Since Scoop has become a travel advice site on the side, and a bunch of you spend time in Nevada, anyone got advice on Lake Tahoe? We're considering a trip out there to mostly do some skiing.
-Is it worth it?
-What else is there to do besides ski?
-Is a car absolutely necessary to get around, or do they have other options to bounce around different ski spots and towns?
Thanks in advance.
I haven't been out there in the winter but I'd imagine there would be some great skiing. It's incredible in the summer. Emerald Bay is awesome.
My nephew and his wife spent New Years there and loved. Says a lot because they were in Aspen for Christmas and still loved it.
A great trip is to fly into San Francisco and spend 1-2 nights there. Rent a car and take the short drive to Napa Valley... one night in Napa is plenty. Then take the short beautiful drive to Tahoe. I skiied at Squaw Valley and actually got sun burnt due to the mild warm weather, but amazingly plenty of snow. Other things to do in Tahoe include hitting the casino, golfing and tubing or whitewater rafting on the Truckee River. It is an awesome time!
My Tahoe days are a few years back but here's what I remember:
North is better than south.
Best skiing is Alpine Meadows hands down unless you're a real show-off then go to squaw. Heavenly sucks. Northstar is good if you like nice long groomers. Alpine's motto is "if you can see it, you can ski it" and when you catch a powder day it's amazing.
Truckee hotel was always a great pub with live music.
yes, you need a car.
I had a ski lease when I used to go there so cannot really recommend hotels.
Thanks for the input all. We just spent some time in SF and Sonoma this past year, but now I wish we'd thought to combine trips.
What makes north better than south and why does Heavenly suck? We're both infrequent skiers these days, and it's been several years since I've had the chance to go anywhere outside IL/WI, so I'm guessing my standards are lower than yours WarriorFan. We're looking at potentially being on the slopes weekdays in February if that changes anything.
More ski resorts within a short drive so nice to hit some variety depending upon on your ski level. Squaw and Alpine are owned by the same company and your pass is good at either (and they run shuttles between). Squaw has something for all depending on your party's ability, with the best ski school. The 1960 Olympic Village and history is cool for first timers. Alpine is all about skiing the bowls which is a blast. More intermediate to advanced. Both have ski parks if boarding. Nightlife dead at both, but more going on at Squaw Village if staying there. More going on if staying in Truckee.
Not sure why Heavenly sucks, WarriorFan, but it is massive and can be overwhelming. You can ski and there is a lodge in two states, which is unique. The spread is massive but provides great skiing. South Lake Tahoe/stateline right there and provide the most lodging/nightlife/restaurant choices.
Kirkwood is nearby to Heavenly which is one of my preferred. A great intermediate resort to provide another option to try.
What is your budget on lodging? You can get cheap to expensive lodges/cabins usually. Airfare? Try Reno as an alternative to SFO. Sacramento usually too expensive. Don't get a connector into Tahoe airport if you want to live. All rentals need chains, because when it snows it dumps.
Summary: Skiing is at the timberline. Lots of beautiful terrain and slope options including the option to pick a new slope a day. Most resorts can get you up the mountain quickly. Spring skiing is nice with the temperatures, but Sierra Sludge can be less joyful. Beautiful views, with options to also cross country or snowshoe. Nightlife options.
http://www.onthesnow.com/lake-tahoe/reviews-d.html?ud=0&o=rating
Two places that are a must-visit on the north side of the lake... Alibi Ale Works in Incline Village and Gar Woods in Carnelian Bay. The former is a quaint little tap room with excellent brews tucked away on a dead end street and the latter on N Lake blvd has a combination of great food mixed with a romantic view overlooking the lake.
And if you get bored... hop on up to Reno and go find Benny camped out at the Silver Legacy somewhere.
I've only been skiing at Heavenly in the Tahoe area and while not my favorite mountain out west it certainly doesn't suck. The cool thing is that the resort/gambling town of Stateline is right at the base. So skiing by day, casino at night. And the views of the lake from the mountain are breathtakingly beautiful.
Agreeing with Dr. B... North is better than South because more resorts closer together.
Heavenly sucks because it's full of non-skiiers in $3000 outfits standing (or in the case of snowboarders - sitting) in the middle of the runs. Also lots of traversing to get around, and not easy to have a useful lodge as a home base because there are no good runs to the CA side main lodge. Given that Tahoe weather can change a couple times per day and you need to add/subtract layers as a result, it's better to have a place to stash a bag with clothes/balaclava/etc if you need to gear up.
Squaw has the most diverse terrain. Alpine is where the locals ski.
Kirkwood is also good you're up for the extra drive. Having been nearly killed on hwy 88 a couple times it's not my favorite drive.
Enjoy!
This is all extremely helpful. We're looking at flying into Reno and staying at the Ridge in Stateline because of a family timeshare exchange that would make it super cheap. Hence the interest in Heavenly.
Next question -- if I rent a car at the Reno airport to drive to the resort and bop around to different ski spots, restaurants, etc., am I going to need snow chains? I don't do mountains, so I'm clueless.
You will need chains if it snows. They actually put up check points on the highways in, including I80. Can get through rental agency or can buy in Reno.
I have been there when it has snowed 25 inches in 12 hours. One of the reasons I don't like to stay even in Truckee is if it snows, the road into Tahoe may be closed and you can miss a day of powder. If you stay in Stateline, you are in a good spot though I prefer north.
WarriorFan laid out Heavenly's issues. If weather allows, we used to drive to the Nevada lodge to start versus CA. Less busy, better skiing. Btw, the CA side is the only resort I have been where a large number of skiers take the lifts down as the slopes are blacks (although there are decent cat runs down once you figure out the terrain).
This is old news about Heavenly at this point as the gondola straight to town went in about 2001. Prior to that the ONLY way into the mountain was either the Nevada base or the Cali base, both of which had lots of black at the bottom meaning that chair downloads were the norm. The gondola basically bisects the two sides over non skiing terrain and drops right into town.
Look, I'm not selling Heavenly as a ski destination. The snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains is inferior compared to almost anywhere else out west, hence the name Sierra cement. Moisture content is way too high. I can name 20 places I'd rather strap on my old boards and I certainly can't comment on the northern resorts as I've never been there. But I still had a very good time and the day/night combo is a good one for folks that want that.
The locals can speak to it way better than I can but I suspect they have chain requirements. That said, chains are theoretically mandatory in the Wasatch but I've never had them choosing to head up to Park City via the interstate if Big and Little Cottonwood are closed because of snow.
Quote from: drewm88 on January 04, 2017, 10:31:36 AM
This is all extremely helpful. We're looking at flying into Reno and staying at the Ridge in Stateline because of a family timeshare exchange that would make it super cheap. Hence the interest in Heavenly.
Next question -- if I rent a car at the Reno airport to drive to the resort and bop around to different ski spots, restaurants, etc., am I going to need snow chains? I don't do mountains, so I'm clueless.
Drew, I shuttled up to Stateline from Reno. My buddy from SF had a car. I might look into info about in town shuttles and avoid the car altogether.
And you mentioned that you hadn't been skiing outside the midwest in several years. Trust you'll get a little practice again before you go out. Chick and I were in Utah last year and I was taken back how my skills have eroded. Stuff that was no problem for me at 30 or 40 is a different animal at 55. And btw, nothing here in the midwest really challenged me to know that beforehand.
Lastly, if you're really set on a ski vacation are you open to options beyond Tahoe? Many here could give you suggestions.
No longer ski but I now live below Truckee and if you rent something with all-wheel drive you don't need either chains or snow tires. You will be fine without. Plenty of snow as it has been dumping for days and the forecast is that it will not stop for the next week.
Quote from: jsglow on January 04, 2017, 01:54:07 PM
This is old news about Heavenly at this point as the gondola straight to town went in about 2001. Prior to that the ONLY way into the mountain was either the Nevada base or the Cali base, both of which had lots of black at the bottom meaning that chair downloads were the norm. The gondola basically bisects the two sides over non skiing terrain and drops right into town.
Look, I'm not selling Heavenly as a ski destination. The snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains is inferior compared to almost anywhere else out west, hence the name Sierra cement. Moisture content is way too high. I can name 20 places I'd rather strap on my old boards and I certainly can't comment on the northern resorts as I've never been there. But I still had a very good time and the day/night combo is a good one for folks that want that.
The locals can speak to it way better than I can but I suspect they have chain requirements. That said, chains are theoretically mandatory in the Wasatch but I've never had them choosing to head up to Park City via the interstate if Big and Little Cottonwood are closed because of snow.
Good point on the slope access if staying downtown. Vail Resorts has put a ton of money into Heavenly, which has pros and cons with the crowds. I have stayed at a slope cabin on Cal Lodge side, so ski rght out and right up...or we park at the Nevada Stagecoach Lodge side coming from the north. Easier access to less crowded slopes (although the gondola changed that), central lunch meet up, and post-tailgating with a lot less traffic or wahoos. A lot less toney and more laid back than on that side. That said, this ain't bad to your point:
(http://www.skilaketahoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/blog-heavenly-go-all-in-with-heavenly.jpg)
Tahoe over others provides variety, scenery, easy access to the Bay Area, nightlife, and low/no altitude adjustment. Park City, Vail/Beaver Creek superior...or just Utah and Colorado in general for powder, terrain. But, nightlife and restaurants can be limited. I have not been to Whistler, but that seems to hit my friends' lists.
Here is the Forbes list which has Jackson Hole at the top:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/christophersteiner/2015/11/17/the-top-10-ski-resorts-in-north-america-for-2016/#9fd52e91bf01
Quote from: elephantraker on January 04, 2017, 05:36:45 PM
No longer ski but I now live below Truckee and if you rent something with all-wheel drive you don't need either chains or snow tires. You will be fine without. Plenty of snow as it has been dumping for days and the forecast is that it will not stop for the next week.
10-15+ feet coming in the next week...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/01/04/california-sierra-snow-south/96164874/
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 04, 2017, 08:22:34 PM
Tahoe over others provides variety, scenery, easy access to the Bay Area, nightlife, and low/no altitude adjustment. Park City, Vail/Beaver Creek superior...or just Utah and Colorado in general for powder, terrain. But, nightlife and restaurants can be limited. I have not been to Whistler, but that seems to hit my friends' lists.
Here is the Forbes list which has Jackson Hole at the top:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/christophersteiner/2015/11/17/the-top-10-ski-resorts-in-north-america-for-2016/#9fd52e91bf01
WTF are you talking about?!? Utah has some of the greatest nightlife in the world.... that is if you consider sleep to be the essence of life.
Hard to argue as Jackson Hole is overall outstanding and well deserving of #1 on an individual basis... though it doesn't hold a candle to the SLC collective. But Tahoe nightlife is superior by just about every account even though Jackson is still pretty damn good on it's own.
Flying into RNO next week for work... all this talk now has me considering taking a "personal" day while I'm out there.
The 'old days' of not being able to get a beer are absolutely gone in Park City. Moreover, my rule has always been that I'm here to ski. A beer or two with dinner is enough for me in the evening. I'm getting 'first chair' tomorrow attitude.
I hear what you guys are saying about altitude. That's a big issue up in Dillon County. My SIL had a condo up at Brec. I think the base is at 10 and her place was 'up' a bit from there. Pretty tough sleeping especially that first night right off a plane.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 04, 2017, 08:22:34 PM
Good point on the slope access if staying downtown. Vail Resorts has put a ton of money into Heavenly, which has pros and cons with the crowds. I have stayed at a slope cabin on Cal Lodge side, so ski rght out and right up...or we park at the Nevada Stagecoach Lodge side coming from the north. Easier access to less crowded slopes (although the gondola changed that), central lunch meet up, and post-tailgating with a lot less traffic or wahoos. A lot less toney and more laid back than on that side. That said, this ain't bad to your point:
(http://www.skilaketahoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/blog-heavenly-go-all-in-with-heavenly.jpg)
Tahoe over others provides variety, scenery, easy access to the Bay Area, nightlife, and low/no altitude adjustment. Park City, Vail/Beaver Creek superior...or just Utah and Colorado in general for powder, terrain. But, nightlife and restaurants can be limited. I have not been to Whistler, but that seems to hit my friends' lists.
Here is the Forbes list which has Jackson Hole at the top:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/christophersteiner/2015/11/17/the-top-10-ski-resorts-in-north-america-for-2016/#9fd52e91bf01
Read the list. Need to try Grand Targhee. Hadn't heard of that joint up in AK. Want to go up that way. In summer.
Really appreciate all the insights.
Glow, Tahoe is the pick because of the opportunity for near-free lodging and convenience to a major-ish airport. I get that there are better ski options, but this fits our time and $ needs for this trip.
I'll be looking into the shuttle/chains/AWD options. Thanks all.
Doc, my wife squealed in excitement when I showed her that picture.
Quote from: drewm88 on January 05, 2017, 12:21:01 PM
Really appreciate all the insights.
Glow, Tahoe is the pick because of the opportunity for near-free lodging and convenience to a major-ish airport. I get that there are better ski options, but this fits our time and $ needs for this trip.
I'll be looking into the shuttle/chains/AWD options. Thanks all.
Doc, my wife squealed in excitement when I showed her that picture.
It's truly that beautiful.
Enjoy. The good news is that the Sierra is getting dumped. Good snow year.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 04, 2017, 08:22:34 PM
http://www.forbes.com/sites/christophersteiner/2015/11/17/the-top-10-ski-resorts-in-north-america-for-2016/#9fd52e91bf01
Ha... I just clicked through to the entire list of 220 resorts, looking to see where Devil's Head ranked. As an aside, my sister and BIL constantly rave about it being the best skiing in the Midwest and even had their wedding reception there, but I think it's a hellhole, no pun intended (if you haven't been, the 80's scenes from Hot Tub Time Machine could have been filmed there last week with no additional props or decorations, and it would have won an Oscar for production design). So instinctively, I clicked to the last page of the rankings, and sure enough, there it was at #220.
I love it when objective data proves that my sister is an idiot. Although truth be told, I'm not quite the genius I purport myself to be... I always told my sister the main reason it sucks is because the entire damn hill faces south (I'm sure I tried at one point to explain the whole sunlight and earth tilting on its axis thing to no avail), but as it turns out, I was wrong... only 80% of the hill faces south.
Quote from: Benny B on January 05, 2017, 02:59:35 PM
Ha... I just clicked through to the entire list of 220 resorts, looking to see where Devil's Head ranked. As an aside, my sister and BIL constantly rave about it being the best skiing in the Midwest and even had their wedding reception there, but I think it's a hellhole, no pun intended (if you haven't been, the 80's scenes from Hot Tub Time Machine could have been filmed there last week with no additional props or decorations, and it would have won an Oscar for production design). So instinctively, I clicked to the last page of the rankings, and sure enough, there it was at #220.
I love it when objective data proves that my sister is an idiot. Although truth be told, I'm not quite the genius I purport myself to be... I always told my sister the main reason it sucks is because the entire damn hill faces south (I'm sure I tried at one point to explain the whole sunlight and earth tilting on its axis thing to no avail), but as it turns out, I was wrong... only 80% of the hill faces south.
Ha. It's also poorly run.
True story. I was up there on a weekday about 10 years ago. With few skiers nobody expected all the chairs to be operating. But when they shut down the only chair that had been going to the top of their massive 500 vertical feet (measured in sneakers for sure!) I asked to discuss it with the manager. I explained to him that he had just eliminated fully half his 'mountain' and that closing any other chair would be a better answer. He wouldn't budge. I asked for and received my lift ticket money back. Half day skiing for free I suppose.
Never got into skiing. Ive been to Grand Geneva about 6 times (Only when I used to go and work at a camp in Burlington) and was always absolutely terrified each time.
Managed to get off the bunny hills by my third year (mind you I must have been 16 by that point) but never went past a green circle, which im sure at Grand Geneva is pretty much a bunny hill anywhere else.
Was always afraid I'd Sonny Bono myself.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 04, 2017, 09:04:47 PM
10-15+ feet coming in the next week...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/01/04/california-sierra-snow-south/96164874/
That's why I stocked up on the Jameson and single malts
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 05, 2017, 03:46:31 PM
Never got into skiing. Ive been to Grand Geneva about 6 times (Only when I used to go and work at a camp in Burlington) and was always absolutely terrified each time.
Managed to get off the bunny hills by my third year (mind you I must have been 16 by that point) but never went past a green circle, which im sure at Grand Geneva is pretty much a bunny hill anywhere else.
Was always afraid I'd Sonny Bono myself.
Too bad you didn't get introduced to the sport earlier. I think I got my kids on the hills at 6 and 4. Michigan's UP. Still remember looking for chairlifts without a center bar because their butts were too low and I had to 'hip carry' them onto the chair. It's truly a great lifetime sport.
Fun fact: The number #1 beer selling location in the US is the Salt Lake City Costco off I80 on the way between the airport and Park City.
Since Tahoe is getting dumped on, just a note that this area, especially Alpine Meadows, is prone to avalanches, including the deadliest one in US history. Right now I80 is closed in both directions until at least midnight. And rain and flooding expected this weekend at lower levels. The weather here can be downright scary when it is bad.
Unbelievable in my experience....good and bad. Be prepared...yes, with liquor, food and chains. Better to be trapped on the resort side to have a day of powder to yourselves while the roads are closed/blocked.
Donner Party...
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 05, 2017, 08:49:58 PM
Fun fact: The number #1 beer selling location in the US is the Salt Lake City Costco off I80 on the way between the airport and Park City.
Since Tahoe is getting dumped on, just a note that this area, especially Alpine Meadows, is prone to avalanches, including the deadliest one in US history. Right now I80 is closed in both directions until at least midnight. And rain and flooding expected this weekend at lower levels. The weather here can be downright scary when it is bad.
Unbelievable in my experience....good and bad. Be prepared...yes, with liquor, food and chains. Better to be trapped on the resort side to have a day of powder to yourselves while the roads are closed/blocked.
Donner Party...
I believe it... when the beer your state requires you to sell has half the alcohol as the beer in the rest of the civilized world, of course you're going to sell 2-3x as much as anyone else. But seriously, I could really go for some Polygamy Porter right now.
Ok, I'm done ragging on Utah. Hopefully all that snow in RNO will divert my plane to SLC next week.
Quote from: Benny B on January 05, 2017, 10:06:32 PM
I believe it... when the beer your state requires you to sell has half the alcohol as the beer in the rest of the civilized world, of course you're going to sell 2-3x as much as anyone else. But seriously, I could really go for some Polygamy Porter right now.
Ok, I'm done ragging on Utah. Hopefully all that snow in RNO will divert my plane to SLC next week.
Great stuff. Enjoyed it at the brewery last year and am thrilled that I can get it at my local grocery in Las Vegas.
Quote from: jsglow on January 05, 2017, 07:38:21 PM
Too bad you didn't get introduced to the sport earlier. I think I got my kids on the hills at 6 and 4. Michigan's UP. Still remember looking for chairlifts without a center bar because their butts were too low and I had to 'hip carry' them onto the chair. It's truly a great lifetime sport.
The Midwest didn't offer much downhill experiences but when relocated to the Andirondacks, I was down the street from 14 miles of cross-country trails built by the Russians for the Lake Placid Olympics. About 10 miles were lit at night so it was a great place to unwind. Had the kids up to Mammoth ski school when they were 5,7 & 9 so they all continue to snow board.
Just finished a week at Deer Valley and it was beautiful. Never stay in park city... too crowded. Better to drive down to SLC. I also have the "first chair" approach so skiing nightlife is something only rarely considered.
http://www.thestormking.com/Weather/Sierra_Snowfall/sierra_snowfall.html
This link shows how much snow the sierra can actually get. I was there in '95 when a huge portion of the 15 meters of snow came in one week. Fortunately I got up I-80 before the roads closed. First two days couldn't ski anywhere because they were all closed due to avalanche danger. Just sat home and listed to howitzer fire. The next day only Northstar was open and it was near impossible to ski because Northstar isn't steep enough and the snow was too deep to move.
After that it was 5 days of freshies or rubble. There must have been only a few hundred people up there that week because the roads were closed several days. Never skiied the same track twice. The Alpine Bowl chairlift at Alpine Meadows was running in a ravine cut by snow cats because the snow was higher than the lift towers, and Upper Saddle and Keyhole (normally rock cliffs) were the best skiing because they were 100% covered and perfectly steep.
Quote from: jsglow on January 04, 2017, 01:54:07 PM
This is old news about Heavenly... lots of black at the bottom meaning that chair downloads were the norm.
Heavenly. Gunbarrel. Nirvana.
Riding the lift down? Grow a pair and earn that beer. (not you, glow.)
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 05, 2017, 03:46:31 PM
Never got into skiing. Ive been to Grand Geneva about 6 times (Only when I used to go and work at a camp in Burlington) and was always absolutely terrified each time.
Managed to get off the bunny hills by my third year (mind you I must have been 16 by that point) but never went past a green circle, which im sure at Grand Geneva is pretty much a bunny hill anywhere else.
Was always afraid I'd Sonny Bono myself.
So........ I guess you aren't going to fly A 10's for a living...
Quote from: keefe on January 07, 2017, 03:49:14 AM
So........ I guess you aren't going to fly A 10's for a living...
Does anyone?
Quote from: keefe on January 07, 2017, 03:47:26 AM
Heavenly. Gunbarrel. Nirvana.
Riding the lift down? Grow a pair and earn that beer. (not you, glow.)
As good of a bump run as you can find.
https://youtu.be/2d_JlA6mNbs
Quote from: keefe on January 07, 2017, 03:47:26 AM
Heavenly. Gunbarrel. Nirvana.
Riding the lift down? Grow a pair and earn that beer. (not you, glow.)
I skied keefe. But at the end of the day on wobbly legs sometimes preventing injury risk is wise.
50 mph wind gusts this afternoon at RNO. Fortunately from the south, so no problem getting planes on the ground softly, but the ride down was so bumpy (first time I've ever reached for the Benadryl during a flight) that I thought Keefe might be behind the wheel. If you're coming out here in the next few days, be prepared for a nice little ride on approach.
No skiing for me unfortunately. Quick trip to Crawfish Asian Cuisine for a combo bag, then back to hotel room to nosh and close the night out studying NCAA futures.
Quote from: Benny B on January 10, 2017, 08:29:26 PM
50 mph wind gusts this afternoon at RNO. Fortunately from the south, so no problem getting planes on the ground softly, but the ride down was so bumpy (first time I've ever reached for the Benadryl during a flight) that I thought Keefe might be behind the wheel. If you're coming out here in the next few days, be prepared for a nice little ride on approach.
No skiing for me unfortunately. Quick trip to Crawfish Asian Cuisine for a combo bag, then back to hotel room to nosh and close the night out studying NCAA futures.
Gusts over the peaks at Tahoe hit 175 the other day.
One last suggestion... on your way out of town, be sure to stop at the Silver Legacy and place a bet with the former MU basketball player who now runs the sportsbook there.
Mortenson, hey?
Flew into the western abode today. Massive cloud deck over the entire Rockies. Steady rain and very low deck here in the Valley. Frankly don't ever remember this although chick personally experienced the 'blizzard' of 2008. Gotta be absolutely dumping in the mountains.
Friend was in his Truckee place and last week shoveled over 7' off his deck. He left just in time to miss 10'
I-80 was closed numerous times and GPS shows an alternate route to bypass . The problem is it is a dirt road. People who tried it were rescued but not their vehicles.
Quote from: elephantraker on January 13, 2017, 05:13:55 PM
Friend was in his Truckee place and last week shoveled over 7' off his deck. He left just in time to miss 10'
I-80 was closed numerous times and GPS shows an alternate route to bypass . The problem is it is a dirt road. People who tried it were rescued but not their vehicles.
Wow. Sometimes people need to use their brains, not their smartphones.
Bumping this to say thanks again for the input. Spent last week staying at a resort just off Heavenly's Stagecoach lodge and had a great time. Only skied Heavenly, but that was enough for us because it was so big, and the crowds weren't bad at all for the most part. Also seems like we had perfect timing coming right after they got absolutely dumped on.
Only downside was having to scramble to find somewhere to watch us beat X when our part of the mountain lost power for a night. Apparently when 8 feet of snow starts to melt, it can cause issues.