Lake Tahoe and Reno: A Mountain Range Runs Through It

In the crook of California's elbow lies a playland of great natural beauty, world-class ski slopes, Vegas-style entertainment, and plenty of gold-rush history. Straddling the northern Sierras where California and Nevada meet is the region's crown jewel: Lake Tahoe, the nation's highest alpine lake of its size and its second deepest (after Oregon's Crater Lake). With a shoreline measuring 72 miles long, this brilliant cobalt lake draws sun-worshippers to its many beaches during summer; come November, ski aficionados gather into groups and flock to the slopes of more than a dozen ski resorts in the area. And it's not just deep powder and groomed runs that make this region a wintertime paradise: wide-open valleys are crossed with trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, sleigh rides, and backcountry telemark skiing. After the spring snow melt, all this open wilderness turns into prime hiking, mountain-biking, and horseback-riding terrain.

On the eastern side of the Sierras lies an entertainment capital of a different color: neon-bright Reno. Las Vegas' laid-back cousin, Reno offers casino gaming and revues in a high-desert community that has thrived since long before the first roulette wheel was rolled into town. Once known as the nation's divorce capital, Reno and its environs now are a hot destination for weddings, whether in a 24-hour chapel or on the shores of nearby Tahoe. Both industry and an arts scene are burgeoning, and visitors are increasingly discovering Reno as a year-round destination for nocturnal exploits and daytime adventure. Connected by both interstate and scenic byway, Reno and Lake Tahoe beckon to groups seeking the best of both worlds.

Search for hotels in Reno

Search for hotels in Tahoe

Top Attractions

Nature gets top billing in this scenic segment of the Sierra Nevadas, yet not every attraction warrants strapping on ski or hiking boots. Make time on the itinerary for a trip to Carson City, Nevada's capital, for a trek down the landmark-lined Kit Carson Trail, or head to Virginia City, a one-time boom town that's home to Chollar Mine, the only remaining Comstock Lode silver-mining operation open for touring. Closer in, casinos share Reno's streets with numerous national historic landmarks, many of which can be viewed on a Historic Reno Preservation Society walking tour. High above the city, Lake Tahoe's shores are graced with architectural gems such as Tallac Historic Site, a set of opulent summer houses from the gold-rush era; the 1936 meld-into-the-landscape Thunderbird Lodge, now a popular place for weddings; and the 1929 Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian castle at the head of Emerald Bay. In nearby Truckee, the Donner Party saga is told at Donner Memorial State Park's Emigrant Trail Museum.

More contemporary attractions appeal to fun-lovers of any age, including Reno's Wilbur D. May Museum and Arboretum, a parkland complex with exhibitions, nature walks, and the Great Basin Adventure amusement park; and Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, with star shows and weekly telescope viewing. More than 200 cars from vintage to experimental comprise the National Automobile Museum, while nearly that many animals — including a rare liger — reside at Sierra Safari Zoo. In Tahoe, admire Emerald Bay's aquamarine waters from the deck of the MS Dixie II, a restored paddlewheeler departing from Zephyr Cove. In winter, the Tahoe Queen paddlewheeler doubles as a water-borne ski shuttle by taking skiers to and from the North Shore.

Outdoor Adventure

With the snow pack averaging 40 feet a year, schussing down area slopes is an obvious main draw. No less than 15 resorts give skiers and snowboarders their choice of chutes and half-pipes, and a dozen or so snow parks offer groomed cross-country trails or tubing runs (many with rentals and rope tows). Resorts such as Squaw Valley and Heavenly challenge hard-core skiers with natural jumps and double-diamond runs, while Northstar-at-Tahoe and Tahoe Donner have plenty of beginner terrain to suit the family or easygoing gathering of friends.

Non-skiers in the group needn't worry about finding outdoor action. Trails that lure hikers in summer become tracks for snowshoers come winter. Many of the resorts offer frosty fun: dog-sledding at Kirkwood, ice-skating at Squaw's Olympic Ice Pavilion, and sleigh rides at both. At Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area, small groups can rent a wilderness cabin for a cozy night in-and out-of the elements.

In summer and fall, hikers head to the mountains for trails that lead to alpine meadows and panoramic views. Many start from the region's numerous state parks, from the lengthy Lost Lake Trail at Sugar Pine Point to the easy Balancing Rock Nature Trail at D.L. Bliss. For pure mountain's majesty, hike a piece of the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail from one of 12 trailheads; mountain bikers tackle the Flume Trail for sweeping vistas from an 8,000-foot-high single track. Tahoe's beaches draw water-sports fans for kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding, and more; Reno's Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield keeps kayakers close to the casinos. Outdoorsy groups can also fly-fish or raft the Truckee River, ride horseback through the backcountry, golf one of 40 regional courses, or go aloft in a hot-air balloon.

Arts and Culture

Throw a coin into the heart of Reno and you'll hit a casino offering gaming and top-notch entertainment. Among the hottest venues are the ever-popular El Dorado, with big-name performers in the showroom, rock and blues bands in the Brew Brothers pub, and sexy dance environs at BuBinga Lounge. Others on the hit list: The Garage at the Reno Hilton, featuring dual bars and a cigar lounge, and the Peppermill Fireside, its plasma screens, free appetizers, and firepit a hipster's draw. In Tahoe, Harrah's Altitude Nightclub hums with showgirls, wild lighting, and an oxygen bar; the Improv at Harvey's Lake Tahoe dishes up yuks from up-and-comers and stage vets, and Breeze at the Tahoe Biltmore brings an eclectic lineup to its stage.

For more sedate diversions, start by strolling the Riverwalk in Reno's Truckee River Arts District, an area of galleries, theaters, open-air concert venues, the 1910 McKinley Arts and Culture Center, and a third Saturday Wine Walk. Artworks that interpret the land and changing environment make the Nevada Museum of Art a must-see. The University of Nevada, Reno campus hosts concerts by the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the UNR Performing Arts Series; the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Reno Philharmonic (who also play a Summer Pops Series at outdoor venues), the Nevada Opera, the Broadway Comes to Reno series, and the surreal Magic Underground illusion show.

Arts are a mostly seasonal event in Tahoe. Summer sees the start of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor State Park's lakeside amphitheatre, the Valhalla Arts and Music Festival at Tallac Historic Site, and the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, with most concerts held at Squaw Valley. Year-round cultural fare comes courtesy of the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, whose three-museum complex traces the history of the Tahoe area and the indigenous Washoe people.

Slopes for Skiers

• Alpine Meadows
• Boreal Ski Resort
• Diamond Peak
• Donner Ski Ranch
• Heavenly
• Kirkwood
• Mount Rose
• Northstar-at-Tahoe
• Sierra-at-Tahoe
• Squaw Valley USA
• Sugar Bowl
• Tahoe Donner

Après Ski/Summer Sights

• Historic Reno Preservation Society walking tours
• Tallac Historic Site
• Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site
• Vikingsholm
• Donner Memorial State Park
• Wilbur D. May Museum and Arboretum
• Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center
• National Automobile Museum
• Sierra Safari Zoo
• MS Dixie II
• Tahoe Queen
• Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area
• Sugar Pine Point State Park
• D.L. Bliss State Park
• Tahoe Rim Trail
• Flume Trail
• Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield
• Truckee River Arts District
• Nevada Museum of Art
• Reno Chamber Orchestra
• UNR Performing Arts Series
• Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
• Magic Underground
• North Lake Tahoe Historical Society

Day Trips

• Kit Carson Trail
• Virginia City walking tour
• Genoa Nevada's oldest settlement, with original buildings, a museum, and a still-operating whiskey saloon.
• Grimes Point Archaeological Area See petroglyphs more than 7,000 years old along dusty trails and on tours of Hidden Cave.
• Pyramid Lake Desert Oasis with museum and visitor center 30 minutes from Reno and 180 degrees from Lake Tahoe.
• Grover Hot Springs State Park Campground with mineral pools fed by nearby hot springs.

Lake Tahoe and Reno Events Guide and Calendar

• North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival Ten-day winter carnival with fireworks, a polar bear swim, kids' parade, sled-dog pulls, and more in March.
• Valhalla Music and Arts Festival Concerts, theater, and comedy at Tallac Historic Site, June through August.
• Reno Rodeo Team roping and rodeo queens are among the attractions during a week in June.
• Lake Tahoe Music Festival An orchestra drawn from local music organizations backs big-name guests, late June through mid-August.
• Artown More than 300 events showcasing visual, performing, and humanities arts, throughout July.
• Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Two of the Bard's best on the shores of Sand Harbor State Park, July and August.
• Hot August Nights Up to 5,000 classic cars from the 1950s and '60s, concerts, a prom night, and a nostalgia fair, early August.
• Nevada State Fair The classic state fair offerings: rides, carnival games, livestock, entertainment, and food, late August.
• Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off Thirty bands, six stages, and 25 contenders cooking up ribs on Labor Day weekend.
• Great Reno Balloon Race Pre-dawn launching of more than 100 hot-air balloons makes a great photo op on the second weekend in September.
• Virginia City Camel Races Yes, Virginia, there are people riding camels for prizes during this second weekend in September.
• National Championship Air Races and Air Show Six classes of aircraft compete, along with aerobatic shows and military and civil flight demos in mid-September.
• Street Vibrations Free outdoor concerts, gaming tournaments, a tattoo expo, and motorcycle parades, third week of September.
• Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival Tasting events, demos and seminars, and a grape stomp, last weekend in September.
• Reno Film Festival Indie shorts competition and screenings of Oscar-nominated short films, early November.

Plan a trip to Reno and Lake Tahoe today!

Digg it

Post to del.icio.us

Photos courtesy of the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority

Comments

[TeamAMP]

Got any ideas, recommendations or deal info on any of the following, while in Tahoe from 08/23/08 to 09/02/08?

Hiking?
Climbing?
Swimming?
Horseback?
Rafting?
Jet Ski?
Fly fishing?
Fishing?
Biking?
Dinning?
Golf?
Sailing?
Boating?
Other things to-do with very active teenagers?

Tim Spangler PhD.
timspangler@cox.net

[Jocelyn Milici]

Hi Tim, Lake Tahoe is great for all ages, with tons of outdoor activities for energetic teens. I recommend swimming, kayaking, hiking, and biking (I've done all of these things and found them most enjoyable).

Here are a few water activities and horseback activities you can look through and book in advance. Simply search under destination California: South Lake Tahoe.

http://www.triphub.com/shop/Activities.aspx

Also, the Lake Tahoe visitors Web site has lots of more info. for north, south, etc.:
http://www.visitinglaketahoe.com/

Have fun!