpretive signs as you go--this area was host to the 1960 Olympic Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski Events. Take the Orange Trail to ski or snowshoe along the shores of Lake Tahoe.Stay nearby.

S’more:

Fuel up for the ride home with a tasty s’more. Northstar and the West Shore Cafe both offer free s’mores daily at 4:30PM, or you can purchase a personal s’more experience at Bar of America. Find more of our favorite s’more spots here.

Need some help planning your getaway? Get tips, advice, and assistance from our friendly concierge team. Our entire staff here at Tahoe Luxury Properties is made up of folks who call this area home, and we are always happy to help to ensure that your getaway is memorable. Learn more.