Lodging

A cozy campsite at Fallen Leaf Lake Campground.

Those who know me or who read my posts might surmise that I’m not much of a campfire girl. The last time I slept in a tent was at Burning Man 1997. I did go back to Burning Man in subsequent years — in an air conditioned RV.

That’s not to say I’m against it. But it would take something special to persuade this lover of 300-count Frette linens and room service to pack my sparse playa-dusty gear and get jazzed to toast marshmallows and sleep on the ground.

I stayed in my friend’s cabin on my most recent trip to South Lake Tahoe, but considered camping at Fallen Leaf Lake Campground based on the recommendation of relatives who are area locals.

Just over 200 campsites are located beneath towering pines, one-quarter mile from Fallen Leaf Lake and three miles from the “Y” where Hwy 50 and Hwy 89 intersect.

This is car camping not backpacking and there are decent amenities including clean bathrooms with flush toilets, showers (3 minutes for $1), standing barbecues, picnic tables, and fire rings but no hook-ups. There is a boat ramp at the south end of the lake and swimming is allowed. Also, pets are allowed.

Fees are $28 per night plus and additional $5 for each extra vehicle. It’s a National Forest campground that is operated by California Land Management, a private concessionaire. For reservations, call (877) 444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov.

There are lots of activities in the area including swimming and water recreation at Pope and Baldwin Beach, biking on the paved, family-friendly bike path along Hwy. 89 (I did it, it was great), horseback riding and watercraft rentals at Camp Richardson, hiking in Desolation Wilderness, and touring the estates at Tallac Historic Sites.

Whatever you decide to do, playing keep away from bears is of utmost importance. One more reason I sleep indoors.

Photo credits: sagehopper

Lake Tahoe in winter.

The plan was to spend Christmas in Tahoe. But the 115 mph winds and 100 percent precipitation that dumped some two feet of powder on Christmas day put a stop to that.

Instead, we waited out the storm and packed up the kids, their new toys and a cooler full of juice boxes and sippy cups, and headed to South Lake Tahoe on Friday, under clear blue skies and sunshine that glittered off a blanket of pristine powder.

The roads were still iffy — the median along Emerald Bay Boulevard (89) was an impenetrable snowbank, but descending the grade into this wonderland felt like being sprinkled on top of a sugar-frosted confection, the sparkling blue lake surrounded by a generous layer of white icing.

We arrived at our rental in early afternoon, a cozy A-frame cabin a few blocks from the Tahoe Keys. Crystalline icicles clung heavily along the high-pitched roofline. I broke one off and handed it to my daughter Parker, who had never seen one. Delighted she chomped on it like a popsicle.

Our South Lake Tahoe cabin dripping with ice.

Cabin rentals are a popular, convenient and affordable way for families and groups to visit Lake Tahoe. Ours, a three-bedroom, two-bath, betrayed it’s ’70s vintage with wood paneling, an avocado-colored kitchen sink and glossy, framed posters of the lake. The spoon collection was a homey touch of Tahoe kitsch.

The large brick hearth dominated the living area and was instantly and often put to use. An upstairs closet was stocked with baby gear including a pack ‘n play, toys and a booster seat.

Our cabin was deceptively roomy and we shared it easily with husband’s parents without ever feeling like we were on top of one another.

The cost was a reasonable $150 per night.

Not exactly the White Christmas we’d imagined, but I’ll take the day after — drinking coffee in pjs in front of a crackling fire, kids romping in the snow outside.

Some cabin rental companies include Tahoe Cabin Rentals, Vacation Rentals by Owner, and First Accommodations.

Photos by Lisa Dion

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

With the winter season ahead snowboarders are dusting off their boards, tightening their bindings and getting ready for another great season.

Flyboys, flygirls, freestylers, freeriders, carvers, call them what you like, they are all seeking one thing…the best place to snowboard.  Whether you are looking for fresh snow, hard-packed powder or outrageous vertical drops, the following resorts each have something special to offer the snowboarder.

If you are a thrill seeker looking for a killer snowboarding trip, you have to check out some of the following places to board.  These mountains are known for the best snow, best rides and best parties in and around the USA.

Check out our Top Ten List. Did your mountain make the cut?

photo credit Alpine Meadows

Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, California

photo credit www.snowboard-mag.com

Alpine Meadows has its own blog and is on Twitter.  If you can’t wait for the snow to fall in Tahoe, the San Francisco Ski and Snowboard Festival, taking place November 1-2, 2008, is your best bet until the flakes start falling. Alpine Meadows has the famous Shreadows terrain park for the ultimate ride. The Shreadows has a jump, rail, a box line and its own lift just off the base lodge. Lift tickets range from $50 to $69 depending on half day passes or holiday dates. You can buy your tickets online here. Opening Day is scheduled for November 26, 2008.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

photo credit www.whistlerbyowner.com

While it rests outside of the United States boundaries, Whistler’s Blackcomb is often called the the best ski and snowboarding resort in North America.  Not only will it be the venue for the 2010 Olympics, the new 28 person Peak-to-Peak gondola will transport riders from Whistler to Blackcomb without having to force them to the bottom base. If you’re going to go to Whistler consider taking a snow boarding tour and go freestyle. Whistler offers over 8000 acres of terrain and half pipes as well as tube park. A two day pass ranges from $125-$178 CAD and you can reserve your tickets online here.  Opening Day is scheduled for November 27, 2008.

Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, California

photo credit www.familyskitrips.com

Sometimes considered the largest natural snowboard park in the United States, Kirkwood offers high altitude, open bowls, steep chutes, drops and lifts.  It’s also a great place for spring skiing and working on the California tan. Kirkwood recently added two new lifts and revamped its terrain parks and halfpipe. You can purchase tickets online and avoid the lines when you get there. Opening day is schedule for late November.  Check out their events calendar for more information.

Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA

photo credit www.skidream.com

With the California sun shining almost 300 days a year, Mammoth offers a long ski and snowboarding season. Mammoth has two lodges you can board out of with a gondola ride that takes you to the top and back down to a great village with a few bars and a Starbucks.  Tickets range in price, but are about $50-$70 and you get a discount if you buy mulitiple days at a time.  Mammoth also has a snowboarding park and there is a blog where you can check out some pics. Weather permitting Opening Day is currently scheduled for November 13, 2008.

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, Bend, Oregon

Located in central Oregon, 22 miles west of Bend, Mt. Bachelor has made a concentrated effort to attract snowboarders.  It’s 400 foot Superpipe is among the best on the continent and they have just hired a new PipeCutter who will be cutting the pipe almost every night.  The “Air Chamber” snowboarding run is a mile long and offers plenty of rails and booters for freestyle riders. Pricing for tickets can be found here. Opening Day is set tentatively for November 22, 2008.

Snowbird, Utah

photo credit www.snowrev.com

With 500 inches of annual snowfall, Snowbird offers the highest altitude of any Utah resort.  The Tram whisks snowboarders up 11,000 feet in about eight minutes.  A great place to strap in an attack the double black diamond runs. This season Snowbird has added a Superpipe. It’s called Zaugg and is a Pipe Monster. Zaugg is scheduled to be cut three times per week and is supposed to provide an experience like no other. Check out Snowbird’s website for ticket information. Opening Day is currently scheduled for November 22, 2008.

Mt. Hood, Mount Hood, Oregon

photo credit upload.wikimedia.org

Mount Hood Meadows is one of the few places offering year-round boarding. It’s also home to Meadows, the 500 foot long, eighteen-foot high, super pipe that received Transworld Boarding Top 10 pipe rating. Located just seventy miles from Portland, it’s easy to fly and drive to. There are six parks at Mt. Hood: Park Place, Rose City Park, The Zoo, Shipyard, Superpipe and Forest Park. There is also a blog for you to get even more information from. Tickets range from $50-$70. Opening Day is scheduled for November 21, 2008.

Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe, Vermont

photo credit www.concierge.com

If you can conquer boarding in the East, you can board anywhere.  Those of you who have cut your teeth, or should I say carved your board, on the hard pack, sometimes icy slopes of New England’s Mt. Mansfield know what I mean.  Stowe is less than an hour from Burlington so weekends tend to be busy and lift lines can be long.  Stowe even has its own website for freestylers to get pictures and event information .Ticket information can be found on their website.  Opening Day is scheduled for November 22, 2008.

Sugarloaf, Maine

photo credit www.ccids.maine.edu

At 4,000 feet elevation, Sugarloaf is sometimes considered the best riders’ mountain in New England.  If you like spring boarding, check out mid-April’s Reggae Weekend, one of the East’s largest snowboard parties.  Sugarloaf’s newest park is called The YARD.  It features three sets of jumps, new rails, a hip and more.  Buying your tickets ahead of time will save you money and time at the mountain.  You can go to their website for more ticket info. Opening Day is scheduled for November 21, 2008.

Park City Mountain Resort, Park City, Utah

photo credit images.beijing-2008.org

Often found on the top ten family resorts list in North America, Park City averages 360 inches of snow each year and is snowboard friendly. The Eagle superpipe, with its 22 foot walls, hosts the World Superpipe Championships. Boarders have four parks to ride, including King’s Crown Superpark, Jonesy’s, the lighted PayDay Park and Pick ‘N Shovel Park. Park City is conveniently located about 45 miles from Salt Lake, so flying and driving is easy.  Coming in to Park City you see the Olympic Park that was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. There is a very cool Old Town to Park City and it’s a bit bigger than a town like Mammoth.  Park City offers Fast Track tickets that get you in to express lanes. Check out their website for more ticket info.  Opening Day is scheduled for November 22, 2008.

Hey, you made it to the bottom of the run.    What’s your favorite snowboarding mountain?  Leave a comment below and happy boarding!