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By Scott Mortimiore
Photo illustrations by Ryan Walker
Photography by renostock.com - G.P. Martin, renostock.com - Bill Stevenson, and Keoki Flagg
A funny thing happens when winter kicks in a those places a world away from Lake Tahoe. Without exception, news and weather reporters rattle off stories of wicked winds, brutal blizzards and teeth-busting wind chills. It’s the kind of thing that gives winter a bad name. And then there’s Reno and Lake Tahoe. Somehow, the area gets an abundance of everything that makes winter shine: the sun, the snow, the brilliantly blue skies — all the stuff that doesn’t make for dramatically riveting news stories. All of which, for those in the know about this pleasant pocket of paradise, makes for a brilliant shade of winter.
Base camp for winter escapades are one nice-sized city and a supporting cast of colorfully charming towns. The glow of showrooms and lounges and vast stretches of green velvet tables cast a comfortably warm coat over Reno and Sparks — a scene that both contrasts and complements the snow-covered Sierra. Add the ease of access through Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the picture becomes easier to envision and even easier yet to make reality of. Great restaurants, lively coffee shops, acclaimed museums, and an arts and entertainment scene that never ceases to amaze, throw even more heat into this world-class wintertime getaway.
South Lake Tahoe finds itself with a front row seat to one of the world’s most spectacular scenes — Lake Tahoe. Lovely as she is in the summer with a necklace of golden beaches and clear blue waters, there’s something about wintertime at Lake Tahoe that’s even more sensational. The contrast of green pine, white snow, and skies and waters that are blazingly blue is a sight to behold.
And what to do with a climate that contradictorily dishes up inordinate amounts of sunny, blue and often warm skies in the company of snowfalls that are among the most impressive in the lower 48? Not a problem.
More than two dozen resorts ring the Lake Tahoe region, many of which have made recent upgrades that have earned them the accolades of the travel industry. Today’s alluring resort scene has grown into a pocket of villages filled with brand name shops, world-class restaurants, ice rinks, bistros and bakeries, bars that bump into the wee hours of the day, and gondolas, chair lifts and trams that take you further than ever imagined.
To make the après scene more intoxicating, the Sierra serves up a ski scene that is nothing short of epic. There’s a resort dating back to 1938, one whose architect was none other than Walt Disney. There’s also a legendary mountain where you’ll still see the flames of the 1960 Winter Olympics that were held there. And at the south end of the lake is a resort that’s one of the industry’s most impressive — a 4800-acre temptation that straddles Nevada and California. To the right and left, north, south, east and west of these legendary ski scenes are resorts that challenge talents of all levels. You’ll also encounter countless kilometers of cross country, telemark and snowshoe trails that wind through woods, meadows and ridgelines. There are even such off-beat adventures as a dog sled journey or a comfortable jaunt through the backwoods via horse-drawn sleigh.
Cross-country aficionados can rent cross-country gear and snowshoes at rental shops throughout the area and simply head for a stretch of wilderness or head for resorts specifically geared to the sport, graced with tracks that go on for mile after mile, including one of the nation’s largest of its kind. At all points of this winter playground are places to settle into your skinny skis or slap on your snowshoes and make for the woods.
You needn’t look far to find other colorful applications for this heaven-sent bliss that finds its way to Reno-Tahoe. A toboggan, disk or tube — combined with a nice pitch of packed snow — is all it takes to whip up a day of smiles and laughter. Winter play parks dot the area, offering breathtakingly exciting diversions for kids of all ages — adults included. Choose from parks that serve up specially bank-turned runs, tow systems, gondola rides, climbing walls, snowshoe trails, sleigh trips, bungie jumps and mini snowmobiles, for starters.
When it comes to skating, you can choose from a 100’ x 200’ rink perched 8200’ above sea level or settle into one of several quaint village skating rinks.
This winter, when forecasters once again call for record-breaking bone-chilling misery and newscasters file reports of power outages and ice-caked highways, take heart: there’s an antidote that defies the notion that winter is something to be endured. Instead, it’s a season to celebrate.
This year, visit Reno-Tahoe on the cool side of the calendar, when the winter wonderland absolutely glows. To check out Reno/Tahoe winter sport
videos, click here.
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