South Lake Tahoe Travel Forum

Getting excited to travel to Tahoe next weekend- 12/8.
I have a few questions if I may...
My fiance and I are getting married while in Tahoe and we're staying at Squaw Creek Resort. We plan to ski and hope that we can find snow there-
Can anyone let me know how the snow is looking out there? I am wondering if there is one ski area better than others with snowfall? Optimally we'd love to ski at Squaw but will travel for better snow- Also, can you tell me if there are any nicer restaurants in that area? And how far is Truckee from Squaw, I need to pick up my bouquet there:) Also, after arriving in Reno at noon, we'd like to take a drive around the lake before we get to Squaw- What time does it get dark and how long will it take?
Thanks so much to anuone who replies:)

Please pray for snow:)

Hi there...1st off, you labled the question as South Lake Tahoe yet everything in your post is North Lake Tahoe and beyond.

You are right in getting excited as you are visiting one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and getting married to boot! Plus you are in a for a treat at Squaw Creek resort---Very Nice.

As for snow, here's a link that tells the latest conditions, depths, etc.

http://www.laketahoesnowreport.com It also has webcams and weather.

Weather for next week??? I lived in the area (both Reno and North Lake Tahoe-Incline Village/Nevada for years and it seems to be unpredictable to any close degree. Currently it is cold at night which is good if there is any precipitation (none the next 3 days) and Squaw re-opens on Dec.1 with man made snow and a base of 4-6 inches only. :-(

Check weather.com and type in the zip codes for the areas you wish to visit there and you can get up to a 10 day forecast. Currently they are predicting a 60% chance of a snow shower next Thurs. and Friday.

Heavenly Valley (which is South Lake Tahoe) and Northstar currently have more snow and Boreal Ridge usually is the 1st to open.

Nice restaurants? There are no shortage on North Shore from Tahoe City to Incline. Try http://www.tahoebest.com/Restaurants Personally, I like Capt. Jon's and Jake's.

Truckee is less than 10 miles away from Squaw.

As for driving around the lake from Reno airport... you would have time if you got onto the roads by 1 PM because it starts getting dark on the west shore of Tahoe after 4 PM with sunset about 4:30 PM. However, the drive from Reno to the Lake will be either US 395 South to Mt. Rose Highway (State Route 431) and then up from 4,500 feet to 9,000 feet in elevation (great view of Reno though) to reach the summit (about 30-45 minutes) and then 15-20 minutes to get to the junction of S.R. 431 and State Route 28 at Incline Village. There, you either turn right (west) and drive around the north side of the lake to Squaw which is about 20 miles or so and about 30-45 minutes or turn left (east) and drive towards south lake---but remember, the lake drive-around is about 70 miles and it could take up to 2+ hours depending on weather and traffic. Just be forewarned.

I have some tips on Reno in my travel pages and I hope this helps.

Congrats on the wedding and adventure.

TTS

Thanks so much for your answers-
No snow:(
Not what I want to hear but we're still going to haeve a great time-
!

I can help a little.
There is a German restaurant on the south shore. I don't remember the name, but it is on the main road through, and it is the only German restaurant. Those people have been there for years and years. Get a reservation ahead of time.
There is a steak place in the hotel of Ceasar's Palace that has the best steaks I have ever eaten. They are so good that you won't need teeth. :-)
Truckee is not too far, but on a Sunday it can be slower, also on a weekend where there is snow on the freeway and people are trying to get back tot he bay area.
I am not partial to the restaurants in Truckee.
I am now living in Denver, but my pals out in the bay area tell me that they have been having a bit of a drought. So you might call a ski area direct and ask them how things are.
Good luck.
painterdave

Congratulations on your marriage! You will be at one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I think there is snow predicted for next weekend so you may be in luck! Why not take Highway 431 from Reno and reach the Lake at Incline Village--have lunch at the Lone Eagle Grill which is lakeside at the Hyatt. Awesome Restaurant with great lake views. However, take I-80 to Truckee if you need to get your bouquet that day. Squaw Creek Resort is beautiful and you may not want to leave it--we love Restaurant di Montagne (I think that's how you spell it) at the Resort--elegant, upscale, with Italian food. Also, in the Squaw Valley Village there are several restaurants--we like the Auld Dubliner Irish pub and Plumpjack Cafe at the foot of the lifts. Dining up at the top at High Camp is fun (8000 ft) because of the great views. Truckee is about 15-20 mins from Squaw--there are several great restaurants on Commercial Row in Old Town Truckee. Tahoe City (about 10 mins from Squaw) also has great restaurants--check out Jakes on the Lake. All the ski resorts around the Lake are great--Northstar is right next to Squaw and the Village is brand new, and everyone should visit Heavenly and Heavenly village. Driving around the lake is easily 2+ hours on a good day; if it's snowing don't do it. Any more questions? Have a wonderful, romantic time!

Just like Ann, I have spent years at Tahoe. I was actually just there last week visiting my sister.

There is a dusting of snow on some of the backsides of the mountains that are shaded from the sun, but this is worst snow year that I remember having grown up on the north shore.

The temperatures have been in the upper 30's, lower 40's in the day and dropping to the 20's at night. Snow is always a possibility, but there is nothing that has accumulated yet.

From what I know there is only 1 ski run currently open at Northstar... which is mostly artificial snow. A sad winter it is. The other ski areas are not even open.

The sun sets at this time of year ~4:45pm. But if you are on the leeward side of the mountains, the shadows come sooner.