When is the Best Time to Take a Lake Tahoe Vacation?

Although many people have heard the wondrous and captivating beauty of Lake Tahoe and many would still ask this age-old question, When is the best time to take a Lake Tahoe vacation?

Lake Tahoe is nestled high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with an elevation of a little over 6,000 feet.

Winter storms are common and it’s easy to get caught unprepared, as Lake Tahoe weather quickly changes from clear skies to blizzards.
Winter and summer storms are usually common from September through June and drivers should be sure they have chains with them to tie around the tires especially when passing through snow-drenched roads high up in the alps.

As a precaution, it pays to check out the Lake Tahoe weather forecast frequently and be prepared.

No matter when and where you go at Lake Tahoe, always expect colder temperatures and more snow especially at higher elevations.

Still, Lake Tahoe weather is generally nice, since it gets an average of 250 to 300 sunny days a year and humidity is very low, especially during summer.

Water temperatures range from 32 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 68 degrees in the summer.

So, whether  you plan to go skiing, mountain biking, paying golf or simply relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking view, experience the enjoyment of your Lake Tahoe vacation.
Proper planning is key to make you enjoy your vacation. From what things to pack, how to save time and money, preparing for high altitudes, it does help a lot to make your vacation as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible.

You can save money with Lodging Packages and Deal, and still enjoy a worthwhile vacation at Lake Tahoe at lesser costs.

Many resorts and hotels offer a variety of pre-arranged packages that include activities, lodging and often meals, all for one low price.

Lodging packages also offer quick and convenient one-stop vacation planning.

Many resorts also have recreational facilities that could help make your stay enjoyable and worthwhile, if you are not a, outdoor junkie or would just like to just take a break from the busy routines of everyday living.

These resorts provide complimentary access to recreational facilities including swimming pools, gyms, spas, playgrounds, ski and sledding lessons and a whole lot more families on vacation will enjoy.

For solitary sojourners or couples wanting to have an intimate time, there are also a lot of fine dining establishments to enjoy a romantic dinner, as well as a good number of spas where you could pamper yourselves and enjoy the bliss of a good weekend or vacation getaway.

Many hotels and lodgings also have their own kitchens which could be a great way to save money, since there are a great deal of bakeries and gourmet shops that provide good food for take out or groceries that are delivered right at your hotel doorstep after placing an order online or by simply faxing orders in. Or simply order ahead of time and have it picked up by the time you arrive for check-in.

If you are feeling lazy or just would like to spend the day inside your room, there are also daily DVD rentals conveniently available with new releases with a wide variety of titles to suit the entire family.

Lastly, take advantage of free shuttle service provided by your hotel, that way you need not worry about driving and getting to where you want to go.
Most hotels in the Lake Tahoe area provide day shuttle service, as well as night shuttle service to service guests wanting to experience the sights and sounds of Lake Tahoe.
So ask yourself when is the best time to take a Lake Tahoe vacation? The answer is all up to you.

What to Expect for a Winter Getaway during your Lake Tahoe Vacation

If you are planning to take your Lake Tahoe vacation during winter time, you will need to have your own packing list and need to know what to expect for your winter getaway.

You can be best prepared to make your own packing list as long as you are aware what to expect when you arrive to your vacation destination.

Common expectations for a tourist is that upon arrival, accommodation amenities will include but not limited to towels, linens, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, paper towels, facial and bath tissue.

Kitchens will be stocked with dish soap, dish washer detergent, dish towels,
trash bags, utensils, cutlery, plate settings, glassware, basic pots and pans, toaster, and a coffee machine.

Some hotels provide additional sleeping mats, extra linens, cribs, high-chairs and baby-gates upon request.

But to be sure, contacting your hotel ahead and asking for the basic amenities will help you cut down on things you no longer need to take with you.

Units with fireplaces that need wood will have firewood provided. Laundry facilities will be available either inside the unit or in the same building.

If you plan to go skiing, snowboarding or simply relaxing, the experience and enjoyment of your Lake Tahoe winter vacation can be enhanced by the clothing and gear you bring with you.

In preparation for your trip, it is best to ensure that you have the right clothing and accessories to be comfortable in the varying mountain temperatures.

If you want to enhance your skiing and snowboarding experience, you need to make sure about  things you need to bring along that would relate to your own physical comfort, here are some helpful tips,

Wear layers of clothing to keep you warm. Two to three medium weight layers are usually warmer than one bulky garment.

Layers also help wick sweat away to keep you warm and dry.

Keep your mid-section warm, your extremities will be warmer.

Keep yourself dry to prevent from freezing. New fabrics are designed to keep you warm and dry and make sure your gloves are insulated and waterproof, and that your outer layer is relatively water and windproof.
Make sure to cover your head, since you can lose a staggering 50% of your body heat if your head is not covered. A hat or a helmet will help keep your whole body warm.

It is also especially important to wear eye protection when you ski or snowboard. Consider wearing goggles when it’s snowing or very cold. On a bright, sunny day, wear either dark goggles or UV protecting sunglasses, since UV rays and sunlight are a bit intense at high altitudes.

Also make sure to keep your feet warm. One of the most important things to remember is to keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable. You can purchase warm, lightweight, wool-blend ski and snowboard socks for anywhere between $10 and $20.

If you forget something, don’t worry – many of these items can be purchased in retail stores located all over Lake Tahoe.

So with preparations almost a simple as tying your shoelaces, it is best to be aware of what to expect for a winter getaway during your Lake Tahoe vacation.

What do You Need for your Summer Lake Tahoe Vacation

What do you need for your summer Lake Tahoe vacation is a big question you ask yourself as much as you would ask yourself how to enjoy your vacation.

Knowing what to bring along and what to do during your vacation will either spell it whether it be a success or failure, after all, the ideal outcome of a vacation should be that of enjoyment.

But just so you make sure that you get to enjoy your vacation, you need to know what you should be bringing along and plan ahead on what you hope to do.

First things first, unless you are a jetset mulitibillionaire having a home in very possible vacation spot you go to, you culd save more money just by taking advantage of hotel or cabin accommodations.

For your lodging accommodation or hotel room, here are a list of things you may need to have along, condiments, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, coffee (if your hotel does not provide any, but to make sure you can ask ahead), specialty items (portable blender, egg-beater, etc.), napkins and laundry detergent.

Also consider the following as your emergency or contingency items.

Tire chains and knowing how to install them, especially when you are expected to pass by snow-covered roads around Lake Tahoe, bag of sand or salt (for kitty litter), traction mats, snow shovel, snow brush, ice scraper, booster cables, warning devices such as flares or emergency lights, fuel line de-icer (methanol, also called methyl alcohol or methyl hydrate), extra windshield wiper fluid appropriate for sub-freezing temperatures, paper towels, flashlight and a portable flashing light (and extra batteries) and blanket.

If you have enough trunk space to spare, here are additional items you may need to bring along just to make sure you have basically everything you may need to have a worry-free vacation.

Extra clothing, including hat and wind-proof pants, and warm footwear, first aid kit, snack bars or other “emergency” food and water, matches and emergency candles - only use with a window opened to prevent build-up of carbon monoxide, road maps and  brightly colored banners or help signs for emergencies.

Also you need to make sure that before you leave for home, it is best to have your home secure and here are some basic tips on what to do.

Leave your trip itinerary, contact info, spare house and car key with your neighbor or a relative to make sure that they are aware that nobody is inside the house and they could check up on it from time to time.

Arrange for your mail and newspapers to be picked up, since you may need to have somebody receive your mail or newspaper for you when you are not around.

Make sure to turn off gas lights and water to prevent accidents, lock all windows and doors, arrange for pet care and water all the plants before leaving

When traveling with children, also make sure to allow for extra travel time and be flexible - plan to make frequent stops, bring water and snacks, have wipes or a towel handy in car for messes and spills, ensure that car seat is properly installed, bring toys and games.

Another good way to keep your kids excited about the vacation is by showing them pictures of where you are all going to, so that they have something to look forward to during the length of the trip.

So, what do you need for your summer Lake Tahoe vacation and how you can best address it will ensure that you have a wonderful vacation.

Things You Should Know If You Are Planning a Skiing Lake Tahoe Vacation

Lake Tahoe is one of the best skiing destinations in the United States. If you are planning a skiing Lake Tahoe vacation this holiday season, here are a few things you should know.

First, Lake Tahoe is not one big resort. In fact, it is made of 7 member key resorts. These are namely Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood Cross, Mount Rose, Northstar,  Sierra and Squaw Valley. Only four of these have ski-in or ski-out lodging namely Heavenly, Kirkwood Cross, Northstar and Squaw Valley.

The skiing season begins in mid-November and most of these close at the end of April while a couple of these are open until the month of May. To find out if there are vacancies in the resort you plan to stay in, it is best that you call or visit the company’s website.

If you want to explore the other ski resorts, you can purchase an interchangeable ticket. You won’t be able to get this from the resort directly so ask your travel agent and tour operator about this. You should also know right now that there are no shuttle services between the ski resorts but there are free shuttle services to and from hotels in the area.

There are also season passes available for multiple resorts. There is what is called a Double Whammy Pass that can be used at Northstar and Sierra.

Not everyone who comes here to spend a skiing vacation brings their own equipment. This is because the ski resorts themselves rent these out to tourists. There are even beginner courses for those who want to learn and advanced classes for those who want to improve their skills. Of the  7 ski resorts to choose from, Squaw Valley is the only one that offers night skiing.

For those who don’t want to ski, you can try cross dog sledding, ice skating, joining a snowmobile tour and tubing. You can inquire from the ski resort what they have and then decide whether or not to do it there or somewhere else.

To get to Lake Tahoe, you can book a flight and land at Tahoe International Airport. They have a regular shuttle service which you can avail of but if you want to drive, you can rent a car.

There are other things you can do aside from skiing when you are in Lake Tahoe. You can ride the cable car or the gondola and have a spectacular view of the immediate surroundings. It is possible to get discounts on these two rides since coupons are usually handed out in restaurants and nearby hotels.  You can also try you luck at the casino, go on a cruise, eat great food and a whole lot more.

The only thing you have to do is make a reservation by calling your travel agent or making the arrangements all by yourself. It is a great and cozy place to be this holiday season when you are able to spend a Lake Tahoe vacation with your entire family.

The weather is truly unpredictable during Christmas so you may consider moving your Lake Tahoe vacation during the months of March and April. Although it is already spring by that time, the weather is just perfect because the mountains are still covered with snow and a lot of sunlight.

Things You Can Do On Your Lake Tahoe Vacation

Lake Tahoe is a great place to visit. There are things you can do here regardless of the season so consider a Lake Tahoe vacation as your next destination.

This tourist attraction has a lot of water sports you can try out. One of the things you can do here is water skiing. You can go to one of the resorts by the lake and then have the ride of your life. If you want wind carry you, rent a boat and go sailing. The other option is to rent a kayak because this will give you the chance to explore the shoreline. If you just want to relax, take a dip in the lake or in one of the many public beaches.

For those who want to get some exercise, they can hike a portion of the Rim Trail. There are 4 to choose from namely north, south, east and west shore. In each one, there are easy, medium and hard conditions for you to hike that can be a mile long to a little over 5 miles.

Another option will be to rent a bike and ride along the designated path. The best part about it is that you can go as fast as you want.

When you get hungry, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from along the shore. But if you want to dine and even dance at the same time, try dining on a ship. There are two to choose from namely the Tahoe Queen and the M.S. Dixie II.

If you want to see Lake Tahoe high up, you can ride the Squaw Valley cable car or the gondola ride located at the Heavenly Ski Resort. The rates of both are different but when as you are moving closer to the top, you will forget about how much you paid for it when the scenery up there is just amazing.

During the winter season, you can ride up and do some skiing along the slopes. The place itself is considered to be one of the best skiing destinations in the country and was the venue for the Winter Olympics back in 1960.

Since both rides are over in a few minutes, another aerial ride you can try which lasts much longer is by going on board a helicopter. To do this, you have to drive yourself to the Lake Tahoe airport. Unlike the two sky rides mentioned, there is a maximum of 3 passengers per flight.

For those who are not aware, Lake Tahoe was the setting for the famous show Bonanza in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Most of the outdoor scenes were shot at North Lake Tahoe near Incline Village. If you loved the show, it will be nice to drop by and see everything for yourself. You can take some pictures and bring home some souvenirs.

After a tiring day of doing all sorts of activities, you can enjoy the night life in Lake Tahoe. Blue Avenue is the place where you can check out the hottest clubs and bars. A great place to drink beer before going to bed.

A Lake Tahoe vacation is worth exploring if you are planning your next holiday. If you do some research, you will surely find other things to do in the area.