5 Ways to Take Advantage of Spring in Lake Tahoe

With last week’s record snowfall amounts, it is hard to believe that springtime is just around the corner.

The last week was a literal winter wonderland. The entire area was blessed by the snow gods, with local ski areas receiving 3 to 7 feet of fresh snow. With the slow onset of winter, this beautiful gift is giving a fresh start to the ski season and a way to really take advantage of the spring that is to come.

There is a special sparkle that comes about when the seasons change in Lake Tahoe, and it goes beyond the popping of baby blooms and the call of the Cheeseburger Bird (the locals' nickname for the Mountain Chickadee). In Lake Tahoe we are able to take advantage of glorious snow and the glowing sun at the same time. This special combination gives way to entertainment and enjoyment that is hard to find elsewhere. Check out these five ways to take advantage of the spring days coming our way.

Look for the deals. Whether it is in the form of restaurants or hotels, springtime is the time for deals in Lake Tahoe. With the coming of warmth there are great specials to take advantage of. For example, South Lake Tahoe’s Tahoe Powder House is offering a 30% discount on rentals, and Heavenly Valley Lodge has a 25% discount on two or more nights for two people in one of their deluxe queen or king rooms (this is valid March 16 to April 1, 2018). Another example of a great deal is offered by the Resort at Squaw Creek in Squaw Valley. Their March B &B Snow Escape package includes accommodations for up to two adults and two children (12 and younger) in a deluxe guestroom plus a full breakfast in Six Peaks Grill or a nightly rate starting at $249 per night, per room (this is valid March 1 through April 3, 2010).

The mountains are alive with music. A favorite aspect to spring in Lake Tahoe is the immense amount of live music that happens all around the basin. This is the time for enjoying good tunes, good views and great people, all shared from the decks and plazas of the surrounding ski areas. From Heavenly to Alpine Meadows, from Northstar to Diamond Peak, every ski area around the lake has its own form of springtime celebration. Accompanying the music is often an adventurous competition with costumes and creativity, making it a great time for the entire family.

Enjoy the open slopes. Spring is a time for a slowing down of the crowds and the emptying of the ski slopes, making the mountains a ghost town (especially on the weekdays). There is something magical about starting your ski day early in the morning with a glistening sun, the kiss of the cold winter air and the sound of perfectly groomed trails under your feet.

The backcountry becomes safe. Beyond the ski area, this is the time when skiing or snowboarding in the backcountry becomes a lot safer. Assuming we get our customary freezing nights, this in combination with our lovely Sierra snowpack creates a stellar snow condition known as corn. Corn is one of the greatest and safest surfaces when enjoying the pleasure of skiing in the wild mountains. Corn creates a densely compacted snowpack, lessening the likelihood of avalanches while at the same time offering a surface that makes a person feel like they are the best skier (or snowboarder) in the world … giving it it’s nickname of “hero snow.”

The land of two worlds awaits. A true blessing of Lake Tahoe is that although there may be snow in the upper mountains, the lower elevations begin to melt out, giving rise to the opportunity to play in two worlds in one day. Imagine skiing great snow in the morning and then in the afternoon enjoying a lovely hike along the east shore of Lake Tahoe or rock climbing in the lower regions of Donner Summit. The choice is yours with the coming of spring.

Please be sure to visit our Daytime and Nightlife sections to learn about all the fun events happening around the lake this week!

Photos: Tahoe.com and SkiTahoeBackcountry.com