Table Of Contents
Winter has arrived in Tahoe and the ski mountains are quickly reopening. Whether you’re visiting for a ski/snowboarding weekend, a quiet getaway in a cozy cabin, or just want to see a little snow, here are a few things to put on your list.
Coffeeshops
1. Coachman Hotel
This boutique hotel in South Lake Tahoe has an exceptional coffee bar that’s worth a visit. Whether or not you’re staying here it’s a great place to grab an espresso drink and decadent hot chocolate before or after a day on the slopes.
Location: 4100 Pine Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
2. Drink Coffee Do Stuff
This popular coffee company has cafes around Lake Tahoe and a motto that extraordinary coffee leads to an extraordinary life. They offer tasty drip coffee, espresso drink, and other treats.
Locations:
- 907 Tahoe Blvd #20A, Incline Village, NV
- 3894 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe, CA
- 10115 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA
- 10001 Soaring Way, Truckee, CA
3. Dark Horse Coffee
This specialty coffee shop in Truckee roasts coffee on-site and serves some of the best coffee in the region. They also host live music, comedy, and other community events throughout the year.
Location: 10009 W River St, Truckee, CA
Breakfast and Brunch
4. Fire Sign Cafe
Fire Sign Cafe has been a Tahoe breakfast favorite since it opened in 1978. Their menu features an extensive list of breakfast and brunch favorites like benedicts, scrambles, waffles, omelets, and more. It’s a popular spot with locals and tourists alike so expect to wait a bit on the weekends.
Location: 1785 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA
5. Heidi’s Pancake House
Heidi’s has been serving stacks of pancakes, fresh Belgian waffles, and other hearty breakfast favorites since 1964. The bright yellow Swiss chalet building makes is a memorable local landmark, and the interior also follows the alpine theme. Though you won’t find a smoothie on the menu, you’ll definitely be in carb heaven.
Location: 3485 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Skiing and Snowboarding
6. Heavenly Mountain Resort
This renowned South Lake Tahoe resort offers incredible terrain variety, hidden glades, and 34 miles of skiable land that straddles the Califonia-Nevada border. Heavenly is also the tallest mountain in Tahoe at 10,067 feet, offering jaw-dropping views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding region.
Location: 4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
7. Palisades Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe is the largest skiing complex in Lake Tahoe and was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics, under its previous name. Thanks to the recently built gondola connecting two renowned ski areas, Palisades and Alpine Valley, visitors can enjoy 6,000 skiable acres across 8 peaks in one interconnected network.
Location: 1960 Olympic Valley Road, Olympic Valley, CA
8. Northstar
Located in Truckee, Northstar is the largest skiing area on the north end of Lake Tahoe and is famous for its park-style skiing and impressive snowboarding terrain parks. The resort also features ice skating, and a village of restaurants, boutiques, and other fun winter activities.
Location: 5001 Northstar Dr, Truckee, CA
Other Snowsports
9. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
Most of the major ski mountains will also have options for snowshoeing. A great place to start is with this Lake Tahoe snowshoeing guide. Here are a few Tahoe resorts that offer snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals and lessons:
10. Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is fun for anyone who wants to get out and play in the snow but doesn’t feel like strapping on a pair of skis.
Restaurants
11. Riva Grill on the Lake
This multi-level waterfront restaurant invites you to stroll the deck and enjoy its collection of wooden pleasurecraft before or after your meal. The seafood-focused menu features a Dungeness crab sandwich, seared diver scallops, and a special slow-roasted prime rib on weekends. They also offer a number of creative signature cocktails, such as the “Wet Woody,” that have earned them a loyal following.
Location: 900 Ski Run Blvd Ste 3, South Lake Tahoe, CA
12. Cafe Fiore
Cafe Fiore is an elegant Italian restaurant housed in an alpine-style gingerbread cabin. This popular restaurant only has 7 tables, so plan your meal ahead of time, but you can expect an intimate and memorable experience.
Location: 1169 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
13. Jake’s on the Lake
Jake’s on the Lake features California and Hawaiian inspire bites like their flash-fried ahi poke roll and herb-crusted Maine lobster tails. Food aside, the gorgeous lake views are reason enough to enjoy a meal and drink at Jake’s.
Location: 780 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA
Bars and Breweries
14. Fiftyfifty Brewing Co
FiftyFifty is a talented Truckee-based brewery that crafts delicious beers ranging from a classic Czech pilsner to a barrel-aged imperial stout. Their Truckee Pub offers a rotating selection of their favorite beers alongside elevated pub classics like burgers, pizzas, and sharable bites. It’s an easy place to love.
Location: 11197 Brockway Road, Suite 1, Truckee, CA
15. South of North Brewing Company
South of North Brewing in South Lake Tahoe is a brewery and restaurant that shares space and a courtyard with Basecamp Hotel. Expect live music, cozy fire pits to gather around, and optional beer flights for the beer connoisseurs out there.
Location: 932 Stateline Avenue, Suite B, South Lake Tahoe, CA
16. The Pioneer Cocktail Club
Some of the tastiest cocktails in Tahoe City can be found at The Pioneer Cocktail Club. The menu ranges from cocktail classics to unique creations like their Tree Hugger’s Gimlet which features gin, Chartreuse, fresh lime, and cucumber syrup. Pioneer Cocktail Club also offers wood oven pizza, mouthwatering burgers, and other sharable snacks.
Location: 521 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA
Featured image: @skiheavenly via Instagram