Is there anything more iconic than a Lake Tahoe ski trip? Probably not, but did you know Lake Tahoe is home to all sorts of winter fun? Even if you’re not excited to get out there and “shred the gnar,” there are tons of other activities for non-skiers. From big adventures to quiet moments together, Lake Tahoe is the perfect winter getaway with something to offer everyone. No matter how you spend your days while you’re here, everyone can agree that a winter trip to Lake Tahoe is a must. Plan your next getaway to Tahoe and book your stay at Camp Richardson for the perfect, cozy home base for all your winter wonderland adventures!
1. Take a Gondola Ride
Why get a wind burn while skiing down a mountain when you can ride up and down in an enclosed gondola? Take in the breathtaking scenes of South Lake Tahoe in a 2.4-mile gondola ride with Heavenly Lake Tahoe. On your way up, you can stop and take photos at the Observation Deck or grab a warm drink to enjoy on the way down. No ski poles or uncomfortable ski boots for you! The panoramic views of a snow-covered Lake Tahoe will leave you in awe and make you want to ride the gondola more than once.
You can learn more about taking a gondola ride at Heavenly Lake Tahoe.
Photo Credit: Heavenly Lake Tahoe
2. Cozy up by the Fireplace
Nothing says comfy and cozy like a fireside game night! Lay blankets on the ground and set up your board game next to the fireplace in your Camp Richardson cabin. You can keep yourself entertained for hours with games like Sorry, Charades, and more! When planning your trip, purchase a board game you haven’t tried before and see if it becomes your new favorite! Pair your game night with a delicious hot chocolate! Put on some fuzzy socks and warm pajamas, and stir up a delicious cup of hot cocoa. Grab a blanket, sit in front of the gas fireplace in your cabin, and get cozy for the rest of the day – you deserve it!
3. Be Adventurous With a Snowmobile Tour
If you still want to enjoy time outside but have no intention of strapping on a pair of skis, a snowmobile tour is a perfect winter adventure option! You can tour the snow-covered mountains 9,000 feet up, overlooking meadows and frozen lakes, seeing much more than you would on skis. Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours offers different tour levels for your experience level and different snowmobile types if one of your friends wants to come with you!
Photo Credit: Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours
4. Ice Skate Under the Lights
Lake Tahoe has many spots to enjoy ice skating! Places like Heavenly Village Lake Tahoe have beautiful ice skating rinks with Christmas lights that will twinkle as you glide across the ice. Bring your own skates or rent them to create a beautiful experience for you and your friends. If you’re hitting the ice solo, take this opportunity to practice your skills and meet new people that are also avoiding the ski slopes.
Photo Credit: Heavenly Village Lake Tahoe
5. Explore Lake Tahoe While Snowshoeing
There are miles of trails surrounding Lake Tahoe to explore as the snow falls. You can easily rent snowshoes at the Mountain Sports Rentals at Camp Richardson for you and your whole family – call ahead to ensure that snowshoes will be available to rent when you want them! Snowshoeing is an excellent opportunity to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Be immersed in towering pines and see the mountains on the horizon as you explore the trails at Camp Richardson.
Photo Credit: Camp Richardson
6. Go Sledding or Tubing
At Camp Richardson, we have sleds available to purchase if you want to enjoy time outside in fresh Tahoe snow. Grab a friend that is sick of skiing and find a hill to sled down! You’ll both laugh and reminisce when you did this as soon as the snow hit when you were a child, then warm up with a hot chocolate! Tubing is also a fun option when you want to get outside! Check out Adventure Mountain in Lake Tahoe to tube down a mountain 7,350 feet above sea level. They have fifteen machine run sledding runs for you to choose from, preventing you from waiting in line for too long.
Photo Credit: Visit Lake Tahoe – Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe
7. Experience a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride
What could be more magical than a winter sleigh ride through the pines and along frozen Lake Tahoe? Sleighrides.com has enchanted South Lake Tahoe visitors since 1969, so we guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Experience the breathtaking beauty of a Lake Tahoe winter in a classic horse-drawn sleigh and feel like you’ve just stepped into a magazine! If you’re staying with us at Camp Richardson, a rustic and wholesome experience is right up your alley – you can’t go wrong with a horse-drawn sleigh ride!
Photo Credit: Sleighrides.com
8. Build a Snowman
Here at Camp Richardson, we’re all about enjoying the simple things in life and making memories with those you love. Bring back the excitement and snow day fun of your childhood by building a snowman with freshly fallen Tahoe snow! If your family or friends don’t plan on hitting the slopes for the day, get them involved! Turn your snowman-building experience into a contest. Whoever wins gets treated to dinner at their restaurant of choice or doesn’t have to buy the next round of drinks!
9. Bake Cookies at Your Cabin
Whip up some cookie dough and have your cabin smelling like fresh cookies within minutes! Your friends will be excited when they come back from skiing, and you’ll have first dibs on the best-looking ones before they return. You can create something as simple as chocolate chip cookies or bake cut-out sugar cookies and decorate them with your family or friends. If you bake cookies in one of the cabin’s full kitchens on the first night of your stay at Camp Richardson, you’ll have delicious cookies to return to at the end of each adventure!
10. Rest and Relax With a Spa Day
Why spend your vacation feeling tired from skiing when you can relax with a spa day? You can choose from many spa locations throughout South Lake Tahoe. BioSpirit Spa lets you rest and relax in luxury while giving you time to reconnect with your body and spirit. Choose from massages, facials, body treatments, or waxing services to rejuvenate your body. Your friends and family on the slopes will be sad that they missed out on this activity!
Photo Credit: BioSpirit Spa
11. Grab a Beer at a Brewery
South Lake Tahoe has some great breweries for you to choose from, or if you’re feeling ambitious, you can go to each one! Grab your friends and family at the end of the day and head over to South of North Brewing Co., South Lake Brewing Company, or Sidellis Lake Tahoe, to name a few. You’ll experience the Lake Tahoe culture first-hand and will love meeting local brewery owners who will show you your new favorite beer!
Photo Credit: South Lake Brewing Co.
12. Go on a Dog Sledding Adventure
You’ve always seen dog sledding in the movies, but have you ever done it yourself? Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to go dog sledding for the first time! You’ll be surrounded by tall pines and snow-covered mountains, all while listening to the sound of the dogs guiding you through the fresh snow. Sierra Adventures will take you on a mushing adventure you won’t forget!
13. Try Cross Country Skiing
If you want to try skiing, give cross-country skiing a chance! You don’t have to worry about going downhill, you can enjoy skiing. Camp Richardson offers cross-country ski rentals for a half-day or full-day. Our miles of summer bike trails turn into excellent skiing trails!
If you don’t love skiing in the winter, we hope that this list will allow you to have a great time in South Lake Tahoe while being the envy of your friend group! Each activity will allow you to create a core memory, making you want to come and stay at Camp Richardson to explore each winter! According to the forecast for this year, it looks like Lake Tahoe will have warmer temperatures than normal while having above-normal mountain snows. This means you can stay warmer this year while exploring the great outdoors and checking off each activity on the list. We can’t wait to see you soon at Camp Richardson – book your stay today!