Latest posts for the topic "lake tahoe ski trip"

lake tahoe ski trip

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 12:40:26 GMT

Hi everyone,been a long time since i joined in the chatter,so had better change all that with hopefully some advice on our forthcoming ski trip to lake tahoe end feb.

if anyone has been over the last few years i would like to know if its worth purchasing a whole area interchangeble lift pass for 6 days or maybe indiv days as and when req , i know this is a bit of an open question but i do know its a massive area and may not be able to cover that much terrain in only 6 or 7 days.

also does anyone have any do's and dont's about the area,as never ski north america before.

we arrive san fransisco 27th feb then will drive to tahoe /heavenly.

many thanks in advance
steve
steve

Re:lake tahoe ski trip

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 15:24:09 GMT

Went years ago, and overnighted in SF before picking up the hire car. It's around a 4 hour drive.
If the Tahoe Paddle steamer is running, you can get across to Squaw...by boat!

I suggest buying day tickets, as there are often Coupon's with money savings to be made in the local newspapers/free sheets and stores.

If you had to pick 1 place to go as a day out, it has to be Squaw. It's so different to every other US resort I've visited.

In Heavenly, you can look over the Lake..and see across the Desert towards Reno, pretty amazing views.

South Lake Tahoe, has a split personality, half is low rise laid back...half is high rise neon lit Casino's. As soon as you arrive, check out who is playing at the major venue's, they can pull in some big names.

After a day on the hill, I found the Casino's with their lights and noise too much for my nervous system! Expect to see folks wearing shorts carrying buckets full of money :D

As it's the US, they don't have queues, they have lift lines, and a drag lift/Poma is called a surface lift!

There were Bears and Coyotes in the woods when we were there.

Re:lake tahoe ski trip

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 15:41:00 GMT

In contrast, I loved the casinos for apres ski. Limited myself to $100 stake every night and finished about even on the fortnight. The bonus was they brought beer and sandwiches to those playing the roulette tables!

I think day tickets, with special offers, are a good idea. If staying in South Lake Tahoe, don't overlook Sierra and Kirkwood. Sierra is small, but uncrowded and with lots of tree skiing is excellent on a snowy day.

Kirkwood, however, is just brilliant. Steep and deep but all within bounds. Had two truly great days there!

Re:lake tahoe ski trip

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:09:35 GMT

thanks bandit and lota, just the kind of info i was looking for,
sounds a great all round place to go,mind u lota i am like bandit anything over a 2 dollar stake would make me nervous and bring me out in a rash !!
also look foward to seeing a show,i had'nt thought of that.

thanks again

steve

Re:lake tahoe ski trip

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:12:29 GMT

I went to a show in Harvey's Casino Hotel one night; not the sort of show you'd necessarily take the mrs to!

Re:lake tahoe ski trip

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 17:54:08 GMT

http://www.skiheavenly.com/~/media/heavenly/files/trail%20map/2011-12trailmap.ashx

I've been to Heavenly Lake Tahoe three times, one including a day over in Squaw Valley. We always stayed at the Tahoe Seasons Resort Hotel, at the California Lodge Base. It's not that expensive and is just 100 yds walk to the Gunbarrel Express chairlift (bottom left corner of the car park). Others in our group stayed at the Stagecoach area, to the left (North). However, both are a car/taxi/shuttle ride into the main town i.e. fine for dedicated skiers, but away from the town centre.

I was last there before the Heavenly Village gondola was built, which is plonk in the middle of Heavenly, so it may be that you would do better to be based there, although I'm guessing that this is very busy.

The Heavenly Village town is split in two by the Nevada-California border. It's the left (North) Nevada side that has the bright lights, serves alcohol and has the casinos (free drinks). A lot of the tour packages will base you here. This is fine if you're into night life but if it's the skiing then you may prefer to be in California or Stagecoach. Remember - the drinks are free because 99.99% of people staying in a casino hotel spend more money than they intend on gambling.

There's accomodation around the lake which is often good value. But it's neither near the lifts nor the town centre. So you have a journey to both.

We did a day trip driving around the lake to Squaw. It was good skiing but personally, I didn't think it was worth the effort. If I was in Heavenly (and had a car), I think that I might try some of the small areas to the south of Heavenly, although I think they can be more challenging.

Re:lake tahoe ski trip

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 18:02:38 GMT

You don't need a car to do either Sierra or Kirkwood - both are connected by buses to South Lake (Heavenly).