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Things to do in Lake Tahoe in winter

Beyond the slopes, Lake Tahoe in winter means snowmobiling (Zephyr Cove Resort), sleigh rides (Borges Tahoe Sleigh and Carriage Rides, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park), hot springs (Grover Hot Springs State Park), and ice skating (South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena, 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd.).

The Heavenly Gondola climbs 2.4 miles from Heavenly Village on the South Shore. On the North Shore, the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram climbs from 6,200 feet to High Camp at 8,200 feet, in the valley that hosted the 1960 Winter Games. Winter around the lake also means tubing hills, groomed cross-country trails, sleigh rides at Sand Harbor and snowmobile tours in Hope Valley.

❄️ Palisades Tahoe: 0.0" next 7 days πŸ›· Snowmobiling 🐴 Sleigh rides ♨️ Hot springs ⛸️ Ice skating πŸ› Tubing πŸ₯Ύ Snowshoeing ⛷️ Cross-country skiing 🚑 Scenic rides πŸ›οΈ Museums and history

Snowmobiling

Zephyr Cove Resort

Snowmobiling at Zephyr Cove

Guided tours from Zephyr Cove Resort on the Nevada side. The 2-hour Scenic Lakeview Tour climbs through meadows to peaks near 9,000 feet.

Compare tours β†— Official site β†—

Lake Tahoe Adventures

Snowmobiling in Hope Valley

Guided tours start at 7,200 feet in Hope Valley, south of the lake in Alpine County. The Summit tour lasts 2 hours, and tours run from December 5, 2026 to April 30, 2027, weather permitting.

Compare tours β†— Official site β†—

Sleigh rides

Borges Tahoe Sleigh and Carriage Rides, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

Sleigh ride at Sand Harbor

A 55-minute horse-drawn ride from the Sand Harbor Visitor Center on the East Shore. When snow is low, the ride uses wheeled carriages.

$60 adults, $30 children 2 to 16 ($75 and $40 on Saturdays and holidays), as listed on 2026-11-08

Compare tours β†— Official site β†—

Hot springs

Grover Hot Springs State Park

Grover Hot Springs

A state park pool complex in an alpine meadow at about 5,900 feet, four miles west of Markleeville. The pools are open Friday through Monday, and tickets are sold at the park, first come, first served.

Pool entry $10 adults, $5 children, plus $8 vehicle day use, as listed on 2026-11-08

Official site β†—

Ice skating

South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena, 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Ice skating in South Lake Tahoe

An indoor rink with public skate sessions. Every skater signs a waiver, and times can change for tournaments.

$16 with your own skates, $20 with rental, $10 under 10, as listed on 2026-11-08

Official site β†—

Tubing

TubeTahoe

Snow tubing at TubeTahoe

A tubing hill on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe with 1.5-hour sessions that include tube rental and parking. The 2026/27 season opens November 25, weather permitting.

From $65 per person (ages 13 and over, weekday), $75 on weekends, as listed on 2026-11-08

Official site β†—

Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe

Tubing and sledding at Echo Summit

A family-owned snow play area at 7,400 feet on Echo Summit with groomed sledding runs and evening Tubing After Dark sessions.

$20 per vehicle resort entrance fee, as listed on 2026-11-08

Official site β†—

Snowshoeing

Cross-country skiing

Tahoe Donner Cross Country

Cross-country skiing at Tahoe Donner

Over 100 km of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails near Truckee when fully open. A trail pass is required inside the area boundary.

Adult day pass from $43 when bought early, as listed on 2026-11-08

Official site β†—

Scenic rides

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Heavenly Gondola

A 2.4-mile ride from Heavenly Village with an observation deck partway up. You do not need a ski ticket to ride, and the tubing park sits at the top. The tentative 2026-27 opening day is November 20.

Official site β†—

Palisades Tahoe

Aerial Tram to High Camp

The tram climbs from The Village at 6,200 feet to High Camp at 8,200 feet. The Sierra Sightseeing Pass gives all-day rides, and High Camp has restaurants and a bar.

Official site β†—

Museums and history

Olympic Museum, High Camp, Palisades Tahoe

Olympic Museum at High Camp

Memorabilia from the 1960 Winter Games in Olympic Valley, historic Team USA uniforms and a short archival film. It is open when the Aerial Tram is running.

Free with a scenic Aerial Tram ride, as listed on 2026-11-08

Official site β†—
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Free things to do

Winter events

Not skiing? Pair a Heavenly Gondola or Palisades Aerial Tram ride with a session at a tubing hill, since TubeTahoe and Adventure Mountain both sit on Highway 50 near South Lake Tahoe.

Where to stay in Lake Tahoe

Hotels Flights to RNO 4x4 rental

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Plan the rest of the trip

Lake Tahoe in winter: questions

What is there to do in Lake Tahoe in winter besides skiing?

Beyond the slopes, Lake Tahoe in winter means snowmobiling (Zephyr Cove Resort), sleigh rides (Borges Tahoe Sleigh and Carriage Rides, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park), hot springs (Grover Hot Springs State Park), and ice skating (South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena, 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd.). Pair a Heavenly Gondola or Palisades Aerial Tram ride with a session at a tubing hill, since TubeTahoe and Adventure Mountain both sit on Highway 50 near South Lake Tahoe.

Can you go snowmobiling in Lake Tahoe?

Yes. Zephyr Cove Resort: Guided tours from Zephyr Cove Resort on the Nevada side. The 2-hour Scenic Lakeview Tour climbs through meadows to peaks near 9,000 feet. Lake Tahoe Adventures: Guided tours start at 7,200 feet in Hope Valley, south of the lake in Alpine County. The Summit tour lasts 2 hours, and tours run from December 5, 2026 to April 30, 2027, weather permitting.

Are there hot springs near Lake Tahoe?

Yes. Grover Hot Springs State Park: A state park pool complex in an alpine meadow at about 5,900 feet, four miles west of Markleeville. The pools are open Friday through Monday, and tickets are sold at the park, first come, first served.

Are there sleigh rides in Lake Tahoe?

Yes. Borges Tahoe Sleigh and Carriage Rides, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park: A 55-minute horse-drawn ride from the Sand Harbor Visitor Center on the East Shore. When snow is low, the ride uses wheeled carriages.

What can you do for free in Lake Tahoe in winter?

Emerald Bay: snowshoe down to Vikingsholm or into Desolation Wilderness from Eagle Falls Trailhead (no fee listed by Visit Lake Tahoe). Highway 89 flats: snowshoe at Pope, Kiva and Baldwin beaches and Taylor Creek Visitor Area (no fee listed). Rabe Meadow: easy, mostly flat snowshoeing on Kahle Drive near Stateline (no fee listed). After School Skate: free Wednesdays 2 to 3 pm at South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena for students and chaperones.

Is it snowing in Lake Tahoe this week?

As of November 8, 2026, Palisades Tahoe has 0.0", Northstar has 0.0", and Heavenly has 0.0" of snow in the 7-day forecast.

Sources

More ski towns in winter

Breckenridge Β· Aspen Β· Jackson Hole Β· Vail Β· Park City Β· Steamboat Springs Β· Mammoth Lakes Β· Whistler Β· Stowe