Lake Tahoe Holidays

Calm waters, sweeping trails and lakeside spots are the order of the day at Lake Tahoe. Take to the water in kayaks, on paddle-boards, or rent a boat. Take a steamboat cruise from Zephyr Cove, or circle around and find something new in every bay. Take your pick from fantastic bars, restaurants, spas and golf courses in California’s South Lake Tahoe, or step over the Nevada border to the casinos and shows of Stateline. Or don your boots and climb Mount Tallac.

Want to tick off some cultural sites? Visit Camp Richardson’s historic marina, uncover Tahoe and Washoe history at the Tallac Museum, or take in a concert on the Valhalla Estates. Wander the halls of Vikingsholm Castle, or check out the Navajo rugs and redwood panelled dining rooms of the Hellman-Ehrman mansion. Peruse the independent boutiques and eateries of Kings Beach, or take a hot-air balloon ride and survey the landscape stretching below. And, when the winter snow falls, grab a pair of skis and head for the mountains.

On a Lake Tahoe holiday in summer, you’ll have the best of both worlds. Warm days – which can be as chilled-out or as active as you like – lead to lazy evenings and vibrant nights. You can swim, sail, fish, hike, eat, drink and shop, or simply rest.

Enjoy breakfast at the marina, pack a picnic lunch for the beach, and settle into a lakeside restaurant to watch the sunset at dinner. Get active and get climbing. Circle the lake on the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, or enjoy a quick 20-minute trek up Eagle Rock Hiking Trail for panoramic views. Drift, splash or sail through the blue waters on a vessel of your choice. You can paddle in a kayak, rent a boat, or take a relaxing cruise.

And don’t forget Lake Tahoe’s summer festivals. Celebrate the decadence of Gatsby with themed parties into the night, immerse yourself in the words of Shakespeare in open-air theatres beneath the stars, and dance to live music at Valhalla’s Summer Concert Series.

When snow falls on the towering mountains where California meets Nevada, Lake Tahoe becomes a winter playground. So grab skis or a snowboard, and your best après outfits, and head for the slopes.

Follow in the trails of Olympians at Squaw Valley, which hosted the 1960 winter games. Explore 4,800 acres of powdery slopes at Heavenly, where the famous gondola will carry you over two miles to a 9,100-feet-high observation deck. You’ll be able to look out over the dramatic scenery of Desolation Valley in the south, and the Carson Range in the north.

Or hop between the 12 lifts and old-fashioned lodges at the historic European-style village of Sugar Bowl Resort. As night falls, the outline of Lake Tahoe will twinkle below in reflection of the stars above, and all the nightlife you need is just minutes away.

If you’re hoping to enjoy a mix of activities on your Lake Tahoe holiday, spring is a great time to visit. Morning skiing is still plentiful at this time of year, while the lake’s water temperature is beginning to rise and outdoor activities can be enjoyed in the temperate afternoons.

From May to September, the temperatures soar and Lake Tahoe comes alive with festivals and visitors from around the world. Temperatures average between 25°C and 30°C in July and August, which are the busiest months, but also the most vibrant. If you’d prefer to avoid the rush, you might wish to travel in September or October when warm days, chilly nights, and fewer crowds make for a cosy and easy time to enjoy the lake.

Winter lingers longer in Lake Tahoe. The ski season runs from November to May, with some peaks keeping snow even until June. So, if you’re planning a trip to the slopes, you’ll have plenty of choice for dates.