North Lake Tahoe, California Things to Do

An American St. Patrick's Day tradition: Chicago River dyed green.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks,
May your heart be as light as a song,
May each day bring you bright, happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long.

In Ireland most natives pin on a sprig of green, attend morning mass, and drink a pint in the afternoon or feast with family at dinner in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Until the 1970s, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was a minor religious holiday. But in the United States, rivers are dyed green, there are large parades to celebrate the Irish, and millions don green for the day.

For Lake Tahoe locals and vacationers, we may have more than a sprig of green – more so a white and powdery day on the slopes! But why not capture the essence of the above Irish blessing, and grab some friends, enjoy the coming of spring, drink a pint, listen to some live tunes, dance a jig and find out how the Irish keep life so light and lively!

There are all kinds of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happening around Lake Tahoe on Saturday, March 17^th.  The question is how do you want to celebrate? We’ve included a few choices!  Just remember to wear green, stay safe and tip your hat to St. Patrick!

Squaw Valley

Celebrate the holiday at Squaw Valley with all of your favorite Irish traditions! Ski the green slopes, hang out at the KT Base Bar for our pig roast and listen to L.A.vation, The World’s Greatest Tribute to U2 while you enjoy festive beer from Guiness, Harp and Smithwick’s. From 3pm-5pm in the Village Events Plaza, The Blarney Band will perform traditional Irish music. Catch Lenny the Leprechaun on the slopes for a special treat from his pot of gold!

Be sure to check out Auld Dubliner at Squaw if you want a taste of traditional Dublin on this Irish holiday!

Alpine Meadows

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Alpine! Come dressed in your best St. Patrick’s Day costume for a chance to win a CamelBak full of swag! All costumes will be judged at the St. Patrick’s Day Après Ski Party taking place on the Sun Deck from 1pm to 4pm. Enjoy Irish food and drink specials and live music by the the Nibblers!

Tahoe City

The fun starts at Jake’s on the Lake with traditional Irish food all day (also serving lunch/café/dinner), Happy Hour Specials 4:30pm-6:30pm, Live Music: Mark Wilson at 6pm. The party continues at Hacienda del Lago (upstairs) with live funk “Terraplane” from 9:30pm-2am, and L.A. DJ Dre Tuna at Lakeside (next door) from 10pm-2am. Bounce around from bar to bar; Bushmills Girls, music and drink specials all night at all three venues!

What’s your favorite way to spend St. Patrick’s Day?

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Bluebird days at Squaw Valley are unbeatable.

It is practically impossible to utter the words ‘Lake Tahoe’ without mention of its world renowned alpine skiing/snowboarding, and epic winter snowfalls averaging 300-500 inches per year. The location and amenities of Lake Tahoe as a winter destination is truly unique and astounding. There’s an age old local saying at Tahoe, “You come for the winter, stay for the summer, and never leave.” And here’s (generally) why: The largest alpine lake in the US, a deep color of blue and emerald green, stretches 22 miles long, and is surrounded by 12 world class ski resorts and 12 premier golf courses.

You don’t have to be a skier/snowboarder to fall in love with Tahoe winters. You can still make the most of winter/spring with all kinds of activities the whole family will love: ice-skating at High Camp, followed by a dip in the hot tubs; sledding or tubing at Tahoe Donner’s Sledding Hill; cross-country skiing at Royal Gorge; or snowshoeing through picturesque Squaw Valley. Or how about sitting back and allowing a furry friend to tug you along at your very first dog sled ride? The possibilities are endless when it comes to winter fun at Tahoe.

Choose groomed trails, or blaze your own through powder. Powder's a major work out!

Don't own snowshoes? You can rent them at Squaw Valley!

This winter season has actually been unseasonably warm, in stark comparison to last winter’s epic snowfall of over 643 inches! 2010-2011 was the 4th snowiest winter ever on record for this region. There were high hopes the Truckee-Tahoe area would enjoy another tremendous winter season, but November through February felt more like autumn than anything! It gave many residents and vacationers the rare opportunity to enjoy summer-like hobbies, such as kayaking on Donner Lake in January, or taking the dogs out for a run on dry trails in February. Even so, many locals and vacationers alike still ached for the blustering winter days we knew and loved so well.

Then, in Tahoe fashion the powder arrived in a flash! Last week, from Sunday night to Thursday evening Squaw Valley got dumped with a total of 57 inches of fresh snow. It was a blizzard of a week, but come Friday morning there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. A perfect bluebird day, with temperatures at a balmy 45 degrees. It’s perfectly blissful out there.

It’s tough to pass up skiing/riding in powder, but if you’re looking for a different kind of day at Squaw Valley, then grab your snowshoes and head out with the whole family for a hearty work out! If you don’t own snowshoes, you can rent them at the Nordic Center located at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

What do you think of snowshoeing?

[Photo Credit Alena Grace Photography]

Powder Day at Squaw Valley; February 13, 2012

It’s a great Tahoe start to the week with fresh snow at Squaw Valley! The storm we’ve been eyeing for the past week finally rolled in last night, and left us with 6 inches of fresh powder. And there was even a break in the weather for bluebird skies – a nice powder morning here. What a way to kick off a jam-packed week! There are plenty of lift ticket specials to take advantage of, so here goes.

Squaw Valley just rolled out the new Tahoe Super 2 lift ticket deal: two unrestricted days of skiing and riding at either resort for just $49 per day.  Tahoe Super 2 has absolutely no date restrictions and is valid for any two days! As a bonus, you will also get two free unrestricted Friday afternoons of skiing or riding!  Be sure to get your tickets now.

And since we hope you haven’t been living under a rock, yes; tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Did you know on every Valentine’s Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet? You can be a stellar romantic like Romeo too! Today is your last chance to pre-purchase $14 lift tickets to “share the love” on Valentine’s Day. Yep, that’s right. Ski or ride with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day for half the cost of a child’s lift ticket!  If you’re jetting last minute to Squaw for powder, and need to book your stay, get all the details here!

There’s snow on the horizon as we head into the end of the work week, and President’s Day Weekend is here! Always one of the biggest and best weekends skiing or riding at Squaw, we’ve got just the answer to your lodging needs. Starting Monday, February 20th, our standard room rates start at only $199! Pack up the kiddos for a fun-filled weekend, with Kid-O-Rama kicking off on February 18th and running through the week. Skiing, s’mores, tubing, face-painting, family movie night and crafts – is there a better way to entertain the whole family?

Want to learn more? Become one of our fans on Facebook!  You could win the next vacation package sweepstakes to Squaw Valley on us.

We hope we never hear you say that Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows rarely show the love! Check out this incredible lift ticket steal.  A limited number of lift tickets on Valentine’s Day are going for $14/each!  That’s less half the cost of one child’s day ticket.

Lift tickets must be purchased in advance and are only available while supplies last.  Share the love with others, and enjoy a day of sweet skiing at Squaw Valley or Alpine!

Click here for more details and to purchase now!

And don’t forget the Valentine’s Package we have available to surprise your sweetie with a romantic day on the slopes, dinner for two, and Swedish massage to top off your day, and ease those tired muscles. Click here to book your Valentine’s getaway!

Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it. – Benjamin Franklin

Indeed Benjamin Franklin was onto something, and there’s nothing like a romantic getaway to rekindle the joy of relationship with the one you love.  Celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with something more than the typical roses and chocolate: whisk away to legendary Squaw Valley and indulge in a two night stay!

Replete with your package is dinner for two at Grahams at Squaw Valley, complimentary bottle of red wine from award winning McDowell Valley Vineyards, and couples’ Swedish massage on-site at Squaw Valley Lodge [Tweet This!].  It’s the perfect way to wind down from a day on the slopes.   And remember, with your Tahoe Super Pass you can ski/ride at both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.  A free shuttle runs daily between the two mountains, for your convenience.

Don’t lift a finger this Valentine’s holiday.  Surprise your sweetie with a snowy getaway in the Lake Tahoe winter sunshine. See below for details and book now!

• Two Nights Lodging in a spacious Deluxe Studio Suite Condominium for two.
• Dinner for two at renowned Graham’s at Squaw Valley: Graham’s three course dinner for two.  (Includes tax and gratuity. Beverages not included.  Reservations required.)
• Complimentary bottle of red wine from award winning McDowell Valley Vineyards.
• Swedish massage for two in Squaw Valley Lodge Massage Rooms.  (One hour Swedish Massage.)
• Use of the Squaw Valley Lodge Indoor or Outdoor Whirlpools, Sauna, Steam Room and Health Club.
• $625 total package cost midweek; Sunday-Thursday ($156.25 per person/per night, double occupancy.  Taxes not included.)
• $699 total package cost weekends; Friday and Saturday ($175 per person/per day, double occupancy.  Taxes not included.)
• Valentine’s Day dining, February 14th, with the current 15% off lodging, the package price is $181 per person, per night. $724 for two midweek nights with Valentine’s dining and massage.

Lodging discounts not valid everyday and are subject to change.  Based on availability.

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Photo Courtesy of Alena Grace Photography

Everything is truly at your fingertips when you lodge slope-side with us.  And we don’t mean just the skiing.  After a long day on the slopes, afternoon sledding or ice skating with the little ones, soak your aches and pains away at our complimentary Health Club & Spa.  Vacation is hard work with all that outdoor play!

Why not treat yourself to the best vacation activity of all: spa-ing?  That means everything from the mountain view hydrotherapy pools or  the fireside indoor spas, to Swedish Massages or energizing facials.

Did you know the many benefits of massage?

• Helps athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Increases joint flexibility.
• Pumps oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduces spasms and cramping.
• Relaxes and softens injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Releases endorphins: amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.

Lake Tahoe Massage Therapy

Relax and unwind surrounded by the majestic views of Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe with a rejuvenating Swedish massage or a deeply relaxing combination Swedish/Sport massage. Our certified massage therapists are available to sooth away stress, leaving you calm, refreshed and totally at ease.

Swedish Massage

Enjoy a relaxing full body Swedish massage improving your circulation, easing muscle aches and releasing tension. This massage (in-room or massage room) removes built-up toxins, reduces stress and creates a euphoric feeling of well-being.

Swedish Massage Rates

• 1 Hour: $100
• 1.5 Hours: $150
• 2 Hours: $200
• Additional $15 Fee for “In-Room” Massages

A 24 Hour Notice/Cancellation Policy Applies. Room charges are available. Rates are subject to change.

Combination Massage

If you are in the need of more detailed bodywork, this essential massage is for you. Enjoy a healing combination of Swedish, deep tissue, and sports-therapy techniques in a full body massage. Therapists work deep into the cartilage and collagen fibers of the ligaments and tendons to release deep-seated tension. This massage is highly effective for chronic or sports injuries and stress.  

Combination Massage Rates

• 1 Hour: $110
• 1.5 Hours: $165
• 2 Hours: $205
• Additional $15 Fee for “In-Room” Massages

A 24-Hour Notice/Cancellation Policy Applies. Room charges are available. Rates are subject to change.

To learn more, or add a spa treatment to your stay, please speak with a Reservation Agent or Front Desk. 

You’re spent.  You just relished in a day of skiing the slopes of Squaw Valley.  It’s been a blast, but now you’re ready to unwind at après ski.  Then grab a hot drink and snack, and relax at The Village Events Plaza where you can enjoy live music from 3pm to 5pm! Below is the line up for the 2012 winter/spring season:

• January 7, 2012- Chuckie Dunn
• January 14, 2012- Jeff Jones
• January 15, 2012- Emily Tessmer
• January 16, 2012- Ben Fuller
• January 21, 2012- Chinese New Year Celebration
• January 28, 2012- Ben Martin
• February 4, 2012- Ben Martin
• February 11, 2012- TBD
• February 19, 2012- Jeff Jones
• February 20, 2012- Please Do Not Fight
• February 25, 2012- Emily Tessmer
• March 3, 2012- Ben Martin
• March 10, 2012- Jeff Jones
• March 17, 2012- The Blarney Band
• March 18, 2012- The Blarney Band
• March 24, 2012- Emily Tessmer
• March 31, 2012- Jeff Jones
• April 7, 2012- Ben Martin
• April 14, 2012- Jeff Jones
• April 21, 2012- Earth Day Celebration featuring Ten Mile Tide
• April 28, 2012- Ben Martin
• May 5, 2012- Jellybread

Please keep in mind, performances are subject to change due to weather.

If you’re looking to grab a hot drink in the Village or sustenance to refuel from your long day on the mountain, then head over to The Auld Dubliner and order their famous “Snowshoe Thompson,” or  how about a tasty red at Uncorked at Squaw? And if you’re looking for something quick to warm your belly then grab a cup of homemade soup at Soupa! To explore other restaurant or bar options at Squaw Valley, click here.