Tahoe vacation?

[drewm88]

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.

[wadesworld]

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.

[Goose]

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.

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

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!

[WarriorFan]

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. 

[drewm88]

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.

[Dr. Blackheart]

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

[Benny B]

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.

[jsglow]

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.

[WarriorFan]

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!

[drewm88]

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.

[Dr. Blackheart]

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).

[jsglow]

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.

[jsglow]

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.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

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. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

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:



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

[Dr. Blackheart]

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/

[Benny B]

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.

[jsglow]

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.

[jsglow]

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:



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.

[drewm88]

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.

[jsglow]

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.

[Benny B]

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.

[jsglow]

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.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

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.