About 15 million people visit the Lake Tahoe region each year — and it’s not hard to see why. As one of the oldest lakes in the world (about 2 million years!), Lake Tahoe is a stunning example of an alpine lake and a natural wonder.
Tourists seeking natural beauty and a taste of the great outdoors have long flocked to Lake Tahoe. Summer brings swimmers, paddleboarders, and boaters galore, but the colder months bring a range of new and thrilling activities.
Here are nine things to do in North Lake Tahoe this winter, with fun activities for the whole family, from skiing the slopes to catching a free concert and more.
Hit the Slopes
Get ready for winter fun! Skiing in Tahoe should be at the top of your list of things to do in North Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe has been a skiing destination since the Gold Rush era when miners used makeshift skis to travel the Sierra Nevada slopes. (If you’re interested in learning more about the region’s rich skiing history, visit the Museum of Sierra Ski History during your trip.)
As a premier destination for snow sports, Northstar Ski Resort features more than 3,000 skiable acres, including many beginner-friendly runs that let the whole family spend the day in the snow, regardless of skill level.
What if you’ve never been on skis or a snowboard and want to level up your skills? Swing by Northstar’s ski school, which offers child, adult, and private lessons for beginner and intermediate students.
Enjoy Apr̀es-Ski
Après-ski — French for “after ski” — is one of the most important social aspects of any ski resort. Après-ski usually involves drinking, socializing, and relaxing after a day spent on the slopes, although many visitors enjoy après-ski without ever putting on their ski boots.
Northstar Resort has plenty of après-ski spots for those wanting to partake in this cozy tradition.
- The Overlook Après Playground is an après experience for families in the heart of the Village, overlooking the ice-skating rink. There’s something for everyone to do with snow tubing, snow play zones, hot cocoa bar stations (full cocktail bar as well), fire pits, hot cocoa, s’mores and plenty of comfortable seating beneath the stars for a family après-ski experience you won’t find anywhere else.
- 'Vous’ is Northstar’s newest café centrally located in the village steps from the roller rink. Enjoy handcrafted beverages featuring Lavazza’s organic blend coffee, beer and wine in a cozy environment filled with fun art and inclusive vibes. Vous is your perfect before or after hangout.
Whether or not you hit the slopes, partaking in après-ski is a must-do in North Lake Tahoe this winter. Don’t forget the daily 2 p.m. champagne toast on the mountaintop!
Go Ice Skating at Northstar Village
Ice skating is a classic wintertime activity, and Northstar features a rink at the heart of the Village. Best of all, it’s free of charge. Guests can rent ice skates here and get a free rental helmet too.
Weather permitting, Northstar’s ice skating rink is open during the winter from noon to 9 p.m., so you can spend an entire afternoon skating or warming up by one of the Village’s fire pits.
Settle In for Live Entertainment
Northstar Village offers a winter live music series with entertainment every weekend of the season. Enjoy Saturday Live Music as part of your après-ski or come by for a tune-filled afternoon with the family. The Live Music series sets up in the heart of cozy, self-contained Northstar Village. Admission is free.
Enjoy Some Shopping
Shopping options abound for visitors looking for something to do in North Lake Tahoe. In Northstar Village, you can shop for winter gear or activewear at one of the many athletic stores like The North Face, Oakley or Patagonia.
If your kids have joined you on your winter getaway, they’ll love shopping at Mine, a dedicated kids’ store in Northstar Village. Mine stocks an impressive range of ski and snowboard clothes for kids up to size 14, as well as toys and books. It’s a one-stop shop for everything your kids need for fun on the mountain.
Head to the Spa
Whether unwinding from ski adventures or simply having a pamper day, you’ll find relaxing treatments, massages, and facials at the slope-side Highlands Spa, located within the Ritz-Carlton True North Hotel at Northstar. This decadent spa features 17 treatment rooms, relaxation areas, a dry-heat lodge, and a eucalyptus steam room. After your spa treatment, you can relax in the heated outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the slopes.
Alternatively, why not head to Kings Beach for a relaxing massage at Well Being? You can choose from a range of massage styles, including hot stone, deep tissue, prenatal, craniosacral, or Swedish. Or, treat yourself and your partner to a sumptuous couples massage for a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Go Cross-Country Skiing
North Lake Tahoe is also the perfect place to enjoy the snowy scenery at a slower pace. The region is home to the continent’s largest concentration of groomed cross-country ski areas. You can take cross-country lessons, rent skis, book private guides, and access the trail network at Northstar’s Cross Country Center.
Also called Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing is the oldest form of skiing developed to travel long distances across the snow. Nowadays, it’s a popular form of recreation and a way to experience North Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty during winter.
Try Snowshoeing
If skis aren’t your thing, but you still want to admire North Lake Tahoe’s winter scenery, strap on some snowshoes and hit the trails.
Northstar has marked multi-use and snowshoeing trails that extend out from the Cross Country Center, or you could go on a guided expedition to get a local perspective. Northstar offers the Twilight Shoeshoe Tour, where you can see the woods by starlight. Guided tours, lessons, and equipment rentals are available at the Cross Country Center.
Explore Backcountry Snowmobiling
What about other exciting things to do in North Lake Tahoe this winter? You could book a guided snowmobile tour from a business like Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours, Coldstream Adventures, or Lake Tahoe Adventures to see North Lake Tahoe’s backcountry up close. Stick with a group or book a private tour for an even more personalized experience.
It’s Time to Make Your Way to North Lake Tahoe
North Lake Tahoe is a winter wonderland with plenty of activities for athletes, thrill-seekers, nature enthusiasts, and relaxation fans alike. Make your way there and to Northstar Resort for family-friendly winter fun!
