Lake Tahoe Snowsports

Lake Tahoe is snow paradise! No place on earth has so many fun and exhilarating ways to enjoy the tons of white gold that fall each winter. And since the snow lasts into the spring, you have plenty of time to try all of them!

In Lake Tahoe you can take on the snow anywhere from zero to 100 miles per hour! Race down your favorite mountain on skis or a snowboard . Engage the horsepower of a snowmobile or a horse-drawn sleigh . Ride in a sled pulled by a team of huskies , or sled and tube on your own inertia. Hike around in boots or snowshoes . Or, take a break from the snow and glide across ice at a skating rink . If you like slower-paced snow fun, build a snowman or throw some snowballs. For zero acceleration, sit indoors near a window and a cozy fireplace and gaze at the snow!

Ice Skating & Sledding

If Lake Tahoe could freeze over, it would be the world's largest ice skating rink. But until it does, casual skaters and future Olympians-in-training can enjoy the sport at year-round rinks . When the snow falls, rollerbladers can keep their skills sharp by heading to an ice skating rink. Call ahead for hours, lessons and special events.

For a different kind of gliding experience, enjoy the snow on a sled, saucer or snowtube ! Bring back childhood memories and introduce your children to the thrill of speeding down a snowy mountain trail. You'll all be shrieking with delight!

Snowmobiling

Seeing the Sierras by snowmobile is a thrilling winter adventure that can be enjoyed by the entire family. And since snowmobile touring requires more good judgement than muscle, women and active seniors are getting in on the fun in record numbers. Even if you are a beginner, experienced guides will have you ready to challenge the trails in minutes!

Lake Tahoe snowmobile tour companies offer a variety of guided tours to suit your skill level and urge for excitement. You can snowmobile on a machine-groomed track, snowmobile on machine-groomed trails and snowmobile off-trail. You can choose from single or double-rider machines.

One guided tour will lead you through stately trees, along pure mountain streams and to many rarely seen Alpine lakes. Another guided tour will have you zigzagging through dense forests and picking up speed across isolated meadows. Yet another guided tour will lead you through forests of pine and aspen, into mountain meadows and along ridge lines of peaks nearly 9,000 feet above sea level. Scheduled stops will let you enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley. And for those of you who are really adventurous, off-trail guided tours will enable you to explore more mountain terrain -- going faster, further and higher!

The snowmobile touring season in Lake Tahoe is from mid-November to mid-April. Call the companies listed in our directory and let them tell you about the types of guided snowmobile tours that they offer. Most of these companies will arrange private tours for individuals and groups, as well as extended tours. Once you know your options, it will be easy to decide which snowmobile tours you want to take first, second and third!

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is enjoying increasing popularity in snowy areas, mainly because it is so easy to learn and lots of fun. There are many fine ski areas in the Lake Tahoe Basin that welcome snowshoers. Most of the ski resorts offer equipment rentals on-site, so you can try out the latest high-tech snowshoes and get a sense of the sport in a single sunny day.

Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to enjoy the snow, whether you venture out with friends, family or solo. Try out a variety of terrains to find the ones that appeal to your sense of adventure. Many skiers and snowboarders are discovering that snowshoeing is a great way to reach challenging terrain independent of ski lifts.  But make sure you're properly prepared for the trip by reading our snowshoing tips and consulting the snowshoeing experts around Lake Tahoe .