[a-gail]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone has been skiing at Lake Tahoe? We are considering a trip but don't have much info besides the internet.

Would love to hear your experiences if you've been there?

Thanks,
A.

[baddmammajamma]

I grew up in Northern California -- we used to spend our summers in Tahoe (Incline Village, Nevada side of the lake).

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Tourism-g459...-Vacations.html

Tahoe is STUNNING! I especially love it in the summer -- dry,hot days & crisp nights, but it is also gorgoeus in the winter.

I'm not a skier, but just about every single one of my friends is. You will not lack for choices of ski resorts.

The most popular amongst my friends:

Squaw Valley: http://www.squaw.com/

Heavenly: http://www.skiheavenly.com/

Both are on the California side -- but you can get over to the Nevada side (where gambling is legal & there are also other resorts) quite easily.

Skiing might not be quite as dramatic as some of the famous resorts in the Rocky Mountains, but the Sierra Nevada mountains offer great skiing/snow activities, too.

You could either fly into SFO (San Francisco Airport) and drive to Tahoe -- although it gets congested on the weekend -- or you could fly into LAX or SFO and transfer to Reno-Tahoe Airport.

Go for it -- such a beautiful spot in America!



P.S: I'd be happy to poll my Cali friends on Facebook & get some current travel advice, if you'd like!

[feliz6]

Agree that squaw and heavenly are amazing, especially for us Aussies. I think squaw had the winter olympics many years ago . Another option which may be a little cheaper ?? Maybe? Is sugar bowl. You can stay there or in nearby Truckee. Great diner in Truckee!! And the drive from Truckee to sugar bowl is beautiful.

[Bunsen]

I've been a couple of times (DH lived in San Fran for a while and has family near Tahoe). Now I'm not a skier and can't recommend accommodation as we stayed with family/friends but it is definitely worth a visit - the scenery is stunning, you must check out the ice rink at Squaw, it has the most amazing view, you are skating in the clouds.

Also, they really understand how to do hot tubs over there!

[Chalkie]

Hi, we went to Lake Tahoe last year and skiied at Heavenly - only for 2 days - but it was amazing. We are not much above beginner skiiers though. We had a lot of fun.

[baddmammajamma]

A-gail:

I posted on Facebook, and I am getting a lot of responses from my California friends who go regularly (Heavenly in the lead right now). Will share their responses after the west coast U.S. crew have all had a chance to weigh in!

[a-gail]

Oh wow -- thanks for the responses! For some reason I wasn't too hopeful of getting any replies at all....

Particular thanks to you baddmammajamma for your research on my behalf! Would love to hear what your friends have to say.

I have been looking at Northstar (for no other reason than I found some websites and the accommodation looked nice) but will be easily persuaded by people who have actually been there! There will be four of us by the way, kids aged around 4.5 and 3 at the time of travel.

Thanks again
A.

[TheSmithFamily]

Oh the memories!

I worked at Northstar at Tahoe as a ski instructor to kids back when I was in my 20's!

I loved Tahoe so much it is amazing.

We also did a trip to Yosemite too, breathtaking.

Northstar is close enough to Truckee too if you wanted to have some time off the mountain.

I hope to go back one day too

Bron

[TheSmithFamily]

Just saw you have kids, Northstar had a great kids daycare/ski program too, lots of fun people working there, usually some Aussie seasonal workers too!

[baddmammajamma]

Hi a-gail:

Happy to help!

OK, I polled a number of native Californians/avid skiers & here's what they had to say (I've chosen the most representative posts -- I had about 20 replies)

* Post from my friend Monica, avid skier and mum of three young boys: Squaw if they are really good skiers- Northstar if Intermediate and/or with kids.... There is a new "village" at Northstar with nice condos, restaurants, ice rink, little movie house and fire pits right at the base with gondola access up to the mountain. Unless they are serious skiers Northstar would be my pick- if they are serious skiers Squaw...

* Funny post from my childhood friend Kat (an avid skier & mum): I prefer north Tahoe too. I prefer Squaw. Heavenly is very, um, bumpy. Squaw is more like wheeee! but make sure they ski Heavenly just to see magical things. North Star good for intermediate or not super ambitious skiers and a great place to learn for kids. Crazy family friendly. If they've got the Dough, there are some awesome ski in ski out condos to rent. Seriously awesome. No lugging, no roof racks, no nuthin you ski out the front door and back in at middle or end of day, hey, lunch! Hey bathroom! Hey I need my space age long underwear layer! Such luxuries cannot be beat by fancy designer deluxe digs. Just can't. They're down by the bottom of a quiet run, so you ski down right to the lift. And into your front door anytime you pleeezes.

* From my friend Cathleen: Went last year and stayed at Squaw! Awesome town and awesome skiing, snowboard, sledding, tubing, etc! All around that area is great. Condos all right there to rent ! Truckee and all surrounding areas lots of fun.

* Everyone agrees that they prefer North Tahoe (that's the side with Squaw & Northstar) with the BIG caveat that Heavenly (South Tahoe) is worth a visit for the views alone!

Please let me know if you guys are planning to do any California add ons. I am from San Francisco & am always happy to pass along recs.