When to visit:

Lake Tahoe is one of those special places that have something to offer just about anytime of the year. Water sports and beach-bumming opportunities abound when the weather is warm, and winter fun of all descriptions is available when ole Jake Frost blows into town. It all depends on what you want.

While winter in Lake Tahoe, with its ridiculously long ski season, gets all the press, summer is actually the busier of Lake Tahoe’s two major tourist seasons, as anglers, jet-skiers and fair-weather outdoor adventurers swarm the beaches. Those who fall into this category should make travel arrangements well in advance and come prepared to share.

Lake Tahoe is a bit of a winter wonderland, twee as that sounds. There really isn’t much in the way of snow & cold based activities that Lake Tahoe doesn’t provide, so winter crowds are almost as thick as summer ones. The good news is winter lasts a long time, so late-comers might have more personal space and find lower prices into April.