Winter Wonderland in Tahoe South

Most people visiting Tahoe South stay near their home base, meaning that by exploring a bit outside of the main strip, you’ll find yourself in fresh or only lightly traveled snow and miles of trails to carry you through the natural landscape.  This is especially amazing in winter when the layer of snow smooths the forest’s rough edges, bringing the trees into sharper focus.

One of our favorite hikes is the short Cave Rock trail. For those in the mood for a longer journey, try Emerald Bay.

What seems like a mountain staple is often overlooked as skiers race to the slopes.  With massive sweeping views, the gondola is great to soak in the landscape, and chill at the top. Riding the gondola, everyone has the opportunity to take in the view from the mountain.  Halfway to the top, the Observation Deck is located at roughly 9,000 feet and gives the best chance to take pictures and see across the town and onto Lake Tahoe.  

Riding even further up the mountain, guests are carried to a plateau where they can play in the snow, grab a bite to eat, and even tube and sled.  Short of grabbing gear and heading out on the hill, this is the best way to experience Tahoe South’s winter wonderland.

While international hotels and casinos line Lake Tahoe Boulevard, there is a growing trend towards cozy boutique hotels catering to the crowd that is migrating to Tahoe South for the variety of slopes and nightlife.  Where traditional hotels can be stiff in their uniformity, these newer hotels, such as Basecamp, take a lighter approach by providing a boutique experience to guests that is as much a part of the trip as the slopes.

Spotting Heavenly’s Avalanche rescue dogs is, hands down, a highlight of the day. Standing by the dogs for even 5 minutes, their magnetism is undeniable as skiers hop out of line and even hardcore snowboarders lean down for a pat. Let’s face it – dogs do make everything a little bit better.

With modern rescue methods and ski equipment, the main job of these rescue dogs is meet-and-greets on the mountain, but they are still trained for full rescues which involves a rigorous season of training followed by years of continued work.  The Heavenly dogs are one of the first calls made when a backcountry search is called for.

In the summer and shoulder seasons, Lake Tahoe is dotted with boats and stand-up paddleboards. In winter, the lake takes on a completely different look, especially around the downtown section of Tahoe South, where the water can freeze and collect snow until the surface resembles a wide flat field.

In the summer and shoulder seasons, Lake Tahoe is dotted with boats and stand-up paddleboards. In winter, the lake takes on a completely different look, especially around the downtown section of Tahoe South, where the water can freeze and collect snow until the surface resembles a wide flat field.

While many mountain towns are plagued by poor sunset sight lines, Tahoe South is an exception.  With the expanse of Lake Tahoe stretching out between the mountains, there is tons of room for the last of the sun’s rays to peek over the cliff without being blocked by the treetops.

Our personal favorite spot to catch the sunset, and one of the easiest, is on the shore by Riva Grill.

Start planning your trip to Tahoe South now!