DECK THE HALLS WITH FRESH SNOW IN TAHOE
Last-Minute, Holiday Getaway Options at South Lake Tahoe
Dec. 16, 2024 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.) – An early Christmas gift arrived in South Lake Tahoe over the weekend in the form of nearly 2-feet of fresh snow to help guarantee winter as the most wonderful time of year. It’s currently snowing, and the long-range forecast calls for a chance of snow on Christmas Eve. The enhanced conditions also provide spontaneous holiday opportunities for winter enthusiasts to forge Tahoe memories of a lifetime.
Winter adventures await combining the iconic beauty of Tahoe with its refreshing mountain air, snow covered pines, family events, dining, entertainment, nightlife and outdoor activities with a selection of lodging options to meet every budget. Holiday bookings are still available along with convenient access from the Bay Area and Northern California.
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and with shorter booking windows now’s the perfect time for families to celebrate the holidays in this special setting,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Whether it’s skiing together, ice skating under the stars, cozying up by the fireplace, enjoying live music or shows, Tahoe will deliver on its promise to make magical memories.”
The snowmaking teams at South Shore ski resorts have jump-started the season and continue to expand terrain with the fresh snowfall. For current lift and mountain operations visit: Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Sierra-at-Tahoe.
For Tahoe travelers via car, tourism officials recommend being prepared by continually monitoring road conditions. For winter driving tips and key travel information visit “Know Before You Go” and Responsible Recreation. For information on offers, events, promotions, and conditions explore Visit Lake Tahoe: https://visitlaketahoe.com.
SANTA, SKATING AND A HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE PREMIERE
The Heavenly Holidays will celebrate the town’s central gathering place with a month-long series of good tidings and cheer in the Heavenly Village: Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 21; Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus; Ugly Sweater Ride Days at Heavenly, Dec. 23-25 (half-off draft, well and house wine at all ski lodges from 3-5 p.m.); Village Ice Sculpture, Dec. 26; Meet Your Favorite Characters from Disney on ice, Dec. 26-30; Visit Lake Tahoe Ferris Wheel, Dec. 27-31; Visit Lake Tahoe Build-A-Bear, Dec. 27-31. For an authentic winter feel, there’s the Frosty Shoreline Snowshoe Experience — a lakefront guided snowshoe stroll along Timber Cove Beach and Beach Retreat & Lodge on Fridays/Saturdays; Champagne & Chocolate Sleigh Ride Tasting Experience, a horse-drawn or electronic carriage tour paired with champagne, Fridays-Mondays – weather permitting. For all Heavenly Holidays events, days, times visit: visitlaketahoe.com.
Winter Wonderland at Camp Richardson Resort’s Historic Hotel includes a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus, ornament decorating, complimentary coffee, hot cocoa and cookies, and a fireside reading of The Night Before Christmas, Dec. 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mark your calendars as a local favorite “Snowshoe Cocktail Races” returns to the beach in front of The Grove restaurant Jan. 18 and Feb. 22, 2025. Racers are invited to try their luck and skill at racing with cocktail trays in hand through obstacles for prizes and bragging rights.
Edgewood On Ice features an outdoor ice rink surrounded by pristine views of the resort and snow-capped mountains for Lodge guests as well as the public. Additional rinks include the outdoor venue in the Heavenly Village and indoors at the South Tahoe Ice Arena. Snow tubing at six different locations throughout South Shore including Tube Tahoe in Meyers and Tahoe Snowmobiles now offers night tubing at their Stateline location.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe invites guests (21+over) to a special screening of the new Hallmark Channel movie A Reason for the Season, starring Taylor Cole, BGCLT board member and popular Hallmark actress, Dec. 18, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. (movie starts at 6:30) at the Club’s Angel of Tahoe building. Tickets are $25, available online only at: bit.ly/areason4theseason, with all proceeds benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe.
ENTERTAINMENT/NYE CELEBRATIONS
Casino entertainment at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe South Shore Room features Nathan Owens: A Tribune to Earth Wind & Fire and Kool & the Gang, Dec. 29; Hippie Sabotage, Jan. 2; The Petty Breakers, Jan. 11, and Three Dog Night, Jan. 18. Bally’s Lake Tahoe welcomes Ari Shaffir: The Farewell tour, Dec. 21 and Paul Oakenfold, Dec. 28.
The Heavenly Village’s Main Stage starts rocking for pre-NYE celebration on Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. with Jack Pavlina, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and producer followed by Morgan Myles, a powerhouse vocalist and finalist on NBC’s The Voice in 2022, performing with guitar-driven sensation Mark Mackay.
Heavenly Holidays reaches its zenith on New Year’s Eve with a gondola drop at 9 p.m. PT, coordinated with the midnight ball drop in New York City’s Time Square, accompanied by fireworks show. Live music starts at 4 p.m. with high-energy electronic beats from DJ Cash Master followed by Jackeyes, a trio with a unique twist on rock anthems and concludes with The Dee Dee Simon Band, a finalist from NBC’s America’s Got Talent known for her soulful voice and undeniable stage presence.
To celebrate midnight Pacific Time, the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino New Year’s Eve Party on the Plaza at Saltgrass features DJs and a fireworks show at midnight to welcome 2025.
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Peek Nightclub hosts an explosive New Year’s party with electrifying DJ, Jen Jones, an Australia favorite who brings a magnetic stage presence and unparalleled ability to ignite any crowd, Dec. 31. From the colossal NFL stadiums to the glittering lights of Miami, Las Vegas, and beyond, her music transcends cultural boundaries, creating a pulsating unity on dance floors around the globe. For clubbers making the rounds, Tahoe breweries, wine bars and speakeasys boast serious variety and quality with dozens of establishments. (Make sure you take public transportation, free Lake Link, Uber, taxi or appoint a designated driver.)