Snowshoeing Squaw Valley

It is practically impossible to utter the words ‘Lake Tahoe' without mention of its world renowned alpine skiing/snowboarding, and epic winter snowfalls averaging 300-500 inches per year. The location and amenities of Lake Tahoe as a winter destination is truly unique and astounding. There's an age old local saying at Tahoe, "You come for the winter, stay for the summer, and never leave." And here's (generally) why: The largest alpine lake in the US, a deep color of blue and emerald green, stretches 22 miles long, and is surrounded by 12 world class ski resorts and 12 premier golf courses.

You don't have to be a skier/snowboarder to fall in love with Tahoe winters. You can still make the most of winter/spring with all kinds of activities the whole family will love: ice-skating at High Camp, followed by a dip in the hot tubs; sledding or tubing at Tahoe Donner's Sledding Hill; cross-country skiing at Royal Gorge; or snowshoeing through picturesque Squaw Valley. Or how about sitting back and allowing a furry friend to tug you along at your very first dog sled ride? The possibilities are endless when it comes to winter fun at Tahoe.

Choose groomed trails, or blaze your own through powder. Powder's a major work out!

Don't own snowshoes? You can rent them at Squaw Valley!

This winter season has actually been unseasonably warm, in stark comparison to last winter's epic snowfall of over 643 inches! 2010-2011 was the 4th snowiest winter ever on record for this region. There were high hopes the Truckee-Tahoe area would enjoy another tremendous winter season, but November through February felt more like autumn than anything! It gave many residents and vacationers the rare opportunity to enjoy summer-like hobbies, such as kayaking on Donner Lake in January, or taking the dogs out for a run on dry trails in February. Even so, many locals and vacationers alike still ached for the blustering winter days we knew and loved so well.

Then, in Tahoe fashion the powder arrived in a flash! Last week, from Sunday night to Thursday evening Squaw Valley got dumped with a total of 57 inches of fresh snow. It was a blizzard of a week, but come Friday morning there wasn't a cloud in the sky. A perfect bluebird day, with temperatures at a balmy 45 degrees. It's perfectly blissful out there.

It's tough to pass up skiing/riding in powder, but if you're looking for a different kind of day at Squaw Valley, then grab your snowshoes and head out with the whole family for a hearty work out! If you don't own snowshoes, you can rent them at the Nordic Center located at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

What do you think of snowshoeing?