Christmas in Tahoe - lots of questions!

[1 goofy family]

We usually go to Yosemite for Christmas - New Years week, I thought we'd try something different this year. I'm not familiar with the Tahoe area and just started looking into it. Any help would be much appreciated!

We are not skiers. We like to play in snow, DH and DS will snowboard but it's not very important that they do. We're looking for a quiet retreat type place. We will be renting a vacation house and want to stay in a more upscale area. I realize this is peak season, we do not want to be in the thick of any crowds.


- It's not important that we stay on the lake. I went on VRBO and found nice homes in an area called Soda Springs or Tahoe Donner for reasonable prices. Is this somewhere we'd want to be? How about Truckee?

- We are driving in from San Francisco. Are driving conditions during that time a relatively easy thing or will we encounter closed roads during storms? Are storms that would close the roads common during that time?

 

[GrandBob]

All 3 are on the north side of the lake. Truckee is a wonderful little town just north of the lake, with shopping, restaurants, and things to do. Soda Springs and Tahoe Donner are just west of there, but they're more geared to the skiing crowd (either downhill or cross-country). For services, you'd probably end up going to Truckee.

Other towns on the north side that you may be interested in include Tahoe City, Incline Village, and Kings Beach.

South Lake Tahoe has even more things, but tends to be more crowded and is more geared to gambling in addition to skiing.

-Bob

 

[1 goofy family]

Thanks, Bob! I'll look into Tahoe City, Incline Village, and Kings Beach as options.

 

[mamacatnv]

The weather is unpredictable - there could be no snow and there could be tons. Some of the worst flooding in the area has taken place in and around new years in years past. If there is a storm Hwy 80 can be closed for hours to days(rare) but it happens.

Rent a 4 wheel drive since most rental companies do not supply chains.

The weather guru's are saying there are signs of an El Nino weather pattern - for the west coast including the Sierra that can mean lots of moisture this winter. We need it Lake Tahoe is very low as are most area lakes, streams etc.

Upscale,,,,,check out Squaw Valley - lots of snow play as well as boarding opportunities, shopping, restaurants etc. Close to Tahoe and close to Truckee
South Shore has the big casinos on the NV side which come with more night life, restaurants etc...

 

[kerickson]

We have a cabin in Tahoe but it's rented for the year. Our place is in Truckee, in between Tahoe Donner and Northstar. Love the area. Tahoe Donner has a great family ski hill and sledding area. I believe they also have a rec center. Northstar has had major development the past few years and is very upscale now with a Ritz going in. Northstar has ice skating, bungee jumping, sledding for the kids, great restaurants, outside fire pits where you can sip drinks and roast marshmallows. Below is a link where you can find more info on Northstar.

http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/December-2008/New-Tahoe/