Pomme949

I'm attempting to plan a long weekend for a few friends in the Tahoe area, but have never been and am in desperate need of help.

We're all in our late 20s/early 30s. Past the stumbling home drunk phase, but definitely not opposed to having a few drinks in a local bar or lively hotel lounge. As we haven't seen each other in a while, we'd like to spend a day skiing and another catching up/possibly doing the spa thing.

We've also discussed spending a day wandering through shops in a cute little mountain town... though to be honest, I don't even know if there's a "cute little mountain town" area near Tahoe.

Should we base ourselves in a ski resort? Along the lake? On the main street of that mountain town that may or may not exist? We'll have a car - though I don't know how much driving we'll want to do if the weather is bad. Any input is much appreciated!

Thanks!

janisj

Truckee is the town you are looking for (but if you call it "cute" they will string you up )

Some really good restaurants, bars shops etc. It is about 12 miles north of the Lake. Very "old west" w/ wooden sidewalks, honky tonk bars, but also some very upscale shops, restaurants, etc. As for where to Ski - you have sooooo many choices it mostly depends on where you end up staying. There is more activity, glitz, large casino hotels at southshore. Quieter, smaller scale (and more old fashioned) places are on the northshore.

If you don't need the big casinos of southshore - I might base in Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, or at the Hyatt at Incline Village. Then you could ski at Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Homewood or Mt Rose. And Truckee would be 10 to 30 mins away depending on which one you chose.

crefloors

If you don't need all the casino "action" at South Shore, you could check out North Star of Squaw Valley. They have put millions of dollars into development at North Star in the last couple of years with a lot more to come. It will be a destination resort in the not to distant future. Anyway, there is accomodations there and lost of ski runs at all levels. It is sort of between Truckee and Kings Beach. Kings beach isn't ALL that far from Tahoe City. Tahoe City also has good restaurants and some nice shopping. Also, you aren't too far from Squaw Valley..also a place you can stay..but you might want to ski there and again good restaurants, shopping etc. If you want to gamble you can hit Incline Village-the Hyatt--or stop Crystal Bay, right on the CA/NV state line..casinos there. Or you can choose the Stateline area at Southshore. Ski at Heavenly Valley and all the bigger casinos are there. Frankly, I think the north to west side of the lake is a much better area, much more beautiful and less hectic.

Pomme949

Thanks Janisj and Crefloors! We're not really interested in gambling - much more interested in snow and atmosphere.

Can you recommend any hotels other than the Hyatt in Incline Village? Want to offer my friends the most options in terms of locations and prices.

I think our budget will probably be approx $200 - 300 per room. Not super fancy, but not bare-bones either.

Thanks again!

crefloors

Pomme...I live in Reno so don't stay in the area. Why don't you try googling Squaw Valley and North Star, lodging Lake Tahoe. Also Truckee, CA and perhaps their visitors bureau or Chamber of Commerce. Don't know what your budget is..I know there are rentals in Northstar..lots of houses and condos and I actually think there is a lodge there now...not sure. I'm old and brittle and don't ski anymore. LOL B & B's in Truckee...perhaps someone else will respnd to this post with some lodging suggestions for you.

crefloors

I just googled "lodging at northstar" and got several sites. It's the first one to come up..lower down gives you a place in Ireland..THAT would be fun wouldn't it? LOL Prices were from the sublime to the rediculous.

cagney37

I just took my son and friends in October for his 21st birthday to Tahoe. We stayed at the Marriott Vacation Villas (there are two - we stayed at the newer one (both are close together). I booked a two bedroom and it slept 8 comfortably - two more really could have stayed with room for them to sleep - 2200 sq ft. We stayed in the casino area but didn't gamble a lot as they are young with not many funds for gambling. They did the clubs in some of the hotels and enjoyed them. I'm not much of a shopper but we did stroll thru the ones in our area. If there is snow mobiling- check into that. We did that in Whistler as a group (at night) and had a blast. Also did the Spa at Harvey's and had a great massage.

Have fun - it's so beautiful there.

T

squawski

I'd stay at Squaw in the village. It is small but otherwise fits your needs well. If you go check out unofficialsquaw.com, they don't have any hotel info just quality local knowledge and a daily conditions update. If you want to make the most of the trip then give the guys at hangwithalocal.com a call. They are local experts and will give you personalized local knowledge.

jtrandolph

I would look for a condo so that you can all be together....how many?