How to Time Your Trip to Lake Tahoe

Winter and spring in scenic Lake Tahoe bring the skiers out to play; summer gives you the opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear lake and go on hikes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunglasses
• Travel Clothes
• Local Guidebooks To Lake Tahoe
• Maps
• Airline Tickets To Reno
• Rental Cars
• Travel Services
• Cameras
• Film
• Maps
• Cameras
• Rental cars

General Considerations

1. Decide when to visit Lake Tahoe, which sits between California and Nevada. If at all possible, try to plan your vacation for midweek, particularly in the high seasons: summer and ski season. Sometimes it seems as if the San Francisco Bay area migrates to Tahoe on weekends.

2. Find out if there are any festivals or events you'd like to check out (see Section 2, below).

3. Seek out reasonably priced flights, transportation and accommodations. The least expensive motels can be found on the south shore of the lake.

4. Check the weather forecast before you leave, and pack accordingly. Always bring a warm jacket; even in the summer, evening temperatures can dip into the low 40s.

Seasonal Events and Attractions

5. Ride the tram at Heavenly Ski Resort and have lunch at the top of the world.

6. Cruise the lake on a stern-wheeler; they leave from both South Lake Tahoe and Zephyr Cove.

7. Take a day to drive around the lake, stopping for hikes down to the beach.

8. Bliss out on a ski run with a view of the lake.

9. Stretch your legs on the Tahoe Rim Trail, a path that follows the ridges above the lake.

10. Test your relationship with Lady Luck at one of the Stateline casinos.

11. Catch the biggest winter carnival in the west at Snowfest, which offers ten days of (among other things) ski races, ice carving, live music and parades.