10 Exciting Things to Do in Lake Tahoe Besides Skiing

Author: Jennifer Jeffcoat

Jennifer writes for Tahoe Exclusive, sharing vacation planning tips, travel insights, and property highlights to help guests make the most of their time in North Lake Tahoe. 

There’s always more to a town than meets the eye. Just like popular destinations like Nashville offer more than Honky Tonks, and NYC is bigger than Central Park and Times Square, North Lake Tahoe’s to-dos go well beyond skiing and snowboarding. If you’re looking to explore more than the slopes, this guide is for you! Check our top 10 ways to dive into winter fun without needing a lift ticket.

10 Exciting Things to Do in Lake Tahoe Besides Skiing

1. Snowmobile Tours

Feel the exhilaration of speeding over fields of fresh powder when you book a snowmobiling tour with Coldstream Adventures. This is the perfect activity for folks who crave a rush of adrenaline, plus there’s no experience necessary! For more than 30 years, Coldstream has been the go-to name in North Lake Tahoe excursions. Book their two-hour guided tour and see why.

Details:

• Tours offered daily at 9 AM and 1 PM
• Located three miles south of Truckee and Route 80. Six miles north of Palisades
• Why it’s worth it: Carve up 2,000 vertical feet of Coldstream Canyon and enjoy epic views of the Sierra Nevada.

2. Fat Biking

Enjoy the thrill of mountain biking in winter when you rent a fat bike and hit the groomed trails at Northstar California Ski Resort. Offering more than 35 kilometers of terrain, you can spend hours exploring the valley. Rent a fat bike from the Cross Country Center and take off on a spectacular half-day outing that comes complete with panoramic views of the lake.

Rental Prices: $73 for a half-day rental. Reservations required.

Activities three and four can also be done at the Northstar Cross Country Center!

3. Snowshoeing

Take a peaceful stroll through wooded trails when you strap on some snowshoes this winter. One of the most popular things to do in Tahoe, mostly because of how easy it is for beginners and children, snowshoeing is a perfect way to see stunning winter scenery and make great memories with your family.

Traveling with your pup? Dogs are welcome on the Saturday evening Twilight Snowshoe Tours offered mid-December through early March.

Snowshoe Rentals: Adults, $55 | Children 12 and under, $33

4. Cross-Country Skiing

I know we said, “things to do besides skiing,” but cross-country is really in a realm of its own. More like a glide-assisted walk, this activity is a great workout, and even non-skiers can do it with relative ease. If you do want to take a lesson, though, they’re available at the center for $150.

Daily trail rates at the center are $71 for adults and $55 for kids aged 5-12. Check out the trail report so you can scope out which runs are open and make sure there’s something for your skill level before going.

5. Ice Skating

There are several places to go ice skating in North Lake Tahoe: The Truckee Ice Rink, Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, but our favorite—the one that offers so much more than ice skating— is the Northstar Village Ice Skating Rink. Skate to the beat as live DJs and bands pump out live music. Warm up around a cozy fire pit with a hot chocolate when you need a break. From themed nights to family-friendly free-skate fun, it’s one of the top winter activities in North Lake Tahoe.

Details:

• Open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM
• Rink access is free. Skate rentals are available for +/- $15.

Want to stay near all the Northstar fun? Browse our properties at the resort and book directly with Tahoe Exclusive so you're never more than a few steps away!

See All Northstar Resort Rentals

6. Ice Climbing

For the truly rugged adventurer in your group, ice climbing offers a unique challenge. In North Lake Tahoe, Blackbird Mountain Guides takes you to Coldstream Canyon for an unforgettable excursion. Their private climbing tour is great for all skill levels and can be customized to you. Enjoy a mix of ice and alpine-style terrain. You’ll also learn skills like knot tying, ice anchors, rappelling, belaying, ice movement, and more.

Details:

• Price: $550 per person
• Elevation: 7,000 to 8,000 feet
• Duration: 8 AM to 4 PM

7. Snow Tubing and Sledding

Traveling with kids and need a way to burn off some energy? There are several popular sledding hills in North Lake Tahoe, and what’s better is that a lot of them are free; you just have to bring your own sled (which you can purchase at many grocery stores).

Popular hills include:

• Donner Lake near West End Beach (free)
• Granlibakken Ski and Sled Hill (has cost and requires reservations)

For a bit more structure, snow tubing is also popular, and places like Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley), Sugar Bowl, and Wild Side Tahoe offer groomed runs, multiple lanes, and fun events like disco tubing. Perfect for folks who don’t know how to ski but still want to play in the snow, tubing and sledding will have you laughing and feeling like a kid again.

8. Sleigh Rides

Looking for a romantic date idea? Nothing beats a horse-drawn carriage ride through Sand Harbor. When you book with Bourges Sleigh and Carriage Rides, you’ll get a 55-minute scenic trip through a winter wonderland. Pulled by one of their 12 seasoned Belgian Draft and Halflinger horses, you’ll be whisked through snowcapped evergreens, along peaceful trails, and past the beautiful Sand Harbor shore of Lake Tahoe.

Details:

• Location: Sand Harbor Visitor Center
• Open: Friday – Monday and holidays
• Hours: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Pets welcome
• Park entry fee: $15 per car for non-Nevada residents 

9. Boat Tours

While it’s too cold to get in the water, it’s never too cold to be on it. Book a boat tour and get out on Big Blue for a day (or night) of spectacular sightseeing. Popular companies like Tahoe Sail offer a variety of cruises, including daily 2-hour public outings that start at $90 per adult. Want to customize the trip? You can add on things like catering or book private experiences for special occasions.

10. Scenic Gondola Rides

Rounding out our list of the top things to do in Lake Tahoe besides skiing, we’re taking you to new heights with a ride on the Palisades Aerial Tram. Soar 2,000 feet into the air as you ascend from the Village base area. Safe and warm inside the tram, you’ll have panoramic views of the mountains and lake in the distance. The ride takes about 10 minutes and ends at High Camp, where you can grab a bite to eat, visit the Olympic Museum, find a souvenir at the High Camp Marketplace, or sip on a mountain-top cocktail at the Terrace Bar. It’s the perfect activity for a slower day that still delivers all the Tahoe charm. 

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Featured Property: Great Bear Lodge 303

After a day of fun in the snow, there’s nothing like unwinding in a cozy spot that feels like home. At Tahoe Exclusive, we offer a stunning inventory of North Lake Tahoe properties. You can filter by location, choosing from Northstar, Old Greenwood, and Grays Crossing; search by amenity for ski-in/ski-out, pet-friendly, or hot tub homes; or just browse our complete inventory! Just remember the most important thing – to book direct for the best rate on your stay!

Booking direct means you don’t pay third-party fees associated with places like Airbnb or Vrbo. Keep money in your pocket and experience exceptional customer service you can only get from working with a local team when you book your next North Tahoe getaway with Tahoe Exclusive.