Looking for the ultimate winter getaway? With access to multiple ski areas, tons of public lands for on-the-snow adventures, and exciting village and town hubs filled with dining, nightlife, and entertainment options, the is hard to beat. We tapped the pros at Visit Lake Tahoe for their recs.Ěý

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: What makes the South Shore of Lake Tahoe a fun winter vacation destination?

Visit Lake Tahoe: With 300-plus days of sunshine per year and incredible West Coast snow, winter on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe is “Awe and then Some.” You can enjoy with epic lake views and blue skies. Or go sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. When the sun goes down, the South Shore of Lake Tahoe is not a sleepy town. We have amazing dining and bars, an schedule that’s jam-packed all year long, and gaming. You’ll never run out of things to do.

What are some unique winter activities visitors can enjoy in Lake Tahoe?

Skiing and snowboarding are obviously key activities at , , and . But there are plenty of for anyone who doesn’t want to strap in on the slopes every day. Here are some favorites: 

• : Head to şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Mountain, Tube Tahoe, or Tahoe Snowmobiles Tubing Hill for top-notch sledding experiences. These sledding and snow-play areas provide rental equipment and groomed runs so you can maximize your fun. Or go the DIY route. Lots of local shops rent durable sleds that you can take out to nearby sledding hills at Sawmill Pond or Kahle Park.Ěý
• at Heavenly Village and Edgewood: For a magical skating experience (think mountain views during the day and twinkling lights at night), check out the outdoor rinks at Heavenly Village and Edgewood. Both rinks offer rentals and nearby vendors with snacks and drinks. Looking for an indoor option? The South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena has you covered.
• along the shore: Experience Lake Tahoe’s backcountry on snowshoes. The area has suitable for winter snowshoe adventures. Trails are rated similar to ski runs, from easy green options to black diamond trails and everything in between. Pick up rental equipment at a local shop in town, then hit the trail to explore.Ěý
• with Zephyr Cove Resort or Lake Tahoe şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍřs: Add a little adrenaline to your adventure with a guided snowmobile tour. You’ll cruise through snowy alpine meadows en route to panoramic views of Lake Tahoe.
• at Camp Richardson: Ask any Lake Tahoe local for the beta on cross-country skiing and they’ll tell you is the place to be. The resort offers 6.2 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails right on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. The on-site rental shop has everything you need to get out on the snow.

What kind of off-the-snow adventures should visitors make time for when they’re in Lake Tahoe?

When you’re on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, we have the benefit of straddling the California-Nevada border, so you get a mix of nightlife and gaming with other . I definitely recommend taking advantage of both options. Here are some of my top picks: 

• For nightlife and entertainment, check out concerts, comedy shows, and sporting events at the .
• If you’re a fan of craft beer, taste-test your way around the South Shore on the .
• Relax with a massage or facial at a local .Ěý
• for art and locally made goods.

Whatever activities you’re interested in, there are to suit your trip—from luxurious meals and spa treatments at the Edgewood Resort to gaming and live music at Bally’s and the Golden Nugget.

How easy is it to visit Lake Tahoe? 

Very easy! From San Francisco or Sacramento, you can with an easy drive up Highway 80 and Highway 50. If you’re from farther away, the Reno Tahoe International Airport is the easiest way to in from cities around the world. When you land at the airport, either rent a car or take the South Tahoe Airporter over the mountains. You’ll be here in no time at all. Once you’re here, much of the South Shore is walkable or accessible via .

What are some things you want visitors to know before they come to Lake Tahoe?

Lake Tahoe really is a wonder of the world. It’s the largest alpine lake in North America and has tremendous clarity—you can see as far down as 70 feet deep in the lake! When you’re here enjoying all that natural beauty, visitors and locals all need to work together to protect the awe. Check out Visit Lake Tahoe’s five that make everyone’s experience special and beautiful. As a local, my hope is that everyone can follow these simple guidelines to preserve the lake for future generations.

welcomes you to come alive on the South Shore. Experience the awe of North America’s largest alpine lake alongside nightlife, spas, breweries, snow sports, and so much more. It’s Awe and then Some.

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The drive from to Lake Tahoe’s  makes them feel deceptively close. You can touch down at and, provided storms aren’t caking Mount Rose Highway in powder, arrive at Diamond Peak in 45 minutes, ready to rip. But, culturally, the buzzing city and sleepy ski resort seem worlds apart—which is exactly why we were stoked to host our 2025 snowboard test between the two. By day, our crew tested the latest and greatest snowboards on Diamond Peak’s uncrowded slopes. By night, we ate, drank, danced, and gambled through Reno. Needless to say, it was a damn good time.

Reno: Our Snowboard Test Base Camp

For those unfamiliar with the up-and-coming adventure hub, Reno is a high-desert outpost located on the eastern flanks of the Sierra. Lovingly dubbed the “Biggest Little City in the World,” the Nevada metro is best known for its glowing skyline and diverting casinos. That said, the Biggest Little City isn’t getting any smaller these days. According to recent  Reno is growing at a quick clip (4.1 percent between 2020 and 2023) and enjoying a subsequent surge of arts, culture, cuisine, and adventure-oriented community.

Diamond Peak: The Resort

And yet, as Reno establishes itself as a city of the future, Diamond Peak is a resort that’s happy to stay (partially) in the past. The independent resort keeps crowds to a minimum—something that locals cherish and that significantly enhanced our test team’s capacity for snowboard testing. We never waited in a lift line during the entirety of the test, despite mostly sunny days and enjoyable conditions.

It’s worth noting that those locals actually have a hand in the management of the resort, as Diamond Peak is a community-owned entity steered by property owners in the surrounding town of Incline Village. The publicly owned mountain keeps prices low (adult season passes are $560, midweek day tickets $140) so locals and visitors alike can enjoy this lakeside hidden gem.

The resort is comfortably unpretentious, too. You won’t find ostentatious condo castles encroaching on chairlifts, luxury boutiques ritzing up the base area, or price-gouging gourmet restaurants at Diamond Peak. Instead, the lodges are unassuming, clean, and cozy, and the grub is tasty and reasonably priced.

You can chow down, for example, on BBQ on the deck of the Snowflake Lodge, located at the top of the scenic, aptly named Lakeview Quad. Another option? Hit up the food court in the base lodge for old-school ski resort fare like chicken tenders or, our personal favorite, avalanche fries—piping-hot french fries slathered in hearty chili and all the fixings. And don’t miss the Loft Bar, perched on the second floor of the base lodge, that serves up happy hour specials from 4:00 to 5:45 and offers those in the know some of the best après vibes in the Tahoe Basin.

Diamond Peak: The Snowboard Testing

Of course, while old-school base area vibes and jaw-dropping lake views were much appreciated by our test team, they didn’t directly impact our snowboard testing as much as the mountain itself. Diamond Peak may be a smaller resort, but it boasts the fourth-highest vertical in Tahoe, spanning 1,840 feet from peak to parking lot. Testers mainly spent their time lapping the Crystal Express High-Speed Quad, which tops out at the summit of Diamond Peak (8,540 feet) and provides access to a variety of test-worthy terrain. Diamond Peak’s groomers are immaculate, ranging from steeps that encouraged testers to find the speed limits of boards to lazy, long, rippable pitches that overlooked Lake Tahoe and begged for carving analysis. Closer to the base, the Village Terrain Park gave freestylers the opportunity to test aerial acumen and jib chops.

Our crew was most impressed, however, with the glades. Between Diamond Peak’s manicured groomers, you’ll find sustained, shreddable glades peppered with well-spaced old-growth trees. Our crew discovered protected powder days after a storm in these nooks and crannies, as well as wind lips, log jibs, and cliffs—perfect for scoring au naturel airtime and testing all-mountain and freeride boards in their element.

Backcountry enthusiasts are in luck, too. Backcountry skiers and splitboarders with avalanche safety equipment can exit a gate at the Diamond Peak summit and explore more cruisy glades, playful rock gardens, and steeper slopes. Our splitboard crew embarked on mini-epics in these out-of-bounds zones, grateful to the Crystal Express quad for the boost before resorting to skintracks and bootpacks.

Wrapping Up Back in Town

After each bell-to-bell day of testing, we enjoyed the vista-packed bus ride back to Reno and our home base at the newly renovated . Despite overworked legs, the crew found renewed energy back in the city. Memorable meals and nights out on the town ensued. When it was time for out-of-town testers to say sayonara to the Sierra, we were as struck by the Biggest Little City as we were by Tahoe’s world-famous shredding. Suffice to say, we hit the jackpot this year.

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Some places truly have no bad time of year to visit. With four distinct seasons and endless outdoor activities to enjoy year-round, the South Shore of Lake Tahoe is one of those places. How to choose when to visit when there’s so much fun to be had? We tapped Visit Lake Tahoe for the full rundown on the best ways to experience every season on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: What makes the South Shore of Lake Tahoe a great year-round destination for travelers who love the outdoors?

Visit Lake Tahoe: The South Shore of Lake Tahoe offers 365 days of Awe and then Some. Whether you like casual activities, extreme sports, or a mix of both, there’s something here for everyone. All year long.

Love to play in the snow? Our peaks average more than 500 inches of snow every year to fuel your winter fun. More of a warm-weather adventurer? There’s cool water, comfy temps, and longer days to give you ample summer fun. If you’re looking for a less-crowded time to get your adventure on, our shoulder seasons come with everything you love about the outdoors and fewer people to share it with.

What types of outdoor activities can visitors enjoy during each season?

The South Shore of Lake Tahoe receives nearly 300 days of sunshine a year. So, no matter when you visit, it’s a good time to get outside and enjoy the area.

• : With more than 500 inches of snow every year, this place is a winter wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. Avid ? Lake Tahoe is home to the highest concentration of ski resorts in the country within a 100-mile radius.
• : If you’ve already packed your gear for the year—or you’re looking for something to go with your spring skiing—then perhaps a hike to see some or is of interest?
• : Just as Lake Tahoe is a winter sports paradise, it’s also home to endless summer outdoor fun. Whether you’re looking to , , , , , or just plop down on the and enjoy the water in front of you, there’s plenty to do during the summer.
• : Ah, the majesty of fall. The leaves are changing, the weather is crisp, and the outdoor fun is endless. Fall is perfect for hiking and biking if cooler temps and smaller crowds on the trails are your thing. And even though it may be colder, fewer boats on the lake means the water is calmer—ideal for kayaking or paddleboarding.

What types of activities can visitors enjoy after a day of outdoor adventures?

After a day of outdoor awesomeness, enjoy some Awe and then Some at one of the plethora of and on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Whether you’re looking for , , a or a whole , there’s plenty on the menu.

Looking for a little action at the tables? The South Shore of Lake Tahoe is home to several . Or perhaps you’re looking for some R&R following your day on the slopes—or lake, or beach, or trails, or a combination of each? Then get some well-deserved you time at one of the many .

Are there any standout events in the South Shore of Lake Tahoe that visitors should have on their radar?

As if there wasn’t already enough to do in South Lake Tahoe, don’t forget about all the taking place here throughout the year. Love live music? The is ready to get the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys rocking. There’s also —a free summer concert series on the beach—and various events throughout the year at . And the brand-new hosts big-time performers and events all year long.

Sports fan? The ECHL professional hockey team begin their inaugural season at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in October 2024. And don’t forget about the —the yearly celebrity golf tournament at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore at Edgewood Tahoe.

How can visitors do their part to help keep the South Shore of Lake Tahoe beautiful for future travelers? 

The Awe and then Some of the South Shore of Lake Tahoe doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from mutual respect for the area, from locals and visitors alike. To help everyone practice responsible tourism at Lake Tahoe, here’s a set of :

1. 1. Protect the Awe
   2. By Kind by Nature
   3. Let’s Leave Less
   4. Park with Heart
   5. Enjoy Tahoe Time

The goal is not to discourage folks from visiting this world wonder—quite the opposite. Come experience the magic that is the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, just do it responsibly so we can keep this place awesome today, tomorrow, and every day.

Visit Lake Tahoe shares the wonder of this iconic alpine lake with the world and works passionately to preserve its grandeur and good times for endless generations. Explore things to do, places to stay, and all the reasons to visit the South Shore of Lake Tahoe 365 days a year at .

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Whether you’re looking for beautiful fall colors, a change of scenery for your remote office, or both, North Lake Tahoe is the perfect destination for any getaway. From its scenic hiking trails to the breathtaking lakeshore, the area’s vibrant fall colors just make everything better. To learn more about this awe-inspiring escape in the Sierra Nevada, we have some fall adventure tips from the team. Here’s what they said.

Why Fall Is Special

If you like vivid autumn colors, fun events, and open space, you’ll love . During this secret season, the community celebrates with the Made in Tahoe Festival, two Oktoberfests (one in Tahoe City and one at Palisades Tahoe), a collection of food and wine festivals, and more. It’s also a perfect time to leaf-peep while exploring hiking or biking trails, taking a swing on a golf course, zipping down treetop ropes courses, walking along the beach, strolling around the destination’s 12 unique towns, hopping in the water to kayak or stand-up paddle—the opportunities are endless. Come for a weekend getaway or midweek escape to breathe it all in and experience Lake Tahoe in the secret season.

Take a Trail

While there are hundreds of trails to explore, we collected the for hiking and biking in North Lake Tahoe to help narrow the selection. These are some of the trails that made the list:

• Tahoe Rim Trail North Shore Segment: A well-known 165-mile point-to-point trail, the Tahoe Rim encircles the entirety of the Tahoe Basin. Hiking a short segment of the trail along the North Shore is a great way to experience fall color along Lake Tahoe.
• Tunnel Creek Trail: The view at the top overlooks one of the best panoramic views in Lake Tahoe. This 4.7-mile out-and-back trail is also home to Monkey Rock.
• Eagle Rock Trail: This short 0.7-mile trail only takes about a half hour but carries a huge payoff. From the top of Eagle Rock, you get an incredible view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.
• Vikingsholm Trail: Take this 1.7- mile trail down to the Emerald Bay beaches and the historic Vikingsholm Castle (open for tours May 25–September 30). Keep in mind that it’s a steep hike back to the parking area from the shore.

Hiking and mountain biking are some of the most popular activities in the region, and it’s important to leave no trace by staying on the trail, packing out what you packed in, and giving wildlife space. Learn more and help in the region.

Get on the Water

The crystal-blue waters of Lake Tahoe create a one-of-a-kind fall backdrop. From an early morning walk on the beach to a sunset dinner cruise, time spent creates truly unforgettable experiences. Kayaking and paddleboarding are favorites, and you can use the to guide your journey along 72 miles of fun. The route connects designated launch and landing sites that feature restrooms and interpretive displays.

For a truly unique experience, during the day, or paddle an LED-lighted kayak on a guided stargazing tour. And if you plan to bring your own watercraft, please wash, clean, and dry it before putting it into the lake to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

along the lakeshore or on the river is a great activity for any age. You can also cast a line from a boat or kayak. Trout and salmon are common catches along the West Shore, in Sawmill Lake (reservations required), and at Martis Reservoir. Be sure you understand safe fish handling and catch-and-release practices.

Try the Bites and Brews

North Lake Tahoe is home to some of the most enticing options in Northern California and Nevada. And the beer scene isn’t too shabby either! Take your pick of more than 150 restaurants and breweries. Some spots will also welcome your four-legged companions.

The ultimate resource for finding a frosty brew after an outdoor adventure? The . From most trailheads, there’s a world-class brewery, bar, or restaurant nearby. This means you can start your day working up a sweat and end it with regionally crafted refreshments. If rum is more to your liking, check out the —a collection of five restaurants and bars located around the North Lake Tahoe shoreline offering specialty rum cocktails.

Looking for the ? Download this . Dine in or take your meal to enjoy at one of the many picnic tables along the beaches—just be sure to dispose of your trash in the designated receptacles.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Deeper

Midweek adventures offer more open space. With 12 unique towns, it can be hard to choose a base camp, but we’ve created a and itineraries to help guide you to the best town for you. By extending your stay, you have time to explore more of North Lake Tahoe. If you need a hand in planning, we have your . Just spin the compass and uncover your ideal itinerary in the mountains, on the lake, and around town. Ultimately, an extended trip allows you to more freely explore the region, escape into nature, and feel rejuvenated.

North Lake Tahoe spans two states—California and Nevada—and boasts two dozen beaches, 11 downhill ski resorts, ten cross-country ski areas, hundreds of miles of biking and hiking trails, and communities filled with local artisans and shopping experiences. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport, and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City, 8611 North Lake Boulevard in Kings Beach, and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. For more information, visit .

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I want to live and work in a mountain town this summer, but finding affordable housing is proving to be near impossible. Can you give me any tips or direction so I can turn this dream into reality? —A Frustrated Flatlander

“I came for the winter and stayed for the summer” is a common mountain-town refrain. That sentiment, combined with a pandemic-fueled real estate boom, has resulted in a dearth of affordable housing, both seasonal and permanent, in mountain towns across America.

In many small western communities like Steamboat Springs, Durango, and Snowmass, Colorado; Sun Valley, Idaho; and Mammoth Lakes, California, it used to be that employees and locals lived in houses, and tourists stayed in hotels. The reverse is now true: houses are monopolized by Airbnb and VRBO rentals and second homeowners, and some hotels are being purchased by ski resorts and converted to affordable employee housing.

Sadly, more and more essential jobs are going unfilled, some with six-figure salaries, because potential employees can’t find reasonably-priced rentals. As a result, many mountain towns are shifting their focus to year-round, affordable-housing programs. In Wyoming, for example, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area helps to fill critical nursing and teaching positions by building homes for individuals and families making between 30 to 80 percent of the area’s median income.

What does this mean for seasonal workers? Here’s my advice for finding affordable summer housing in a mountain town.

Find Towns Working on Their Housing Shortages

Whitefish, Montana, the gateway to Glacier National Park, is one such place. Its , which supports full-time and seasonal employees, is funded in part by a added to local lodging, food, and transportation. Half of the contributions from its participants go to Housing Whitefish, a nonprofit that facilitates affordable housing.

Part of last year’s $52,000 allocation went toward a newly launched rental-assistance program, modeled after a similar one in . Over 12 months, Housing Whitefish will distribute a total of $64,620—or $5,385 a month—to 17 qualified applicants. (The money goes directly to the property owner or management company.)

The , which advocates for better options in the North Tahoe and Truckee, California communities, aims to add inventory for the local workforce through its recently launched Accessory Dwelling Unit pilot program. Homeowners are incentivized to add rental space that includes a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, and in return they receive assistance with building, permitting, and leasing processes.

Although the organization can’t help you find housing, it does direct prospective renters to resources through the .

In 2022, Breckenridge, Colorado, allocated $50 million to a five-year workforce housing plan to create some 1,000 new units. The town’s housing fund also receives money from a short-term rental fee requiring owners to pay a set amount for each bedroom they rent. The goal is for nearly half of the town’s workforce to live in Breckenridge, with a little over a third of the housing inventory reserved for locals.

In 2016, Aspen Skiing Co., the town’s largest employer, purchased six 280-square-foot tiny homes for about $100,000 each and put them in the Aspen-Basalt Campground for both summer and winter seasonal employees. The project was such a success that it now offers 69 tiny homes for hires, and for the first time this year has introduced units designed to accommodate year-round employees.ĚýUnits range from $550 to $750 a month, and summer leases are available from May 15 through October 31. The units currently have a waitlist for Aspen Skiing Company employees.

Employers in Sun Valley, including the Limelight Ketchum hotel, have also purchased tiny homes in the Meadows RV Park, 3.5 miles away, to rent to employees. Many of these programs run on an application system and most take enrollment for summer employees in March.

Land a Job Before You Head Out

Many large employers, notably ski resorts such as Aspen Snowmass, , and , Colorado, or , Vermont, offer housing or make an effort to help you find housing after you’ve been hired. Sun Valley Resort, for example, has two dorm-style buildings with free laundry and fitness centers available for seasonal employees on a waitlist basis. Two-to-four-person accommodations range from $140 to $210 per person every two weeks. There’s also an option to pay day-to-day, starting at $10 a day.

Beyond ski resorts, places like offer town employees short-term seasonal rentals, for jobs at businesses like the recreation center or golf course, as well as rental-deposit-assistance programs.

Betsy Crum, housing director for the town of Snowmass Village, notes that winter housing is typically full, while there’s sometimes more housing available for summer workers.

Montana’s Big Sky Housing Trust has housing for up to 100 seasonal residents in four- and five-bedroom dorm-style configurations. These units are leased to local independent employers. Lone Mountain Land Company, another major employer in Big Sky, offers dorm-style housing for up to 400 seasonal residents employed by their entities.

Check Out These Helpful Housing Websites and Social Media Sites

Due to the huge demand for housing, many landlords avoid popular rental-listing sites Craigslist and Zillow. One resident seeking a new tenant for housing she has in Carbondale, Colorado, 30 miles from Aspen, didn’t publicly post a listing because she knew she’d be overwhelmed with calls. Instead, she put the word out quietly to friends and looked at posts from people in need of housing on a local Facebook group, .

In fact, local Facebook community groups or neighborhood-focused sites like often have rental listings you won’t find on larger, public sites like Craigslist. is a free site where you can find a roommate or a room available to rent within a house.

When posting that you’re seeking housing, be clear about your employment situation, desired rental dates, and budget. Younger people should present themselves as a mature, responsible option, preferably coming in with a job already secured. (For example: “Hello, I’m coming here to work for the Solar Institute and need a place to stay from mid-June through July that’s less than $600 a month.”)

You might find success on , a housing marketplace for vacation towns that pays property owners to convert their homes to short- and long-term rentals for the local workforce. Mountain destinations include Woodstock, Vermont; Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, California; Wood River Valley, Idaho; East Placer County, California; and Eagle County, Colorado.

Finally, is a membership-based platform (starting at $10.75 a month) where you can find house-sitting or pet-sitting gigs.

Consider 5 More Resources

1. Look at a Town’s Website

Many communities offer housing programs or partner with local nonprofits or housing authorities, like the , to administer programs. “It’s always worth a call to any city’s housing development and housing authority to see if they have resources,” says Daniel Sidder, executive director of Housing Whitefish.

2. Embrace Camping or Vanlife

In Colorado, and have options for free car camping for a season. You can shower at local rec centers.

3.ĚýCruise the Town

Some good old-fashioned neighborhood drive-bys to spot “For Rent” signs posted outside of apartments, on community boards at grocery stores, or in coffee shops can lead to deals, too.

4. Talk to Locals

Lindsay Nohl, 46, enjoyed free communal housing in Tucson, Arizona, while working as the director of NOLS Southwest. But when the campus closed during Covid, she moved to Teton Valley, Idaho. Recently, she made her eighth move in four years, as landlords continue to increase prices or start to rent their properties on Airbnb.

Her go-to strategy for finding cheap housing on the fly? Word of mouth. Another lesson: be flexible. Even though Nohl hasn’t had a roommate in two decades, she’s now paying $1,000 a month to share a two-bedroom, 800-square-foot house so she can remain in Teton Valley for the summer.

5.ĚýScan Newspaper Classifieds

You might come across opportunities to pet-sit or nanny. Or working as a property manager can also lead to free or affordable housing.

Weigh Your Options

The last thing you should consider, Flatlander, is which mountain towns are too pricey or too popular. For example, Steamboat, Aspen, and Telluride, Colorado, as well as Jackson, Wyoming, and Big Sky, Montana, have reputations as luxury vacation escapes, which means housing is in high demand and the cost of living will be greater there than in lesser-known but more economical mountain towns like Le Grande, Oregon, and Reno, Nevada. Or even Laramie, Wyoming, which has a lot going for it.

Many seasonal jobs pay minimum wage, which varies from state to state. In Utah and Wyoming, for example, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, while Montana pays $10.30 an hour, Colorado $14.42 an hour, and California $16 an hour.

You should also consider free services offered by the mountain town you’re considering. Aspen is expensive, but it offers free public transportation, which is another way to help save on costs.

Spending a summer working in a mountain town can be one of the best experiences of a young person’s life. I hope my advice lands you good, affordable housing. I’ll be pulling for you.

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy has scored affordable rent by offering free travel tips to her landlord, as well as volunteering to take out the building’s trash cans on garbage day and maintain the gardens.Ěý

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When Jeff Potter arrived in Carson City, Nevada near the end of the ’90s, he noted an absence: His new home was ringed by low-slung mountains at the eastern edge of the towering Sierra Nevada and its sweeping Lake Tahoe, but there was no real way to get to them without a car.

A California native drawn toward Tahoe for its labyrinth of mountain-bike trails, Potter and his pals grew tired of mounting their rides to roof and hitch racks just to go somewhere else. So Potter, who would eventually earn the name “ started scheming with , an organization that had long been promoting non-vehicular infrastructure there: How might he build trails that connected this place where he loved to live to the mighty mountains and endless routes he loved to ride?

A quarter-century and 9.8 miles of single-track later, Potter’s dream is now a navigable trail. Finished last fall just before snow swept into the region, the makes it possible to hike, pedal, or horseback ride nearly from Nevada’s sandstone capitol building to the (TRT) and its country-spanning connector, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). In fact, Carson City is looking to pay two hikers $5,000 each to do exactly that come the Summer of 2025: walk from the capitol to Canada and tell the tale. (The closes May 31, 2024.) At just over 1,600 miles, that’s a little more than $3 per mile.

“Our downtown sits in the middle of all of our trails,” says Lydia Beck, the Visit Carson City marketing manager who hatched the plan to sponsor thru-hikes late in 2022. “And people have no idea that Carson City has a beautiful stretch of the east side of Lake Tahoe. We’re trying to bring awareness to our proximity.”

Carson City will likely never become a “trail town” for long-distance hikes of the PCT or TRT, since the resources and revelry of South Lake Tahoe are much closer to those trails. (And the PCT, for its part, trends westward from Lake Tahoe.) But the small city’s geography and position along the base of the beautiful Carson Range, with other peaks to every side, make it a prime hub for exploration in all directions. Peter Doenges—the 77-year-old retired who stepped into Potter’s former role at Muscle Powered as Trails Coordinator in 2019—sees “Cap to Tahoe,” as he calls it, as a crucial part of that plan.

“We’re constantly stirring the pot based on prior public processes that approved all these trail routes—and then going about building them,” says Doenges. “There are so many people in this town who believed in this trail, of getting us integrated into this larger system.”

Indeed, the Capital to Tahoe Trail is simply the latest phase of a larger plan that Potter helped to initiate when he first partnered with Muscle Powered. They built Ash to Kings Trail, linking two roads that cut through canyons, from 2012 until 2015, even earning from American Trails. Back then, Potter was already fantasizing about how the next trail would reach Lake Tahoe. “That’s another 10 miles of trail we hope to build,” he told . “This isn’t just about recreation. It’s about providing connectivity to our community.”

That community responded in kind. Construction began in 2020, and Muscle Powered recruited a professional, mechanized trail builder at one point, as the path rose nearly 2,000 feet and cut through thick brush. Doenges remains verklempt by dozens of volunteers who arrived to work on hand crews as well as the surgeon who gifted the trail a permanent easement so that nearly a mile of it would not be so dastardly steep. Potter, who no longer lives in Carson City, even did the “final flagging”—a last survey to make sure the trail is properly aligned. The very day after the final two remote miles were finished, Doenges saw tire tracks and boot prints cutting across the path.

But as far as anyone knows, no one has yet to take the Capital to Tahoe Trail west, hit the PCT, and head north to Canada. That is where the contest comes in. Rather than hold a lottery of submissions, Visit Carson City intends to vet each application and choose two people they think can go the distance—and, of course, share the story along the way. As of mid-March, they’ve only received a dozen applications.

If it goes well this time, however, they may even continue the program for hikers in years to come. “We’re not ruling that out,” says Beck. “We’re very excited.”

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Ever since this story broke Friday, January 26, skiers across the country have had the same reaction: “How did this possibly happen?” How did a first-time Heavenly, Calif., visitor allegedly directed to download on the gondola by a resort employee get stranded overnight when gondola service stopped shortly after she boarded for the ride down to the Stagecoach base?

Monica Laso was on a snowboarding trip to Heavenly with friends when she decided she was too tired to ride down to the base just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25. She allegedly approached a resort employee who directed her onto the Heavenly gondola to download to the base. It was 4:58 p.m. According to the Heavenly website, the gondola closes at 4 p.m.

In an interview with , Laso shared that the gondola stopped about two minutes into the ride. She didn’t have her phone with her, but shouted through the small cabin window when she saw resort workers closing down the mountain below. “I screamed desperately until I lost my voice,” she said during an interview translated from her native Spanish. She rubbed her hands and feet together to stay warm as the temperature dropped to 23 degrees overnight.

Down as the base, her friends were frantically trying to find her. They filed a missing persons report with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s office and posted to Facebook sites, sharing that she was last seen going down with a ski patroller, and that the ski area was “doing nothing” to find her.

Vail Resorts owns Heavenly and hasn’t said much outside the “we’re investigating” messaging. Resort Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Fortune released a statement Friday night. Still, he didn’t share any details relating to this incident, specifically, any procedural breakdown or miscommunication that could have caused the gondola cabins to go unchecked.

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our top priority at Heavenly Mountain Resort,” Fortune said. “We are investigating this situation with the utmost seriousness.”

Although a spokesperson for South Tahoe Fire and Rescue, which reported to the scene, told KCRA that she hadn’t seen anything like this happen in 20 years, a similar event when a Vermont woman boarded the gondola at 3:15 p.m. The resort closed the gondola early that day due to weather, with the woman still on board. She spent five hours stranded before they found her in a gondola near the summit. She sued in civil court for $500K. The jury awarded her $720K.

We’re happy to report that Laso was found in good condition on Friday morning once the gondola started up again and refused transport to the hospital. It remains to be seen how Heavenly and Vail Resorts will account for this mishap, but this will represent a new fear unlocked for many skiers. We’re eager to hear more from Heavenly about the breakdown that led to this very preventable incident.

On social media, , which is understandable. Said one pass holder: “Well, guess our Epic passes will cost more next year to cover this blunder they will need to pay out.”

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A terrifying in-bounds avalanche swept down expert terrain at California’s Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday morning, killing one person and leaving another with injuries. The slide forced the resort to shutter shortly after it opened.

The fatality was confirmed by the Placer County Sheriff’s office around midday, and on Wednesday evening authorities identified the victim as 66-year-old Kenneth Kidd, who lived in both Point Reyes and Truckee.

Three other victims were taken to the hospital but were released after inspection with minor injuries. All four people involved in the avalanche were from outside the Tahoe region.

The slide occurred at approximately 9:30 A.M. in the GS Gully area, which is below the KT-22 chairlift. The KT-22 area was opened for the first time of the 2023-24 season on Wednesday morning after extensive avalanche control work and assessment, and , the first skiers down triggered the avalanche in a bowl directly under the lift. Witnesses say that the slide spanned the entire width of the bowl.

According to the sheriff’s office, the slide left a debris field 150 feet wide by 450 long and 10 feet deep.

A major rescue operation commenced, with more than 100 officials from Cal Fire, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, the local sheriff’s office and the resort searching for skiers who may have been buried by the slide. Sergeant David Smith of the Placer County Sheriff’s office that, by midday Wednesday, all skiers had been accounted for.

Prayers

— Tahoe Daily Snow (@TahoeWeather)

Neighboring Alpine Meadows is also closed. You can on X.

 

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The slide occurred after the Tahoe area was battered by a major snowstorm. At 6:39 A.M. on Wednesday morning the warning of “high-intensity snowfall and gale-force winds.”

“Avalanche danger will quickly increase today with avalanches occurring in a variety of areas by this afternoon,” the agency wrote.

While rare, in-bounds avalanches happen more than we’d like. At Alpine Meadows, which is connected to Palisades Tahoe by the Base to Base Gondola, an in-bounds slide off of the Scott Chair killed experienced skier Cole Comstock and injured his ski companion in January of 2020. The resort  that was brought by Comstock’s wife in 2021.ĚýAlso in 2020, an avalanche on Silver Mountain, Idaho’s open and patrolled expert terrain was triggered by skiers crossing a traverse. Three people were killed and several more injured.ĚýAnd in 2019, an in-bounds slide on Taos Ski Valley’s Kachina Peak killed two skiers. şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř delved into the dangers and how in-bounds avalanches can—and sometimes do—happen here.

After a slow start, the Tahoe region has finally begun to get some snowstorms, with almost two feet falling over the last week and more on the way. While we associate avalanche risk with heavy snow and variable temperatures, this is a good reminder that low-snow conditions can also lead to dangerous situations. Palisades Tahoe is currently reporting a 50-inch base amid continuing snowstorm and gusty winds.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information comes in.

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Reno Tahoe is unlike any other destination in the United States. This little city is located right in the center of three adventure-centric landscapes: mountains, desert, and Lake Tahoe (North America’s largest alpine lake). The variety of terrain makes for unmatched recreational opportunities, from action sports, like whitewater kayaking and mountain biking, to more relaxed ways to recharge in nature, like mellow hiking trails just minutes from the city center. Plus, with more than 300 sunny days per year, there’s rarely a bad weather window.Ěý

But there’s more to a true adventure hub than a lifetime’s worth of exploration in the surrounding mountains and desert. The combination of outdoor access, urban attractions, and a thriving adventure culture draws people back again and again. Some even stick around to make Reno Tahoe a more permanent base camp. “Growing up in greater Los Angeles, it took hours to get to the kind of outdoor adventures you can find just outside of Reno,” says Kristin Addis, Reno local and the author behind the blog . “With about 270,000 residents, Reno is the smallest city I’ve lived in by far, but nature is much more accessible here. That’s exactly what I wanted when I was looking for my next home base. I never expected to find it in Reno, but as cheesy as it sounds, I’ve come to realize that it truly is the biggest little city in the world.”

If you’re looking for endless outdoor fun with a side of city vibes, Reno just might be your next base camp, too. Keep reading to see how Reno Tahoe earned its place among the top adventure cities in the West.

It’s the ultimate gateway to the Sierra backcountry.

The Sierra Nevada has long been a place where adventurous spirits put their outdoor skills to the test. Reno Tahoe is a prime jumping-off point to experience the Sierra in all its glory. “There are more mountain lakes than I can count, more hiking trails than I can probably ever cover,” Addis says. Explore to access hundreds of miles of pristine wilderness. For a local backpacking trip, try the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, which circles the entirety of Lake Tahoe.Ěý

You don’t have to plan a multiday hike to get the full Sierra experience. There are plenty of . Check out Mount Rose Trail, a local favorite with views of the city, mountains, and Lake Tahoe. The 10.7-mile loop trail climbs 2,300 vertical feet to the summit of Mount Rose, the second tallest peak in the Tahoe Basin. “The Mount Rose Trail was one of the most scenic parts of my trip,” says avid hiker , who visited Reno Tahoe this summer. “At 10,785 feet, you get 360-degree views of Tahoe and Reno, which really help you appreciate just how beautiful this region is and the proximity of the city to the mountains.” For a shorter excursion (both closer to the city and with less mileage) try the White’s Creek–Dry Pond loop trail. The 6.5-mile trail packs stunning terrain and views, along with more than 1,050 feet of elevation gain, into a short but exhilarating hike. Or hop on a section of the Pacific Crest Trail for a scenic day hike within easy access to lodging in Reno.

There are activities for lake and river lovers.

Lake Tahoe is a world-renowned outdoor attraction, and for good reason. The 191-square-mile lake provides on-the-water fun in spring, summer, and fall. The lake’s crystal-clear waters have also attracted a thriving dive community that enjoys underwater adventures and regular clean-up dives to keep the lake in pristine condition. “I spend a lot of time looking out over beautiful Lake Tahoe in the winter,” says professional skier and Tahoe local . “I love getting to spend time on the water in the summer months to enjoy the lake from a new perspective.” Engerbretson recommends paddling Crystal Bay in the North Lake Tahoe area. Or, to fully experience the lake’s sheer size, book an with .

Want to take the thrill level up a notch? Whitewater kayaking and rafting are both on the adventure agenda in Reno Tahoe. If you are new to paddling, check out the guided trips offered by . The guide service runs everything from half-day to multiday trips on the , American, East Fork Carson, and North Yuba rivers.Ěý

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř sports are available right in town.

You don’t have to venture far to find adrenaline-pumping activities in Reno. Scale the tallest outdoor climbing wall in North America right in the middle of downtown at the . The 164-foot outdoor wall is a fixture on the exterior of the Whitney Peak Hotel. Also available at the facility: 35- and 70-foot walls and an indoor bouldering gym with beginner to expert routes. “I stayed at the Whitney Peak Hotel while I was in town, so I couldn’t skip out on climbing the massive outdoor wall,” says Walker of his recent visit. “With so much incredible access to the outdoors, you wouldn’t think a man-made climbing wall would be a highlight of a trip to Reno, but it absolutely was.”

If pedaling is your preferred mode of movement, you’ll also find opportunities for biking in the city. Cruise the 12-mile bike path along the Truckee River, with plenty of local spots to stop for coffee or a bite. Or head to Steamboat Ditch Trail near Mayberry Park, just west of downtown Reno, for a 15.4-mile out-and-back gravel ride that will get your heart pumping.

You get city vibes and a rad community without too much city.

Nothing beats a day of outdoor fun followed by delicious après-adventure food and drinks. In smaller mountain towns, burgers and a beer are sometimes your best bet. Reno takes the experience up a notch with all the benefits of a big city right down the road from the trailhead. “There are so many funky little restaurants and communities to explore,” Addis says. Keep enjoying the outdoors with a pre-dinner walk on the riverfront before heading to or , both located on the banks of the Truckee River. Wind down with a pint at Piñon Bottle Co. or cocktails at . When you’re downtown, don’t miss the murals and . “The city really supports independent artists who bring Reno’s culture to life,” Addis says. “I fell in love with Burning Man and the Black Rock Desert long before I ever even considered Reno, so it’s fun to see that community thriving through the art here.”

For the best view of the city, Addis recommends University Ridge Park. From there, you can see the Reno skyline with the mountains and desert in the background—a view that captures the adventurous spirit of the city. “Some places feel like home the second you land there, and others take some time to work their way into your heart,” says Addis of the city that ended up being her perfect outdoor base camp. “Reno has been that for me, and I’m so thankful that I got a chance to get to know it.”

Find more travel inspiration at .

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Freeskiing icon Robb Gaffney died on September 22, four years after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer. He died at his home in Tahoe City, California, surrounded by his family. He was 52.

In his final days, Gaffney’s brother Scott, a skiing legend in his own right and a longtime filmmaker with MSP Films, wrote on his patient journal on , “He’s given everything he has and then some; sadly, cancer doesn’t care … We aren’t ready but we’re all here, in place, for that final, painful goodbye.”

 

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Gaffney was first diagnosed with myelodysplastic disorder—which often leads to leukemia—in September 2019. He underwent years of treatment, including stem cell transplants, but the cancer eventually progressed to acute myeloid leukemia. In June 2022, his doctors identified a recurrence. Over those years, Gaffney still got out to adventure whenever his body allowed, climbing mountains with his kids, Noah and Kate (both in their 20s), jumping into waterfalls, and ice skating on frozen alpine lakes, taking advantage of every day he had.

He was transparent about his battle with cancer in the hopes that it might help others, and at the time of his death, Gaffney was at work on a book about his experience fighting cancer. “The outdoors has provided the best therapy by far,” he wrote on CaringBridge. “I let my friends and family know I need no reassurance. And to the backcountry skiers in my life, I say I’m way ahead on the skintrack and happy to be there for anyone as they work their way up.”

Gaffney’s impact on the world of skiing dates back decades. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he appeared in now-classic ski movies like “Immersion,” “1999,” and “Walls of Freedom,” during the early heyday of extreme skiing, alongside the likes of Shane McConkey, Kent Kreitler, and JT Holmes. “Everyone knew when you were on the mountain, you were there to celebrate,” Gaffney told me once. “We had this feeling that we were part of something bigger.”

In 2003, he authored the book Squallywood, a guidebook to the 150 rowdiest lines at what is now called Palisades Tahoe, and he and McConkey co-created the game of G.N.A.R (which stood for Gaffney’s Numerical Assessment of Radness), a point-based system that celebrated getting rad while not taking yourself too seriously. (G.N.A.R. points could be amassed by, say, airing a big cliff, with bonus points awarded for doing it naked or on snowblades.) He and his brother Scott created 2011’s “G.N.A.R., the Movie,” a mockumentary that reminded us all that skiing is supposed to be—above all—fun.

“I was always like, what are those guys up to? They brought a lot of fun,” says pro skier Daron Rahlves. “The Gaffneys brought another aspect to having fun in the mountains. And Robb loved to share that fun, that passion. It was a call out to the rest of the ski world.”

Gaffney grew up in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, learning to ski at age two at Big Tupper Ski Area. He was the youngest of three boys, including older brothers Steve and Scott. Their parents, who’d spent time in Tahoe before having kids, took their three boys out to Tahoe on a summer vacation, and that planted a seed in Robb and Scott. While Robb was studying pre-med at the University of Colorado at Boulder, he and Scott would road trip out to Tahoe to go skiing and he eventually moved to the area after graduating in 1993.

For two winters in Tahoe, Gaffney worked in race services and as a grocery bagger, and he and Scott, who’d also moved to the area, started filming their exploits on the mountain, with his brother always lugging around heavy camera equipment. In 1995, Gaffney left Tahoe to attend medical school in Denver, and then for a four-year psychiatric residency at the University of California at Davis, but he would visit Tahoe regularly during that time, often filming ski segments during short breaks from med school. He penned Squallywood during his medical residency, mostly between the hours of 9 P.M. and 2 A.M. “That was an era before social media, when life was not about giving away your secrets,” Gaffney said.

In 2003, Gaffney—along with his wife, Andrea, and their two young children—moved back to Tahoe. Robb, then 32, took over a retiring psychiatrist’s practice, with an office at the base of the ski hill. He called it a dream job—he’d ski on his lunch breaks between helping patients deal with all kinds of mental health issues. Gaffney and his brother Scott lived down the street from each other in Tahoe City, where they raised their families side by side.

Over the next decade, prompted by the death of so many friends in the ski world, Gaffney began to steadily shift the culture of the same high-risk community he’d once helped start up years earlier. Instead of promoting the most extreme feats, he began using insight from his psychiatric work to shift the focus on celebrating longevity in mountain sports. He appeared in a 2012 NBC broadcast alongside Shane’s widow, Sherry McConkey that raised questions about high-risk sports, he launched a website called Sportgevity that focused on promoting long-lasting participation in sports, and he gave a on how to help your kids survive outdoor sports.

Watch Classic Robb Gaffney Lines From Scott Gaffney’s 1997 Film, Breathe

Gaffney was a disrupter at heart. “Cultural shifts don’t happen quickly,” he told me back then. “We’re trying to show that being alive and healthy for the rest of your sporting life is one of the coolest things around. Everyone wants to break new ground. I’m saying the coolest thing is being alive and healthy.”

When Palisades Tahoe unveiled plans for a massive resort development, Gaffney was an outspoken opponent and launched local community efforts ranging from protests to opinion letters to raising concerns over environmental issues. “His care for the community of Tahoe will be felt for decades,” wrote pro skier Cody Townsend. “He’s a pillar of skiing and he influenced skiing in uniquely profound and positive ways.”

Adds pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones, “Think of Robb when you don’t think you can hike any further, don’t want to wake up early for a dawn patrol or jump into that cold mountain lake and send while you can.”

A has been set up to support Robb’s family. A celebration of life will take place in Olympic Valley on October 6.

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