Hi there,
we will be in the US for Christmas and as we are from Australia, we are looking forward to having a white Christmas.
Where do you recommend to stay in Lake Tahoe?
We are wanting to enjoy the scenery and snow from inside our accommodation.
We would like to be near dining, shopping and perhaps a casino.
My husband will probably ski but I am just wanting to get out and about and will not ski.
Look forward to your ideas.
Thanks
Donna

What's your budget? South Shore is quite lively. Your husband can ski at Heavenly Valley, there are several hotel/casinos there, shopping if you like. If the weather is good you can drive around the lake.

Squaw Valley is a resort area. It is close to Tahoe City and Truckee. It's on the California side, so no casinos close by but you can drive around to Incline Village to the Hyatt for gambling. The Hyatt is a beautiful hotel.

There is no guarantee you'll have a white Christmas, but it's likely. The ski resorts almost all make snow if there isn't much by that time. Every year is different..there can be snow by Thanksgiving and some years the most snow comes in January and February. You could also have a big storm while you are there and South Shore would have more for you to do and more places that would be walkable for you if the weather was bad and you didn't want to drive while it was storming.

There are a lot of choices for places to stay..the hotels, there are motels, and private condos and residences to rent.

Dear crefloors
thanks for your suggestions.
We are looking at around $200 - 250 a night. Is that possible?
I haven't checked any accommodation sites yet.
I am really set on a white Christmas and may have to think of some other options as well.
South Shore area sounds like a good place to be with lots to do.
Do you have any favourite recommendations for accommodation.
Thanks
Donna

South Shore is lively, but not lovely.

It is a big sprawling city of strip malls and traffic. I actually can't imagine walking around there (unless it has changed drastically since I last drove through, in 2004). It is convenient for skiing and casinos, but not a standout for mountain scenery, unless you rent a place right on the lake.

You might try Northstar, a resort village at the north end of the lake. It is smaller and walkable, and offers small shops and a few restaurants.

http://www.northstarattahoe.com/

You would have to drive 30 minutes or so to get to the casinos, though.

As crefloors mentioned, snow is not guaranteed at Christmas, although it is likely there will be enough to enjoy even if it is not skiable.

You might also try Incline Village, which is on the Nevada side.

I'd personally rent a condo on the north side of the Lake - Incline Village, Crystal Bay, Kings Beach, Tahoe City or a bit farther around on the northwest side. Generally better scenery and fewer people than at southshore. There are small casinos at Crystal Bay and the Hyatt ate Incline village. There'd be skiing at nearby Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley. You can spend one day driving to southshore to visit the big casino hotels. If I had to choose one place to rent it would probably be Incline -- but anywhere on the north or NW sides would be great.

Heavenly Valley is a good place to ski - but southshore/stateline is just too built up for my tastes.

Harrah's is a very nice hotel on the South Shore with views of the Lake and Heavenly. The rooms are very comfortable and spacious - lots of windows, two bathroooms, sitting area. From what you say you are looking for, I think it would be a good fit. I do not know about the price range, though, over Christmas. I would imagine it is pretty high at that time.

The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is the busiest week in Tahoe, so you need to book early. Also, most of the restaurants in the Village at S. Lake Tahoe require reservations during this week, or you will experience a 2-hour or more wait.

Forest Suites is a reasonable accomodation right in the middle of the action, near the casinos, restaurants and Heavenly Gondola.

I haven't been up to South Shore in quite awhile. I live in Reno and just have had no reason to go there, but I do know they have done a lot of rehab in that area. Hotels have been remodeled, a lot of the old run down motels have been torn down and new ones built so in general the area has been much approved.

South Shore has never been MY favorite area, but I think for visitors with a limited amount of time, it would be a good place to stay and has everything they are looking for and getting around is pretty convenient.

You never know what the weather is going to be like that time of year, and while it's easy and lovely to drive around the lake in the warmer months, if there's a snow storm, that's not the best time. If the weather is not bad, then it makes a nice day to head around toward the north and west sides of the lake..Tahoe City, Homewood, and the like. Also a drive to Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar etc. would be a lovely day. Husband could also ski those areas. Some time in Truckee could also be fun and there's lots of good restaurants for lunch or dinner.

I'm not sure about accommodations Lordy. You might try googling the Tahoe Visitor's Bureau. I have been on that site and there are many links to accommodations. Now is NOT too soon to start looking.

We have stayed at the Squaw Valley Lodge-- it's a nice condo complex, individually owned. It is right at the base of Squaw Valley ski area, next to the village area for shops and restaurants. Also has underground parking. 530 583 5500

We rented through Squaw Valley Central Reservations. I can recommend Sue there, 800 545 4350, 530 583 5585. She can help with many properties in the Lake Tahoe region.

Another place where my sister owns a place is called The Ridge at Tahoe:
http://www.ridgetahoeresort.com/

This is a very large place, and very well-managed. They have good prices, too.

Lake Tahoe is gorgeous.
Enjoy the U.S. of A!
>-

South Lake Tahoe is in the process or redevelopment. A lot of the old motels have been torn down, but construction of new things is in progress. In general, South Lake Tahoe is one strip center after another for miles, then you come to the California/Nevada border and it changes because that's where the big casino hotels are. It's nicer than it used to be, but it's still not at all quaint -- large hotels and developments in which there are stores and restaurants, but no urban street feel (I'd MUCH prefer to stroll the main street in Truckee for an afternoon than spend a non-skiing day in South Lake Tahoe). However, if you want to be near the larger, fancier casinos, So. Lake is where they are.

Thanks again for all of your great suggestions. i will check out the appropriate links.
Donna