Tahoe Lyfe Events and Activities
No matter what time of the year it is in Lake Tahoe, there is always something to see and do whether it’s ice skating and cozying up to a fire pit with smores in the winter, enjoying a wine and art tour in the fall, parasailing or hiking in the summer, or enjoying bluebird bikini skiing days in the spring. Along with Tahoe being a 4-season destination area, here is a snapshot of locals’ favorite events that truly give a glimpse into Tahoe Lyfe:
Top Annual Events of North Lake Tahoe:
Snowfest (held in March)- For more than 35 years, all sorts of North Tahoe businesses and ski resorts participate in this 2-week long winter festival filled with events such an ice sculpture carving contest, polar bear swim, parades, and crowning a Snow Queen.
Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor (held in July-August) – Set against a magnificent backdrop of Lake Tahoe, theater aficionados have access to one of the finest outdoor cultural events in the US while spending a casual evening on the beach with family and friends. As well as putting on professional Shakespeare-themed performances for thousands of guests each summer, the Festival has gotten so popular that it has added Summer Encore and Monday Night showcases.
Wanderlust (usually held in July) – Every summer yogis and music lovers from all over the world unite at Squaw Valley Ski Resort to enjoy meditation, yoga, and top live performances and musical acts on the mountain. This is the one weekend where conscious people come together to celebrate mindful living.
Autumn Food & Wine Festival (held in September) – As one of Lake Tahoe’s most prestigious food and wine events, the Autumn Food & Wine Festival held at Northstar California Resort celebrates the changing of the seasons along with Farm to Table dinners, mixology seminars, hands-on cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs, winemaker luncheons, and more.
Top Annual Events of South Lake Tahoe:
American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament (held in July) – Set on the luscious greens and sweeping pines of Edgewood Golf Course amongst the picturesque mountains and lake, professional golfers and celebrities such as Charles Barkley, Kevin Nealon, Steve Young, and Justin Timberlake come to show off their swinging skills and party in South Shore. This event is always a good time.
Sample the Sierra (held in September)- If you love all things Sierra Nevada, then this is an event not to miss as this provides a full gamut of offerings from restaurants, wineries, artists, and farmers. If you want to visit everything that South Shore has to offer but only have a limited amount of time, this farm-to-fork festival is the best way to try it all.
Corral Trail Night Mountain Bike Ride (held in October) – In the spirit of Halloween, bike riders dressed as ghouls, freaks, and weirdos set out to ride mountain bikes in the dark with other creatures that pedal and go “boo” in the night. Following the Corral Loop off of Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe, mountain bike riders participate in a poker run with a BBQ, rest stop, snacks, and access to Tahoe trails.
SnowGlobe (held in December)- In the dead of winter against a backdrop of white-capped mountains, the most popular bands and DJs gather to woo the crowd and bring in the New Year. Held at the Lake Tahoe Community College campus, all ages are welcome and concertgoers are encouraged to dress warmly.
Skiing is a great way to spend a vacation. Bring your own gear or rent some if you’re new and hit the slopes. Try looking up what the conditions are at the spots you’re interested in and know that not all places are open at the same time. Here are a few options when it comes to skiing in the area.
* Kirkwood
A challenging mountain with a very diverse terrain. Snow here is known to be deep and dry, making it an ideal place for skilled skiers.
* Mt. Rose
A resort that is very close to the airport that has slopes that face east and north over 1200 acres.
* Sierra
The annual snowfall here on average is 480 inches and the slopes are protected by the wind. 320 acres are yours to explore, and there are beginner areas here.
Gambling
Some people just don’t want to spend all their time outside. That’s okay because you can enjoy your time at the casino if that’s more your style. Since it’s not legal in a lot of the USA, it’s a great time to get in some legal gambling on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Also be sure you check into staying at some of the casinos if you think you’ll spend a lot of time there since many have an attached hotel of some kind for you to enjoy. Try joining a membership program and you’ll get awesome deals when you play at one consistently.
Concerts And Movies
Various casinos and events centers see a lot of famous musicians coming through that you can go see. Just use Google and check on what is coming up because chances are you’re going to find that a lot of great artists that you know and love will be there when you are. Another great way to spend your time would be a movie because there are a few theaters in the area that play the latest movies. You can even get your tickets online so when there are big movies coming out you don’t have to risk it being too full for you to get in.
Golf
The amount of golfing you can do is going to wow you when you look into it. Think about the atmosphere being as relaxing as possible when you are in the area because it’s just a great place for you to unwind and look at the various natural features while you’re working on your game. There’s a Championship Course that you can go to in Incline Village that has a 72 par course that covers over 7000 yards. There’s also a place called the Mountain Golf Course that has you at an elevation change of 100 feet, giving you new and exciting conditions to play in.
Other Fun Ideas
*Yoga
In the Squaw Valley, there are actually yoga sessions you can attend. This is a nice time to get out in the morning and get started so that you can be ready for the day’s activities. Try signing up for classes as soon as you get out there or at least call ahead in case they are overbooked. You can usually borrow the mats if you need one but if you don’t have what you need there are plenty of shopping options in the area that should be able to help you find what is required.
These tours help you to get more familiar with the area and you can gabegin to see what it is that makes it such an interesting place. The person that created this tour, Darin Talbot, is able to tell you stories that will wow you since he’s an entertainer. Whether you have a tour that’s private, with a group, or even a guided CD tour, there are a lot of areas of Lake Tahoe that you will be able to explore and learn more about. There’s now even an app that works with GPS to show you new places to visit.
Lake Tahoe activities vary widely and there is something for everyone. It’s important that you do some initial planning before heading out there if you want to have the best possible time. You and those you go on your trip with will appreciate all that this awesome area has to offer.