We live here, so we know it. And if you’ve visited here, you know it. But now the world knows it.

TripAdvisor, one of the Web’s most popular user-controlled travel sites, has ranked Lake Tahoe as the top vacation destination in the United States based on its annual “Traveler’s Choice” survey. Lake Tahoe beat out popular travel destinations like San Francisco, Hawaii and New York City, according to the survey. Our little corner of the world also ranked number 10 in worldwide destinations. Here’s the breakdown:

Top 10 U.S. destinations:
1. Lake Tahoe, California
2. Big Sur, California
3. San Francisco, California
4. Poipu, Hawaii
5. Sedona, Arizona
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
7. Carmel, California
8. Napa, California
9. Lahaina, Hawaii
10. La Jolla, Californi

Top 10 destinations worldwide:
1. Milford Sound, New Zealand
2. Queenstown, New Zealand
3. Philipsburg, St. Martin/St. Maarten
4. Cayo Largo, Cuba
5. Rhodes, Greece
6. Charlotte Amelie, USVI
7. Cruz Bay, USVI
8. Bridgetown, Barbados
9. Banff, Canada
10. Lake Tahoe, U.S.

For a complete list of top U.S. and worldwide destinations in pdf format, click here. To plan your Lake Tahoe vacation, click here.

Is Reno-Tahoe a good fit for a winter Olympics games?

A recent poll conducted by organizers of an effort to bring a Winter Olympics to Reno-Tahoe shows a majority of local residents supports the idea, according to a story in the Reno Gazette-Journal.

A majority of respondents (51 percent) said the “strongy support” the idea, organizers said.

The Sierra Nevada has previously played host to the Winter Olympics when the games were held at Squaw Valley in 1960. Since then, the area has seen an explosion of population, event venues, hotels and other visitor amenities. Because of consistent weather, world-class ski resorts and high-altitude training opportunities, many Olympic-caliber athletes call Reno-Tahoe home.

What do you think about the potential for a Winter Olympics in Reno-Tahoe?

-Jim Scripps

Locals refer to it as the “shoulder season” in the Sierra Nevada, the time between peak winter ski tourism and summer fun on Lake Tahoe’s beaches. But here’s a local secret: Some of the best (and least expensive) skiing happens in Spring.
This year started off strong with a flurry of cold storms that brought powder days and a large snowpack for the Sierra’s dozen-or-so resorts. Now that temperatures are in the 60s at higher altitude, the deep base is paying dividends of spring corn combined with good coverage.
Come up to the mountains for a visit to Reno-Tahoe, enjoy some of the best spring conditions we’ve had in years and take advantage of shoulder season travel deals. Check out our resorts page and plan your trip before it’s too late.

YouTube, MySpace, Google, Blip.tv and Veoh

Earlier this month, the Reno-Tahoe gang got the chance to go Backcountry skiing on Mt. Tallac.

One of Lake Tahoe’s premier backcountry destinations, Tallac offers a strenuous 3,200-foot ascent, epic views of the Lake Tahoe basin and a thrilling descent.

Check out the Reno-Tahoe YouTube channel for other Reno-Tahoe videos.Thanks to photographer Justin Cash (who was on the hill with the editorial team from Backcountry Magazine) for throwing a couple photos our way.

-Jim Scripps

The view from Mt. Tallac looking south toward Lake Tahoe (left) and Fallen Leaf Lake (right). Photo / Jim Scripps

With temperatures in the 60s, spring skiing and boarding is in the air in Reno-Tahoe, a good time for the hardier ski-hikers to make a backcountry trek up Mt. Tallac, one the Sierra’s most accessible routes and home to unrivaled views of Lake Tahoe and the eastern Sierra below.

Although Tallac’s approach may be tough for the “fitness-challenged” - it registers 9,735 feet, a 3,255-foot gain to the summit - it’s high vantage point and open, skiable terrain make it well worth the hike. MiketheBike and I escorted a three-man editorial team from Backcountry Magazine up Mt. Tallac on March 6 to give them a taste of spring corn and clear blue skies.

Chilly morning air gave way to warm temperatures as we started up the trailhead around 10 a.m. Mikethebike, Justin and Justin (keeping names straight was also a little tough) sported randonee skis, Mike skinned a split snowboard, and I snowshoed, carrying my snowboard on my back. While the snow started out bulletproof, by the time we reached about 7,500 feet it started to loosen up, a good time for soft turns. I was the first to bail - tired of lugging my board, I strapped it on and ripped a good long run down the canyon. The others would continue toward the summit.

The snow started to harden up by the time my fellow travelers headed down, give them a bone-jarring ride. It turns out the best time to descend was between 2-3 p.m. And regardless of the snow condition, Tallac on a clear sunny day offers one of the best views available for the backcountry enthusiast.

To get to the (winter) Tallac trailhead (map): From Lake Tahoe’s South Shore take Highway 89 toward Emerald Bay. Turn west on Spring Creek Road, the first road after the Baldwin Beach turnoff. The end of the road is the start of the trail. From the trailhead, the summit is approximately 2.2 miles. Climb time varies based on snow conditions … and be prepared for avalanche danger before attempting any backcountry ski trip.

(Check back for a video of backcountry on Tallac…)

- Jim Scripps

After enjoying a month of summer time down south in Argentina– tele girl is back! It’s so exciting to see (and experience) the powder and new snow in Reno Tahoe! Yeah!!!

Since we got back, we’ve been out a couple of times and it’s been awesome! First we went to Thomas Creek with our 18 month old girl and had a blast.

But last Sat got even better. My friend asked if we wanted to go out on a date she would watch Cielo, so I said “how about Sat morning so we can go skiing?!” and she agreed. So we went up to the Tahoe Meadows and hiked up and teled down while snowing the entire time. It was like heaven! Even though I am pretty pregnant (due in 4 weeks) I love to get out and earn some curves!

“The Tahoe Adventure Film Festival is different than any other film festival in the world. This is no stuffy film festival. This fun high-energy festival will fuel your passion for action, and ignite your senses for adventure. We highlight the best adventure sports films of the year. Most of the films are edited for this festival’s fast pace format. Our festival is exciting and entertaining on and off the screen, off the screen guest speakers, action photo displays, break-dancers, DJs, and a few surprises, on the screen the best action/adventure films of the year.”

“Directly following the Main Event of the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival, film attendees are invited to party with friends, fellow film goers, the athletes, and film makers. Festival attendees with their FULL PASS ticket stubs will be admitted to the Party at no charge. The Party is the Festival’s way of saying thank you for your support and hope your enjoyment will cause you to return next year with your family and friends! The party will go into the weee hours. Remember this event is in the state of Nevada.”

To make reservations call 800-648-5080 or check out the GSR website.

-MTB

View looking towards the casinos in Reno and Mount Rose to the right. The skies are clear this morning making today a good day to get to any of the areas ski resorts before the predicted storm starts to bring loads of snow. The forecast is for 5 or more feet of snow by the time third storm rolls out of the area. Mid-week skiing should be tremendous next week. Bring on the snow!

-S.Hinton

…STORM INFORMATION…

A MAJOR WINTER STORM DEVELOPING IN THE PACIFIC WILL REACH THE
SIERRA AND WESTERN NEVADA ON FRIDAY. COLD AIR FROM A LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM IN THE GULF OF ALASKA WILL COMBINE WITH A PLUME OF
SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE TO PRODUCE VERY LARGE SNOW ACCUMULATIONS
BETWEEN FRIDAY MORNING AND SATURDAY MORNING IN THE SIERRA.
(more…)

Some Tahoe Holiday trip reports coming in send us yours.

• Yubanet.com: All North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are open, including Northstar-at-Tahoe, Boreal Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl, Diamond Peak and Homewood Mountain Resort.
• Ski News Lake Tahoe: Shane McConkey, Ingrid Backstrom and Andrew McLean were on Good Morning America yesterday talking about Steep. Here’s the clip
• A Tinker’s Cart: Just came back from a quick ski trip to Lake Tahoe. Well, we got back a few hours ago. Let’s just say, the spectacular snow Thursday afternoon and today made up for the nightmarish drive up Wednesday evening.
• Splitboard.com: Some pics and words about a trip to Castle Peak CA near Truckee and Donner Summit, just 30 min from Dwontown Reno.

Here in Reno-Tahoe we guarantee fresh snow every friday. subject to black out days, some restrictions apply, no purchase necessary, store credit only, no rain checks…)

Here are some photos of a little pre-work backcountry ski session called, in the local vernacular, Dawn Patrol. Little is known about these secretive and elusive backcountry creatures. These photos were obtained by a confidential source who refuses to say where they were taken.

Info on backcountry skiing in and around Tahoe can be found @:

• The Backcountry: Shops with rental gear in Truckee and Tahoe City.
• Summitpost.com: a good mountaineering guide and a very active forum.
• Alpine Skills International: Classes and trips on all winter backcountry sports. This is a world renowned guide service with certified instructors.
• Wilderness Press: This publisher has some great books and maps written by Reno Tahoe locals. See the Tahoe Backcountry map, Snowsnow Trails Tahoe, and Afoot and Afield in Reno-Tahoe.
• Sierra Avalanche Center: The gentlemen in these photos reported seeing several avalanches that could have potentially been dangerous to skiers. NEVER go into the backcountry W/O checking this daily report usually posted by 6:00 AM. Don’t ski alone, and always cary, and know how to use, a shovel, avalanche beacon, and a probe. Cell reception is good in most areas of Tahoe, and could potentially save a life.

Have a HAPPY holiday!!! If you’re visiting Tahoe this week, we’d love to see your photos and hear your stories! Drop us a line and join our Flickr Photo Community.

Cheers!

-MTB