Image courtesy of Palisades Tahoe ski resort.
While there is no formal, group-wide excursion scheduled as part of the workshop registration, we encourage attendees to self register at one of several activities around Lake Tahoe during the scheduled free-time block. Winter activity rental gear can be found at several locations including (but not limited to) at the Granlibakken Hotel, Tahoe Dave's Skis & Boards, Alpenglow Sports, and Willard's Sport Shop.
Options include:
Snowfest:
The 42nd SNOWFEST festival is going on Feb. 29th through March 10th with over 40 different events scheduled during the week including firworks, a parade, a snow sculpture contest, and a polar bear swim.
Downhill Skiing:
There are many ski resorts around the area. Palisades, the host for the 1960 winter Olympics, is ~10 minutes from the conference hotel and there is bus/shuttle transportation from the hotel. There will be bus pickup from the hotel to Palisades on Wednesday around noon and a return bus at 4:30pm (the ski lifts stop at 4pm).
You can get discounted Palisades lift tickets (and it is on the Ikon ski pass as well) at the following link: Palisades Tahoe Groups Online - Promo Code (inntopia.travel) and enter in the promo code: MV24. If you have any questions please contact chmoore@sandia.gov.
There are also EPIC pass ski resorts in the area (Northstar and Heavenly) though they are further away than the Palisades ski resort and attendees will have to arrange their own transportation to these resorts.
Cross Country Skiing:
There are multiple cross country skiing areas, Tahoe Cross-County is a 15 minute drive from the conference hotel and Northstar also has a nordic center.
Snowshoeing:
There are many excellent winter snowshoe trails around Lake Tahoe ranging in difficulty. Northstar and Palisades also offer snowshoe tours/trails.
Sledding:
Granlibakken has several winter activities on site, one of which is a sled hill. However there are many locations around Lake Tahoe that one could sled (provided you rent a sled).
Snow mobile tours:
There are several snow mobile tour companies such as Lake Tahoe Adventures or Lake Tahoe Snowmobile.
