Springtime is Twice
the Fun in
North Lake Tahoe
Written by Molly O'Brien. Molly is a freelance travel, lifestyle, and wellness writer who has written for a variety of outlets including Fodor's, Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, The Washington Post, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Yoga + Life Magazine, among others.
Twelve unique towns make up the dreamy alpine region of North Lake Tahoe, a world-class destination to explore during any time of year – but there’s something particularly special about spending time there in spring. Spring can be the best season to pursue the region’s unique adventures. It offers the best of North Lake Tahoe’s two worlds: connecting with nature and superb entertainment.
Spring ski resort offerings and abundant mountain and lake activities will inspire visitors of every age, interest, and background to thrive. Here’s how to make the most of a trip to this destination in a season when the sky's the limit for enjoying the great outdoors.
Visit Northstar California Resort for skiing and snowboarding adventures. Here, travelers can visit the Cross Country Center to rent equipment and learn where to explore more than 20 miles of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails (in addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding trails).
Pair Morning Snowsports with a Waterside Picnic
After a morning on the mountain, refuel with a bite to eat and a refreshing drink at Tunnel Creek Café, a quaint and rustic-feeling eatery right on the edge of one of North Lake Tahoe’s most scenic bikeways – the Tahoe East Shore Trail. This 3-mile paved pathway is a great place for biking in Tahoe, and travels from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. It’s appropriately nicknamed “America’s Most Beautiful Bikeway” due to the gorgeous lakeside scenery and picturesque vistas along the trail.
Ski the Slopes, then Bike the Shore
What better way to recover after a rigorous workout and soothe the sore muscles than a spa treatment? The Spa at Everline at The Everline Resort & Spa in the Olympic Valley is just a few minutes by car from the Tahoe Via Ferrata (an “assisted climbing activity” of an adventure sport following a pathway comprised of steel ladder rungs and cables attached to rocks showcasing the views of views of North Lake Tahoe and beyond, from a safe, tried and tested climbing route – this year, it’s projected to open around May 15) and is open to the public for treatments, including a lineup of soothing massages, facials and more. Spa guests will also enjoy access to the property’s luxurious pool, jacuzzi area, steam room and sauna.
Spas and Golfing are “Par for the Course” in Spring
Nothing tastes better after a big hike than an ice-cold beverage and some warm s’mores, which you can find while winding down and connecting with other like-minded nature enthusiasts around the large, cozy campfire at Basecamp Hotel Tahoe City. Basecamp’s community-focused attitude and welcoming atmosphere make it a great spot to set as a home base for North Lake Tahoe adventures while maintaining an authentic connection to the outdoors.
Enjoy twice the memories with hiking and campfire fun
Stroll down the street in downtown Kings Beach, and step into some of the cute boutique stores to do some shopping. Check out spots like The Robin's Nest – a quaint gift shop with a generous selection of souvenirs and artisan products including jewelry, home items, candles, cards, and more. Or, visit Chickadee Art Collective which showcases and sells a collection of creative work including apparel, jewelry, ceramics, glass, and more made by more than 60 local makers across the Tahoe community.
Explore Mountain Towns for Some Shopping and Gaming
From snowsports to kayak and boat rentals to Via Ferrata adventures, biking excursions, wellness opportunities, and more – adventure enthusiasts will never run out of things to do while immersed in the inclusive nature of these outdoorsy communities on a spring getaway.
Spring has a special ring to it in North Lake Tahoe
Click to Explore:
Created by Fodor's Travel for
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Admire stunning views of the lake from the terrain of the community-owned and independently operated resort, Diamond Peak – which features a wide array of runs for all skill levels. There are nearly 2,000 feet of vertical spread over more than 600 acres, and plenty of beginner territory. The destination is actually owned by the residents of Incline Village – making it an authentic, locally favored place to spend time on the slopes in this region.
Start with a morning on the Mountain, wind down with an evening on the Lake
After a day on the mountain, visit Kings Beach State Recreation Area. Here, you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Gliding across the crystal clear water under the California sunshine makes for an excellent finish to a memorable day that boasts the best of both worlds in North Lake Tahoe’s serene alpine lake and mountain setting. North Tahoe Watersports, Inc., (which usually opens around mid-May) allows you to choose the duration of your rental so you can explore at your own pace for as long as you’d like.
Visit Commons Beach, a four-plus acre park that sits right on the lake in downtown Tahoe City boasting a playground and plenty of group picnic sites.
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Sweeping sights of Lake Tahoe and Nevada, and some of the best powder in the region can be found at Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe Ski Resort. This spot features the highest base elevation for any local resort, and boasts more than 60 trails across 1,200 acres of terrain with 1,800 feet of vertical drop. There’s a solid mix of beginner and intermediate trails, as well as plenty of black and double black diamond runs for experts to explore.
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Try golfing at one of the beautiful, one-of-a-kind courses in North Lake Tahoe. Hitting the links at elevation can even add up to a 10% increase in distance to a single drive – and the stunning sights of the alpine scenery make it an unforgettable experience. Try the 9-hole Tahoe City Golf Course, with origins dating back to 1917, having originally served some of the wealthiest visitors of the 20th Century. Today, the course still serves as a spot to experience the rich history region – golfers can tee off at the same place where big names such as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack got a game in.
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Hiking the entirety of The Tahoe Rim Trail is a momentous feat many highly skilled backpackers dream of accomplishing in their hiking lifetime. Luckily, you don’t need to do the whole thing to say you’ve “hiked on the Tahoe Rim Trail.” The access point in Tahoe City features a parking lot, and taking on even a smaller, single section of the trail can be a strenuous but satisfying day trek for those interested in challenging themselves. This can also be a great trail for wildflower viewing in the spring. Trekking clockwise from Tahoe City toward the Brockway Summit, you’ll have the chance to admire impressive views and interesting lava formations while wandering through the trees and climbing steadily away from civilization and deeper into the raw power of pure nature. Remember to bring at least two liters of water and ample snacks for this adventure.
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diamond peak ski resort
Kings beach
recreation area
Northstar
California Resort
commons
beach
MT. ROSE-ski tahoe
resort
tahoe east shore
trail
tahoe City
golf course
everline resort & spa
lake tahoe
tahoe rim trail
basecamp Tahoe city
downtown kings beach
crystal bay casino
Explore the interactive dual day map below and scroll down to read more about each exciting location.
Click the arrows to scroll through
the dual day locations and explore the pins on the map
Feeling lucky? Try a game of poker, blackjack, craps, video poker, slots, or sports booking at one of the three casinos on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. There’s the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, Crystal Bay Club and Casino, and Jim Kelley’s Tahoe Nugget Casino (which is known for being one of the oldest family-owned casinos in Nevada).
