Summer activities are in full swing at Lake Tahoe and they range from drive-in movies by the lake and interactive art in the forest to flying through the air with your best friends.
Heavenly Zip Lines and Adventure Ropes Courses
Taking the gondola up to the top of Heavenly is not just for skiers anymore. Heavenly Lake Tahoe has extending their summer activities with exciting new rides at Epic Adventure, including the Hot Shot Zip Line. The Blue Streak Zip Line still sends people flying 3,300-feet between two peaks above the lake, but the 1,000 foot-long, 40-mph Hot Shot can be enjoyed along with three of your friends. Even more friends can enjoy the harnessed Adventure Ropes Courses just below the zip lines.While you're there look out for Heavenly's new alpine coaster and a tree canopy tour, both offering unparalleled views of Lake Tahoe and Desolation Wilderness.
COST:
Hot Shot, $29 per person
Blue Streak, $60 per person
Boulder Cove Ropes Course, $45 per person
Discovery Forest Ropes Course, $60 per person
Trails and Vistas Art Hike & World Concert
Local and regional artists incorporate their creativity into the Tahoe forest during the Trails and Vistas Art Hike at Spooner Lake and Donner Ski Ranch. Attendees will watch and interact with dancers, musicians, and performance artists along a three-mile route.
COST:$35 (age 11+), $12 (age 4-11)
Tahoe Star Tours at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe at Northstar California will still be offering peeks of the universe with Tony Berendsen of Tahoe Star Tours. Every Friday night, participants will enjoy access to a private viewing area, blankets, and cocktails while learning about the cosmos. High powered Celestron telescopes will be available for viewing various events throughout the rest of the summer.
COST:$35 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under
If you want to get to Emerald Bay and Desolation Wilderness without having to fight for parking, Emerald Bay Trolley will get you there in San Francisco style. The red trolley runs from Tahoe Valley Campground in South Lake Tahoe up to Homewood, stopping at various locations like Pope Beach, Taylor Creek, the Vikingsholm trail and Sugar Pine Point State Park. This year the trolley will have a $5 hop-on, hop-off fee for the whole route.
COST:One-way fare, $2
The Village at Squaw will be filled with yogis every Wednesday this summer. Taught by well-known yoga instructors, this free yoga class will be held through the end of August. If you forget your mat, Yoga Squaw'd will lend you one. Afterwards, head to the Village's Wanderlust to shop for gear and listen to soothing music.
COST:Free
Squaw Valley High Camp and Northstar California Village Roller Skating
Both Squaw Valley USA and the Village at Northstar are offering roller skating this summer. The High Camp Roller Rink is accessed by Squaw Valley's Aerial Tram, the roller skating arena offers panoramic views of Squaw, Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. The Village at Northstar's 9,000 square foot skating rink is flanked by outdoor fire pits where you can enjoy an après-skate cocktail.
COST:Squaw Valley: Adult (23-64) $44 for the tram and skating. Purchase online for $38. Northstar: Free, skate rentals for $10
The East Shore of Tahoe tends to stay hidden away if you don't have boat access. Kayak Tahoe is offering tours of the hidden beaches and rocky coves of the Nevada side of the lake with lunch at a secluded sandy beach. This tour is best for people who have kayaking experience.
COST:$80 per person
Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center
Donner Memorial State Park has a brand new visitor center that features a state of the art facility with innovative and engaging programs. The Multipurpose Theater includes state-of-the-art audiovisual systems for presentations.
COST:Free
Sorensen's Resort Geology, Wildflower and History Treks
The charming Sorensen's Resort in South Lake Tahoe has several tours and treks around the beautiful area of Hope Valley. Their newest treks cover everything from Central Sierra Nevada geology, wildflowers and medicinal plants, and photography and historical walks.
COST:Varies per activity. Deals are available for resort guests.
