Search results
Mar 29, 2021 · I figured I should answer the most commonly asked question about winter swimming at Lake Tahoe – How cold is the water? Check out this link for daily recorded water temps in Lake Tahoe and even a 5-6 day forecast!
- What to Do in Lake Tahoe in Winter
- Places to Ski and Snowboard in Lake Tahoe
- Reasons to Visit Lake Tahoe in Winter
- How to Get to Lake Tahoe in Winter
- Lake Tahoe Winter Temperatures & Weather
- When Does It Snow in Lake Tahoe?
- Lake Tahoe vs Yosemite in Winter
- Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe During The Winter
- Tips For Visiting Lake Tahoe in The Winter
- What to Pack For Lake Tahoe in The Winter
#1 Sledding and Snow Tubing
You don’t have to shred the gnar to enjoy Tahoe in winter. Non-skiers will find plenty to do too. Lake Tahoe’s other winter sports offerings are vast, including sledding and snow tubing. Almost all of the famous ski resorts offer space for sledding and tubing. A few non-ski resort sledding hills include Spooner Summit (near Spooner Lake), Incline Village Snow Play Area, and Soda Springs, which has a 400-foot drop. If tubing is your primary interest, check out Adventure Mountain. As the highes...
#2 Enjoy a Winter Festival
Two of the most popular north Lake Tahoe winter activities are Snowfest and Winter Wondergrass. Snowfestis a 10-day mountain Mardi Gras festival. It’s put on by a non-profit that raises money for student organizations and charities. Snowfest 2023 will be from February 24-March 5. Winter Wondergrass Festivalis a three-day bluegrass festival. 2023 will be the first festival since the pandemic started. Both of these are a party!
#3 Take a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride
One of the most romantic things to do in Lake Tahoe in winter is to enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride in the snow. Sip hot chocolate and enjoy a cozy ride through a winter wonderland on one of Borges Sleigh and Carriage Rides. These are offered in North Lake Tahoe at the Sand Harbor Visitor Center. Borges offers summer carriage rides in South Lake Tahoe as well, but if you’re staying on the south shore in winter, you’ll have to travel north for a sleigh ride. Sleigh rides are available even whe...
North Lake Tahoe takes the cake for winter skiing and has many more options than South Lake Tahoe. Nonetheless, South Lake Tahoe is no slouch with three premium skiing destinations. I’ve arranged the ski resorts below from North to South Lake Tahoe.
The Snow
Even if you’re a non-skier, fresh winter snow is a beautiful thing to behold. Some areas of Tahoe get up to 500 inches of snow annually!
The Outdoor Access
From the groomed trails for snowmobile tours to winter hiking, cross-country skiing, ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding, your Lake Tahoe winter vacation will have plenty of ways to keep you busy outside.
The Cozy Atmosphere
Winter in Lake Tahoe is just the cutest. I love all the charming homes and I enjoyed seeing all the quaint architecture in the cabins during my last visit to Tahoe. In addition to the picturesque neighborhoods, the city centers around Lake Tahoe really lean into the warm cozy vibes during the winter season. There are plenty of well-appointed places to gather, drink, sit by the fire, or soak in a hot tub.
Lake Tahoe sits at 6,220 feet of elevation. The road conditions at this elevation differ drastically from the Bay Area or the Nevada desert on the other side.
November
Average temperature:40 degrees Fahrenheit (Avg high is 65 F; Avg low is 14 F) November can be a fabulous time to visit Tahoe since it’s the end of the shoulder season. And although there might be some snow, you can still enjoy winter hikes in Lake Tahoe without having to throw on all your snow gear. Note that accommodation prices go up in peak season, which means they tend to go up around Thanksgiving.
December
Average temperature:30.4 degrees Fahrenheit (Avg high is 43 F; Avg low is 18 F) The first real snow of the season starts to fly in December, and there’s nothing like fresh snow on the mountains. Lake Tahoe in December is the start of the busy season. Early December may still be quieter, with lower-priced accommodations, but the prices go up in Lake Tahoe after Christmas.
January
Average temperature: 30.6 degrees Fahrenheit (Avg high is 43 F; Avg low is 18 F) Lake Tahoe in January is the peak winter tourist season. The weather this time of year is marked by bracing cold spells, with Bay Area crowds following major snow accumulation.
Generally, the best snow starts to fall in January in Lake Tahoe. On average, the Lake Tahoe basin gets just over 200 inches of snow a year. Higher elevations around the lake can get between 300-500 inches, though, including many ski resorts. Typically, the higher you go, the more snow you’ll get (which is why I included the elevation ranges in my ...
I’ll cut to the chase: choose Tahoe. Yosemiteis pleasant enough in the winter. There is a small ski area with one lift, a handful of runs, and an ice skating rink in Curry Village. But besides that, one of the main entrances is closed (the east entrance), the winding highways have no shoulder (unlike the state-maintained roads into Tahoe), and many...
Part of the experience of a Lake Tahoe winter trip is your cozy cabin (or your chic ski-in condo, if that’s your thing). Looking for more options? If you’re coming in the shoulder season and you’re an intrepid camper, check out our Lake Tahoe camping guide.
Plan Early
Planning well ahead is a good idea for almost anywhere, especially mega-popular destinations like Tahoe. The lake basin gets over three million visitors annually, and you can expect it will be hectic during peak winter season. Start planning in September or October (or earlier), if you can, for the best prices and lodging options.
Bring Snow Chains
Every year the towing companies in Lake Tahoe get into the black because people don’t know how to drive in snow or don’t have the right gear. Don’t let that be you!
Be Avy Savvy
If you plan to snowshoe or cross-country ski in the backcountry, check the avalanche conditions! Carry your avalanche gear (if you don’t know what that is, you shouldn’t be in the backcountry until you do) and check the Sierra Avalance Centerconditions before you head out.
Snow pants: My snow pants are waterproof and have zips in the, um, inner leg area that are clutch for venting during strenuous winter activities. Read our guide to the best women’s snowboard pants.- Meredith Dennis
Jan 29, 2023 · SNOWSHOEING AT CHICKADEE RIDGE. One of my favorite spots to snowshoe in Lake Tahoe is Chickadee Ridge. The easygoing snowshoe trek starts at Tahoe Meadows, just north of Incline Village. It doesn't take long to reach the ridge, which has gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe. The trail to Chickadee Ridge features tons of pine trees, which look magical ...
Winter Tahoe ski season is from September to even sometimes snowing until June. If you dare, you’ll swim in the freezing lake during summer time. Even through August, the water is ice cold. Come warm and ready to see the most mesmerizing views you’ve ever seen. GETTING TO LAKE TAHOE.
Oct 6, 2021 · Budget-Friendly Things To Do During A Lake Tahoe Winter. Image by Epic Lake Tahoe; Image by Tahoe Snowshoe Tours; Head down to the beach. A beach covered in snow? A little counterintuitive, yes, but if you forgo the swimwear and trek down in snow boots and a jacket, it’s honestly a nice place to be. A very nice place to be.
People also ask
Does Lake Tahoe have snow?
Is Lake Tahoe a good winter vacation?
Does Lake Tahoe have winter kayaking?
What to do in Lake Tahoe in winter?
Aug 22, 2023 · Thanks to the strong sun and rare appearance of clouds, the days can heat up to mid-40s (sometimes even reaching the 50s) Fahrenheit (around 7-12°C) while in the evenings, cold nights bring fresh snowfall and maintain the area’s beauty. As for when the snow actually hits Tahoe, it’s far from a daily thing.
Check out our guide to swimming in Tahoe, with information like Lake Tahoe water temperature, where to bring dogs and kids, and more. Read our rundown of the best places to go swimming in Lake Tahoe and beat the heat this summer!
