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What to do in Tahoe?

What's the weather like in Lake Tahoe during Christmas?

  • I'm planning to go visit Lake Tahoe during the week of Christmas. Also, what city (near Lake Tahoe) do you recommend me to stay at? I'm going with a few friends so we don't need a big hotel or fancy restaurant - just some place simple but fun. In addition, I'm going during this season to hike and go sleading. I also want to go river rafting or just go canoeing around Lake Tahoe. Is the week of Christmas a good or dangerous time to do these acticities? If so, when would be the best month/season? Thank you! Oh, a place very close to SQUAW Valley USA would be nice.

  • Answer:

    Um... winter in the mountains (a high elevation), in a place that's a a well known ski resort area. What do you *think* the weather will be like? ;) There will be snow. There will be ice. Lows will be in the low 20s, possibly 10s. Highs will be in the low 40s, upper 30s. That's just *average*, of course. South Lake Tahoe is typically the cheapest and least opulent place to stay, but it's also the opposite side of the lake from Squaw Valley. Truckee is super nice and the hotels in the area have lots of variation, so you should be able to find what you're looking for. Likewise, it's close to Squaw Valley. Or you can stay in Carson City, which is relatively big and pretty easy to find something in whatever price range, but it's a bit more of a drive in... same for Reno, which looks further but you can take 80 which makes it reasonably quick. Both would take about the same amount of time to get to Squaw as South Lake Tahoe. But yeah, Truckee is the nicest and closest to Squaw Valley, but still California side so without the huge casinos (though if you WANT casinos, go for the Nevada side, obviously). Anyway, if the main reason you want to go is for hiking and rafting, I'd say Christmas would be a HORRIBLE time to go, as you won't realy be able to do either (of course, you could cross country ski or rent snowshoes for certain trails, but... your options are definitely limited). April through October would be your best bet. April is probably the best time for you as it's warm enough and the snow's gone from most places but still on the slopes, ie: ideal time to hike, raft, AND sled, ski, etc... You have the option of winter and spring activities (though probably still too chilly to actually swim - for that I'd hold off till around June through September).

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Normally during the Winter, Lake Tahoe has SNOW. NOT a good time to go canoeing or river rafting. You might check out Truckee for rooming, it's at the North end of the lake. I would think that Spring or early Summer would be a good time for hiking, canoeing and river rafting. It's really beautiful at that time of year.

Lisa L

River rafting, it's going to be really cold due to the snow.. Stay in Reno, it should be cheaper than Tahoe- since everyone like to stay in Tahoe and Reno is pretty empty these days.. The hotel are offering me really cheap rates.. Weekdays $29 and weekend for $69- these are the well known casino too..

silvermist

I went in February and there was plenty of snow but I'm not sure of Christmas - I expect there is. However, when driving in heavy snow you must have snow chains by law on you and may need to fit them when going into the Sierra Nevada. The best and safest route to take in the snow from any direction is the main route - the I-80. Usually this road will be kept open but other routes in snow could be closed which is why this is the better route. I came from El Portal, Mariposa County and followed route 140 / route 99 and then I-80 over the Donner Pass - I was advised to take this route rather than a more direct one because the other routes were either closed or dangerous. You may not need to fit the snow chains but you must carry them by law. Flashing road signs on I-80 will tell you 'SNOW CHAINS REQUIRED' if you need them in which case you can pull into a garage (which I did at Auburn) to get some. They cost $40 and if it turns out you must fit them there are fitting attendants on the I-80 pull over lanes as you go into the mountains. There are many towns and villages around Lake Tahoe but the best I found was South Lake Tahoe as it had more to do. The most scenic point on Lake Tahoe is at Emerald bay just to the north-west of South Lake Tahoe on route 89. Lake Tahoe is truly best seen in the snow!

Phylis_A12

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