Visiting Lake Tahoe in the Winter: What to do and where to go

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful gem for adventure seekers in the summertime. But in the colder months this exclusive destination turns into a magical winter wonderland. While I usually take my trips up to the alpine lake in summer this year I headed up for a ski trip in December. I was able to jet right up to Reno from Orange county in no time at all thanks to JSX which offers an amazing deal for ski season! The service offers a ticket on a private jet with other people so it definitely feels more glamorous than your typical airport experience. 

It was the perfect time of year to go because there was plenty of snow as well as beautiful Christmas lights and festive holiday decorations all over the cute little town. Lake Tahoe is a great place for winter sports so if you like skiing or snowboarding South Lake Tahoe is the place to stay. I stayed right across the street from Heavenly mountain which made skiing each morning so much easier. 

I could literally walk across the street and hop on the gondola. They even stored my gear overnight for me in the rental shop so I didn't even have to carry it across the street. During my trip I got to ski several days and explored the mountain which offers some great intermediate trails if you want to take it easy. But the best views can be found at the top which requires some adventure although it is definitely worth it for stunning views of Lake Tahoe from 10,000 feet. We got fresh snow during my trip which made the skiing even better. My favorite part was the little outdoor snack area where you can stop for drinks and bites or just some hot cocoa. 

It's literally on the mountainside and perfect for taking breaks in between runs without having to go all the way down the lift. For my Apres Ski I loved the little bars and restaurants in the Heavenly Village at the bottom of the gondola. My first night I enjoyed a delicious pizza from Bascamp Pizza and a Mountain Mai Thai from the Fire and Ice cafe. It was the perfect way to chill out after a long day on the mountain. 

I decided to take a break from skiing for one day and headed over to the Edgewood at Tahoe on the Nevada side of the lake for a fun and relaxing day exploring their champagne chalet presented by Veuve Clicquot. You can check out my write up of the experience in Nobleman magazine here. 

I loved sipping on the champagne tasting as well as the amazing snacks and bites prepared specially by the chef. Nothing beats those breathtaking views of the lakeshore covered in snow though. It truly is a magical sight. Apparently the Kardashians had been visiting the week before I was there so it is definitely an exclusive spot. 

On my last night in town I decided to celebrate by heading over to the Hard Rock Hotel which has an amazing steak restaurant and a great prime rib deal on the weekends. It was the perfect way to celebrate a great week. I topped it off with some candy for dessert from the cute little old fashioned candy store in Heavenly Village. They have everything from salt water taffy to retro finds like Razzles. I would definitely recommend stopping in for some sweets to satisfy your sweet tooth during the trip home.