Incredible Destinations for Winter Vacation in Lake Tahoe

Feb 27, 2025

For today’s winter road trip destination, we’re branching out of our Midwest roots and venturing onwards to the West Coast for Winter Vacation in Lake Tahoe, in California and Nevada! Even in the colder months this region nestled in the Sierra Nevada range boasts an absolutely magnificent natural environment to explore filled with glistening ice, ultra clear teal waters, impressive evergreens, and some of the most memorable landscape views. The Lake Tahoe area covers 12 different unique towns and resorts: Alpine Meadows, Carnelian Bay, Crystal Bay, Donner Summit, Incline Village, Kings Beach, Northstar, Olympic Valley, Tahoe City, Tahoe Vista, Truckee, and West Shore; we won’t quite have enough space to delve into every single area, but we’ve cherrypicked some highlights for you as as jumping off point! We can’t wait to visit, how about you? Let’s hop in your new car from Classic and hit the road.

Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding in the Area

Winter sports fun abounds at Palisades Tahoe (Palisades Tahoe + Alpine Meadows). This dual resort location offers 6,000 combined acres, 43 lifts, and 270 trails. It’s also the only one in North America to offer a Gondola, a Funitel, and an Aerial Tram for enclosed lifts; and we can guarantee even the lift up the mountain will be memorable with unmatched views of the Sierras as you rise! The Alpine Lodge offers family-friendly accommodations and dining options. The resort offers unmatched Lake Tahoe views via the Lakeview Chair lift, with panoramic views of the mountain and lake. You’ll find the area is accessible to all ability levels of winter sports, but is especially fun for intermediate and advanced skiers. The Village at Palisades Tahoe offers condo accommodations, several wine bars and coffee shops, and the latest and greatest in winter gear outfitters. Learn how to ski like an Olympian at the Mountain Sports School and receive coaching and guidance from the sport’s top instructors. Other top-rated ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area include Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl, Boreal Mountain, and Sierra at Tahoe.

Fun on the Shores of Lake Tahoe: Ice Fishing and Paddle-Boarding

Book a trip with Adventures Lake Tahoe and enjoy a guided experience with lessons on Ice Fishing in the area. You’ll learn the ins and outs of ice fishing, proper safety precautions, what fish you’ll catch, and how to select the best spot for ice fishing. You’ll need to snag a one-day sport fishing license fee for anyone 16+ years of age. Visitors recommend checking out the South Shore of Tahoe in areas such as Red Lake, Caples Lake, and Silver Lake. Remember, ice fishing conditions will vary depending on temperature; you’ll need at least 6 inches of ice coverage on the lake in order to walk on it and fish. Swing on by to Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters for rentals, ice augers, tackle, and fishing rods!

While it might seem strange to suggest paddle boarding in the dead of winter, we couldn’t recommend it more. The crisp winter weather means there are less people traversing the lake waters, leaving you with an almost glass-like surface. The clear, ice-blue water and pristine depths are a true sight to behold, and we can bet you’ve never seen anything quite like it. The Winter sunshine can help warm the air into the 50s, making it a comfortable day out on the water for unparalleled views of the mountain range and evergreen forests. You’ll still need to bundle up in appropriate layers and some thermal suits, because the water is still very frigid!

Snowmobiling through the Sierras

Snowmobiling through the Lake Tahoe Backcountry is exhilarating and impressive. You’ll fly across snowy fields and terrain against a backdrop of snow-tipped evergreens and glistening snow drifts. Check out Lake Tahoe Adventures, Zephyr Cove Snowmobiling Tours, and Coldstream Adventure Tours

Sledding, Tubing, Skating, and Hiking

Looking for a family-friendly activity? Head on over to the South Shores and enjoy a day out sledding and tubing at places like Tube Tahoe, Hansen’s Resort, and Adventure Mountain. Soda Springs Snow Park offers tubing geared towards kids and adults 42” and taller at Tube Town; younger guests under 42” tall will have a blast at the Family Fun Zone and Planet Kids area.

There are several hiking trails in the areas for when you’re ready to stretch your legs including Echo Lakes Trail, Tallac Historic Site Trail, Van Sickle Bi-State Park, and Rubicon Trail. Enjoy Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing through the scenic forests and along the lakeshore for some much needed seasonal respite from office life. Checkout Chickadee Ridge for some choice snowshoeing, and Monkey Rock for some prime winter hiking.

Have a leisurely afternoon gliding across the ice at the Heavenly Village Ice Skating Rink, located downtown in South Lake Tahoe and within walking distance to shops, bars,and restaurants in the area. Other ice rinks in the area include Northstar Ice Rink, Tahoe City’s Winter Spots Park, and the Olympic Ice Pavillion.