North Lake Tahoe, California Things to Do

Photo courtesy of Alena Grace Photography

Snow, steaming hot cocoa and sleigh rides. There is so much happening this year at the 7th Annual Magical Memories, we don’t know where to begin!

Resort at Squaw Creek has crafted a bevy of holiday activities for all ages, which runs from November 25, 2011 to January 8, 2012. We’ll just whet your appetite for winter wonderland galore with these options: holiday caroling, cookie decorating, wine and cheese tastings, s’mores roast and hot cocoa by the bonfire, breakfast with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus in the lobby, snowman making competition, sleigh rides and more!  To see a detailed list of events by date and more information, click here!

If you are music buff, then be sure to set aside these dates and get your ticket while you can! Handel’s “Messiah” in the Grand Sierra Ballroom is a local’s favorite, and not one to miss.

Musical Event Details:

11/30, 12/7, 12/14 at 5 PM: Live Local School Performances. Complimentary!

12/10 and 12/11: The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus of Sierra College presents “Sing Christmas”;  for tickets click here.

12/16: The Orchestra and Community Chorus of the Tahoe Area (TOCCATA) presents a special version of Handel’s “Messiah” in the Grand Sierra Ballroom. Buy your  tickets here!

If you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving at Lake Tahoe this year, why not head up to High Camp at Squaw Valley and feast with a view? You can enjoy a traditional dinner in the Terrace Room, taking in the expansive view of Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe in the distance. Freshly carved turkey and prime rib, as well as your favorite fixings, await you. Choose from an array of delectable desserts. One non-alcoholic beverage is included in the price of dinner.

When: Thanksgiving Day! 11:30am-3:30pm

Where: Squaw Valley USA (High Camp)

Cost:  $27 for adults. $17 for children 12 and under. Please note price does not include cost of Cable Car tickets. These may be purchased on site.

Squaw Valley requires reservations for your dinner seating. Please email abarker@squaw.com to make reservations.

If you’re looking for a fun girls’ night out and are a film buff, then head out to the LUNAFEST film festival at Squaw Valley this year. The festival is centered on short films by, for and about women. You’ll also enjoy sampling cuisine from top local chefs and wine from California wineries, as well as a silent and live auction. All proceeds benefit the local Girls on the Run -Sierras, a prevention program for young girls ages 8-13, promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

The Lowdown:

When: Thursday, December 8th 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Where: Squaw Valley USA, The Olympic Village Inn

Tickets: $35 in advance for sale at Wild Cherries in Truckee, CA or online! Tickets are $39 at the door.

Lodging: Receive 30% off your room rate for 3 or more nights, and 15% off for 1-2 nights through December 15th at Squaw Valley Lodge. Book with us now!

If your years of trick-or-treating are over, but you still hanker to celebrate Halloween in style, then be sure to get your tickets now for the 33rd Annual Cadillac Ball! Hosted every year by The Rotary Club of Truckee, this year’s ball will be held at The Resort at Squaw Creek on October 29, 2011.

This isn’t your typical Monster Mash. In fact, it’s a classy affair featuring a gourmet dinner, a silent and live auction, live music by Five Point O, and an astounding raffle worth $23,000 in cash prizes! Now that’s no trick – what a treat! And don’t forget to dress in your finest “Elegantly Spooky” costume, as indicated by this year’s theme.

For more information visit www.CadillacBall.com or contact Rick McConn, Cadillac Ball Chair (530)582-4663; or Ed Windham, Ticket Sales (530) 412-1550 at The Rotary Club of Truckee.

Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.  - Grant Petersen

Cyclist climbs past Donner Lake to Sugar Bowl Resort in 2010.

The century ride is an event that offers 30, 60 and 100 mile routes; starting and finishing at the Village at Squaw on September 24th. All courses are incredibly scenic, challenging terrain and not for the faint at heart. This isn’t just your everyday race. Tahoe Sierra Century benefits local high school and middle school music programs. It’s a great way to end the summer season, and take your road bike for a (long) spin before trading it in for your winter gear, skis or board. Included in every entry is a celebratory dinner from 1:30pm to 6:00pm and live music by the North Tahoe High School and North Tahoe Middle School Bands.

The ride begins in Squaw Valley, follows along the beautiful north shore of Lake Tahoe, Brockway Summit, the Tahoe Donner area, Donner Lake, Donner Summit, and finishes back in Squaw Valley.  There’s still time to register before late fees apply after September 16th!

The crisp fall air is approaching — now is the time to take advantage of the breathtaking vistas at Lake Tahoe on two wheels, and support your local schools. What more could a cyclist ask for?

There is no wimpy way to say this: Get ready for 10 miles of hills, mud, water, climbing, crawling and even 10,000 volts of electric shocks. Why do people pay money to endure such a feat? Because the Tough Mudder event is not for the weak at heart, body, mind or spirit. Once you cross the finish line you can toot your own horn at all of the ice-water dunking, belly-crawling, wall-climbing and team building you conquered on some of the toughest mountain terrain in Northern California with a 2,300 foot elevation gain!

The Nor-Cal Tough Mudder will take place September 17th-18th, and host approximately 10,000 men and women up for the challenge. The race is complete with 19 different obstacles, and features a FireWalker, where participants must run through fire! Hopefully the backdrop of beautiful Lake Tahoe and the vistas of Squaw Valley ease the mental pain of participants as they push through one of the most difficult physical competitions in the country (if not world).

Because this is not your average Ironman with a twist, at the finish line you will receive a congratulatory beer and access to the Dos Equis Post Party. There, you will be offered a voucher for a free tattoo of the Tough Mudder logo (now that’s gutsy!), a chance to munch on delish BBQ, rock out to live music, or simply pass out from sheer exhaustion.

Where else to experience such an event than at Squaw Valley? If you have not yet registered as a participant there are spectator tickets available! Come cheer on the ones who have decided to torture themselves for the day.

One of the most rockin’ events of the summer. What could be better than good brew and good music in a beautiful mountain setting? Nothing!

With a great selection of beer for guests to sample and an incredible line-up of music both days the Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest is your chance to make great summer memories. Breweries from all over the region will be ready to pour you a cold one for only $4 each! $5 entry fee – entry & beer sales benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.

And best of all, you can bring your favorite pup with you to enjoy the festival.

Here’s the lineup for 2011:

Saturday, August 13th
Leo Nocetelli” The Meters Experience “Ft. Bill “The Buddha” Dickens
Monophonics w/ Special Guest – Tony “Young James Brown” Wilson
Mike Mannigan’s Big Organ Trio
Walter “Wolfman” Washington

Sunday, August 14th
Steve Kimock & Friends
Papa Grow Funk
Tim Snider Quartet
Eric Lindell

Further information and ticket pricing.