lake tahoe ski/gamble
 

I have looked through some old posts on this topic but I still can't get a feel for Lake Tahoe. Here is the situtation:

Family vacation- children in their 20s (8 total people) The kids are interested in skiing but are beginner skiers and the father (paying for everything) is a gambler who usually only visits Las Vegas.

Everybody else got tired of going to Vegas so we are trying this. The skiers on the trip are inexperienced and have only been to Crested Butte, CO or Red River, NM where there is only one mountain that you have a choice of skiing. It seems that Tahoe has several mountains and resorts. I am having trouble narrowing it down to an area so that I can start looking for accommodations.

The skiers would prefer ski-in/out location and the gambler would prefer going downstairs to gamble. Do you have to go all the way to Reno for lots of gambling choices?

Thanks – Sorry for the length. Ryan

We've stayed on the "state line" area in south Lake Tahoe. On the north side of the line are hotel casinos like Harvey's and Harrah's. Just cross the street and you are on the California side with no casinos, like Embassy Suites. The Heavenly Ski Resort gondola is about 1 or 1-1/2 blocks south of this stateline. I think that's about as close as you will get to a ski-in/ski-out and casino combo.

Or, you can stay at one of the resorts like Squaw for a ski-in/ski-out experience, but you will need a car to drive to the casinos, about 1-1/4 hours away. There are also smaller ski resorts that are closer to the casinos, but we haven't stayed at any because we never get a car.

If you don't want a car, it is easy to take the free ski shuttles to most of the major ski resorts (Heavenly, Sierra, Squaw, Kirkwood, Northstar, etc.). To me, Sierra and Squaw have good beginner and intermediate runs (Heavenly, Mont Rose, and some of the others seem more difficult for me - I'm not a very good skier myself).

I would vote for the stateline area, to compromise between the skiers and the gamblers.

The area around the lake is roughly North and South. Gambling is allowed only on the Nevada side.

I know only the South Tahoe, where the 4 major hotel/casinos are: Harrah's, Harvey's, Horizon, and the former Caesar now is MontBlue or something similar sounding. The casinos are the same as in Vegas. I have a husband who would go to a casino only.

And as my Mr Again would go to a casino only, I can also advise you to check out Palm Springs for future trips. There is a very good casino right in the downtown area, and a hotel with a spa.

Heavenly is by far the best resort to ski at and also closest to the casino resorts. The views of Lake Tahoe are outstanding from the Heavenly runs.
One thing that I like about Heavenly is that some of the easiest runs are at the top of the mountain. When you go up the gondola it can look intimidating since you see Gun Barrel as going up. This is one of the most difficult runs.
Once you get up there the top of the mountain has mostly green and blue runs.

I'll second what Jolie said.

South Lake Tahoe has gambling and a gondola to the Heavenly runs within a couple of blocks. Unless you choose to visit elsewhere you can keep your car parked in the garage if you stay near the stateline.

The Heavenly village has restaurants, bars, shopping, coffee shops, etc all right there.

I skied Heavenly for the first time last year and it is middle of road in terms of difficulty. It is a HUGE ski resort with dozens of runs (30+ lifts). Most runs are fairly wide open making it good for beginning skiers...I am an advanced begginer and had no problem. Make sure everybody has a map because you can very easily wander to one of the side entrances and have a long way to ski back.

If you decide to go there make sure you know the distance to the Heavenly gondola. You'll pay a premium to be close but it sounds like that is what you want.

When are you planning to go? I think for what you are asking for, South Shore and skiing at Heavenly Valley would be your best bet. In other words, something for everyone right there.

There are more scenic areas, but if there are storms it can be a real hassle getting to some of the areas. I don;t ski anymore and never did ski Heavenly, but I do know that over the last few years they have spent a TON of money on development...new runs, new lifts etc., so it should have runs for every level. Also, as a "never got past intermediate" kind of skier, as a beginner the runs aren't as important as they are when you are an expert. I mean of course you want them to be fun and skiable for you, but I would think most any beginner or intermediate run at Heavenly would give you guys a fun time.

We rented a place at the Marriott Grand. It was quite large, 2 master suites, a bonus room area with a fold out couch like a loft which is outside the upstairs master bedroom and then there is sleeping downstairs as well. The bonus room is quite large and you could sleep many people up there. Additionally there is another full bath, making it 3 full baths. There was a full kitchen and dining room as well as living room area besides the loft area. The Grand also has a pool, at least 2 jacuzzis, maybe 3. It's righ next to the Heavenly Gondola and a short walk to Harrahs and Hrveys. We loved this place! Have also stayed at the Embassy Suites which is great. Next door to Harrahs and a very short walk to the gondola. Timber Lodge is next to the gondola on one side and the Embassy on the other so it's close too!

If they decide they want something other than Heavenly they can try Sierra which isn't all that far away.

A couple of Thanksgivings ago we went to Lake Tahoe and stayed at Harrah's. While most of us went skiing during the day, my mother went right downstairs to gamble.

The gondola is only a few blocks from the hotel as mentioned before, and the village is nice to stroll around in.

We all had different skill levels with skiing - from first time skiers to somewhat experienced. There were enough runs of varying skill level to keep us all satisfied.

I'd stay on the North Shore. Plenty of gambling to be had, but a better variety of skiing, especially for beginners. Northstar-at-Tahoe, Alpine Meadows, Homewood and Diamond Peak are all good beginner mountains. The area has a smaller, mountain town feel than S. Lake.

For me personally, I would also so choose north shore. But I don't think it is a good fit <u>at all</u> for your family. There is only one semi-posh casino up north (the Hyatt) plus three smaller places at Crystal Bay. But for someone wanting Las vegas-type ambience, he would be GREATLY underwhelmed.

I much prefer skiing up north or on the west side. But Heavenley is great and the four main casinos at Stateline (southshore) are much more what I think father would enjoy.

Ski-in/ski out isn't really possible if you stay at Stateline (in a condo or at one of the casino hotels) - but the Gondola gives you the best of both worlds. Big, flashy casinos, and a block or two walk to the Gondola.

Oh, to clarify - there ARE ski-in/ski out condos around Heavenly - but none near the casino hotels.

By &quot;Ski-in/ski out isn't really possible if you stay at Stateline (in a condo or at one of the casino hotels)&quot; I was referring to the condos at the Marriott Grand suzie mentioned. The Marriott or somewhere like the Embassy Suites might be your best choice. But staying in Harrah's or Harvey's is good too - just depends onwhether you prefer a hotel or condo . . .

Staying anywhere near the Gondola is essentially ski in and out. There is so little distance between all of the hotels/casinos it's certainly not an inconvenience to remove the skis for a short walk to the hotel you choose. What would be the point of putting on your skis just to remove them to use the gondola to get up the mountain anyway?

Sorry I meant to ask, since these are beginner skiers what is their interpretation of ski in ski out? Lots of people say that, but what they really mean is that they want the lifts close enough to walk so they don't have to drive to a location.

I would check out Forest Suites resort, near Heavenly. One of my good friends stayed there several times, skied at Heavenly and said it was an easy walk to the casino's (5 - 10 minutes I think).
http://www.forestsuites.com/

Ryan,
Your exact preferrences (ski-in/out &amp; gambling downstairs) are not going to be found anywhere around Tahoe. True ski-in/out where one actually skis to the door of the lodge or condo can be found at Squaw and possibly at other resorts near Tahoe. Gambling downstairs can be found at most hotels in the Nevada side of Tahoe. But I don't believe both situation sxist.

We've stayed at and found the Marriott to be the best compromise. The skiers walk a short distance to the gondola and the gambler walks a short distance to the casinos.

You mentioned Reno.... it has more casinos than north and south Tahoe combined but is at least an hours drive from Tahoe.

For sure for what you want, you wouldn't want to stay in Reno. I'm still going to say, for your purposes, and the kind of vacation you want, Heavenly is as close as you can get. Everything is close right there at State Line. Depending on weather and how long you are staying, if you wanted to drive down to Reno for dinner or something like that and then gamble for a bit I would say fine, but everything you want can be had at Heavenly and probably without having to get in the car...THAT of course depends on where you finally decide to stay.

Heavenly is spread over two sides of the mountain. On the California side you can't ski in and out since you must take a gondola up to the mountain.
The Nevada side has two ski in and out locations where there are condos within walking/skiing distance of the lifts (Stagecoach and Boulder).
Stagecoach only goes to intermediate/advanced runs, Boulder goes to beginner/intermediate and advanced runs).
Personally I prefer skiing on the Nevada side during the morning since the sun is shining on that side then. However, if you aren't at least an intermediate skier you won't be able to ski over to the California side.
The Nevada entry points are further from the casinos than the California side.

The Forest Suite's location in South Lake Tahoe that I put the link in my previous post, does have both skiing and gambling. Just a 5 -10 minute walk to both the Heavenly lift and the Stateline casinos. Harrah's, Harvey's, and Horizon are 3 of the 4 or 5 there. It's a AAA 3 diamond, and has a variety of lodging room &amp; suite sizes.

Oh, I wanted to show you this link to all the Ski Resorts in Lake Tahoe. It also includes Mt. Rose, which is the closest to Reno:
http://www.skilaketahoe.com/