With world-class skiing and riding, Tahoe is famous for its ski resorts and unparalleled access to some of the best backcountry skiing in the U.S. However, there’s so much more to Tahoe winters than skiing and riding. Check out a few of our favorite winter activities below, and book your stay in a winter wonderland!
Head to the lake.
You won’t regret it. Lake Tahoe takes on a special sort of serenity in the winter months. You’ll be left breathless by stunning vistas of snowcapped peaks, glassy water, and snowy pines. You probably won’t want to go swimming (although if you love a good polar plunge, go for it...safely!), but you’ll love traversing the empty beaches and taking in the serenity of Tahoe. Stay for a sunset. If a storm is coming in, the clouds and setting sun put on a spectacular show.
Below are a few of our favorite wintertime beaches.
- Sand Harbor: It’s eastern location offers spectacular views and sunsets. Stay nearby.
- Hurricane Bay: This beach on the west shore is easy to get to, and dog-friendly. Stay nearby.
- Kings Beach: Conveniently located in the heart of North Lake Tahoe, this sandy beach offers spectacular views and sunsets. Stay nearby.
Get the adrenaline pumping with a snowmobile tour.
Not into skiing or riding, but still want to seek some thrills? Go snowmobiling. The many trails and tours in North Lake Tahoe offer scenic vistas, knowledgeable guides, and a fun adventure for the whole family. Our concierge is always happy to help you to plan the perfect thrill-seeking adventure for you and your family.
- Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours: Located in Tahoe Vista, this company offers guided tours through the Tahoe forest, with views of Lake Tahoe. Stay nearby.
- Eagle Ridge Snowmobile Tours: This tour runs out of Truckee, and is a great opportunity to explore Tahoe’s backcountry terrain. Stay nearby.
- Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Tours: You’ll climb to 9,000’ in elevation and explore miles of trails with Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Tours. You can book a group tour, or opt for a customized private tour to explore some Tahoe terrain. Stay nearby.
Take in the pristine forest with a snowshoe trek.
Do you love hiking? Try it in the winter months-you won’t be disappointed! Trek through quiet, snow-laden pines on a pair of snowshoes and take in the forest and views from a completely different perspective.
- Tahoe Adventure Company: The Tahoe Adventure Company offers a wide range of tours-from daytime tours with knowledgeable guides to sunset and full-moon tours. Stay nearby.
- Tahoe XC Center: The Tahoe XC Center is located on Dollar Hill, and has miles of groomed terrain. Bringing a pup? There are dog-friendly trails available. Stay nearby.
- Royal Gorge: Explore over 50km of dedicated snowshoe trails, with limited dog-friendly trails, at Royal Gorge. Situated on Donner Summit, this snowshoe area offers the perfect escape into the peaceful forest this winter. Stay nearby.
Go sledding!
Hit the slopes without even putting on skis or a snowboard. Sledding is fun for kids and the kids-at-heart! Take a saucer or a tube down one of the many hills in Tahoe, and you’ll see why this sport is so appealing to kids and adults alike.
- Tahoe City Winter Sports Park: The Tahoe City Winter Sports Park is located in the heart of Tahoe City, and with a slopeside eatery, onsite ice skating rink, and miles of snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails, it’s the perfect place to spend a fun day with the family. Their sledding hill is small, but a great and affordable way to get out on the snow this winter. Stay nearby.
- Tahoe Donner Snowplay Area: The Tahoe Donner Snowplay Area is affordable and fun for the whole family. Whiz down the slopes on an inflatable tube, or make snowmen and play with the snow toys provided. Sledding and tubing is safe and fun for the whole family at this supervised and groomed hill. Stay nearby.
- Granlibakken Tahoe: The Granlibakken Sled Hill is a low-key, affordable sledding area that is fun for the whole family. A groomed and supervised slope is suitable for people of all ages, and a kid-friendly area will help the youngsters to gain confidence on the slopes this winter. Stay nearby.
Enjoy Tahoe on ice.
Ice-skating is a quintessential winter activity, and we can see why. Whether you’re looking to spend a romantic evening with your significant other, or finding an activity that will let the kids blow off some excess energy, ice skating is a sure bet for bringing people together.
- Squaw Creek: Hit the ice surrounded by the majestic slopes of Squaw Valley. The Squaw Creek skating rink is open daily, and offers great views and great ice. Stay nearby.
- Northstar Village: The Northstar ice skating rink is located in the center of the Northstar Village, and is the perfect setting for some winter fun. Sweeten your skate session with apres-s’mores at the fire pits surrounding the rink. Stay nearby.
- Truckee Regional Park: The ice skating rink in the Truckee Regional Park offers public skating as well as lessons, workshops, and clinics throughout the winter season. Dust off those skates and brush up on some skills this winter. Stay nearby.
Namaste in Tahoe
The skilled instructors and warm studios of North Tahoe and Truckee will have you saying “nahhh...maste here in Tahoe.” From classic vinyasa classes to aerial silks and restorative yoga, improve your existing practice or try something new on your next visit.
- 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 be sure to leave the studio feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Stay nearby.
- Tahoe Flow Arts: Try something new on your next vacation! Tahoe Flow Arts offers workshops and private sessions in aerial silk, hoops, and dance. Stay nearby.
- Tahoe Yoga & Wellness Center: Don’t let your practice go on vacation while you do. From power flow classes to meditation and massage, the knowledgeable instructors Tahoe Yoga & Wellness Center in Truckee will rejuvenate you during your next getaway. Stay nearby
Add some zip to your trip!
Calling all thrill-seekers! North Tahoe is home to two ropes courses that are open all winter long. Both courses are operated by the Treetop Adventure Park, and offer fun and challenging courses for people of all athletic abilities ages 5+.
- Tahoe City Treetop Adventure Park: This park features 10 courses, 60 obstacles, and 27 ziplines. Want to shred the trees? Try out their Snowboard Course that features bridges and obstacles made out of decommissioned Jones snowboards.Stay nearby.
- Tahoe Vista Treetop Adventure Park: This park is located at the North Tahoe Regional Park, and features 9 courses, 54 obstacles, and 39 zip lines. Get a view of Lake Tahoe from their Lakeview Course, which soars high into the trees and features long ziplines through the forest. Stay nearby.
Shop til you drop.
Looking for that perfect gift or souvenir of your Tahoe vacation? Or perhaps you want to check out local artisans and locally made goods. Either way, Tahoe offers great variety and a beautiful setting to stroll from shop to shop.
- Truckee: Downtown Truckee feels like an old-west town, but you’ll be impressed by the wide range of sophisticated shops, from elegant locally-made art to artisanal food shops. Stay nearby.
- Kings Beach: Shop with a view in Kings Beach. Many shops, galleries, and eateries line the shore of Lake Tahoe in the bustling downtown. Stay nearby.
- Tahoe City: Downtown Tahoe City is a quaint mountain town, but it’s anything but sleepy. Find the perfect gift in the Cobblestone shopping area, or visit the Boatworks Mall for some cabin essentials. Stay nearby.
Eat, drink, and be merry!
Après isn’t just for skiers! Partake in an elegant dinner or a casual lunch, and hop around to the many happy hours in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. An abundance of fireplaces, delicious and unique cuisine, and ski-lodge atmospheres await.
- Incline Village: Incline Village offers a variety of eateries and bars throughout the village-from casual family-friendly dining to elegant eateries with stunning views. Stay nearby.
- Truckee: Wander downtown Truckee, and you’ll be sure to find something that suits your fancy. Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops abound in this mountain town. Stay nearby.
- Olympic Valley: Squaw isn’t just for skiers. Olympic Valley is host to bars, restaurants, and shops that will keep any non-skier occupied for a day. You don’t have to be a skier to take the tram to High Camp and enjoy a meal at 8,200’. Stay nearby
Take in a flick.
Don’t miss out on the latest release! Catch a matinee or head to the late-night showing of that movie you’ve been dying to see at one of Tahoe or Truckee’s cinemas.
- Incline Village Cinema: Enjoy the latest blockbuster in the heart of Incline Village. Stay nearby.
- Village Cinema at Northstar: The Northstar Cinemas play Hollywood hits on two screens with comfortable seating, conveniently located in the Village. Stay nearby.
- Tahoe Art Haus: The Tahoe Art Haus is an independent theater located in the heart of Tahoe City. Films from blockbusters to locally-produced independent films are shown here, and it’s the perfect place to settle in and catch a flick on a cold winter’s day. Stay nearby.
Go to a museum.
Want to learn more about the history of Lake Tahoe and Truckee? From the Washoe Indians who made North Tahoe their summer camp to the roaring 20s when Tahoe became a playground for the wealthy, this area has a lot of history to explore.
- Tahoe Maritime Museum: Explore the history of boating on Lake Tahoe at this unique museum that features exhibits of the iconic boats that have explored the lake for generations. Stay nearby.
- Donner Memorial Park and Emigrant Trail Museum: Explore Truckee’s pioneer history at the Donner Memorial Park and Emigrant Trail Museum. Learn about the infamous Donner Party, as well as many other prominent figures and events in Truckee’s early history. Stay nearby.
- KidZone Museum: The KidZone Museum’s mission is to inspire learning through creative play and discovery. They do this well with exhibits and creative spaces that encourage free play designed for kids 7 and under. Stay nearby.
Treat yourself to spa services.
Melt into the table without leaving home. Unwind, relax, and rejuvenate for your vacation. Indulge in an at-home treatment. Our concierge team works with a wonderful network of massage therapists and wellness specialists who will make your next Tahoe trip the most relaxing one yet.
Looking for more activities in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee this winter season? Check out our things to do page for inspiration for your next getaway. If you’d like some help planning your Tahoe trip, we understand--there’s a ton to do here in Tahoe and Truckee! Let our friendly and helpful concierge team assist you in planning the perfect memorable getaway.