Getting Here
Reno International Airport makes the Lake Tahoe Basin easily accessible from anywhere in the country and is a comfortable hassle free airport, whether coming in or going out. You can take commercial transportation to either the North end of Lake Tahoe or to South Lake Tahoe or rent a car in the airport.
South Lake Tahoe
When we talk ski resorts and South Lake Tahoe, right off Heavenly Mountain Resort comes to mind and. why not. since it is the center of town. South Lake Tahoe has been a popular summer resort for many, many years, so whatever your budget you can be sure to find accommodations.
You may be pleasantly surprised at how many amenities you get for your dollar. Catering to vacationers is a way of life in South Lake Tahoe so you can find bargains, or luxury, on both sides of California/Nevada border that cuts through town and through Heavenly.
When I based in South lake Tahoe for skiing, I've stayed in both the Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe and the Marriott Timber Lodge. The Embassy is just down the street from the Heavenly Gondola - which is literally at door of the Marriott Timber Lodge.
These are both great places to stay and be sure to check for seasonal specials. Mindful of your personal budget, check the many other accommodations especially in summer when you don't mind walking to and fro in the beautiful weather - the sun shines at Lake Tahoe for 75% of the year, or over 274 days.
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Heavenly is there all year round and so is the storied Heavenly Flyer, a ZipRider experience, located up at Adventure Peak. To get to the Flyer you ride the Heavenly Gondola - a scenic experience in itself. Then a short hop onto the Tamarack Express gets you to the zip line take-off deck. Get strapped in and you are off for a 3,100 feet flight, zipping through the trees and over the Gondola while dropping 525 vertical feet.
The Heavenly Flyer is the longest ZipRider in the lower 48 U.S. states and people of all ages love it. In fact it is so popular reservations are recommended in advance, so book this adventure ride when you first get into town. Don't think you can wimp out in the winter either because the Heavenly Flyer is open year-round.
New this year at Heavenly is a guided summit hike. Ride to Adventure Peak then take Tamarack to the summit and hike over to the Pinnacles for an awe-inspiring view of the Lake Tahoe area. After all the hiking the family can chow down at the adventure Peak Grill - a full service restaurant right on the mountain.
Kirkwood
Less than an hour out of South Lake Tahoe and you can access the mountain bike park, climbing wall/ropes course, and zip line at Kirkwood.
On Saturday evenings after the bike park closes plan an adventure horseback ride along the scenic ridgelines of Kirkwood. Beginning at 3:30 pm and leaving from The Lodge at Kirkwood, this three hour ride provides access to Thunder Saddle, the Mokelumne Wilderness, and the majestic ridgelines of Red Cliffs with a stop at Shep's Lake.
Also on Saturdays and Sundays, kids and adults of ages 8 and up can take a one hour horseback ride around the beautiful Kirkwood Meadow. Kirkwood's Mountain Bike Park is open for the entire family with trails ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced and expert.
Kirkwood is, of course, an amazing place to see and ski in the winter. Think of what a great summer picture you'll get of where you conquered "The Face" and maybe even catch a peek at The Wave.
Nightlife in South Lake Tahoe
A don't miss experience for lunch or dinner is FiRE+iCE, the improvisational grill in the Marriott Timber Lodge complex, where you choose your meal and watch it being grilled. That is, grilled 'in the round' on a huge gas-fired hot plate. You are welcome to stay for as many portions as you can eat.
Of course, you have to take in the Nevada experience - It's chock full of the hustle and bustle of the casino world - slot machines, video games, poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and more table games. It's very different from the ski resort part of a summer vacation, but definitely an experience in and of itself.
