Spending Your Lake Tahoe Vacation in the Northstar Resort

If you are planning to spend a Lake Tahoe vacation with your family, there are many places to choose from and one of these which happen to be by the slopes is Northstar Resort.

Northstar Resort boasts that it has a lot to offer to its guests. Depending on your budget, you can stay in a hotel room, a family friendly condominium or a 5 star bedroom mountain home.

Just six miles from the lake itself, you can go from one side of the mountain to the other by riding one of the lifts. The resort has a total of 16 lifts. There is the express gondola, quad chairlift, triple chairlift, double chairlift, surface lift and the magic carpet. While the rates of the lifts vary, you can get discount coupons so you don’t have to pay the full amount.

One of the most popular activities that people do up here is skiing and you can do that over a 40 kilometer scenic trail.  You can rent equipment if you did not bring your own and even sign up for a lesson if you want to learn how to do it.

A lot of people who were surveyed have said that skiing in Northstar is the best because the backside has plenty of challenging blacks, while the front side is well-protected from the wind. While other ski resorts in the area may have to close due to bad weather, surprisingly this place is still open.

If you don’t want to ski, you can try some other activities like snowboarding, tubing, geocaching, joining a mountain tour and a lot more.  For those who want to be alone, they can go for a hike as there are over 70 hiking trails to choose from.

When you get hungry, there are dining facilities and restaurants nearby so you don’t have to go very far. These restaurants are namely Martis Valley Grille, True North, Chilly Pepper’s Cantina, The Lodge at Big Springs and the Summit Deck Grille.  Here, you can have something as simple as a burger or hotdog to something juicier like a well done steak.

For those who want to warm themselves up, they can drink some free wine as there is a tasting activity done every Saturday during the winter season served with some appetizers.

The Northstar Resort is open all year round so you can come here anytime you want. In fact, some people don’t just come here to relax but also to have special events like anniversaries, conferences, seminars, trainings and weddings.

If you want to know more about what Northstar has to offer, check out their website. If what you see is worth seeing for yourself, you can let your travel agent make a reservation or do this on our own.

A Lake Tahoe vacation is truly something you should try out with your entire family. While some can drive there, there is an airport nearby and a shuttle waiting once you get off the plane.

If you look at the rates posted on their various services, the price difference is not that far during the regular season and the peak season. In most cases, the rate is the same or it is higher by only $2.  So what are you waiting for? Make Lake Tahoe vacation the next place to visit this holiday season.

Renting a Place to Spend Your Lake Tahoe Vacation

You don’t always have to stay in a hotel when you decide to go on a holiday. In fact, there are many places to choose from which are a bit secluded and close to where the action is should you decide to spend a Lake Tahoe vacation. If you don’t believe this can happen, check out these places.

Along the lake, there are a few lakefront properties you can rent. Some are condominiums while others are houses.

When you wake up in the morning and look out the window, you can already see the lake inviting you for a dip. This breathtaking view can be seen in any room of the house and if the weather gets cold, you can sit down by the wood burning fireplace.

Nearby, you can swim in the pool, play tennis or rent a boat and just sail around the lake. The rates of these places vary depending on the number of guests. Some charge more if there are less than 4 people in your group.

If there are no vacancies available, there are some properties secluded within the forest. Nestled in the pines are a few condos you can rent. Some of these come with queen sized beds, reading lamps, an entertainment system, a dining table and a fire place. You can cook your own wood using the oven or make some hamburgers and hotdogs using the gas BBQ.

The rates here are nightly and it is much cheaper to come during spring and fall compared to winter and summer. On top of that, you will also have to pay a $60 cleaning fee.

For those who plan to stay longer than a week, there are places here that are being rented on a monthly basis. Each one comes with a two car garage, more than three bedrooms and baths and great views of the mountains and the forest.

Places like these have sprung up all around the lake. You just have to look around and compare the rates before deciding to stay here for several days.

The nice thing about staying here is the opportunity to be close to nature. You can go on long hikes, go fishing, smell the wildflowers and drink some fresh water from the mountain streams.

When you want to have some fun, the resorts are less than 10 miles away. You can rent equipment if you want to go skiing or tubing. For those who love the water, you can head down to the pier and rent a boat or kayak. There is also a cruise around the lake which you can avail of and that may already include dinner.

For those who want gamble, they can drive further south and then check out the south shore casinos but if you want to watch the sunset, you can ride a gondola or cable car all the way up the mountain. You can get a discount since coupons are handed out so you don’t have to pay the full price.

There is a lot to do here in Lake Tahoe vacation and it does not matter what time of the year you decide to go. You might even say that this the best outing your family has had especially when the environment is quiet and peaceful.

Packing List for your Winter Lake Tahoe Vacation

A packing list for your winter Lake Tahoe vacation would be the best solution for you if you are planning to have a winter getaway of skiing or snowboarding activity at Lake Tahoe.

Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts know what to bring along, but for first time snow sporting fans, here is a checklist of what to bring along.

This checklist will also be useful for anyone, especially on basic items one needs to bring along regardless of whether you are out for a snow sporting getaway, or simply enjoying the Lake Tahoe outdoors during winter.

For skiers and snowboarders, of course, you need to tag along your Alpine and Nordic Skis, Boots and Poles, as well as snowboards and boots, helmets, ice skates and snowshoes.

For clothing and footwear, one should need to bring along a waterproof jacket or parka, waterproof pants or shells (to wear over a warm base layer), breathable under layers (long underwear, non-cotton fabrics to prevent from absorbing melted snow subjected to body heat), fleece, sweaters, turtlenecks, gloves/mittens, neck gaiter, hat or helmet, ski or snowboard socks, goggles and sunglasses.

Be sure to pack extra layers of clothing to accommodate for the mountain climate, since the weather can change quickly.

For those who may not want to lug along bulky equipment, a lot of rental shops offer offers ski and snowboard rentals, overnight equipment storage, and season-long
lockers for those who don’t want to worry about transporting their gear to and from the mountain.

For your basic winter needs after skiing or riding the snow, you may need to have with you long pants, sweaters, warm jacket, casual shoes, warm socks, snow boots, warm base layer undergarments, scarf, warm sleepwear, accessories and casual wear

Here are other key items you may need to have handy with you like sunscreen, lip balm, aloe cream, sunglasses, eye glasses or contact lenses, camera and film or digital camera and batteries, medical insurance cards, credit cards, cash or travelers checks, ID or Driver’s License, travel alarm, prescriptions or medications, itineraries and confirmations, maps and directions, bathing suit, baby’s needs, diapers, swim diapers, adress book, story books for bedtime, games for the ride, toothbrush/toothpaste, cosmetics, spare car key and ski tickets or passes.

Here’s a helpful tip, pack ski tickets or passes with ski or snowboard boots so they won’t be forgotten.

Other handy things that would be nice to have along would be a CD or MP3 player, CDs, headphones and batteries,  DVD’s, guidebooks and brochures and pillows for the ride.

Finally, before leaving home for the vacation, make sure that you leave a trip itinerary, contact info, spare house and car key with your neighbor or a relative, arrange for your mail and newspapers to be picked up, turn off gas lights and water, lock all windows and doors, arrange for pet care and water the plants.

And if you are traveling with children you should allow for extra travel time and be flexible - plan to make frequent stops, bring water and snacks, bring along wipes or a towel handy in car for messes and spills, ensure that car seat is properly installed, bring toys and games to keep children occupied during the long trip and show your child photographs of your destination to get your child excited about your vacation.

So take note of this packing list for your winter LakeTahoe vacation, you will definitely need it.

Learn a Bit of History on your Lake Tahoe Vacation

Wouldn’t it be a fulfilling getaway when you get to learn a bit about of history during your Lake Tahoe vacation?

It wouldn’t hurt so much to dig in to the culture or know the history of the place you are enjoying your vacation in, since this will provide you with helpful key trivia items that you can boast about with friends when you come back to school or work.

Lake Tahoe’s history is one for the storybooks.

It started out as a land mass of shifting, grinding, sliding earth with imperceptible, perpetual movement which later on became the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the massive water basin that came to be knows as Lake Tahoe.

Here are some more interesting information about Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe’s elevation is 6,229 feet, making it the highest lake of its size in the United States.

The water depth measures 1,645 feet at a portion of the lake in the Crystal Bay area, making it the tenth deepest lake in the world and third deepest in North America.

Lake Tahoe also boasts of water clarity to a depth of 75-feet.

The lake covers a surface area of 191 square miles with 71-miles of exquisite shoreline, while the Nevada/California border traverses lengthwise with a greater portion being on the California side.

Average snowfall in some areas is 300-600 inches and melting snow finds its way to the lake via 63 streams entering the basin.

But what would strike you as odd is the fact that there is only one outlet, the Truckee River.

Because of the huge volume and constant movement of the water, Lake Tahoe never freezes despite the drastic winter temperatures.

Back in the old, old days summer vacationers began arriving more than 10,000 years ago when the American Indian Washoe tribe camped along the cool lakeshores.

One of their favorite places is known today as Camp Richardson and the men of the tribe were skillful hunters and took advantage of the abundant wildlife.

The Washoe women were noted for their intricate and artistic basket weaving and this idyllic lifestyle spanned generations of the peaceful tribe, however, it would not last.

The first European American to see Lake Tahoe was John C. Fremont, whose exploration party was led by Kit Carson in 1844.

In 1859, the discovery of the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, changed the face of the lake would affect it forever.

With mines, towns and the railroad invading the territory, wood was the primary fuel source wand was also needed to supply building materials.

The east shore, from what is now Incline Village to Glenbrook, became a vast logging empire and the ravages of clear-cutting would remain evident for years to come.

The Comstock silver lode made hundreds of people during the California and Comstock mining days and many were attracted to the pristine lake.

This was how tourism started and the resulting resorts soon to dot the lush landscape.

The Tahoe Basin managed to remain in relative obscurity with only a few people knowing about its existence until the 1950s when Bill Harrah and Harvey Gross built the first casinos on the south shore.

With their gaming expertise they learned over the years back in Reno, they knew how to attract business for their establishments and became mainstays up until today, Known as Harvey’s and Harrah’s

Back in 1960, the Winter Olympic Games were hosted at Squaw Valley on the west shore and with the resulting publicity, the area was soon recognized as a world-class winter playground, as well as the premier summer vacation venue.

The Olympic Rings still remain at Squaw Valley Resort and the place is renowned for year-round sporting activities.

So does it hurt a bit to learn about pieces of history on your Lake Tahoe vacation? Not a bit.

It’s About Time to Take a Lake Tahoe Vacation

Tired of the usual and routine humdrum of everyday work? It’s about time to take a Lake Tahoe vacation.

Whether it be a solitary getaway, a family weekend, a couple’s retreat or a few days of sporting adventure, then Lake Tahoe has it all.

Lake Tahoe is popularly known as the perfect year round vacation and wedding destination with relatively stable weather conditions, breathtaking scenery and a variety of environments suitable for a wide range of sporting activities.

Located between the borders of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe boasts of over 300 days of warm sunshine,  396 inches of annual snowfall, 18 world-class ski and snowboarding resorts, incredible golf courses,  fantastic hotels, casinos and many, many more.

For a relaxing and romantic getaway, one can find many romantic destinations that boast of world-class service, elegant decors and scenery, superb cuisine and a wide array of choices to select from.
From five star to first class, standard and deluxe, even economy accommodations, a large number of hotel and motel establishments are more than willing to provide free information about Lake Tahoe and how it could be best enjoyed.

For the chivalrous, Lake Tahoe is also a romantic and serene getaway destination, to rekindle the spirit of romance.
There are several hotels, parks and resorts that provide an atmosphere of calm and peaceful respites.

For the avid and risky sports enthusiast, Lake Tahoe also offers a wide variety of venues for a broad range of events and alternative sports.
There are hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails all around the lake, ranging in length, difficulty, and popularity.

One of these is the Granite Chief Wilderness, which provides great hiking and wilderness camping, if roughing it is your kind of vacation.
Meanwhile to the southwest is the very popular Desolation Wilderness, from where one of the most popular Tahoe trails, the Tahoe Rim Trail, is located.

The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165 mile or 270 kilometer trail that circumnavigates the lake.

 Directly to the west of the lake is the Eagle Lake Trailhead, where one could find several paved off-road bicycle paths.

To get started off with looking for the right place to stay and activity to enjoy, look up reliable and established travel and tourism guides.
You might be surprised that with a place as popular as Lake Tahoe, you could find good deals and affordable packages that would suit your budget.
There are hundreds of lodging options to choose from that include economy to moderate hotels and motels, casinos, inns, cabins, full service luxury resorts, and luxury vacation rentals.

One could also find five star or world- class amenities and accommodations that one could choose from, with mostly almost all establishments equipped with windows, terraces or balconies facing a magnificent view of breathtaking scenery and majestic natural beauty.

All over Lake Tahoe you could also find resorts with plenty to do be it skiing adventures, golf courses, beaches, hiking & biking trails, camping, fishing and boating options and restaurants.

With all this and more, it’s no wonder people from all over the world make Lake Tahoe one of the most popular year-round vacation destinations in the world today.

So now, don’t you think it’s about high time to take a lake tahoe vacation?