Celine

We're staying at the Hyatt in N.Lake Tahoe for a weekend, and wondering what other activitie (other than skiing) we should do. We would like to ice skate, is it worth the trip to Squaw Valley just for that? (is there anything else to do in Squaw Valley that is not skiing?).

We're planning on going skiing either at Alpine or Northstar one day, and looking for something else to do the next day. Also, if anyone has restaurant recommendations in N.Lake Tahoe (reasonably price, max $17 entree,etc...) that would be great.

Finally, is it worth driving down to South Tahoe to gamble? We would like to play Pai Gow Poker and figured there won't be much gambling up north. Thanks in advance.

Patrick

Go to Truckee and explore -- a touristy but quaint and offbeat town. Also the museum at Donner Pass is quite interesting -- you know the story about the Donner party?
Frankly, I think the gambling is about as good or even better at the north as at the south, just not quite as big and splashy. Friends who live there do quite well at CalNeva and a couple of the bigger "hole-in-the-wall type casinos at the north end. Or even go to Reno, about as easy or even easier to drive from the Hyatt as it is to go to the south of the Lake.

Not much else in Squaw Valley except for Plumpjack's a great (but expensive) restaurant.

I'm drawing a blank on the name of the restaurant (it changed names recently I think) that is on the little golf course right where the road heads up to Truckee and Northstar from the lake. Used to be Moose Jaw or something? It's reasonable and very good -- although I've only had lunch there.
The others I know are way over that price range -- it's not a cheap area. And the restaurant at the Hyatt is grand especially for the room, but also for the food.

eater

when in Truckee try eating at The Cottonwood or Pianeta, they're both great.

If you pay the $5 for a pass you can go to California snow parks and go sledding or snowshoing or other kinds of snow play.

tom

North Tahoe in winter is pretty much for the skiing-centric. There should be a range of snowmobiling available (from going in circles around a park, to backcountry tours). Squaw Valley has both a little skating rink at the hotel, and the big one up at the top of the tram. For gambling I would drive down to Reno, the big downtown casinos (circus, Silver Legacy, Eldorado, ..) are all linked together with the enclosed skywalk, which is nice in winter. The is also a good auto museum in Reno. Other possibilities are Virginia City (though I usually save it for spring when it is warmer) and Carson City (there is a nice museum in the old Mint).

Celine

Great...thanks for all your help!

janis

Unless you are really into gambling there is no need to drive over to reno or down to south shore. At northshore the Hyatt, Biltmore and Cal Neva have a wide range of all the regular gaming (slots, tables, sports books, keno, etc). If it is really snowy the Mt Rose rd over to Reno can be closed, and driving over to Truckee to catch Hwy 80 can be REALLY congested on weekends. So stay in the Tahoe basin. If you do want to go to south shore, the east side of the lake gets a lot less snow so NV Hwy 28 to southshore can be OK even during winter storms. Whereas CA hwy 89 south can often close around Emerald Bay due to avalanche dangers.

gail

I think the above poster means the Blue Onion near the trek out to I80. We really enjoyed Rosie's for breakfast. It is very popular, service is quick, food great (Bloody Mary's and Ramos Fizzes too!), and inexpensive. It is in Tahoe city. I think Squaw is most definitely worth a look(especially if you are a skating fan!). The Aerial Tram is $17.00 RT. The shops down below are fun to look in and there is a Plumpjacks eatery as well.