The best of North Lake Tahoe’s mountain and lakeside experiences combine this spring with “dual sport day” opportunities, high-altitude training, new underwater and mountain trails, wellness retreats and signature events.
With 12 downhill and cross country ski resorts and nearly 50 miles of shoreline, spring is idyllic for a half-day of ski/ride in the morning combined with a half day of water and land sports in the afternoon. With February’s record-breaking snowfall, resorts have announced extended seasons through spring, and as late as July 7, contributing to the perfect “dual-sport day.” Travelers can enjoy picturesque hikes through wild lupine fields, biking along the Tahoe Flume Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail, or golf at one of six championship and four executive golf courses.
Spring debuts the Tahoe Via Ferrata, a protected rock climbing route by Alpenglow Expeditions, located in Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows. A term meaning “Iron Road,” Tahoe Via Ferrata is America’s newest Via Ferrata route, and one of under 10 total routes in the U.S. climbers of all skill levels can harness up and scale one of two guided routes.
Scuba divers can take a first look at the new Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail, where interpretative panels have been placed at four dive sites revealing sunken ships in Emerald Bay.
Northstar California’s Bike Park opens in late spring, offering rentals and lessons through the Specialized Academy, as well as team racing events for all ages and abilities through summer. As the region’s only downhill bike facility and the largest lift-served mountain bike park on the West Coast, it offers beginner to advanced cross-country, downhill and e-bike mountain biking trails.
Signature events include the fifth annual WinterWonderGrass, March 29-31 at Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows. The alpine music festival celebrates over 20 bluegrass and roots bands, California and Nevada craft breweries, family activities and ski/ride deals. Granlibakken Tahoe’s Restorative Arts & Yoga Festival, May 31-June 2, celebrates yoga, meditation and wellness set within the historic, tree-covered, 74-acre property.
The award-winning Lake Tahoe Ale Trail combines various modes of “human powered sports” with North Lake Tahoe’s best eateries and watering holes. Furthering North Lake Tahoe’s sustainability initiatives, it encourages guests to navigate by land or by lake using an interactive digital map, found at gotahoenorth.com.
Various outfitters and guiding companies offer stand-up paddle, kayak and boating tours. The new Tahoe Bleu Wave Yacht offers a ski charter service to Homewood Resort during the 2019 ski season.
Capital Improvements
North Lake Tahoe embraces a pedestrian-friendly culture and sustainable ideology with new master planned improvements. The SR-28 Shared Use Path, an 11-mile pedestrian route connecting Incline Village to Sand Harbor, is expected to be complete by early summer 2019. The route provides an alternative, eco-friendly access to popular beaches, including Sand Harbor State Park. It will improve pedestrian safety, water quality and access to parking for motorists.
Tunnel Creek Cafe and Flume Trail Bikes, located at the northern point of SR-28, will reopen this spring after undergoing a winter remodel. Mountain bikers can rent bikes and take a shuttle to nearby Spooner Lake, where they can choose rides from 14 to 40 miles back to Tunnel Creek.
The new Boulder Bay Resort, which will replace the Tahoe Biltmore Lodge and Casino, includes a 275-room hotel, a 20,000-square-foot wellness center and 18 residential condominiums in the historical Crystal Bay. Upon completion, Boulder Bay will offer residents and visitors access to an elegant casino, a spa retreat, an extravagant wine experience, art galleries and boutique shopping. Phase I of the Boulder Bay construction will be complete in the spring of 2019.
Renovation of Tahoe City’s Fanny Bridge will improve pedestrian safety, alleviate traffic and provide safety routes from the west shore. The Fanny Bridge project is expected to be complete in fall 2019.
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