Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

Located 6,225 feet (1,897m) atop the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range in the western United States on the California and Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is widely considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. This natural treasure offers the ultimate high-country experience with superb outdoor recreation and magnificent scenery throughout the year. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and is known for its crystal clear waters and majestic scenery. Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed locations in the world.

A Year-Round Destination

Summer activities at Lake Tahoe include hiking, fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Lake Tahoe also features exceptional golfing, where golfers enjoy the benefits of this high altitude location. Long sandy beaches at Lake Tahoe’s south shore are reminiscent of ocean seashores and provide fun for the whole family. There is a wide variety of water sports that include powerboating, sailing, parasailing, jet-skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, scenic cruises aboard an authentic Mississippi paddlewheeler, and even scuba diving.  

In the winter, Lake Tahoe is home to 15 world-class ski resorts that feature an extensive choice of terrain for experts and beginners, all within a one-hour drive of each other. All of the resorts have excellent ski and boarding schools, along with equipment rental. The big three on the south shore of Lake Tahoe are Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. Heavenly, the highest resort at Lake Tahoe and one of the premiere resorts in the nation, provides unrivalled panoramas of Lake Tahoe and an awe-inspiring view of Carson Valley in Nevada. For non-skiers, there is snowmobiling, tubing, ice skating, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. For hardy fishermen, ice fishing keeps anglers happy during the winter.