Things to do in the Lake Tahoe Area: Forests, Trails, Parks, Attractions

Lake Tahoe. Large, high, clear lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks; second deepest lake in U.S. Major center for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, skiing and, on the Nevada side, gambling.

Sugar Pine Point State Park. Includes the Ehrman Mansion, a lakeside estate. Guided tours of the Mansion July-Labor Day.
530) 525-7982.

Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe. One of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful spots. Good location for fishing, hiking, or enjoying  superb vistas.
(530) 525-7232.

Tahoe National Forest. Encompasses 811,740 acres west and north of Lake Tahoe including Granite Chief Wilderness. Numerous lakes northwest of Truckee.
(916) 265-4531.

Granite Chief Wilderness, west of Tahoe City. The 25,000 acres include Five Lakes Trail, very popular for outstanding views. Allow 2 hours.
(530) 587-3558 Truckee Ranger District.

D.L. Bliss State Park, on Lake Tahoe, just north of Emerald Bay. Fine trails with lake views.
(530) 525-7232.

Desolation Wilderness, west of the southern section of Lake Tahoe. Beautiful area of 63,475 acres with trails passing numerous lakes.
(530) 644-6048 Eldorado National Forest.

Donner Memorial State Park, on Donner Pass Rd., 2.3 miles west of Truckee. Hiking trail and museum at the site of Donner Party tragedy.
(530) 582-7894.

Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Runs along eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. Swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing.
(702) 831-0494.

Rubicon Trail, starts at Calawee Cove Beach, D.L. Bliss State Park. Popular, moderate 9 mile trail with views of Lake Tahoe. Allow 5 hours for entire trail. (530) 525-7277.

Tallac Historic Site, on Hwy 89, 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe. Early resort with old homes and estates, a hotel, and casino. Frequent music and arts events.

(530) 541-5227. Grounds open Memorial Day-Sept.

Vikingsholm, on Emerald Bay. Accessed by a steep 1 mile trail. Fjord-like setting inspired this reproduction of 9th century Viking fort.

(530) 525-7277, (530) 525-7232. Open daily July 1-Labor Day; open weekends Memorial Day-June 30.  

Mount Rose Wilderness, northeast of Lake Tahoe. 28,000 acres with great views of Lake Tahoe.
(530) 573-2736 Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

 

Eldorado  National Forest. Covers over 675,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada southwest of Lake Tahoe. Includes Desolation and a portion of Mokelumne Wilderness Areas. Many small lakes.
(916) 644-6048.

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, in the Sierra Nevada between Highways 4 and 108. 160,000 acres of contrasting landscapes crossed by the Pacific Crest Trail. (209) 795-1381.

Tahoe Area Skiing

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort         
 
Alpine Meadows offers 2,000 acres of skiing and an average snowfall of 402 inches. Open 9 - 4pm.

Annual Snowfall - 34 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,633 m/8,637 ft
Vertical Rise  - 549 m/1,802 ft
Runs - 100: 25% Novice, 40% Intermediate, 35% Advance/Expert
Maximum Run - 4,023 m/ 13,200 ft
Lifts - 13 Lifts: 1 high speed sixer, 1 quad, 3 triple, 6 doubles, 2 tow
Address: PO Box 5279, Tahoe City, California 96145
Phone: 1 530 583-4232

Boreal Mountain Resort    
     
Annual Snowfall - 33 ft
Highest Elevation -2,347 m/7,700 ft
Vertical Rise - 152 m/500 ft
Runs    41: 30% Novice, 55% Intermediate, 15% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, night skiing.
Maximum Run -1,609 m/ 5,280 ft
Lifts – 9: 1 quad, 3 triple, 4 doubles
Open 9 - 9pm during winter season
Sledding hill, snowboard park.
Address: P.O. Box 39 Truckee, California 96160
Phone: 1 530 426-3666
                
Dodge Ridge         
 
815 acres of great skiing on 60 trails. Three restaurants. Open weekdays, 9 -4pm, and weekends/holidays, 8:30-4pm.

Highest Elevation - 2,499 m/ 8,200 ft
Vertical Rise - 488 m/ 1,600 ft
Runs    60: 20% Novice, 40% Intermediate, 40% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 3,621 m/ 11,880 ft
Lifts –11: 1 quad, 2 triple, 5 doubles, 4 tow
Annual Snowfall - 33 ft
Address: P.O. Box 1188, Pinecrest, California 95364   
Phone: 1 209 965-3474
        
Donner Ski Ranch              
 
Donner Ski Ranch provides skiing for all levels of skiers. Ski lodge includes a cafeteria, cocktail lounge, ski shop, rental shop, retail shop.

Annual Snowfall - 20 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,372 m/ 7,781 ft
Vertical Rise - 229 m/ 750 ft
Runs    50: 25% Novice, 50% Intermediate, 25% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 1,609 m/ 5,280 ft
Lifts: 6: 1 triple, 5 doubles
Address: 19320 Donner Pass Road, Norden, California  95724
Phone: 1 530 426-3635
        
Heavenly Ski Resort         
 
Located the California/ Nevada border, this ski resort has a hill with 27 lifts and 82 runs.

Annual Snowfall - 30 ft
Highest Elevation - 3,060 m/ 10,040 ft
Vertical Rise -1,067 m/ 3,500 ft
Runs    84: 20% Novice, 45% Intermediate, 35% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, cross country, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 8,851 m/29,040 ft
Lifts: 29: gondola, 1 high speed sixer, 5 quad, 8 triple, 5 doubles, 8 tow
Address: Corner of Wildwood & Saddle South Lake Tahoe California 96150
Phone: 1 775 586-7000
        
Homewood Mountain Resort         

Homewood Mountain offers over 1260 acres of skiing with eight lifts and 56 runs. Snowboard and ski school. Children's ski school. Open 9 - 4pm.

Annual Snowfall - 30 ft
Highest Elevation -2,402 m/7,880 ft
Vertical Rise - 503 m/1,650 ft
Runs    56: 15% Novice, 50% Intermediate, 35% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing,cross country, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 3,219 m/ 10,560 ft
Lifts - 3: 1 high speed sixer, 1 quad, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 1 tow
Address: Homewood California 96141
Phone: 1 530 525-2992

Kirkwood Mountain Resort         

Kirkwood has an average snowfall 500 inches. Downhill and cross-country ski area. Daycare, lodging available.

Annual Snowfall - 44 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,987 m/9,800 ft
Vertical Rise - 610 m/2,000 ft
Runs    65: 15% Novice, 50% Intermediate, 35% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, cross country, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 4,023 m/ 13,200 ft
Lifts - 3: 1 high speed sixer, 1 quad, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 1 tow
Address: Kirkwood California  95646
Phone: 1 209 258-6000

Northstar at Tahoe         
 
Northstar offers 15 lifts including 6 express. The vertical drop is 2,280, elevation is 8610 feet, and there is an average snowfall of 400 inches. Featuring 2 halfpipes, cross-country trails, dog sledding tours, snowmobile tours, and a tubing and sledding park.

Annual Snowfall - 29 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,624 m/8,610 ft
Vertical Rise - 695 m/ 2,280 ft
Runs    70: 25% Novice, 50% Intermediate, 25% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, night skiing, cross country, snow tubing, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 2,391 m/ 7,845 ft
Lifts -3: 1 high speed sixer, 1 quad, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 1 tow
Address: P.O. Box 129, Truckee, California 96160
Phone: 1 530 562-1010

Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley features 4000 acres of skiing, ski lessons, daycare.

Annual Snowfall - 38 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,758 m/9,050 ft
Vertical Rise - 869 m/2,850 ft
Runs    177: 20% Novice, 27% Intermediate, 53% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, night skiing, cross country, snow tubing, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 5,150 m/16,896 ft
Lifts: 3  - high speed sixer, 5 quad, 9 triple, 10 doubles, 6 tow
Address: P.O. Box 2007, Olympic Valley California 96146
Phone: 1 530 583-6985

 

Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort         
 
Over 2,000 acres of trails with ski lessons, rentals, season passes. Free shuttle bus service to and from South Shore. Tubing is also offered at the resort.

Annual Snowfall - 40 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,698 m/8,852 ft
Vertical Rise - 674 m/2,212 ft
Runs    46: 25% Novice, 50% Intermediate, 25% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, night skiing, cross country, snow tubing, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 4,023 m/ 13,200 ft
Lifts - 3: 1 high speed sixer, 1 quad, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 1 tow
Address: 1111 Sierra-at-Tahoe Road, Twin Bridges California  95160
Phone: 1 530 659-7453

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort         
 
Sugar Bowl has 1,500 acres of skiing, ski and snowboard lessons, daycare, and lodging on the hill.

Annual Snowfall - 42 ft
Highest Elevation -2,555 m/8,383 ft
Vertical Rise - 457 m/1,500 ft
Runs    84: 20% Novice, 27% Intermediate, 53% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, night skiing, cross country, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 4,828 m/15,840 ft
Lifts - 13: 1 gondoal, 8 quad, 4 doubles, 2 tow
Address: P.O. Box 5, Norden, California  95724
Phone: 1 530 426-9000
        
Tahoe Donner         
 
Tahoe Donner ski area features both downhill and cross-country ski areas. Ski School. Cafeteria and snack bar. The lifts are open 9 - 4pm.

Annual Snowfall - 30 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,240 m/7,350 ft
Vertical Rise - 183 m/ 600 ft
Runs    14: 40% Novice, 60% Intermediate with alpine skiing, night skiing and cross country.
Maximum Run - 1,609 m/ 5,280 ft
Lifts - 4: 1 quad, 1 double, 2 tow
Address: 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, California 96161
Phone: 1 530 587-9444
       
Outside Tahoe
 

Soda Springs Winter Resort         
 
Located only 48 miles from Reno, Soda Springs offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing. The terrain is 30% beginner, 50% intermediate and 20% advanced. Open from 9am to 4:30pm. Tubing tows operate from 11am to 4pm and Friday & Saturday nights & holidays.

Annual Snowfall - 33 ft
Highest Elevation -2,241 m/7,352 ft
Vertical Rise - 199 m/652 ft
Runs    16: 30% Novice, 50% Intermediate, 20% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, snow tubing, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 1,609 m/ 5,280 ft
Lifts – 4: 1 triple, 1 doubles, 2 tow
Address: P.O. Box 39, Truckee, California 96160
Phone: 1 530 426-3901
                    
Bear Valley Mountain Resort         
 
Bear Valley Mountain provides an elevation of 8,500' at the summit, annual snowfall of 30 feet, a snowmaking system and 67 trails for all levels of experience. Open daily November through mid-April, 9 – 4 pm.

Annual Snowfall - 38 ft
Highest Elevation - 2,591 m/8,500 ft
Vertical Rise - 579 m/1,900 ft
Runs- 67: 30% Novice, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advance/Expert with alpine skiing, cross country, terrain park.
Maximum Run - 4,828 m/ 15,840 ft
Lifts - 11: 2 triple, 7 doubles, 2 tow
Address: P.O. Box 5038, Bear Valley, California 95223
Phone: 1 209 753-2301