California - 2008 Official State Visitor's Guide and Travel Planner - (Page 42) play » snow » lake tahoe it’s the coolest Tahoe sparkles in winter, with plenty of action on the slopes and around the lake F ew places on earth inspire imagination Hit the Village at Squaw for après-ski drinks like Lake Tahoe L Tahoe], the largest [ at Mamasake Sushi and order the happy-hour alpine lake on the continent. Mark Twain special: a can of Bud and a fresh hand roll. Or called it “the fairest picture the whole world meet the glitterati over a glass of fine California affords.” Indeed, its beauty is awe-inspiring— Cabernet at PlumpJack Cafe. especially in winter, when snow-white peaks Find solitude in Tahoe National Forest, reflect off the cobalt-blue lake’s vast surface. where you can squeak through the snow The skiing is superb at Tahoe’s 15 downhill on cross-country skis or a snowshoe walk L silent snows]. Indulge in a family snowball areas, with vertical drops of as much as 3,500 [ fight, then take the kids snow-tubing—yes, feet and runs up to 5.5 miles long. Tahoe’s in an inner tube—at a ski resort. To see the mountains often get more snow than anywhere lake up close, ply the icy waters aboard else in North America—as much as 500 inches the Tahoe Queen, an authentic paddle-wheeler. a year—but 300 annual days of sun mean you FROM TOP Snowboarder carves turns at Heavenly, oblivious Or yield to the temptations of shop windows, can work on your tan while perfecting your to the view of mountainthen indulge in a spa treatment. carves. (This is California, after all.) rimmed Lake Tahoe; sushi at Mamasake. Once alpenglow lights the sky purple Even if you don’t ski, plan to ride a gondola. and orange, head to South Lake Tahoe, the From South Lake Tahoe, the Heavenly Gondola region’s nightlife capital, and try your luck at one of Statewhisks passengers 2.4 miles to a 9,123-foot-elevation observaline’s glitzy casinos. But don’t stay out all night. The sunrise tion deck with picture-postcard vistas (sit on the uphill side over the lake is as breathtaking now as when Twain visited for the best views). On the north shore, ride Squaw Valley’s so many years ago. Cable Car to High Camp and twirl on the Olympic ice rink. JOHN A. VLAHIDES Enter 42 L keyword in Search box at visitcalifornia.com From top: John Kelly/Getty; Rob Brodman http://www.visitcalifornia.com
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