Excitement is at an all-time high in our house! We are just days away from flying out for a family snow vacation to Lake Tahoe.
We have been planning our trip with the help of our wonderful partners at Tahoe South, and can’t wait to fly out and experience the destination!
If you are in the process of planning a family snow vacation to South Lake Tahoe, you will find everything you need to know in this guide to make everyone in the family, happy and excited!
Happy Snow Planning!
Where To Fly
The most convenient airport to get to Lake Tahoe is Reno-Tahoe International’s Airport. Airport code: RNO.
From the Reno-Tahoe Airport, you are only a 1-hour shuttle ride away from South Tahoe.
How To Get To South Lake Tahoe
Our favorite way to get from the airport to our resort is using the South Tahoe Airporter!
Conveniently located behind the National Rental Car booth at the airport, they have shuttles leaving the airport between 10.30AM until 12.15AM and dropping you off at one of seven locations in South Lake Tahoe.
Make sure you check their current schedule and plan your flights accordingly!
Once in South Tahoe, everything is either reachable by foot, or just a short Uber drive away.
Contact: (866) 898-2463
Website: South Tahoe Airporter
Where To Stay
There are many options in South Lake Tahoe, fitting all budgets from motels to resorts, cabins, B&B’s, and pet-friendly accommodations. You are sure to find exactly what you are looking for.
Use this link to find the perfect home for your stay!
We have 2 favorites in South Tahoe however, which are absolutely wonderful for families with children, looking to enjoy the snow and winter activities:
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel at Heavenly
If this is where you will be staying, South Tahoe Airporter will drop you off right in front of Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel.
We love how family-friendly Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is. With kids under 17 staying for free and a daily free breakfast buffet, it makes for a very easy family vacation!
If you have several children, like we do, you will love being able to stay in suites with up to 2 bedrooms. Everyone has space and it will accommodate all of the bulky ski suits, helmets, and more!
Our favorite family features:
- Free breakfast buffet including hot food (eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and more)
- Heated indoor pool and hot tub (my son is likely to spend an entire day in there!)
- Happy Hours from 4.30PM to 6.30PM with free soft drinks and snacks
- Game tables in the atrium
- Proximity to the Heavenly Gondola
- Walking distance to our family’s favorite attractions: ice-skating, tubing, playground, pool, horse-drawn sleighs, and the city center
Contact: (530) 544-5400
Address: 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Website: Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
Ridge Tahoe Resort
Another families’ favorite resort in South Lake Tahoe is Ridge Tahoe Resort. It is a very special place, nestled right on a Sierra Nevada ridge and overlooking Lake Tahoe.
If you are looking for your home away from home, you have found it. With room types ranging from deluxe hotel rooms to 2-bedroom condos with full kitchen, you will love the homey feeling.
Some of the larger units have a fireplace and we love kicking our feet up to the fire with a glass of hot wine after a long day on the slopes!
Best of all, Ridge Tahoe Resort offers a free kids club, where the little ones stay busy and happy, while Mommy and Daddy either head out to the slopes or enjoy some of the amazing athletic facilities on site! You won’t even want to leave the resort!
Our favorite family features:
- Ski in / ski out with the Skier Express
- Amazing access to town with complimentary shuttles to Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Village, and more
- On-site ski shop with complimentary ski lockers
- Guided snowshoeing tours
- Weekly guide of activities, ranging from movie theater showings to kids club and more
- Several pools, hot tubs, tennis, basketball, and racquetball courts, climbing, water aerobics, and more
Contact: (775) 588-3553
Address: 400 Ridge Club Dr, Stateline, NV 89449
Website: Ridge Tahoe Resort
What To Do
The variety of fun things to do is amazing in South Lake Tahoe. Whether you are visiting in the summer or winter, everyone in the family will find something to stay active and entertained.
And on lazy days, enjoy your resort’s amenities, breathe in the mountain air, and enjoy the stunning views!
Skiing
I grew up skiing and you won’t find me happier than sliding down the hills!
South Lake Tahoe caters to all levels. If you are planning a trip with kids, you will love hitting the slopes at Heavenly. With 28 lifts and 97 trails, everyone will have a great day on their skis.
Save time and buy your lift tickets HERE ahead of time. You will also be able to pre-purchase lessons for yourself or little ones and rent skis, so you can head straight for the snow when you get there.
We love renting our equipment from RentSkis.com. You can choose equipment (skis or snowboards) based on your ski level and include ski poles, boots, and helmets for ultra-convenience!
Contact: (775) 586-7000
Address: 4080 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Website: Heavenly Lake Tahoe
Ice-Skating
We can’t go to the mountains without ice-skating. Our daughter already begs to go ice-skating in the Florida summer… so there’s no way we could ever walk past the Lake Tahoe ice-skating rink without stopping for some fun on the ice!
Contact: (530) 542-4230
Address: 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Website: Heavenly Village Ice Skating
Tubing
What is more fun than tubing? And you will have plenty to pick from in South Lake Tahoe.
One of our favorite options for kids above the age of 3 (and their excited parents!!) is located at the top of the Heavenly Gondola. Please note that mini tubing, for children 42” and below, is only opened on weekends.
Not only will you love the ride up the mountain with stunning views of the lake, but once you get up there, there is a snow paradise waiting for you – with a mountain coaster, tubing, and mini-tubing for the smaller riders.
Fox New Travel named it the #1 Tubing Hill in America!
Try to get there as early as possible (opens at 11AM) to avoid a sell-out and disappointed kiddos…
Contact: (775) 586-7000
Address: Top of Heavenly Gondola
Website: Heavenly Winter Activities
Entertainment
When it comes to nighttime entertainment in South Lake Tahoe, you will not be disappointed. Whether you are in for a German bar experience, dancing to 70’s or 80’s music at the casino, or a funky atmosphere at a local bistro, you will find a fun way to spend your evenings.
The Loft Theatre
When on family trips, we really do enjoy spending time as a family. One great way to do that, while treating everyone to a fun evening, is to watch the Magic Fusion show at The Loft Theater.
Located very centrally by the Heavenly Village Shopping Center, it is a wonderful show for all ages and sure to amaze you!
If you are in for a complete evening experience, reserve a table and have some food prior to the show!
South Lake Tahoe
I hope you enjoy your time at Lake Tahoe as much as our family does. There is truly something to love for everyone and you will make memories for a lifetime!
As you get ready, remember to use our planning guide for snow vacations for kids!
Happy Planning!
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