Archive for the ‘Donner Lake’ Tag
Yes, it’s that time of year again. When we take stock of 2013, and make plans for the steps we want to take in 2014. Let’s not call them resolutions, because we know those usually don’t work. What if instead, we just look at doing a few things in 2014 that will make us feel good, while maybe doing good for the community as well:
1) Find a local organization to support: While giving is an important part of what makes the winter holidays special, how about continuing that spirit of giving all year round? In fact the organizations that do good around these parts probably need our help even more once the soft glow of Christmas giving has flittered away. Whether it’s a financial donation or a gift of your time, it will be greatly appreciated and will brighten up the lives of those in need. Hands on Tahoe is a wonderful organization that connects volunteers to the community.
Community Christmas Food Drive
2) Try a new sport: Have you paddleboarded, kayaked, road biked, cross-country skied or snowshoed? Or thought about trying something a little more daring like snow kiting or rock climbing? The Sierra is loaded with different ways to enjoy what nature has given us, and there are lots of folks who can rent you the equipment and teach you how to do your new sport right. Who knows, perhaps it will become your new favorite.
Hiking in January above Donner Lake
3) Find a new trail: If you’ve hiked or biked much of the Tahoe Rim Trail or the Donner Lake Rim Trail, how about finding a new and different trail to explore. There is nothing quite as cool as that first time on a lovely ribbon of single track.
4) Seek out a new business. There are many small businesses that show off the work of local artists, or put out a delicious cup of joe. Go out there and experience something new. In the process you will help a few Tahoe/Truckee folks bring in some money, which they will then turn around and spend to support other businesses and our little towns.
5) Still want to make a resolution to lose ten pounds? What if instead you call it a “get outside every day and do something active in our beautiful place” resolution? It’s amazing how being outside in the wilderness where there are no refrigerators just makes the pounds drop off.
Have a very Happy New Year, and go have some fun!
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Winters in the Sierra are unpredictable. While we almost always get plenty of snow, we don’t necessarily get it early enough for your Christmas plans. In case the white stuff doesn’t step up to the plate and make a quick appearance, here are a few alternatives to get through the holidays and have some fun:
Snowshoeing at Mt Rose
Using the snow we have
Even when there isn’t enough snow for some great powder skiing or a 20 kilometer jaunt out to Point Moriah, at Royal Gorge there is still some around for playing.
Get High: Head up to Tahoe Meadows, at the summit of the Mt. Rose Highway. At nearly 9000 feet there is plenty of snow to make Snow Women or build forts. I was out snowshoeing along the Tahoe Rim trail last week and it was beautiful. You don’t even need snowshoes, good hiking boots will work, but watch the slippery trails. The views are outstanding!
Take a hike up into Coldstream Canyon out of Donner Lake. You can hike or snowshoe. Cross country skiing is a bit tricky since there are rocks and dirt to scoot around.
The Tahoe City Winter Sports Park is located on the summer grounds of the Tahoe City Golf Course. There must be something about snow sitting on grass that allows for good skiing without much snow, because this might be the best place to skate ski until the next big storm arrives.
Sledding is limited, but there’s the park at Boreal and Granlibakken. Or find a shaded hillside and there’s probably enough snow to have fun on.
Other outdoor ideas
I’ve been seeing people out fishing at Donner Lake and kayaking and canoeing at Tahoe and Donner. Be careful since you don’t want to take a swim.
There’s ice skating at Northstar and Squaw and the Villages are fun to stroll – good shopping and eats.
Take a bike ride. You still need to dress warm and mid afternoon is the warmest time of day.
Walking out by Boca, Prosser or Stampede Reservoirs. These lakes are east of Truckee and don’t get as much snow as some areas and there’s lots of sunshine.
Shop Local
Tahoe and Truckee have a host of small businesses that support local artisans. Four stores which consistently display unique and interesting gifts are Bespoke and Riverside Studios on Commercial Row in Truckee, The Trunk Show in The Cobblestone in Tahoe City and Jai-Yen in the center of Kings Beach. Truckee’s old downtown is a great place to check out the local shops and great restaurants.
Get good eatin’s
Try the new Picnic, a take-out place for delicious sandwiches, salads and paninis in Tahoe City near the Safeway. Marty’s Café in Downtown Truckee has large servings of amazing food. For more healthy appetites try Wild Cherries and Whole Treats which are located in Truckee on Donner Pass Road as you are driving towards Donner Lake.
Go to the lake
Head to the shores of Donner Lake or Lake Tahoe. The lakes are easier to get to when the shoreline is not buried in snow. Take a book, a warm jacket and a comfy fold-up chair and enjoy the water lapping along the shore.
Finally, once you’ve enjoyed all that the region has to offer, set yourself down in front of a warm fire, and sip a mug of mulled cider or hot cocoa. Ahh. Now you’re talking. 
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Why should you consider purchasing a home in the Truckee/Tahoe area?
Because we’re simply The Best!
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Photo by Michelle Portesi
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Those of us who have lived here most of our lives tend to not dwell on that simple fact, but fortunately, we have plenty of media tooting our horns to remind us.
No less than National Geographic voted us as one of the world’s best 25 top ski towns! Here’s a bit of what they had to say about us:
Truckee, California
Best For: Families with aspiring ski or rider rock star kids; also, ski and rider rock stars
In the Sierra Nevada north of Lake Tahoe, between Reno and South Lake Tahoe, the old logging and railway town of Truckee has bloomed into a ski mecca, with no less than eight different ski areas within 15 miles. The first recorded ski lift in the U.S. was a Truckee steam-powered toboggan lift in 1910, and the burg still maintains much of its Old West character, with wooden walkways in its historic downtown and a still active, clapboard train station (Amtrak service twice daily). Its population of 16,180 is growing fast, but the relaxed town has managed to eschew the glitz of the larger Tahoe resort scene. This is where the locals live…
To read the rest of the article, go here: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/best-ski-towns
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Old Town Truckee, CA
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…and the horn tooting continues!
Fodor’s Travel just published a “5 Reasons to Go to Lake Tahoe this Winter”…and they are as follows:
- The Mountains
- The Vistas
- The Snow
- The Wilderness
- The Hot Springs
Yes indeed, we have over a dozen ski resorts in the area, (not including the cross country skiing venues) which is impressive enough all by itself, but what we truly have over everyone else, is the views. With Lake Tahoe visible from many of the ski areas, arguably, no one can compete with our awe inspiring panoramas.
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View from Squaw Valley’s High Camp – Photo by Michelle Portesi
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Fodor’s Travel writes:
If skiing isn’t you thing, you can take truly beautiful winter hikes around the lake. The Tahoe basin is laced with snowshoe trails and you can find you way to some incredible winter vistas in very short order. Trails range in difficulty from beginner to truly epic and most ski resorts will rent you the snowshoes and equipment you’ll need. For a mind-blowing view you can enjoy without the hike, take one of the year-round scenic tours offered by Reno Tahoe Helicopters. They offer all kinds of flights, including an hour-long sunset tour. Be sure to bring your camera.
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Photo by Fodor’s
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To read more about what Fodor’s considers our 5 measures of marvelousness, go to this link:
http://www.fodors.com/news/5-reasons-to-go-to-tahoe-this-winter
If you want to get a different type of ‘air-born’ – other than on skis or snowboards, check out Reno Tahoe Helicopters:
http://www.renotahoehelicopters.com/
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Squaw Valley – Photo by Michelle Portesi
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…and speaking of Squaw Valley, the accolades for our fair area continues. Fox News and their viewers have voted Squaw Valley into the top 10 of their ‘Best Ski Resorts in North America’.
Well we can certainly see why. After combining with Alpine Meadows, they have the largest area of ski terrain in the basin, with ski runs that go from downright challenging to the beginner. Combined with the Olympic Skating Pavilion, a charming village for shopping, plenty of dining options and world class lodging, what more could you ask for?
To read more about why they think we’re the best choice for winter recreation, go to this link:
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/11/12/best-ski-resorts-in-north-america/
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So what are you waiting for? Come join us in ‘God’s Country’.
Remember me, Lynn Richardson for all of your Tahoe/Truckee Real Estate needs.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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