Lake Tahoe Ski Lodging

Sights and sounds of the 2009 America’s Most Beautiful Bicycle Ride, aka The Tahoe Century.

It was just over a year ago when my wife surprised me with a trip to Lake Tahoe. She was watching TV one evening and the music group The Eagles was holding a concert on TV. She took a few minutes to look up where they would be playing and she noticed that they were opening a new tour in Lake Tahoe so she started doing some vacation planning.

The first thing that she did was to secure the tickets. Although they weren’t selling them publicly they did have several par of tickets available through EBay and she was able to pick up some great tickets in the 7th row. After that she found out that the concert was actually being given at Harvey’s which is a hotel that is right in Lake Tahoe. Now neither my wife or I gamble but we decided that since the rooms were right there within walking distance we would go ahead and stay, boy were we ever glad that we did. The rooms were clean and fantastic and the concert was a blast.

While we were in Lake Tahoe we did a lot of things that were very enjoyable. Besides taking a day trip to Yosemite we treated ourselves to a sailing ship evening on the lake as well as a sunset martini cruise. The highlight of the trip was when we parasailed over the lake. It was so quiet and peaceful up in the parasail that I didn’t even want to come down.

So the next time you get an idea that you would like to go away at the spur of the moment I say go for it. There are a lot of places that you could go and many things to see and sometimes it all gets lost in the planning. That is why I think that our trip to Lake Tahoe was so perfect, there weren’t any plans to mess things up for us.

Cameron’s first snowboarding run of the day at Homewood Ski Resort Lake Tahoe CA

Image : http://www.flickr.com

They call Reno “America’s Adventure Place,” and there really are a ton of recreational opportunities in this Nevada city. Mountain biking in Reno proves the point. No matter where you live, work, or play in Reno, there are mountain biking trails within 5 to 10 minutes, and since Reno sits so near Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada, mountain biking possibilities are endless in the Biggest Little City in the World.

If you’re not familiar with Reno, don’t think it’s anything like Vegas. Reno is located nine hours and a hundred light years away from Sin City. Reno’s in Northern Nevada, in the high desert, and the temperatures aren’t as extreme as Las Vegas. It snows sometime in the winter in Reno, but usually melts within a day or two, which means you can hit trails throughout the Reno area (called the Truckee Meadows), in almost all seasons. Summertime usually doesn’t stay that hot for that long, and the summer evenings are warm enough for a great ride but not so warm that it feels to hot to exercise.

Up in the mountains, there are wonderful summertime trails that circle Lake Tahoe and can take you just about anywhere, from Tahoe’s beaches to the Desolation Wilderness and back again. Mountain biking in Reno is an awesome experience because there are so many different types of trails available, from high Sierra to high desert, and you are so close to so many trails, it’s easy to reach a new trail every day if you’d like. There are flat trails along the Truckee River to arduous trails up in the mountains, but they all will draw you and you bike back again and again.

Even better, there are many urban trails within 5 to 10 minutes of downtown Reno. Some climb the foothills of Peavine Peak on the northern boundaries of the city, while others climb the canyons and flats of Northwest Reno, the Steamboat Ditch, and South Reno. You can literally bring your mountain bike with you to work and get in a ride when you get done for the day.

Mountain biking in Reno is fun for the entire family, and there are many bike shops in Reno that will help you find everything to begin your mountain biking adventure. If there’s anything to remember about biking in the area, it’s the elevation. Reno is almost a mile high, and Tahoe starts at about 6,000 feet and goes up from there. Breathing may be a little bit different in these high altitudes, so you may need to take it easy when you first begin to ride, but you’ll get used to the thinner air in no time.

Another great thing about Reno mountain biking is there are many bike lanes on city streets. You can follow these bike lanes to mountain biking trails, making it easier to get around on your bike when you visit Reno. Reno really is America’s Adventure Place, and the mountain biking trails that surround Reno really start you off in the right adventure direction!

When it comes to popular vacation destinations, few places have what it takes to compete with South Lake Tahoe. In the summer, there is boating, swimming, golfing, and hiking, and in the winter, the skiing conditions are top-notch thanks to 360 inches of annual snowfall. There are 182 ski trails amidst 8,800 total ski resort acres, which means there should be plenty of room for the flocks of snow-lovers that make their way to this region every year.

Even travelers looking for less active pursuits will be pleased with South Lake Tahoe; nearby Nevada hosts a number of casinos, there are restaurants galore, and the 274 days of sunshine encourage plenty of relaxation outdoors.

The perfect way to enjoy such a vacationer’s heaven is to sit back and take it all in while benefiting from the ample space and amenities of home. A South Lake Tahoe vacation rental allows for the best parts of being home and being away to exist as one. Traveling to a new location is fun and exciting, but having a place to retreat from the crowd at the day’s end makes for a truly memorable experience.

A popular area for finding refuge from the bustle of South Lake Tahoe is Heavenly Valley. This quiet, forested area is close to such landmarks as the Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort and the Stateline casinos, yet cottages and lodges are sheltered beneath a canopy of pine trees in order to provide a bit of seclusion. Imagine being able to come home from a long day of skiing to your private cabin-style chalet. A few minutes in the hot tub, which sits outside on the wrap-around deck, will certainly ease tender muscles, and a quiet evening spent watching movies and drinking hot cocoa in front of the fireplace will rejuvenate you for whatever tomorrow may hold.

Or, picture a summer vacation with the family. A four bedroom home located near the marina, hiking trails, and a grocery store will ensure that everyone’s diverse needs are met. Instead of being crowded into a hotel room and searching the phone book for a restaurant, you’ll feel free to spread out and cook a leisurely meal in your own, borrowed, kitchen. Parents and kids will be more relaxed with a set-up like this, and you’ll probably wonder why you ever did it another way.

For true water-lovers, the Tahoe Keys is the perfect place to secure a vacation rental. Sweeping views of the lake and the mountains, as well as private docks and outdoor spas make the homes in this area of South Lake Tahoe extra inviting. Proximity to the water is very useful when it comes to filling your days with boating, tubing, and fishing. And, having access to a microwave, television, whirlpool tub, and game room provide all the remaining ingredients to make your evenings a success as well. From this point of view, South Lake Tahoe is an irresistible sight to behold.

Whether you seek a rustic one-bedroom cabin or a modern, spacious condo that will fit all the cousins and grandparents, there is a good chance you’ll find it tucked away somewhere in South Lake Tahoe. After finding the best place to fit your needs, everyone will be able to focus on what really matters, the scenery, the limitless activities, and the feeling of being far away with the people you care about.

HomeAway.com will help you locate the place of your future greatest vacation ever, so visit South Lake Tahoe vacation rentals to get started on your way.

Summer still isn’t over but for those of you who can’t wait to go skiing, here are some destinations you should consider visiting. You won’t regret visiting any of them.

1. Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado

This one is also a snowboarding paradise. It has 84 snowboard trails plus the biggest snowboard park in the region. If you get tired of skiing or snowboarding, Telluride offers you variety of night clubs. If you don’t feel like clubbing either, enjoy the great spa offer.

2. Lake Louise, Canada

Lake Louise is great in April because of numerous events happening over there at that time. But you will have a great holiday in winter as well as Lake Louise is one of Canada’s most beautiful resorts. Fairmont Chateau offers great ice wine and what better way to end the day?

3. Red Mountain Resort, Canada

If you like the snow but you don’t fancy skiing or snowboarding, the resort offers some other activities like snowmobiling or dog sledding. However, if you do like to ski and snowboard, this resort won’t disappoint you as it has great tracks for both.

4. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming

I would recommend this one for more advanced skiers because half of 110 runs are aimed at that group. But if you like the challenge, why not give it a try?

5. Alta Ski Area, Utah

This one isn’t snowboarding paradise but is excellent for skiing. Plus the place is famous for it’s numerous barbecue parties so if you are a fan of both, you will have a blast!

6. Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California

Huge one! It features more than 500 runs for snowboarders and skiers of all abilities. Besides that, it has a great shopping zone and numerous great dining places. If you are staying longer, I suggest you visit Reno which is nearby.

7. Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, Oregon

I would recommend this one for spring skiing vacation, because the wind can get nasty during the winter. Attention shoppers – you won’t be able to spend your money that way because there are only a few shops there. The night life isn’t something either. But be assured that there are plenty of restaurants instead.

8. Alyeska Resort, Alaska

This is a fantastic skiing resort. Great numerous runs for beginners as well advanced skiers. One more thing worth mentioning is that it is not crowded and you won’t have to stand in lines anywhere.

9. Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado

Another one in Colorado. You could be unsatisfied with the crowd as the place if quite popular but great runs will make you forget it. You can also enjoy great night life, shopping, fine dining and much more.

10. Big Sky Resort, Montana

You won’t feel crowded here either. I don’t know why, but the place isn’t that popular. The runs are fantastic, the food terrific, the spa unforgettable…

Join us on our day off as we long for normalcy by dining in. South Lake Tahoe, NV, October 26th, 2009

Music video by Tyler Hoffman of the song Don’t Panic by Coldplay. Filming takes place at Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe.

Congratulations to Julia Mancuso on her two silver medals in the Olympic Games!

Julia Mancuso came home to a fantastic “Welcome Home” shindig at Northstar Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe. The festivities honoring Julia Mancuso, the Two Time Silver Medalist in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, kicked off on Sunday February 27, 2010 and never slowed down throughout the day. Northstar was the funkiest trip we’ve taken this season and definitely the best time we’ve enjoyed this year and the after-hours festivities kept going into the evening hours for non-stop enjoyment. Northstar supplied all the merriment with live music, outstanding food, spirits, entertainment for the whole family and a wonderful awards show, there was never a dull moment at Northstar’s Olympic toast to Julia Mancuso.

I’ve got to give credit where credit is due and Northstar put on one heck of a great time for Julia Mancuso and her fans of all ages. Live bands (Jo Mama & Colorshow) played all day in the Village Stage at Northstar for anxious Mancuso fans waiting for their opportunity to congratulate the Ladies’ Downhill and Super Combined Silver medalist. Just watching Julia rock out with “Colorshow” was pretty dang cool (in a sexy sort of way) and feeling the energy of her numerous fans sway to the music was epic. The live music wasn’t all that Northstar supplied, the Apex Bungy Trampoline and Ice Skating Rink in the center of the Village at Northstar was additional fun for the whole family. Simply put, there was more than enough fun and entertainment throughout the day at Northstar Ski Resort during the Julia Mancuso Welcome Home Festival.

Northstar really did a wonderful job of opening up their hearts to Julia and her many fans and from the moment we arrived at the Julia Mancuso Festival up to the moment we left we had the time of our lives, being able to see Olympic Medalist Mancuso and having the good fortune of Northstar’s plush entertainment was more than we could have ever hoped for. They really rolled out the red carpet for everyone, even for canine companions. Yes, Northstar is definitely a “Dog-Friendly” world class resort. And it was pretty dang sweet having my 11 year old Border Collie “Cody” getting to meet Lake Tahoe Hero Julia Mancuso (Cody is currently trading in his Frisbee for some new K2s).

The awards ceremony was highlighted by watching Lake Tahoe local hero and two time silver medalist Julia Mancuso proudly hoist her Olympic medals into the warm Tahoe air, it was enough to take your breath away, and an experience I will not soon forget. So, the festival has come and gone, but come on out and explore awesome slopes right now at Northstar. The snow pack is terrific and we’re currently expecting more snowfall this weekend. Enjoy Northstar’s Terrain Parks and Cross Country, Telemark skiing as well as Boarding the Pipes and Downhill skiing. Oh, and the Kid’s Adventure Parks will keep ‘em busy having fun all day long. Thank you again Northstar and thank you Julia Mancuso for your hard work and world class athleticism in bringing home Two Silver Medals!

At a 1 pm news conference in South Lake Tahoe, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised firefighters on the front lines of the Angora Fire and assured visitors that it is still safe to come to Lake Tahoe.