Lake Tahoe Things to Do in Winter

In the 1960s and '70s, South Shore had the Sahara Tahoe, and Elvis Presley was a regular performer there. In the '80s, it became the High Sierra, and in the '90s it was known as the Horizon. Fast-forward to the present and we now have the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the newest of the Stateline resorts. The showroom is now known as Vinyl, an intimate venue for live entertainment. Dining includes a classic steak room, an oyster bar right alongside the casino floor and a hip new restaurant called Fire Break, an indoor-outdoor venue with a nod to Heavenly’s out-of-bounds area. There is a fitness room and seasonal outdoor pool, and of course the atmosphere is pure rock ‘n’ roll, with memorabilia along the walls as far as the eye can see. The destination resort is now dog-friendly (less than 60 pounds), with pet-friendly rooms and a welcome bag of treats and toys for dog guests. Dogs are not permitted in the restaurants or casino.

The 37,000-square-foot Incline Village Recreation Center has fitness classes and activities for people of all ages, from babies to seniors. You can drop in for the day or get a membership by the week, month or annually for yourself or your family. If you want to work out, you’ll find a cardiovascular room and strength area decked out with the latest equipment. The 25-yard, indoor pool has eight lanes and a diving board and is host to Aqua Fitness classes. You’ll also find a racquetball court and two basketball courts inside, an 18-hole disc golf course and 11 tennis courts outside. Fitness classes run the gamut including yoga, Pilates, step, strength, cardio, cycling and swimming for individuals or group, beginner to advanced. Services include massage therapy, nutrition counseling and personal training provided by certified professionals. You’ll also find showers, locker rooms and a dry sauna. The snack bar and pro shop provide healthy snacks and beverages and gear for yoga and swimming. When you need a break from the activity, relax in the lobby and enjoy the big screen TV, fireplace or a vigorous game of table tennis.

Lake Tahoe Adventures is a 365-day opportunity to get out into Lake Tahoe's natural environment via a guided ATV, Razor or snowmobile tour. Family-owned and -operated, Lake Tahoe Adventures gives all ages a fun time in a beautiful setting. Knowing the Tahoe landscape intimately, Lake Tahoe Adventures is able to take clients into a part of the natural Lake Tahoe wilderness that creates an exclusive and fun experience. Listening to each person's wishes and desires for the Tahoe outing, the company prides itself on not repeating a tour twice. Each guided experience is specific to the day and people attending. In addition to personalized private experiences, Lake Tahoe Adventures also specializes in corporate and group outings as well as adventures in Nevada.

Lakeside Inn, part of the Lakeside Inn and Casino complex, has earned a reputation as a great value. This property has a Sierra-lodge theme, and that carries over into the hotel rooms, furnished with rustic furniture and smooth-hewn wood paneling. Another feature that sets the Lakeside apart from other hotels and resorts is the property’s commitment to being fee free. There are no hidden charges, such as service fees or resort fees, nor is there a charge for the WiFi. Hotel guests even receive free day passes to the local gym, Kahle Community Center, just across the street. For the activity-minded, Lakeside has a year-round hot tub and a seasonal outdoor pool, and there is a recently completed bike path that leads to two of the nearby Nevada-side Lake Tahoe beaches. All this, and pet-friendly rooms are available as well.

There is something special about knitting or crocheting your own creation. Not only is it a keepsake that has sentimental value, but also it is an object of admiration. To indulge your artistic side, check out North Tahoe Knits & Variety. An arts and crafts store that is packed full of any knitting and crocheting needs, they also supply different ways to bring creativity and flair to any activity. With a lovely selection of games, art kits and DIY projects, their store is a literal mecca of handcrafted magic waiting to happen. If doing an art project with like-minded souls sounds interesting, North Tahoe Knits & Variety also hosts fun and educational events.