Not a Skier? Discover Lake Tahoe's Enchanting Adventures Beyond the Slopes

The sun-kissed ice is a kaleidoscope of color. Alabaster white snow blankets ages-old Alpine forests and the Sierra Nevada Mountains’ jagged peaks. You can see your crystalline breath as you breathe the scent of pine, and you instantly know that Lake Tahoe is someplace special.

Many high-end travelers who want to go skiing or snowboarding head to Lake Tahoe as much for its ambiance as its ski resorts. Everything is pristine. Lake Tahoe is considered one of the world's cleanest and most apparent bodies of fresh water. It is so clean and clear that several communities on the Nevada side (the lake belongs to two states, Nevada and California) pump drinking water right out of the lake.

Of course, skiing is a large portion of why the who’s who converge on Tahoe in the winter, but there are so many other things to do besides riding the powder—and that's important for a non-skier among skiing family and friends.

Here are five activities we uncovered in Lake Tahoe non-skiers and skiers taking a day off can do:

RIDE THE GONDOLA

For a relaxing, mind-blowingly beautiful view, grab a ride on the Heavenly Resort Gondola. The 2.4-mile trek up the mountain will surely be one of the most memorable jaunts in Lake Tahoe. It’s comfy and warm inside the gondola cabin, and you can disembark when the journey stops at the halfway point and hop over to the observation deck for some magazine-worthy snapshots. Grab a hot espresso or a cup of cocoa at the coffee bar while you browse the gift shop and enjoy the enchanting view. Grab the gondola up to the peak for the most glorious vista point lookout over Lake Tahoe.

At the top, you'll find the exclusive Villa Alexis, a testament to refined elegance, offering breathtaking panoramas from a 200-foot elevation. Its cozy sophistication, balanced with a chalet ambiance under high, wood-paneled vaulted ceilings, echoes the rustic charm of old frontier towns. After a day of winter wonder, you can spend magical nights next to a perfectly positioned fireplace overlooking the heavenly blue lake. This enchanting view, including the villa's many charms, leaves no guest indifferent.

GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF A HOT SPRINGS SOAK

Nevada has more than 300 natural hot springs on public and private lands. If you want something a little more on the wild side, a trek to one of the many Northern Nevada hot springs might be just what you’re looking for. With options ranging from hot spring resorts to remote natural pools, it’s time to discover hot springs near Reno Tahoe that are calling your name. Just keep these things in mind before you visit any remote hot springs:

• Dress accordingly; bring towels, robes and a blanket for after your soak
• Leave any place, especially wild places, better than you found them

Many remote hot springs do not have clothing rules, so you may see others enjoying the refreshing waters in the buff. Just be prepared for that.

• Be mindful of private property boundaries and fences
• Part of the fun is researching and finding these remote hot springs, so keep them secret and don’t share them on social media
• Safety first. Always check the water temperature.

If being a hot springs explorer isn’t your thing, head to Dave Walley’s Resort—a mountain lodge with five famed hot springs. After your soak, relax with a drink at the bar or get a soothing massage before returning to more relaxing moments at your luxurious Lake Tahoe accommodation at Villa Harrah with its incredible water view. Artful and contemporary, black exposed beams highlight spaces while LED lighting imbues areas with a delectable nocturnal glamor. Youthful and seductive, this home is ideal for lavish entertaining.

GET WILD ON A SNOWMOBILE TOUR

For some adrenaline-inducing euphoria, a private snowmobile tour with Lake Tahoe Adventures takes you over 15 miles of groomed trails through woods and snow-filled meadows. For something enchanting, ask for a moonlit tour. To avoid hypothermia, dress warmly and smartly. If you have children, check out Thunder Mountain Kids Snowmobile Park at Kirkwood – thrilling for any child.

However, if you prefer a peacefully secluded place, Villa Rockhaven is just the one. This stunning waterfront home, perched on an incline commanding astounding panoramic views, offers an exclusive outdoor jacuzzi from where you can soak up the winter magic of Lake Tahoe. Timeless class and aristocratic flourishes define the timber-lined interiors. Natural wood ensures warmth and gives a luxurious look. For indoor pastimes, Villa Rockhaven offers a variety of activities, from a spacious cinema room where the whole family could spend nights together to a billiards table and even a sauna where relaxation is guaranteed. 

THE THRILL OF TUBING

Heavenly Ski Resort has a 500-foot tubing hill at the top of the gondola. Tubing is the ideal winter family activity, and the mountain has a convenient magic carpet to take you and your tube back up to the top. Riders must be more than 42 inches tall to ride—shorter riders and young children can enjoy the mini-tubing hill adjacent to the prominent hill in Adventure Peak. You could also visit TubeTahoe, a place primarily for tubers. Machine-groomed lanes are some of the longest in the area. One thing is sure—tubing is fun and laughs for the whole family.

THE SNOWSHOEING SCENE

Snowshoeing is a terrific option for anyone wanting to experience the splendor of a winter wonderland without the fear of falling down a ski slope. This is an activity all family members can do as long as they can walk with a wide stride. Lake Tahoe has a wonderful assortment of snowshoe excursions. Here are some favorite sites:

• Mt. Rose
• Spooner Lake
• Donner Pass
• Carson Pass
• Camp Richardson
• Northstar Resort
• Sierra-at-Tahoe
• Alpine Meadows
• Kirkwood

Whether or not you’re a skier, Lake Tahoe has much to do in the winter. When you want to explore some of those options, leave it up to LVH to plan your itinerary with your wishes in mind. Ensuring you have the best experiences possible is our primary consideration.