Lake Tahoe is truly unrivaled for its natural beauty. The landscapes are eye candy for nature lovers, with snow-capped mountains and alpine forests leading the way to a glistening freshwater lake. The area is a sought-after vacation destination, enjoyed by millions at all times of the year. Composed of North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe, the north is serene and upscale and for people who would rather stay away from the crowds.

Tahoe is the ideal winter getaway since there are 10 peaks in the north. South Tahoe has more crowds than the north. It also has more beaches, so it’s more popular in the summer. There are so many reasons a luxury traveler might consider Lake Tahoe as a vacation destination: The lake, the snow, the mountains, the people, the views, the hikes, the weather and of course, the many opportunities to take part in activities that promote wellness.

We have outlined some enjoyable activities in which you can choose to take part to make your wellness journey to Lake Tahoe all encompassing.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a popular activity in these parts of the United States. You can choose from easy rides around the lake basin or extreme terrain if you’re more of an adventure seeker. Tahoe houses the world famous Flume Trail is a moderately difficult one way 14-mile ride at 7,000-8,000 feet in elevation with more than a 1,000-foot climb in the first four miles and 4.5 miles of single track. The trail traverses above several steep sections, so if you’re afraid of heights be forewarned. In this world, most spectacular vistas require traversing steep terrain. The Flume Trail is nearly flat, dropping only 40 feet per mile and is spectacular in its setting. At 1,600 feet above the east shore of Lake Tahoe and only a half mile away from the shoreline in places, it is truly one of the premier trails in the world. Stop often and enjoy the view. Make sure to stay hydrated and pack some protein to keep your stamina at peak.

Rock Climbing

There is nothing that will give you a good workout and an adrenalin rush like rock climbing. Between North Lake Tahoe's Donner Summit and South Lake Tahoe's Lovers Leap, there's plenty of classic rock climbs to choose from, all on stellar Sierra granite. From beginner traverses to expert overhangs, the Lake Tahoe climbing scene is killer for sport climbs, trad climbs or bouldering. A favorite spot just southwest of Lake Tahoe, Lover’s Leap’s shear walls are made less formidable by a large number of horizontal dikes criss-crossing many of the 350-600 foot faces. There are trad climbs for all levels here. Other places to check out: Big Chief, Twin Crags, Donner Summit, Trippy Rock, Spooner Crag, Ninety-Foot Wall, Mayhem Cove, Pie Shop, Sugarloaf and Phantom Spires.

Water Skiing

An ideal spot for Lake Tahoe water skiing in calm water is west of Baldwin beach, locally known as “ski beach.” There's even a good chance you'll see Bald Eagles scouring for fish. Keep in mind winds usually pick up around 11 a.m., so if you're on a watercraft, plan accordingly to be safe. You can enjoy this activity well into October when you don a wet suit. Some die-hard kayakers even venture out onto the water in winter.

Villa Harrah

Villa Harrah is a palatial South Lake residence, a short drive from Zephyr Cove and Heavenly Mountain. On a lovely stretch of private coastline, this home commands extraordinary views over the glassy expanse of Lake Tahoe, with iconic mountain silhouettes eyed before a perfect horizon. A resort unto itself, the impressive amenities of this home will dazzle the most discriminating guests. Up to 10 guests will enjoy amenities such as a wine cellar, cinema room, indoor hot tub, sauna, spa lounge, outdoor pool and bar. Relax in one of the lounge areas with hot cocoa or a fine California wine.

Kayaking

Some of the loveliest months to go kayaking on Lake Tahoe are September and October when the water is still relatively warm. The air is a little chillier, but there are also fewer motorized crafts on the lake since children are back in school and most people have taken their family vacations. An added bonus? You’ll be able to take in all the gorgeous colors of the autumn leaves. What could be more relaxing and centering than drifting along among a dizzying array of sun kissed colors? Lake Tahoe is a great place to paddle but be sure you’re fully prepared to have the best experience. And once you get into it, you’ll find that paddling any kind of craft provides a great low impact workout giving you a new appreciation of this unique environment.

Skiing

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Tahoe’s favorite winter activity. Lake Tahoe has 867 kilometers of slopes served by 177 ski lifts. In the list of the best ski resorts, Palisades Tahoe is top with 4.3 out of 5 stars. The largest ski resorts offer up to 200 kilometers of slopes (Palisades Tahoe). The highest ski resorts for skiing at Lake Tahoe extend up to an altitude of 3,060 meters (Heavenly). Since Lake Tahoe straddles two states – Nevada and California – you have no shortage of fresh powder and hills suitable for all skill levels. So, whether you choose North Lake Tahoe or South Lake Tahoe ski resorts, you are sure to have the time of your life, skiing through old-growth forest and experiencing hair-raising cornices and cliffs.

Showshoeing

Snowshoeing will give you a great cardiac workout and the chance to get up close and personal with nature. Explore the snow-covered forests of Tahoe’s pristine, snow-covered wilderness. Emerge from the forest to the azure waters of Lake Tahoe and its quiet stillness during the winter months. A snowshoeing adventure above the shorelines might be an opportunity to observe Tahoe’s wildlife, such as osprey, winter partridge, squirrels, the elusive bald eagle, and perhaps a rare glimpse of a California black bear. Best trails to use include Tahoe Meadows, Spooner Lake and Carson Pass.

Hot Springs

Once you have taken in your fill of Tahoe’s outdoor activities, your muscles may need a little down time and there is no better place to do it than to soak in one of the areas many hot springs. In particular, Steamboat Hot Springs -- which provides the only natural volcanic hot springs in the area – contains an array of sulfate materials as well as extremely rare minerals unique to Lake Tahoe. Nevada hot springs contain calcium carbonate, magnesium, sodium sulfate, sulphur, lithia, soda and a high level of silica. The water is at between 102-104F and its soothing properties would be ideal after any strenuous activities.

Lake Tahoe is a wonderful destination for the whole family to experience the outdoors and get back to nature which is so conducive to overall wellness. We can take the stress out of all the planning for your Lake Tahoe visit. LVH guests know they can rely on us to give them first-class, full service luxury accommodations as well as amazing experiences tailored to their unique desires and if that means reconnecting and relaxing, we’ve got you covered. We invite you to reach out to one of our client relations team members who will begin planning your wonderful Lake Tahoe vacation from which you will return to your day-to-day life feeling like your vibrant self!