November 2022

North Lake Tahoe, with its crystal blue shorelines and towering mountains, is a must-see destination that offers some of the best fall foliage and no shortage of activities to do in the perfect autumn and winter weather.

This fall and winter, there’s a lot happening at ski resorts, new activities will abound in the region and several special events will take place.

Ski Resort Updates

Get ready to clip in this fall and winter, there are some exciting changes coming to many of North Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts. In fact, according to the National Ski Areas Association, this year has accounted for the highest lifts investment amount on record:

• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe upgraded their Lakeview chair lift, redirecting the chair all the way to the top of the zone for an expansive Lake view that was previously unseen. 
• Northstar is celebrating their 50th anniversary and launching their improved Comstock Express lift, a six person chair that will increase capacity by 50%. 
• Palisades Tahoe‘s Base-to-Base Gondola is set to open this season with uninterrupted access to all 6,000 acres of terrain at both Alpine Meadows and Palisades Tahoe. The 16-minute 2.4-mile ride will offer incredible views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada with a 2,000-foot vertical climb. Red Dog chair lift, which starts at the base of Palisades Tahoe, has been relocated to offer direct access from the parking lot and will now be a detachable six person chair. Palisades will also offer overnight ski and snowboard valet for just $20. 

Resort Opening Dates:

• Boreal: Open
• Diamond Peak Ski Resort: Open
• Donner Ski Ranch: Open
• Granlibakken Tahoe Ski Area: Sled hill open, skiing opening 12/18
• Homewood Mountain Resort: Opening 12/16
• Mt. Rose Ski Resort: Open
• Northstar California: Open
• Palisades Tahoe: Open
• Soda Springs: No official date
• Sugar Bowl: Open
• Tahoe Donner Ski Resort: Open

New Tours and Activities

From the educational to the adventurous, check out these new tours and activities these fall and winter seasons:

• The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center has seven new video exhibits where you can learn what makes Lake Tahoe unique, embark on the UC Davis Research Vessel and see the changes in watershed at the Virtual Research Vessel. The Research Center also has a new mural by Susie Alexander which showcases Lake Tahoe’s underwater habitat. You will feel as though you put on scuba gear and are floating deep in the water. Make sure to look for all the aquatic species that are unique to Lake Tahoe. An augmented reality feature will be added in the coming months. 
• The Martis Valley Trail just opened, connecting the town of Truckee through Martis Valley to the Northstar Drive roundabout. The 4.6-mile paved pathway is a collaborative effort between the Northstar Community Services District and Placer County. Along the trail, you’ll find details of the Washoe Tribe’s history in the region, as well as protection for cultural resources.  
• A new pop-up skate park opened in Tahoe City thanks to the Scotty Lapp Memorial. Plans for a permanent park are currently underway with assistance from The Skatepark Project. 
• Gallery Keoki has a new exhibit offering new photos of Warren Miller athletes. 
• Tahoe Adventure Company is now offering snowshoe tours during the day, at sunset and every full moon. Evening tours will include snacks and hot drinks. Guided hikes and mountain biking tours will continue throughout fall.  
• Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City has several new exhibits, including a new Maritime exhibit which celebrates the rich history of “Being on the Lake.” Other new exhibits include a movie exhibit which tells the history of movies filmed in Lake Tahoe, a resorts exhibit featuring unique artifacts from the Tahoe Tavern, Chambers Landing and Meeks Bay among others, and a “Characters in Lake Tahoe” exhibit featuring Baby Face Nelson’s pocket watch. Upcoming exhibits will showcase “At Home in Lake Tahoe”, highlighting common artifacts and furniture seen in classic Tahoe cabins from the late 1800’s to the 1940’s and an exhibit on rare Lake Tahoe maps from the mid 1800’s to the present day. 

Transportation Updates

Winter can be an especially busy time in North Lake Tahoe and to help take the stress out of travel, learn more about this transportation update:

• TART Connect will continue until Dec. 14 in both Placer and Washoe County on the North and West side from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day.