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Tahoe is everywhere on social media. From breathtaking sunsets overlooking Emerald Bay, to the crystal-clear waters of Sand Harbor, to the snow-covered summits of the legendary ski resorts, Tahoe can always be found as a feature on top tourism accounts.
But there’s much more to the Tahoe region than postcard-worthy landmarks and landscapes. It’s a family-friendly community that thrives on active outdoor adventures, engaging community events, safety and sustainability practices. The locals are proud of their mountain paradise and wish to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
Below, I’ve highlighted seven stand-out accounts that show the real side of the region. Make sure to check out their pages and give them a follow to gain a deeper insight and connection into the vibrant Tahoe-Truckee community.
CHP Truckee makes safety fun and is a valuable virtual real-time resource for road conditions. Credit: @chp_truckee
CHP TRUCKEE
@chp_truckee is the go-to account for current traffic updates, safety concerns and tips, local events and a good laugh.
Merging safety tips with a sense of humor seems to have resonated well with locals and social media scrollers, as CHP Truckee currently amasses a following of 208,000 followers! Not just used for entertainment, CHP Truckee's account is also a resource for real-time road conditions, especially in the winter season when chains are needed, or roads are shutting down due to snow, ic, or accidents.
They have shown that social media can be a great tool for education and fostering positive connections with the community and in doing so have found a way to humanize law enforcement.
Follow CHP Truckee: @chp_Truckee
One of Keep Tahoe Blue's local community events to promote sustainability. Credit: @keeptahoeblue
KEEP TAHOE BLUE
You’ve probably seen their bumper stickers on cars across California and Nevada. But did you know that Keep Tahoe Blue is more than a catchy slogan?
@keeptahoeblue, also known as The League to Save Lake Tahoe, is a local environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the lake’s water quality and overall health of the fragile environment. Utilizing the power of donors and volunteers, they are committed to keeping the region clear, clean and its iconic blue color for generations to come. Some of their volunteer events include beach cleanups, restoration projects and workshops.
Keep Tahoe Blue is a way of life, and we hope you follow their account for tips to help keep Big Blue crystal clear and clean!
Follow Keep Tahoe Blue: @keeptahoeblue
Some of Tahoe's adorable four-legged residents! Credit: @tahoepuppies
TAHOE PUPPIES
Let’s be honest, we’re all really just scrolling through our phones looking at cute animals. And @tahoepuppies knows this. Their account features the furry, four-legged locals of Lake Tahoe out and about exploring the trails, sniffing the flowers and swimming in the lake. Each one has their own personality and favorite spots. In fact, they make excellent virtual tour guides for hikers looking for dog-friendly trails, highlighting everything from well-traveled routes to adventures off the beaten path.
Some of the featured pups are already Lake Tahoe celebrities, including Atka, Nukka and Shiya (@atkaandnukka), who are living their best lives on beautiful backcountry trails. Make sure to follow their account to meet the friendly, fuzzy locals!
Follow Tahoe Puppies: @tahoepuppies
Diamond Peak's Penguin Pete at the community favorite "Dummy Downhill." Credit: @diamondpeak
DIAMOND PEAK
Diamond peak is truly a gem. As a relatively small locally owned and operated ski resort, Diamond Peak isn’t full of the glitz and glamor some of the other big-name resorts boast. It’s simple. It’s humble. It’s affordable. It’s local. And it offers some of the best views of Lake Tahoe in the entire region. If you’ve taken Crystal Express to ski from the summit on a bluebird day, you know just what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, you should put that experience high on your to-do list.
Alongside their fun-loving mascot Penguin Pete, Diamond Peak's account (@diamondpeak) highlights their stunning resort, the dedicated ski and snowboard community who call this mountain home and year-round events, including the local favorite "Dummy Downhill." They also have summer events, such as cleanups with their ski team (@dp_skiteam), which truly demonstrates how a small business can make a big impact.
Follow Diamond Peak: @diamondpeak
TAMBA volunteers happy to maintain Tahoe's iconic trails. Credit: @tambatahoe
TAMBA TAHOE
Have you ever wondered how the local trails are so well-maintained? Let me introduce you to TAMBA.
The Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, otherwise known as TAMBA, is a local nonprofit organization made up of dedicated volunteers who aim to restore, build and maintain trails for mountain biking and hiking in the region. They also aim to educate the community about conservation practices and responsible trail etiquette and safety through outreach and fun community events and fundraisers.
Through their social media page @tambatahoe, TAMBA highlights all of the hard work from their volunteers as they build and maintain local trails, such as building new features, stabilizing the terrain, moving debris, cleaning up trash and ensuring accessibility. You will gain a new appreciation for the trails that you ride, hike, or run on as you see how much time, hard labor and passion it takes to keep these trails preserved. And you might even be inspired to take part in their mission!
Follow TAMBA TAHOE: @tambatahoe
Tahoe Donner has amenities and adventures for members and the public to enjoy! Credit: @tahoedonnerassociation
TAHOE DONNER ASSOCIATION
As one of the largest resort communities in the state of California, the Tahoe Donner Association boasts more than 25,000 active members and an extensive variety of recreational amenities that appeal to outdoor adventure enthusiasts of every age. Included in this array of amenities is the award-winning and highly revered cross-country ski center, named one of the Top 10 Cross-Country Ski Resorts in North America by USA Today and Best Cross-Country Ski Center in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee by the Sierra Sun.
Just minutes from Truckee, the Tahoe Donner Association also has a downhill ski resort, a snow park, a golf course, an equestrian center and a network of hiking trails, all available for public use. Members can enjoy access to a recreation center, pools, tennis courts and beach club at the marina.
Their social media @tahoedonnerassociation highlights their family-friendly community, local events and amenities available for you to enjoy on your next trip. Tahoe Donner Association aims to not only share the spotlight on their community members, but to also "celebrate the Tahoe lifestyle."
Follow Tahoe Donner Association: @tahoedonnerassociation
Check out Tahoe Fund's Fun Facts and tips for sustainable recreation. Credit: @tahoefund
TAHOE FUND
You're probably familiar with the Tahoe Fund's weekly Fun Facts series on their Instagram page, which they created in hopes of using education, social media and stunning content to inspire tourists and locals to practice sustainable recreation and overall care for our fragile environment. This nonprofit, based in California and Nevada, aims to not only educate the public about conservation, but also raise funds for regional projects related to lake clarity and cleanliness, forest health, sustainable local transportation and interpretive trail panels.
Through the use of social media (@tahoefund), outreach and community events and fundraisers, the Tahoe Fund is extremely involved in community building and inspiring people to take action and keep Lake Tahoe clean, clear and blue for years to come.
Follow Tahoe Fund on social media: @tahoefund
Social media can be a great tool for connection, community and inspiring positive change. I hope these accounts inspired you in some way to enjoy the Tahoe-Truckee region and help in conservation efforts so everyone can enjoy our favorite lake!
Cover Photo Credit: CHP Truckee, @chp_truckee
About the Author Kirsten Alexis
Kirsten is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, writer and photographer. You can typically find her hiking, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing and checking out new spots to share in the Tahoe Donner region. She has been lucky to call Tahoe her second home since she was a child and aims to inspire people to experience Tahoe and fall in love with the beauty and adventurous spirit of the region through her blogs and content. 
