Nov. 13, 2024 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.) – The recent snowfall with multiple days of accumulation in the forecast, combined with cooler temps for ongoing snowmaking efforts means winter is around the corner with South Lake Tahoe resorts opening next week. Heavenly opens Nov. 22, Sierra-at-Tahoe on Nov. 29, and Kirkwood on Dec. 6, weather/conditions permitting visitlaketahoe.com.
SKI / SNOWPLAY
Heavenly Mountain Resort welcomes Golden State Kitchen at California Main Lodge with healthy menu options. Also, Ski & Ride School instructors will offer lessons in ten languages this season reflecting the resort’s international appeal. “My Epic Gear,” a new membership program provides access to high-quality ski and snowboard equipment along with premium valet services.
New this winter at Kirkwood Mountain Resort is the reservations-based paid parking program for weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and peak periods. (Heavenly pioneered a similar program last season to great success.) For those looking to improve their skills, The Expedition: Kirkwood program continues to provide advanced coaching and backcountry travel clinics.
This season, Sierra-at-Tahoe becomes an Ikon Pass partner, providing pass holders enhanced access to the slopes. Resort upgrades include new haul ropes on the Easy Rider Express and Nob Hill Chairlift, revamped parking lots, and new snowmaking fan guns to ensure quality coverage. Forged from the flames of the 2021 Caldor Fire, Sierra continues to maximize terrain, fresh fall lines, open bowls, and an amphitheater of world-class terrain parks.
Sustainability at all resorts remains a focus with several initiatives expanding, including Kirkwood’s food waste digesters, sorting, and automated dumpster sensors to further minimize landfill contributions and Heavenly supporting the city of South Lake Tahoe’s single use plastic water bottle ban. Reforestation efforts at Sierra-at-Tahoe continue with more than 1,000 new seedlings planted in October during the resort’s Keep Sierra Clean Day. In addition, Sierra strives to increase recycling, minimize landfill waste, and ensure that hazardous materials are properly disposed.
The inaugural season for the Tahoe Knight Monsters, a professional hockey team in the ECHL, is underway until April on their home ice at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. The Knight Monsters are affiliated with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights. With the inclusion of Tahoe, the state of Nevada is now represented in the NHL, AHL and ECHL.
A complete guide to winter snow play is available VisitLakeTahoe.com for ice skating outdoors at Edgewood on Ice and Heavenly Village, indoors at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena; snowshoeing/groomed XC skiing trails at Camp Richardson as well as Kirkwood; snowmobiling at Zephyr Cove and Hope Valley; tubing at six different locations throughout South Shore. Tahoe Snowmobiles is now offering night tubing at their Stateline location. There are several year-round boat cruise and fishing charters and even clear bottom kayak tours with Clearly Tahoe. In fact, Tahoe Sportfishing is repowering their largest fishing boat, The Prophet (43’ Delta) and one of their 30’ Island Hoppers, bringing enhanced performance and making their fleet more environmentally friendly. Tahoe Sleigh & Carriage Rides, the Borges family-owned business for more than 50 years, is now offering year-round horseless electronic carriage rides and horse-drawn if the weather is favorable.
REFRESHED RESORTS & RESTAURANTS
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, formerly Hard Rock Hotel, is underway with complete renovations scheduled for completion in 2025 with new rooms, VIP suites/services, restaurants, lobby, and outdoor pool & lounge. Saltgrass Steak House (formerly Alpine Union) opened this fall providing a casual vibe with steaks, chicken and seafood, plus breads, soups and desserts made from scratch daily. Mastro’s Steakhouse, recognized as one of the “top 10 steakhouses in the U.S.” by Gayot for service, cuisine, and live entertainment in an energetic atmosphere will replace Park Prime.
The remodeled golf shop and Brooks’ Bar & Deck at Edgewood Tahoe was completed this summer with the clubhouse, Edgewood Restaurant, and North and South Shore event spaces being upgraded in 2025.
Black Bear Lodge is completely remodeling their double queen suites and king suite rooms. These room types are 750 square feet and will feature a separate bedroom and living room, kitchenette, powder bathroom, and full primary bathroom for stays starting late December 2024.
Launched this summer, Coachman Hotel’s all-new 900-square-foot, tech-equipped meeting space with landscaped outdoor patio seating, appeals to more intimate group functions by bringing the property’s total meeting space to 1,900 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor accommodations and food and beverage outlet. The Merry and Mulled Market returns Dec. 7, with sipping from local/regional wineries and shopping with Tahoe/surrounding area vendors on property.
Dining experiences are transforming the culinary and celebrity scene at Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe. The recently opened fan favorite Wolf by Vanderpump has quickly become a standout, while Gordon Ramsay’s HELL’S KITCHEN has expanded to include 56 additional seats, a new entrance, and a stylish bar and wine display. Looking ahead, guests can anticipate even more to come, including the opening of Brew Brothers in 2025 at Harrah’s, and additional enhancements across the properties that will elevate the guest experience.
Elements Eatery & Bar opened in May and serves Mexican-American fusion for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In fact, Elements along with Azul Latin Kitchen in the Heavenly Village, Maggie’s at Desolation Hotel, and Toulouse adjacent to Station House were featured in Season 2 of “The Road Less Eaten with Biju Thomas” on Outside TV that premiered this November more info: visitlaketahoe.com.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS
The Heavenly Holidays will celebrate the town’s central gathering place with a month-long series of good tidings and cheer in the Heavenly Village with: Holiday Tree Lighting, Nov. 29; Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 7, 14, and 21; Meet Your Favorite Characters, Dec. 26-30; Visit Lake Tahoe Ferris Wheel, Dec. 27-31; Visit Lake Tahoe Build-A-Bear, Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Holiday Paint & Sip and more. Additional details coming soon on Frosty Shoreline Snowshoe Experience, a lakefront snowshoe stroll along the beaches; Champagne & Chocolate Sleigh Ride Tasting Experience, a horse-drawn or electronic carriage tour paired with champagne; and Happy New Year: Fireworks, Gondola Drop and live music, Dec. 31. For all Heavenly Holidays events, days, times visit: visitlaketahoe.com.
The 4th annual Festival of Winter Lights, Dec. 13-14 from 4-8 p.m., at the Lake Tahoe Museum, is the site for an outdoor style market with free winter carriage rides, Santa’s house and kids activities, live performances, light displays, Christmas Fire Truck, hot drinks and food, plus shopping for Tahoe themed gifts from local vendors.
NIGHTLIFE/ENTERTAINMENT
The Tahoe Blue Event Center welcomes the Black Crowes, Dec. 3; A John Legend Christmas, Dec. 6 and Disney Jr. Live, Dec. 13. The venue will also ring in the New Year with two nights of Après Ski NYE, Dec. 30-31 with top national electronic music artists including Kaskade, Thomas Towey and Roger That!.
Casino entertainment at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe South Shore Room features Tainted Love, Nov. 30; Better than Ezra, Dec. 6; Ian Munsick, Dec. 8; Nathan Owens: A Tribune to Earth Wind & Fire and Kool & the Gang, Dec. 29; Hippie Sabotage, Jan. 2; The Petty Breakers, Jan. 11 and Three Dog Night, Jan. 18.
Stateline casinos offer New Year’s Eve parties, pre-fixe dinner menus, and nightclub parties to ring in 2025. A New Year’s Eve Celebration with a torchlight parade and fireworks at Kirkwood returns, Dec. 31.
For more information, events, special offers, and conditions explore Visit Lake Tahoe: www.VisitLakeTahoe.com and Media Kit. Visit Lake Tahoe offers timely updates and key travel information at “Know Before You Go”.
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About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Designated the “America’s Favorite Ski Destination” by USA TODAY readers, Visit Lake Tahoe combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: unparalleled natural beauty and an array of world-class outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. As a responsible tourism destination, it offers a balanced approach regarding social and environmental impacts to preserve its appeal for generations. For information about lodging, recreation, events, and mindful travel at Visit Lake Tahoe, call 1-800-288-2463 or log onto www.VisitLakeTahoe.com.
Visit Lake Tahoe is aligned with and taking action to implement the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan in collaboration with over 20 regional organizations. The award-winning plan, developed with the participation of over 3,000 residents, visitors, and businesses, establishes a shared vision for the region’s outdoor recreation and tourism and encourages everyone to help take care of Tahoe’s cherished communities and environment. Visit www.stewardshiptahoe.org to learn more and read the plan.
