Overview

This trip is well suited for riders and skiers of all ages and all levels. All clients will have ample opportunity to ride/ski terrain that bests suits their level. The goal of this trip is to enjoy North America’s top ski resorts and backcountry. Lake Tahoe is situated on the border of California and Nevada and is just a 3.5 hour drive from San Francisco, if you have some extra time come early and spend a few days exploring the city before joining our tour. San Francisco is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. And the liberal atmosphere makes it the most welcoming place in the country. This trip will allow you to experience beautiful Lake Tahoe with its typically sunny days and the warm and relaxed Californian culture. Our week has been planned out for moments of fun up in the mountains, moments of relaxation, and many cheerful nights. You will be accompanied by a guide who speaks three languages (English, Portuguese, and Spanish) and will be available for any information or help needed. He has lived in the area for a few years and has great knowledge of everything there is to see and do.

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Terrain

Big air. Deep powder. Legendary steeps. Natural highs. Lake Tahoe is a snowsporters dream. North America’s largest concentration of world-class ski resorts and enough downhill and cross-country variety to show even the heartiest skier or boarder something new every day. There are 15 Resorts within a one hour drive: Heavenly, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Diamond Peak, Homewood, Granlibakken, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, Boreal, Donner Ski Ranch, Tahoe Donner, Soda Springs, Northstar-at-Tahoe, & Sugar Bowl. Unfortunately we will not have time to visit all of them but we have made a special itinerary that will include days at resorts ranked highest by ski magazines and considered best among the locals.

Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size in the United States and the largest alpine lake in North America, the water is 99.9% pure and so clear that a 10 inch white dinner plate would be visible at 75 feet below the surface. There are 63 tributaries draining into Lake Tahoe with only one outlet at the Truckee River. It is truly an amazing place to see, and you will have spectacular views of the lake from many of the runs at most of the resorts. However, the reason you have come is to ski/ride and the pacific storms are notorious for bringing large dumps of powder to the Sierra Nevada. With average annual snowfalls of 360-500 in (914-1270 cm) among the resorts we’ll visit you’ll surely have a chance to enjoy the legendary powder of Tahoe.

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Accommodations

Accommodations will be in a 3 or 4 bedroom modern rental home with 2 or more bathrooms, a large living room area, deck, fireplace, laundry, kitchen, and possibly a hot tub. The house will be within South Lake Tahoe and less than 15 minutes to Heavenly Mountain. The home will give you ample opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself after a day on the mountain.

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Attractions

In Lake Tahoe, the odds for excitement are always in your favor. Caesars, Harrah’s, Harvey’s, The Horizon, Bill’s and Lakeside Inn Casinos offer you the chance to hit it big 24 hours a day. But the action doesn’t stop there the Casino/Resorts continue to roll out better-than-ever thrills with award-winning restaurants, indulgent spas and superstar entertainment, such as cabaret shows, live music, & dancing.... Big names like Tony Bennett, Bonnie Raitt and Robin Williams should give you a good idea of the caliber of performers that visit here regularly. Nightclubs, like Vex, Boost and Blu Nightclub, attract great crowds and world-renowned acts. Harvey’s Casino is host to the renowned Improv comedy club. Not mention around 100 restaurants and many pubs/bars. South Lake Tahoe is often voted #1 ski town for nightlife. We will provide transport to restaurants every night and to the bars. There are many special locals’ nights with great drink specials and music and your guide will be happy to take you out and show you around.

Agenda / Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Tahoe!!!. Your tour guide Adam welcomes you at the San Francisco (SFO), Sacramento (SMF), or Reno (RNO) airport. Then transports you to South Lake Tahoe, CA it’s a drive of 3.5 hrs from SFO, 2 hrs from SMF, or 1 hr from RNO. Once arriving at our rental home you can settle into your room to rest a while or take a walk into town to become acquainted with it and to check out for gear for rent or sale and the available skiing or snowboarding lessons in town.
We will visit a different resort each day. Everyday resort ski/ride day we will wake up around 7:00-8:00, have breakfast and leave the lodging by 8:30-9:00am, arrive at resort by 9:15-10:00am depending on distance. At the resort Adam will provide you a map of the trails with the proper conditions, he will be there to guide you if necessary and to give you safety information. You will receive your ski pass and will be able to enjoy the mountain and its tracks. Lunch will be available to pickup from Adam between 12:00-1:00pm. Then Ride/Ski until resort close 4:00-4:30pm or until tired then return to lodging by 5:00-5:30pm. Relax at the Lodging and then transport to local restaurants for dinner and pubs/bars/clubs in late evening.

Day 2

We will have breakfast and then leave at around 8:30 am for the 45 minute extremely scenic drive along the Lake Tahoe’s west shore to small homely resort of Homewood. This resort has runs that feel like they go into the lake they are so close. The terrain here is pretty mellow and this is a good warm up day and has plenty of opportunities for great pictures. Ranked 12th in SKI Magazine’s 2001 reader's poll the resort features 59 runs all with incredible lake views. 1260 acres (510 Hectares), 1650 vertical feet (503 m), Annual snowfall: 450 inches (1143 cm), Terrain: 15% Beg, 50% Int, 35% Adv

Day 3

Sierra-at-Tahoe is a 30 min drive south. The boarders favorite, because it has many terrain parks and Tahoe’s best halfpipe. There is also nice off-piste terrain with good drops and well spaced trees. 2,000 Acres (810 Hectares), 2,212‘ (674 m) Vertical Rise, 46 Trails, 6 Terrain Parks, 2 Half Pipes, Annual Snowfall: 420 Inches (1066 cm), Terrain: 25% Beg, 50% Int, 25% Adv.

Day 4

The most snow in the Tahoe area is found here at Kirkwood, along with the most difficult terrain. For those who like steep and deep this is the spot. There are two lifts that go up to a ridge from which you can traverse along until you’ve found the cornice you’d like to drop. It takes about an hour to get there from our lodging and the drive is absolutely beautiful, passing through all national forest lands. Annual Snowfall: 500 inches (1,270 cm), Vertical Rise: 2,000 feet (609 m), Skiable Acres: 2,300 (930 hectares), Trails: 65+, Terrain: 15% beg, 50% int, 20% adv, 15% exp.

Day 5

Wake up between 8-10 am then have a big breakfast at 10:30 am. Drive 30 min to Tahoe’s most scenic peak Mt. Tallac, elevation: 9735 ft (2967 m). It is a 3-4 hour hike to the top of peak with a great view of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay and the Desolation wilderness the whole time. We will stop for 20-30 minutes to eat lunch about halfway (after 2 hrs). Descend via Main Bowl route (30 min). Drive back to lodging and arrive before 4pm and relax for the afternoon.

Day 6

Another scenic drive of about 1 hr to the north shore of Tahoe will bring us to Alpine Meadows. This resort features many large open bowls and access to ridge tops. It is a local’s favorite and seldom has crowds or lines. 13 Lifts, 2,400 acres (972 Hectares) , 100+ designated runs, Annual snowfall: 495 in. (1257cm), Terrain: 25% Beg, 40% Int, 35% Adv. Optional stop in Tahoe City on way back for food/coffee/cocktails.

Day 7

Drive up Tahoe’s east shore, possible stops at Logan Shoals and Sand Harbor to take some scenic pictures of the lake. Arrive after 45 minutes at Mt. Rose. This resort is famous for its chutes, which are for expert riders/skiers only. The chutes were just opened two seasons ago and are a very steep 45-55 Degrees. We may alter the itinerary to make sure we are here on a powder day. Acres: 1200+ (486 Hectares), Annual Snowfall: 400 inches (1016cm), Vertical Drop: 1,800 ft (549m), Total Trails: 60+, Terrain Parks: Badlands & Double Down, Terrain: 20% beg, 30% int, 40% adv, 10% exp

Day 8

Wake up 8-10:30am and have a big breakfast 9:30-11am. At 11is 1 hr drive to Red Lake Peak, elevation: 10063 ft (3067 m). Drop off one car for shuttle then a 1.5 hour hike to summit and then lunch (20-30 min). Descent via large open bowls (40 min) and run car shuttle. One hour drive back to lodging arriving before 4pm. Or we can make stop at some great hot springs in a state park (Entrance fee $10) and eat at the small historic town of Markleeville and return in the evening.

Day 9

Goodbye!!! Check out of lodging and transport to San Francisco or Sacramento for your flight.

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Lake Tahoe Backcountry (9 days)

Dates : January to March

Prices : USD 1495

Number of people : min. 4, max. of 8 people

Registration deadline : 4 months before

Included:

• Lodging
• Breakfasts & lunches
• Lift tickes to all resorts
• Transfer to all ski areas and mountains

Not included:

• Equipment Rental (if needed)
• Evening meals
• Drinks
• Your personal expenses

The schedule can be subject to modification, dependent of your flights and the weather forecast.
For more information: info@kosta5.ch

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