elsa300

Hello everyone, we're planning a trip to Tahoe over Thanksgiving weekend and have no clue where to stay. We're only familiar with Vail and Aspen and are looking for a similar atmosphere of a quaint village, shopping and dining. We're a famiy of 14 with ages ranging from 10 mos to 80 yrs old. Ideally we'd prefer to be all under one roof, a well located home with all the amenities. Should we do Squaw Valley, Heavenly, or??? Is there snow in November?? Would appreciate your feedback. Thanks!!

POlson

We stayed at the base of Heavenly last year for a family Thanksgiving. It was a time-share so I can't give you any suggestions as to where to stay, but I can tell you it snowed, and snowed and snowed. It took us an extra day to get there because the roads needed to be cleared. Do check snow advisories for chains. The slopes were not yet open but the kids loved the sledding. South Lake Tahoe has several hotels at Stateline and I think you'll find plenty of rentals if you are looking for a house. I wouldn't call it quaint though but you can get a decent beer and pizza. Mostly we just stayed to our rooms, playing games and cooking. We ventured out for sledding and went to the movies once.

charnees

Last year was unusually snowy. There's no telling whether there will be any snow this year in Nov. For quaint, etc., squaw valley or Tahoe City on the North end of the Lake are good spots. alpine Meadows is close to Squaw, so you could also stay there, although you'd have to go over to Squaw for any village feel. I would check out VRBO.com for houses or condos. Truckee is the main town in the north side, right on Highway 80, but it's not all that scenic. About 15 miles north of the lake. But it does have some places to shop, and a big supermarket. And cafes. I think Heavenly Valley has become terribly expensive. That's on the south end, above South Lake Tahoe.

sf7307

Truckee may not be scenic, as it's a few miles from the lake, but it's the best town by far for shopping and eating, and generally poking around. And it's an old mining town, too - old buildings - but about as far as you can get from a "ghost town". South lake Tahoe has Heavenly Valley (best views) and the big casino hotels, but otherwise zero charm. Squaw Valley and Northstar are mega-ski resorts with manufactured "villages". - both are good places to stay (both have many condo choices, Northstar also has a beautiful Ritz-Carlton) and eat, and some shopping, but neither is at all "authentic", and neither is remotely like Vail or Aspen. Although Vail is also "manufactured", it was designed to look like a ski village, which is not true of either Squaw or Northstar, both of which are much more modern, and less " Tyrol" than Vail. As for Aspen, there is no town like it in Tahoe -- nothing that big, nothing with as many great restaurants, none of the high-end shopping, and nothing as pretty frankly. Please don't get me wrong - I have been going to Tahoe summer and winter for nearly 40 years, and absolutely love the area, but it's very very different from Vail and Aspen.

elsa300

Thank you so much for the feedback. We're looking into a rental in Heavenly since it's close to the casinos. There's more gamblers than skiers in the group so I think there's something for everyone in the South. Will still look into Squaw and Northstar as well just to make sure. Thanks again

KATAHOE

Hello elsa; Good choice at the village as that location should cover all your needs. South Lake Tahoe also offers a lot of vacation home rentals that are pretty large. A quick Craigs List search will offer up hundreds of results. However, the village is nice and centrally located to casinos, shopping, food,the gondola, etc. Not to mention the amenities they offer on the property. Your group will be well covered.

As for snow in November. Last season our snow showers lasted till June 12th! So it is hard to say what "Mother Nature" has up her sleeve for us this year. The skiing at Heavenly was wonderful! Resorts try to open on or around Thanksgiving. Chances are, Heavenly will be rolling by then. Below are a view links that may help you. Enjoy your trip!

http://www.theshopsatheavenly.com offers information about the shops at the Heavenly Village.

http://www.skiheavenly.com offers information about the resort. They also have some booking packages (stay 3 nights get the 4th free, etc) that may offer up some discounts on lift tickets. You'll have to check.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...s-timber-lodge is information on the place that sounds like you will be staying at.

http://www.everythingtahoe.com is a neat little website that offers reviews of Lake Tahoe. It's just Lake Tahoe locations so you don't have to search through thousands of other places.

An because it's Thanksgiving, you'll most likely want some turkey, right? Any of the casinos (Harrah's, Harverys, Mont Bleu, Lakside, Horizon) will offer up some great Turkey dinners as well as the many restaurants around town.

Hope the information helps. Have a wonderful day.

sf7307

There was record snowfall last year, very unlikely to happen two years in a row! Thanksgiving the ski resorts might be open, but the skiing will likely not be good - it doesn't usually get great in Tahoe until mid-January. You might be lucky, but I'd plan other activities!

utahtea

My parents had a time share at Lake Tahoe for years and years and it was the first week in December. More years than not, there was no snow. Only a couple of times can I remember a good amount of snow at lake level. The ski areas were a different story.

Utahtea