Tahoe Thing to Do: Ice Skating

Adrift Tahoe carries the leading brands of standup paddleboards for sale or rent, including its own line of handcrafted surf and SUP boards. The beach is just outside Adrift's back door, so you can walk your rental or potential purchase right out to the sand and launch into the lake for a test drive or a day’s journey. Adrift also rents canoes and kayaks and stocks all the equipment you’ll need for a day on the water, including apparel, hats, sandals, sunglasses and sundries. Whether you’re just starting out or are an advanced paddler, the expert staff can set you up with the right gear for all your needs. Daily tours are even available if you call early enough. Adrift Tahoe is closed in the winter.

If you are looking for a place to express your creative side, All Fired Up! Creative Studio & Gift Shop can help. A sanctuary for creation in the form of pottery painting, candle making, mosaics, succulent gardens, canvas painting and even slime making, All Fired Up! offers the space to let your imagination shine. All ages and artistic abilities are invited to play. Come alone or in a group. In fact, All Fired Up! is an excellent option for those looking to create a party for bridal and wedding groups, birthdays, friends and family get-togethers, office parties, team building or mom gatherings. You're even invited to bring your favorite wine or beer to help get your creative juices flowing. Kids age 6 and older can even be dropped off to participate in the fun on their own without needing to have a parent or caretaker with them.

Around Tahoe Tours is your best bet for getting a true feel and knowledge of the Tahoe area. Created by Chris and Darin Talbot, the tour agency is a culmination of their knowledge that began when they moved to the area in 1977. Tours range from in-person, private tours to group tours to self-guided audio tours. The tours focus on all of the various areas of the Tahoe Basin, from South Lake Tahoe to Truckee. Around Tahoe Tours also offers a GPS app to help visitors know the area and see hidden gems.

There are many art galleries at Tahoe where visitors can find beautiful images of the scenic landscape. But now there is a gallery with a bit more of a contemporary edge in South Lake Tahoe; its pieces are every bit as beautiful but a tad out of the ordinary. Benko Art Gallery carries works from artists who see things with a fresh eye and convey that vision in a variety of styles. This includes the work of John Benko himself (don't miss his pine cone pieces) and a number of other local artists. The artwork at the gallery is not made up solely of paintings, but also includes such items as blown glass, woodcraft, photography and art with recycled components. Look for events and activities at the gallery as well as art classes, art lectures and juried art shows.

Some things just go perfectly together: wine and roses, wine and cheese, wining and dining. Well, a Truckee business has discovered another ideal pairing – wine and jewelry. It would be easy to pass by Bluestone Jewelry in downtown Truckee if one wasn’t in the market for a ring or bracelet. But don’t let that stop you from popping into the jewelry store for the wine. In the back of the store you’ll find a wine bar and an impressive selection of wine with a particularly stellar array from the nearby Sierra foothill region known for its hearty zinfandels. If you like wine, jewelry and dogs, Bluestone Jewelry & Wine is absolutely your kind of place. Be sure to say hello to Shadow, the shop’s “guard” dog.