Go Tahoe for a heavenly ski vacation

DINO VOURNAS
Northstar-At-Tahoe ski resort's front-side is a complex of some of the best ego-building, perfectly-groomed terrain for beginners and intermediates in the Sierra.

Lake Tahoe has a vibrant bar and club scene at the resorts, and there are gaming casinos in North and South Lake and in nearby Reno.

Snow falls on Commercial Row in old Truckee, Calif., near Lake Tahoe. About 800 inches of snow fell around Lake Tahoe last season.

Northstar-At-Tahoe ski resort's front-side is a complex of some of the best ego-building, perfectly-groomed terrain for beginners and intermediates in the Sierra. DINO VOURNAS


Lake Tahoe has a vibrant bar and club scene at the resorts, and there are gaming casinos in North and South Lake and in nearby Reno.


Snow falls on Commercial Row in old Truckee, Calif., near Lake Tahoe. About 800 inches of snow fell around Lake Tahoe last season.

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These words and similar accolades, uttered by the entranced, surely helped hasten the influx of visitors to Lake Tahoe. They arrived first to work, then to enjoy the waters and vistas of summer. Later on, in the mid-20th century, the excitement and challenge of winter sports came to call.

So what should you expect, flying from Florida -- over two perfectly good ski mountain ranges -- to ski the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe? Simply put, expect the greatest overall skiing and riding experience in these United States.
Tahoe, 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, is the largest Alpine lake in North America and straddles the states of California and Nevada, about 45 miles from Reno and 200 miles from San Francisco. Taken as a whole and in no particular order, Lake Tahoe has:

Weather: An average winter high of 43 degrees, mostly sunny weather, with very rare instances of bitter cold, unlike the inner ranges.

Snow: Usually lots of it. About 800 inches (that's 67 feet!) last season, with 40-plus powder days, and averaging 350 to 500 inches of great quality snow.

Resorts: Three mega-sized and seven large-to-moderate ski areas, and a huge Nordic resort, surround the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Terrain: Appeals on all levels. Squaw Valley is internationally known for its steeps. Snowmaking at Heavenly and Northstar is among the best in the United States.

Scenery: Most resorts have gorgeous views of the Sierra Range and the always-blue, never-frozen Lake Tahoe; and snow-laden evergreens beat bare-naked aspens anytime.

Real, small towns and Reno: Sure, you have the A-Class trappings, but real towns mean good, cheaper options for lodging and food.

Apres-ski: They have the jubilant bar and club scene at the resorts, but there's also an assortment of gaming casinos in North and South Lake and in nearby Reno. They offer 24/7 entertainment, gaming and great bargains in lodging and food.