A ski-weekend in Tahoe

Take Friday off from work (or school, or parenting, or whatever obligations you might have) and drive up to Alpine Meadows for a day of skiing. Buy a two day ticket if you plan on two days of skiing; this will save you a few bucks.Alpine has some of the shortest lift lines, the cheapest tickets and the best variety of runs in Tahoe. Aim to get there early because even though you'll be missing the bulk of the weekend crowds, why wouldn't you want a few runs...read more

Take Friday off from work (or school, or parenting, or whatever obligations you might have) and drive up to Alpine Meadows for a day of skiing. Buy a two day ticket if you plan on two days of skiing; this will save you a few bucks.Alpine has some of the shortest lift lines, the cheapest tickets and the best variety of runs in Tahoe. Aim to get there early because even though you’ll be missing the bulk of the weekend crowds, why wouldn’t you want a few runs on virgin snow? It’s your decision if you want to pack a lunch or buy it at the Alpine lodge (food is notoriously expensive at ski resorts), but my friends and I usually bring sandwiches in a backpack and store it in a locker at the lodge until it’s time to eat. After a full day on the slopes, drive to the rustic cottages in North Lake. These homey little cottages really give you a feel for Tahoe – more than a five star hotel or expensive room at the ski resort can. Some have kitchens, and we often stop by the grocery store for breakfast and lunch supplies. Take a quick shower, leave your ski or snowboard gear to dry by the heater and head out for dinner to Las Panchitas. Everything tastes more delicious after a day of exercise in the mountains, but I don’t think Las Panchitas needs the help. If you’re feeling energetic enough and want to go rub shoulders with some of the other locals and weekend visitors, head over to Pete ‘n Peter’s for a beer and a game of pool afterwards.  hide

Wake up again, and head over to Alpine Meadows (or another resort if you feel like branching out and haven't already bought your two day pass for Alpine). The lines will be longer no matter where you go, but that'sjust part of ski season in Tahoe. Stay away from the bunny slopes and lunch rush (11:45-1:00) to avoid the worst crowds. After another day of playing in the snow, try Jason's Beachside Grille for a great view of the lake while you eat dinner. Fortify...read more

Wake up again, and head over to Alpine Meadows (or another resort if you feel like branching out and haven’t already bought your two day pass for Alpine). The lines will be longer no matter where you go, but that’sjust part of ski season in Tahoe. Stay away from the bunny slopes and lunch rush (11:45-1:00) to avoid the worst crowds. After another day of playing in the snow, try Jason’s Beachside Grille for a great view of the lake while you eat dinner. Fortify yourself for a night of dancing at Blu… we went Saturday night because we weren’t planning on skiing Sunday. Stay late, sleep in and plan to take Sunday off for a day of seeing some Tahoe sights and avoiding the Sunday ski crowd.  hide

Sunday morning treat yourself to breakfast at Café 333. The food is delicious, plus it will help erase any ill effects from a late night at Blu. Next, drive over to Tahoe city for a leisurely morning of wandering the streets, shopping and people watching. Try the Tahoe House Restaurant & Bakerei for some traditional German food for lunch, or hit up the Black Bear Tavern. You can pack up and go home early to avoid the weekend traffic, or you can go back to the...read more

Sunday morning treat yourself to breakfast at Café 333. The food is delicious, plus it will help erase any ill effects from a late night at Blu. Next, drive over to Tahoe city for a leisurely morning of wandering the streets, shopping and people watching. Try the Tahoe House Restaurant & Bakerei for some traditional German food for lunch, or hit up the Black Bear Tavern. You can pack up and go home early to avoid the weekend traffic, or you can go back to the cottage and spend the afternoon building snowmen, reading by the fireplace or tubing at one of the resorts (Northstar has a great tubing course). My recommendation: buy some cheap plastic saucers or sleds, find a steep hill and make your own killer sled run.  hide