Is it really necessary to have/rent an all wheel or 4 wheel drive vehicle? Wouldn't a front wheel drive vehicle sufice? I live in the midwest and am quite used to driving in snow. We fly into Reno and are planning on driving to Tahoe and/or around the lake etc. for the week we'll be in Tahoe.

Here's the deal. When it starts to snow -- and I mean at the first sight of flakes, they put roadblocks up. These occur not only on the interstate, but on most of the roads to and around the lake. You must have chains on your car if it is not a four wheel-drive. If you don't have the chains or a 4 wheel drive, you must turn around and go somewhere to buy the chains and put them on. I'm not sure that you will want to buy chains for this possibility or have to deal with putting them on, so I would strongly suggest your renting a 4 wheel drive car. Of course it may be like our week there between Christmas and New Years when there wasn't even a flake of snow. But better safe than sorry.

Are the road that trecherous?

I guess I don't get your last question. No, the roads are not that trecherous, but what difference does that make? If the police won't let you on the roads, then it doesn't make any difference what the roads are like -- you simply cannot drive on them without chains or a 4wheel drive.

I only asked due to the fact I will driving w/ small children (if it matters)

No question you will need 4 wheel drive or chains........with family rent a 4 wheel car not a Jeep. If you are good at chains, buy them and maybe not need them. Probably cheaper than renting a 4 wheel car,you can always ask the rental folks at Reno and they will know weather forcast(that is if you can make a last minute choice) After April usually not a problem but sounds like you are going for winter.