When to Visit Lake Tahoe

Obviously, the time of the year you head to Lake Tahoe for a visit will depend largely on what you hope to do while you’re there. However, Tahoe truly is a four season resort, so there’s always enough to keep you busy no matter what time you visit.

If you’re heading to the area to take advantage of the wonderful winter sports opportunities, you should know that skiers begin to arrive as early as November but that the ski season really begins to burgeon around the Christmas holidays and continues well into April, sometimes May, depending on the weather. If you don’t enjoy crowds, you’ll want to avoid the weekends, when those within a short drive of Tahoe clog the roads on their way to the many ski resorts in the area. Roads can become jammed, especially if the weather is bad, and rates for lodging are much higher on the weekends. You’ll also want to avoid the Christmas and New Year’s holidays for the same reason. A good time to come, instead, is from mid-January to the end of February, when there tends to be fewer families visiting and the slopes are much less crowded. You may even find some post-Christmas specials on accommodations.

Spring is also an off-season time when hotel rates are more affordable. Remember, you can often ski until May, though the conditions won’t be as good as they are in the wintertime. Others arrive in the spring – when the days are fairly warm but the nights are still cold – to take advantage of the pleasant weather and grab a round or two of golf. This is a great time to play and, again, you’ll avoid the crowds and be able to enjoy a leisurely game on your choice of courses.

The summer sees Lake Tahoe fill up with families who seek the recreation the country’s largest alpine lake offers. Swimming, fishing, boating….it’s all right there. and many of the lakeside accommodations offer access to these activities, some free of charge. Again, the beaches really fill up on the weekends with those who live nearby, so if you don’t like crowds, visit on the weekdays. There is still bound to be lots of people there but far fewer than on a Saturday or Sunday.

Finally, fall is also a pleasant time to visit and, like spring, it offers warm days and cool nights. September and October is considered shoulder season and hotel rooms and vacation rentals can be had at a good price, especially for those who are planning to stay a week or more. It’s still possible to enjoy some of the summer activities, like fishing or boating, and golfing is also pleasant during this time of the year.

If you are heading to Tahoe to enjoy the Stateline casinos, you can visit just about any time. They are open all year long, offering not only gaming opportunities but a wealth of entertainment, fine restaurants, shopping, and more. Pricing for hotel rooms at some of the larger casino resorts are excellent during the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall, so if you’re flexible, consider a visit at that time.

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