9 Epic Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in Winter: Complete Guide

Looking for some amazing things to do in Lake Tahoe in winter? You’re in the right place – winter is my favourite season to visit Lake Tahoe.

My brother owns a property in Lake Tahoe and I’ve been lucky to visit more than once; myelf and my husband, as well as our two kids – a pre-teen and a pre-schooler.

 After our most recent trip here to visit, where it was just my husband and myself (kids stayed home with grandma), we were able to take full advantage of the Tahoe winters and decided that winter is our favourite time to come to Lake Tahoe.

If you don’t find yourself embracing winter yet, then this is a place where you can really do that.

I’m going to fill you in on all the amazing things to do in Lake Tahoe in winter!

9 Best Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in Winter

1. Go skiing or snowboarding

I’m going to get the skiing and snowboarding tip over first, as this is what the majority (not all) tourists come to Tahoe in winter for.

There are literally dozens of places to ski or snowboard in the area. Tahoe is the kind of place where you get those very brag-worthy photos that look like you’re up in the mountains, because – well, you are.

There are a lot of resorts to choose from, which can be overwhelming. The you choose should probably be based on where you’re staying.

South Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts:

• Heavenly Village Ski Resort – *highest ski resort in all of Tahoe! Its very central, but its also the priciest. Adult lift tickets cost between $100-$200, depending on if you’re going on a weekend or a weekday
• Kirkwood Mountain Resort – cheaper than Heavenly, but about a 45-minute drive from South Lake Tahoe
• Sierra at Tahoe Resort -Has very good deals for affordable lift tickets; its cheaper than Kirkwood and only a 30-minute drive from downtown South Lake Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

• Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) *home of the 1960 Winter Olympics! It’s a 30 minute drive from the general North Lake Tahoe area
• Northstar – very close to North Lake Tahoe, only a 10-minute drive. Almost as pricey as Heavenly
• Sugar Bowl Resort – 30-minute drive from North Lake Tahoe, mid-range in prices
• Boreal Mountain California – similar distance as Sugarbowl, but on the pricey side

Pro Tip: If you’re coming from far, and not bringing equipment with you, then I have a tip. Rather than renting gear from the ski resorts, you can save money byrenting from an equipment rental shop. This is what we did. We rented from Village Ski Loft in North Tahoe. A quick search elsewhere will show you others.

*Skiing and snowboarding in Lake Tahoe is for all ages. We saw all ages on the slopes, from toddlers to seniors! Each ski resort has some sort of ‘snow school’ for kids who are just learning, which we plan to use next time we’re there.

2. Take a ride up the Heavenly Gondola

You don’t have to be skiing to get amazing panoramic views from the mountain tops.

Heavenly Gondola bring you to the top of Heavenly Mountain (10,000 ft off the ground!)

You get a beautiful bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe – and, it runs year-round. You don’t have to be skiing to ride this gondola.

Having said that, the Heavenly Gondola is quite pricey. In all my visits, we’ve never actually been on it because it costs about $80 per adult, plus $40 for kids. A family of four can drop quite a bit on it.

But, if you’re only in Tahoe once (and especially if you’re not skiing, and wouldn’t see views like this otherwise) then taking the gondola to the top might be worth it.

Heavenly is the tallest mountain in Tahoe, so it’s a great opportunity for views for non-skiers. Buy scenic gondola tickets here.

3. Walk around Heavenly Village

Heavenly Village is charming in both the summer and winter. I consider it to be the ‘heart and soul’ of Lake Tahoe – a walk around is mandatory any time of year.

In the winter, the surrounding snow-covered mountains and the festive decorations are really pretty.

There are also some special features at Heavenly Village during the winter time too. Besides the gondola ride which I already mentioned, here are other things to do in/around Heavenly Village:

• Shop for local handicrafts, good quality sporting brands, Tahoe or California souvenirs
• Eat at one of the many restaurants in the village. Some even have outdoor patios heated with fire in the winter
• Enjoy live music (we saw buskers even in winter)
• Get coffee at one of the family owned cafés – Heaven’s Little Cafe, Driftwood Cafe
• Ice skating *details below

4. Warm up to some cozy, delicious meals

There are lots of great places to eat in Lake Tahoe, and many of them have that cozy, ski-chalet feel which is perfect in winter.

Think fireplaces, rustic wooden architecture, and delicious hot food. Here are some places to find that kind of atmosphere in winter:

• Himmel Haus, an adorable Bavarian German Restaurant in South Lake. Be sure to make reservations for a weekend; we came here once but they were completely full and turning people away!
• Alibi Public House– a bar with two locations in North Lake Tahoe. I love this place personally, their staple is their pretzel with a beer dip
• Full Belly Deli – my brother loves this place, it’s in Truckee and perfect for a post-ski sandwich
• The Loft – American tapas with a magic show!
• The Bistro at Edgwood – great for something more upperscale. Amazing lake and mountain views. Menu here

5. Go for an (easy) winter hike

One of the best things about Lake Tahoe is the incredible nature. Walks or hikes to enjoy some of the most beautiful, pristine lakes in the world isn’t a bad idea.

Good winter hikes and walks in Lake Tahoe:

• Vikingsholm Trail in Emerald Bay State Park (need a park pass.) Views of the lake, plus the Vikingsholm castle
• Chickadee Ridge in North Lake Tahoe. Can be done as snowshoeing too
• Eagle Bay Trail in South Lake Tahoe. Need cash for parking
• Easthore Trail (aka Impossible Trail – pictured above) in North Lake Tahoe. We almost always go for a walk on the Impossible Trail. It runs along the lake, is fully paved and views are beautiful. If you’re in Tahoe with a toddler, pushing a stroller, then its perfect.

Being wintertime may mean that the parking lots for hiking trails don’t fill up as fast as they do in summer. But if you’re coming peak weekends, like Christmas season, then it might fill up early.

6. Go ice skating

It’s almost always cold enough in Lake Tahoe to go ice skating. Generally, you can skate anytime between mid November and March, weather pending!

There are a few ice rinks open in Lake Tahoe during these colder months.

The skating rinks are:

• Heavenly Village skating rink (pictured above.) It’s the most popular and accessible, and costs $20-$25 to skate
• Northstar Village Ice Rink, much cheaper, but located in North Lake Tahoe
• Edgewood Resort Rink – anyone can skate here, but it’s costs around $40 per person to skate.

We went over to Edgewood Resort Rink, where it was less busy than Heavenly… but also pricier and a much smaller rink. Perfect for a more intimate, romantic skate for a couple who doesn’t mind paying a bit more! We paid $70 for 2 adults. If you’re staying at Edgewood, then you get a discount on skating

7. Enjoy some indoor actvities

Of course, Lake tahoe in winter doesnt have to just mean you’re outside the whole time. Obviously you’re going to want to look into some fun indoor activities too, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Here are some suggestions of things to do that are indoors:

• Old fashioned movie theaters – Tahoe Haus and Cinema, Incline Village Cinema, and Heavenly Village Theater
• Retro bowling alleys: Bowl Incline in North Lake Tahoe
• Alibi’s (located in North Lake Tahoe and in Truckee) have really fun calendar of events, like Bingo Nights, Trivia Nights. I’ve been by a few times to pick up food and have eaten there. I saw one of their line dancing events and it looked really fun with great turn-out. See their calendar here
• A great children’s museum in Truckee for young kids, called Kidzone. Definitely worth a visit – took my daughters here and they loved it

8. Go tobogganing (sledding)

Toboganning (or sledding, whichever word you prefer) would be especially fun if you’re in Lake Tahoe with kids. We saw many families tobogganing down hills on small little parks that were off the main highway.

You can find and make your own little toboggan hill anywhere that is safe, but there are also some parks that get used for sledding every year:

• North Tahoe Regional Park, at 6600 Donner Rd, Tahoe Vista
• Tahoe Vista Sled Hill, located at 875 National Ave, Tahoe Vista

9. Go snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is cheaper than skiing or snowboarding, and its much easier to get the hang of. It’s a popular sport in Canada, and there are so many places around Tahoe where you can rent snowshoes.

Here are the two ways to go about it:

Join a snowshoeing tour

There are snowshoe tours that offer pristine views, and they’re family friendly (and also welcome dogs.)

Snowshoe Tahoe offers tours that range from 1.5-3 hours, including a special sunrise trek! Cost is between $60-$100 per person.

Choose your own trail, and do a self-guided snowshoe hike.

Many of the places I mentioned above for hiking, can also be done on snowshoes. Chickadee Ridge, Hope Valley, Tahoe Ridge and Emerald Bay all have snowshoeing available; some on designated routes that are specific for snowshoes. Read this expert guide on snowshoeing in Lake Tahoe to choose a place to do it.

If you’re leaning towards the self-guided option, check out Tahoe Daves. They provide a free snowshoe trail map complimentary with your rental!

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

All of the below are in South Lake Tahoe, as this is where most visitors prefer to stay

• Mid-range: South Star Pines Resort a 2 bedroom, self-serve aparment
• Mid-range: Blackbear Lodge Just a quick drive to Heavenly Village, has cozy and rustic rooms. Ideal for families
• High-end: Edgewood Tahoe Resort If I didn’t have someone to stay with in Lake Tahoe, this is 100% where I’d go. Such a beautiful venue with an amazing property
• High-end: Desolation Hotel Great ammenities like room service, sauna, fitness center, balconies. Has a variety of rooms, including suites with 1 bedroom

Lake Tahoe in Winter FAQ

Is it worth visiting Lake Tahoe in winter?

Lake Tahoe is definitely worth visiting in winter. Personally, it’s my favouite time to visit. Summer is beautiful, but winter in Lake Tahoe is so beautiful. The contrast of the snow against the water, with the mountains and all the winter activities and cozy restaurants- I personally am only ever planning to return in winter.

Is Tahoe fun if you don’t ski?

Yup, Lake Tahoe is still a great place to visit whether you ski or not. There are easy winter trails, snowshoeing, walking around Heavenly Village, a scenic gondola ride with a viewing platforms – plus more.