THE LAKE TAHOE AREA

Lake Tahoe (pronounced "TAW-ho") is one of the world's largest and most beautiful mountain lakes. The lake is twenty-two miles long, twelve miles wide (35 km X 20 km) and straddles the California and Nevada borders at an elevation of 6200' (1800 m).  The lake is formed by unusual geography: water is trapped in a deep valley by a ring of mountains which prevent melting snow from escaping. The only outlet is the Truckee River at the northwest corner of the lake. This mountain-ring watershed or "Tahoe basin" accumulates lake water 1600' deep and holds a sufficient supply to cover the entire state of California a foot deep! Lake Tahoe is not a salt lake. Its water is cold and fresh, but never freezes over.

Besides nature's finest scenery, Lake Tahoe has numerous other attractions for the vacationer.  The Nevada south shore has the classiest casinos in the country where well-known entertainers perform.  You will be minutes from Virginia City - a preserved mining town of the Old West.  Locations are on our golf map and our ski map. You can  get married on one of the authentic paddle wheel boats or sailing vessels in the middle of the lake!  In fact, Tahoe is the wedding/honeymoon capital of the American West!  Click here for details on weddings at Tahoe.

The Lake Tahoe Area offers a wide range of activities for the vacationers. You will find world class golf 365 days a year as well as, hiking, biking, fishing, touring, horseback riding, and hockey.   Winter brings the snow sports and there’s no better place for skiing, snowmobiling, or snowshoe activities.  The summer season offers beach and water sports like kyaking and parasailing.   Incline Village hosts the annual theatrical event Shakespeare on the Beach with daily performances mid-July through mid-August.  

Lake Tahoe has something for you all year long! It enjoys strong contrasts between winter and summer.  The area receives 25 feet (7 meters) of snow on average each winter but the summers are dry. While winter temperatures drop to -20F (-25C) on rare occasions, a typical winter day is sunny with the temperature hovering near the freezing point. But when snow comes down, it can accumulate quickly! In recent years, we have seen nine feet (3 m) fall in twenty-four hours (Christmas '96) and sixteen feet in one week! Nine feet came down on November 10th.  A skier's dream! Tahoe snow is moist, packs well for skiers, and is affectionately known as "Sierra Cement"! With this good snow pack, the ski season sometimes extends into July! Ever wonder where they took those pictures of skiers in bikinis?

By spring, the day temperature is 50 to 60F (10 to 15C). Late spring, summer, and fall offer warm, dry weather with typical day temperatures around 80F (27C). Night temperatures usually drop into the fifties. Combined with very low humidity, its a golfer's dream! Air conditioning isn't needed at Tahoe with the very dry air and cool evenings.