News
ENLARGE
LAKE TAHOE - Just because it is January and the kids are back in school doesn’t mean your options for fun are over. Lake Tahoe offers the most wonderful playground for winter and family activities around. Many activities offer a chance for some great ways to spend a weekend with the family.
A dog sled adventure
Even though it is a little expensive for an entire family, dog sledding is a great, one-time activity that will be remembered. Also it is a perfect picture opportunity for a unique family photo. The adventure takes place in the meadow at Squaw Valley USA and is provided by Wilderness Adventures. The company is owned by Deanne and Brian Maas and they have been operating the dog sled adventure now for 10 years. Maas makes his own sleds by hand.
To view some great photos of this adventure go to the website at www.tahoedogsledtours.com and you will see why this is such a fun experience for a family. A sunset tour can be spectacular.
Each sled is equipped with blankets to keep warm with but remember to wear appropriate winter clothing. The adventure is about an hour ride out into the meadow area at Squaw. Cost is $45 for children under 60 pounds on weekdays and $55 on weekends. Adults and children over 60 pounds are $95 on weekdays and $110 on weekends. The minimum for a sled is $125 and each sled can hold two adults and two children. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (530) 550-8133.
Even though it is a little expensive for an entire family, dog sledding is a great, one-time activity that will be remembered. Also it is a perfect picture opportunity for a unique family photo. The adventure takes place in the meadow at Squaw Valley USA and is provided by Wilderness Adventures. The company is owned by Deanne and Brian Maas and they have been operating the dog sled adventure now for 10 years. Maas makes his own sleds by hand.
To view some great photos of this adventure go to the website at www.tahoedogsledtours.com and you will see why this is such a fun experience for a family. A sunset tour can be spectacular.
Each sled is equipped with blankets to keep warm with but remember to wear appropriate winter clothing. The adventure is about an hour ride out into the meadow area at Squaw. Cost is $45 for children under 60 pounds on weekdays and $55 on weekends. Adults and children over 60 pounds are $95 on weekdays and $110 on weekends. The minimum for a sled is $125 and each sled can hold two adults and two children. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (530) 550-8133.
A day at Spooner Lake
This area is a favorite for most families because it offers so many different activities to enjoy. Because the area is owned and operated under the Nevada State Park system, you need to pay a day pass rate to park inside. But you can rent skis, snowshoes, kinder sleds, take lessons and just have lots of fun outdoors. They even offer overnight cabins for rent. Check out the website at www.spoonerlake.com/
skipassesrentals or for information call (775) 749-5349. The little store at Spooner Lake is where you rent your equipment and enjoy a snack or hot chocolate. I recommend bringing your own thermos for hot chocolate though and a great picnic feast to enjoy outside so you can spend the day. Everyone seems to work up an appetite outside.
This area is a favorite for most families because it offers so many different activities to enjoy. Because the area is owned and operated under the Nevada State Park system, you need to pay a day pass rate to park inside. But you can rent skis, snowshoes, kinder sleds, take lessons and just have lots of fun outdoors. They even offer overnight cabins for rent. Check out the website at www.spoonerlake.com/
skipassesrentals or for information call (775) 749-5349. The little store at Spooner Lake is where you rent your equipment and enjoy a snack or hot chocolate. I recommend bringing your own thermos for hot chocolate though and a great picnic feast to enjoy outside so you can spend the day. Everyone seems to work up an appetite outside.
Ice Skating
This is an inexpensive family activity and we have lots of places to go within the Tahoe area as well as in Reno. Northstar at Tahoe Resort, Reno’s River Rink, Squaw Valley and South Shore all have ice skating rinks.
Make it a fun family day activity by putting together a picnic, a thermos of hot chocolate and pick your favorite location.
Northstar’s rink is located right in the Village at Northstar and is surrounded by fire pits which makes a perfect spot for the family to gather . Most weekends live music is on the rink stage. Skate rentals are available for only $5. Skaters under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver before entering the rink. Open daily from 2 to- 8 p.m. depending on weather. For information call (530) 562-33689.
Squaw Valley USA offers the Olympic Ice Pavilion for skaters. Because it requires a cable car ride this is sometimes not as attractive as a family event and makes it a little expensive. It is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. but weather can force it to close too. Rates: Cablecar/skate for adults $27 and after 4 p.m. $16. For Youth 13-18 $23 and after 4 p.m. $16. For under 12 $15 and after 4 p.m. $12. Rates include skate rental. For information call (530) 583-6985.
Rink on the River in Reno is another opportunity for a family to spend a day along with your thermos and picnic. Lessons are available but you need to call. The cost is $6 for teens and adults, Children 12 and under are $4 and also seniors are $4. Skate rental is available for $2. For information call (775) 334-6268.
South Shore offers skating outdoors on the rink in the Heavenly Village. For information call (530) 543-1423. The indoor rink is the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena at 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd. For information call (530) 542-6262.
This is an inexpensive family activity and we have lots of places to go within the Tahoe area as well as in Reno. Northstar at Tahoe Resort, Reno’s River Rink, Squaw Valley and South Shore all have ice skating rinks.
Make it a fun family day activity by putting together a picnic, a thermos of hot chocolate and pick your favorite location.
Northstar’s rink is located right in the Village at Northstar and is surrounded by fire pits which makes a perfect spot for the family to gather . Most weekends live music is on the rink stage. Skate rentals are available for only $5. Skaters under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver before entering the rink. Open daily from 2 to- 8 p.m. depending on weather. For information call (530) 562-33689.
Squaw Valley USA offers the Olympic Ice Pavilion for skaters. Because it requires a cable car ride this is sometimes not as attractive as a family event and makes it a little expensive. It is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. but weather can force it to close too. Rates: Cablecar/skate for adults $27 and after 4 p.m. $16. For Youth 13-18 $23 and after 4 p.m. $16. For under 12 $15 and after 4 p.m. $12. Rates include skate rental. For information call (530) 583-6985.
Rink on the River in Reno is another opportunity for a family to spend a day along with your thermos and picnic. Lessons are available but you need to call. The cost is $6 for teens and adults, Children 12 and under are $4 and also seniors are $4. Skate rental is available for $2. For information call (775) 334-6268.
South Shore offers skating outdoors on the rink in the Heavenly Village. For information call (530) 543-1423. The indoor rink is the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena at 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd. For information call (530) 542-6262.
Learn to ski or snowboard
Diamond Peak is sponsoring Learn to Ski or Snowboard Week starting Jan. 12. Take advantage of this special week if you have never learned how to ski or snowboard. But if you already know how, take advantage of the money-saving Tahoe Family Ski packages. Go to the website at ww.diamondpeak.com to see the special offers for families. Again pack a picnic and hit the deck outside the lodge. But you can also eat inside and food service is available if you do not want to bother with packing a picnic.
Diamond Peak is sponsoring Learn to Ski or Snowboard Week starting Jan. 12. Take advantage of this special week if you have never learned how to ski or snowboard. But if you already know how, take advantage of the money-saving Tahoe Family Ski packages. Go to the website at ww.diamondpeak.com to see the special offers for families. Again pack a picnic and hit the deck outside the lodge. But you can also eat inside and food service is available if you do not want to bother with packing a picnic.
Snowshoeing in
the backcountry
Tahoe Rim Trail’s National Winter Trails Day snowshoeing event is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. The entire family can learn how to snowshoe on a free guided hike that is open to all ages and abilities. It also includes Starbucks hot chocolate and snacks. Information is available on the website at www.tahoerimtrail.org. For this event participants must provide their own snowshoes and make a reservation by calling (775) 298-0012.
the backcountry
Tahoe Rim Trail’s National Winter Trails Day snowshoeing event is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. The entire family can learn how to snowshoe on a free guided hike that is open to all ages and abilities. It also includes Starbucks hot chocolate and snacks. Information is available on the website at www.tahoerimtrail.org. For this event participants must provide their own snowshoes and make a reservation by calling (775) 298-0012.
Science fun at Tahoe
At 2 p.m. Saturday Jan. 17 Space Science for Schools is sponsoring a telescope activity “How Telescopes Work” at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center on the campus of Sierra Nevada College. Using models, lenses, and mirrors, visitors will be able to touch, feel, and see how telescopes actually work. If you want to bring your own telescope, arrive 15 minutes early. Curiosity and questions are welcome and visitors can start viewing the night sky right way. This event is free and open to all ages.
Formal presentations will be given every 45 minutes beginning at 2 p.m. Along with NASA, Space Science for Schools will host special themed events monthly through 2009 focusing on a different astronomical event or heavenly body. Check the website at www.ss4s.org for other events and locations. For information call (775) 450-2615.
At 2 p.m. Saturday Jan. 17 Space Science for Schools is sponsoring a telescope activity “How Telescopes Work” at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center on the campus of Sierra Nevada College. Using models, lenses, and mirrors, visitors will be able to touch, feel, and see how telescopes actually work. If you want to bring your own telescope, arrive 15 minutes early. Curiosity and questions are welcome and visitors can start viewing the night sky right way. This event is free and open to all ages.
Formal presentations will be given every 45 minutes beginning at 2 p.m. Along with NASA, Space Science for Schools will host special themed events monthly through 2009 focusing on a different astronomical event or heavenly body. Check the website at www.ss4s.org for other events and locations. For information call (775) 450-2615.
