bakerstreet

We will be based in San Francisco for a week. For those who want to do some snow skiing, is heading to Lake Tahoe a reasonable daytrip? If not, can you suggest decent accommodations for one or two nights in Lake Tahoe?

Or is there a better snow-skiing daytrip from San Francisco?

hazel1

Some crazy ski nuts actually do that, but I never would. It's a mimimum 4-hour drive to Tahoe, and that's without any weather issues, which of course during ski season happen regularly. Even if you're game to get up well before dawn to get to the slopes by 9:00 AM or so, after a full day skiing, it's a very long, tiring trip back to SF. Not to mention Lake Tahoe is at 6,000 ft above sea level (at lake level), so the altitude can really affect people adversely. I would stay the night for sure. I personally like the Best Western in Truckee (a very nice little town right off I-80), located just a few miles away from Northstar ski resort, or the River Ranch Lodge, which is on the Truckee River at the bottom of the road leading to Alpine ski resort, and is also convenient to Squaw Valley.

sf7307

Ditto everything hazel1 said, and add that my husband, son and son's friends have done it on a number of occasions (although every time they do, I think they're nuts!).

There are loads of places to stay. The Best Western in Truckee is without a doubt the best of the motel accommodations -- really a perfect place, but there are lots and lots of condo accommodations, too, both within the individual ski resorts such as Northstar and outside the resorts (less expensive than in the resorts of course). Northstar has everything ranging from "rooms" to 2 and 3-bdr "original" condos to the brand new Ritz-Carlton on the mountain, and lots in-between (new and newer condos in the village, a Hyatt timeshare and others).

sunbum1944

My daughter has done it from San Jose - but it was on a bus - had to meet at 4 am - but at least you could sleep on the bus until you get there, ski all day and then sleep on the bus on the way home - so if you really want to do it, I would check into bus trips and leave the driving to them

bakerstreet

Thanks for the advice, which has convinced me NOT to do a daytrip. Instead we'll just fly into Reno, spend a few nights at South Lake Tahoe (we found a Marriott timeshare in Heavenly that looks like it's right next to the gondola) and then head to San Francisco to finish the trip.

Thanks!

sf7307

bakerstreet, the Marriott timeshare IS at the gondola (or rather the gondola is in the plaza between two Marriott properties). I'm not a huge South Lake Tahoe fan, but these properties are really nice, convenient (obviously) to skiing, and Heavenly is a great mountain.

bakerstreet

What do you not like about South Lake Tahoe? We have never been to the area -- are we making a mistake?

sf7307

It's fine for skiing (Heavenly) and gambling (big casino hotels, like Harrah's), but there's nothing charming or quaint or attractive about South Lake Tahoe (other than the lake itself, of course, but the main street, Lake Tahoe Blvd., is not on the lake). So it depends what you're going for. If it were me, I'd fly into Reno, but I'd go to North Lake Tahoe (Northstar, for example) to ski. At least then the non-skiers would have Northstar the resort and the town of Truckee to keep them occupied while the skiers ski. Unfortunately, there's no Marriotts in NLT, so if you're exchanging or using points, that won't help.

hazel1

I agree with sf7307 - South Lake Tahoe/Stateline is about as tacky a tourist town as it gets - I personally can't stand the place and also prefer the skiing on the North Shore over Heavenly.

Dayenu

When are you coming? Some day chains are required that are not allowed on rental cars.

bakerstreet

Coming in mid-March. Will we need chains?

OK, now it sounds like I need to research Tahoe! Marriott points not involved, so there's no particular reason we need to stay at Heavenly -- I just heard it was a nice place to ski.

How would you compare South Lake Tahoe with, for example, Gatlinburg, TN?

If we change to Northstar, can you recommend a good place to stay? We liked the Marriott timeshare due to (1) proximity to chair lift, (2) fully equipped kitchens, etc. and (3) reliability of the brand. I'd appreciate any other lodging suggestions in North Lake Tahoe!

elnap29

Hey, the purpose of this side trip is skiing. Heavenly is heavenly skiing. The views are spectacular. Don't worry about it at all. I think you'll have a great time and you will have all the conveniences.

sf7307

The views are spectacular FROM Heavenly to the lake, not while you're at lake level. I think some of the people are not skiing, hence my advice. If everyone IS skiing, then yes, Heavenly is a great ski area and the Marriott is extremely convenient (and very nice).

As for Northstar, please let us know a couple of things -- 1) how big of a place do you need, and 2) how high on the "luxe" scale?

hazel1

In answer to the question about needing chains in March, the answer is yes, you definitely could need them - Tahoe gets a lot of snow well into April in an average season, but who can tell what the weather will be. You probably should consider renting a 4WD vehicle to avoid the chain issue.

bakerstreet

We need to sleep 7 using at least 5 beds. At least 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms, if a condo. LOVE luxe but not the prices for this trip so Ritz Carlton is out. Prefer ski-in, ski-out but again, don't want to pay luxe prices so may have to be on shuttle route.

Daughter must go to ski school so I'd like to be convenient to that....

Should we definitely stay in Northstar Village as opposed to another development outside Northstar? I know we'd like to spend some time in Truckee (sp?) but since we want to ski during the days, is it better to lodge in Northstar and visit Truckee than vice versa?

I think I'm looking for a Marriott/Heavenly gondola-type arrangemnt in Northstar. Does such exist?

sf7307

I think I'm looking for a Marriott/Heavenly gondola-type arrangemnt in Northstar. Does such exist?

Yes. You can rent a condo in the village and the gondola and ski school are "right there". Also restaurants, shops and skating rink. Here's a link to the choices of lodging within Northstar resort. Note that once you get down to "Big Springs, Aspen, Gold Bend, Indian Hills" and "Basque/Big Springs", these are all on the Northstar shuttle, but not walkable to/from the gondola.

http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info...g_overview.asp

Here's the village map. If you click on a name such as "Catamount Lodge", it will highlight where that building is in the village. You can also see the location of the ski school and the "Big Springs Gondola Express". Our friends own a condo in the Catamount building (the condos are very upscale, but their's isn't big enough for your group!)

http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info...ory_summer.asp

As for staying outside of Northstar, obviously, if you are going to ski every day, staying within the resort is most convenient. Otherwise you have to pack up, park, and do the reverse every day. Also, if you're in the resort, you can come and go -- everyone doesn't have to arrive and return at the same time.

Truckee is a neat little town, but it's only good for a few hours of browsing shops, plus eating. Its easy to get to for dinner, for example.

TravelSimpleScott

A trip to Tahoe is the perfect thing to do out in California! A great way to relax and check out the Sierras on your way up without having to drive is by taking the train. Amtrak California offers some routes from the Bay to South Lake Tahoe or even Truckee (both are great skiing destinations). Plus, you can usually save some money. (http://bit.ly/raildeal ).

bakerstreet

Thanks for all the great suggestions! We're all set. We found a great ski-in, ski-out condo in the village and everyone's excited about our trip, which has now changed from a San Francisco week with possible side daytrip to Tahoe, to a three-night stay in Northstar Village for skiing, and the remainder of the week in SF. We're flying into Reno, renting a car and flying out of SFO. The cost and the packing got bigger, but the fun also increased! Thanks, everyone.

If you're still reading --- do you have an opinion whether a private ski lesson for an 11-year-old is better than a group ski school lesson? We have two days for my daughter to learn as much as she can. If she can get enough in a day or day and a half to do greens, I'd love to ski with her, but I am no ski teacher and want her to really learn. I'm willing to get a private teacher unless she would learn the same things in the group lesson. Do you have experience with both, and what is your opinion? I have posted this question in the Lounge but thought I'd ask here as well.

sf7307

bakerstreet, there's no question that your daughter will learn more in a private lesson than in a group lesson. My kids were always in group lessons (but then we didn't want them to learn too much - we wanted them to stay in ski school LOL!), but I have taken semi-private lessons, and we had a babysitter who took a private lesson. In the group lesson, there will be an instructor and 5 or 6 students -- you never know what their abilities will be, and the teacher has to look out for all of them. In the semi- and private lessons, the teacher has only you to look out for. Our babysitter learned so quickly (very athletic young man) that the instructor took him out that afternoon for free! I'd highly recommend the private lesson, at least 1/2 day to start.