Skiing and snowboarding may be the biggest winter attractions in California's South Lake Tahoe area, but there are a number of other cold-weather activities for families to indulge in. Dog sledding, snowmobiling and sleigh rides are all available, as is the winter favorite, ice skating. Or you can put on a pair of snowshoes and explore the area.
Skiing and snowboarding
Lake Tahoe has a wide variety of skiing and snowboarding terrains, thanks to its location in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As a bonus, some ski resorts offer interchangeable lift tickets so you can visit more than one place.
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort has 2,400 acres for skiing, including trails for beginners, intermediate skiers and experts. Lessons are available. One of the area's best-known resorts is the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, which has 1,500 acres for skiing. The resort's four mountains have 13 ski lifts, and rental equipment is available.
Cross-country skiing also is big in the area. Visit Tahoe Donner during its five-month ski season and choose from 49 trails for beginners, intermediate skiers and experts. The terrain ranges from flat to steep pitches. Stop at a warming hut to rest. At the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, take advantage of 90 extensive trails. The resort was ranked by Snow Country Magazine as the No. 1 cross-country ski resort in North America.
Snowmobiling and sledding
Take a snowmobile tour. Lake Tahoe Snowmobiles offers tours for all ages and more than 100 miles of trails. Cold Stream Adventures offers two-hour tours complete with snacks. You also can rent a snowmobile and take off to explore on your own. Try the Blackwood Canyon area, the Martis Park area or the Eldorado National Forest.
Take a more than two-mile ride up a mountain in a gondola at Adventure Peak at the Heavenly Mountain Resort. Once you get to the top, go snow tubing, sledding, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The Kingvale Tubing and Sledding Park has five tubing lanes and groomed sledding lanes.
More outdoor activities
Go for a sleigh ride. Borges Sleigh Rides include warm blankets in its antique European sleighs.
You also can try dog sledding. Husky Express offers five-mile rides that last about an hour. Or Running Creek Sled Dogs' two teams of Siberian huskies give 35- to 40-minute tours of the Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
Head to the Resort at Squaw Creek for outdoor ice skating. At the South Tahoe Ice Arena, skaters can enjoy an NHL-size, state-of-the-art ice rink with a snack bar and locker rooms.
Inside fun
If you don't want to spend all your time outside, try one of Lake Tahoe's casinos. Harrah's Resort and Casino offers plenty of gaming chances, while Harvey's Resort and Casino has 24-hour gambling with a heated pool and poolside bar.
You also can visit one of the area's museums. The Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum showcases artifacts from the area, such as Washoe Indian baskets and arrowheads. View old photographs and a doll collection of dolls from the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni tribes.
Tags: Lake Tahoe, more than, acres skiing, beginners intermediate, beginners intermediate skiers, intermediate skiers