Skiing breaks at Lake Tahoe, Nevada

With the season fast approaching, ski enthusiasts are being urged to head to the slopes of Nevada for their chance to indulge this year.

The local ski season opens in November and runs through to April, with more than 33 feet of snow expected annually in some ski resorts. This is coupled to an unlimited variety of nightlife and the stunning scenery of Lake Tahoe; making the region one of the most popular destinations in the world.

The best skiing in the state is at Lake Tahoe, where many Olympic athletes train on the snowy slopes surrounding the lake, and many holidaymakers flock to each year to try their hand at skiing and snowboarding.

However, while the most famous Tahoe ski resorts are Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and Heavenly Mountain Resort, which straddles the Nevada-California state line, there are actually nearly 20 ski resorts surrounding the lake.

All are within a quick drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Here travelbite.co.uk takes a peek at what’s happening this winter in Nevada.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort

On the north shore of Lake Tahoe, the Diamond Peak Ski Resort has runs so close to the lake it feels like they’ll end in the shimmering blue water! Few other resorts have the spectacular lake views that Diamond Peak has, and the resort capitalizes on that fact with a monthly full-moon 'Last Tracks' event.



Lake Tahoe

During the event, skiers ride a lift up to the mountaintop lodge just before sunset to enjoy wine and appetizers and then ski down freshly groomed trails as the sun sets over the lake.

Mount Rose

Nevada’s other north shore ski resort is Mt. Rose; which holds a fair claim to be the 'locals’ favourite'.

The resort boasts some of the most challenging runs at the lake, the triple-black-diamond 'Chutes'. These near-vertical runs test even the strongest skier and boarder.

On a lighter note, Mt. Rose is also dedicated to fun, offering special pricing on event days, such as the ’80s Flashback Day (February 7th 2009), when skiers dress in outrageous clothes from the 1980s, or the celebration of Elvis Presley’s birthday (January 10th 2009), when skiers and employees dress like Elvis.



Elvis on the slopes

Finally, no one does Ladies Day (March 14th 2009) quite like Mt. Rose – male skiers who dress up as women (don’t forget the wig and dress!) get a discount.

Heavenly Mountain Resort

On the south shore of Tahoe, visitors will find the vast Heavenly Mountain Resort, one of the largest ski resorts in North America.

What sets it apart from the rest is that it’s right in the heart of the action at Lake Tahoe. Its gondola even lifts off from the main street of the city of Stateline, where guests will find casinos, hotels, nightclubs, shopping and dining.

The area surrounding the gondola is called Heavenly Village, and this is where non-skiers can hang out all day sipping hot chocolate, shopping and watching the action, and skiers can warm up after a long day on the slopes.



Ski lift, Heavenly Village Resort

While the Lake Tahoe region seems created for skiers, let’s not forget about those who would rather keep two feet safely in their own shoes. Many ski resorts, Heavenly included, have a wide variety of activities for non-skiers too.

Visitors can rent snowshoes to explore the mountainside or jump on a giant inner-tube or sled and slide on the snow just when they were children!

The Heavenly Flyer, a 3,100-foot zip-line ride, the longest zip line in the continental United States, also draws the crowds.

What to do when the sun goes down…

So what happens when the lifts close, the sun sets and it’s time to go back to the hotel room? That’s when the 'après ski' fun begins that’s what.

'Apres ski' is the fancy way of saying after-hours party, and nearly every Lake Tahoe hotel, casino and ski resort has its own après ski event. For example, the south shore hotels, including Harrah’s, Harveys, MontBleu, Horizon and Lakeside Inn, put together post-ski drink specials, music, contests and giveaways to keep the party going all night long.

On the north shore, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe’s Cutthroat Saloon is always a hot party after the ski resorts close with food and drink specials and giveaways.

How to get the Lake Tahoe

US Airways, United and American Airlines all fly to Reno-Tahoe International Airport, with most flights from the UK requiring at least one change.

Chris O'Toole