Reno

Good point about the 4wd. Make sure to ask if the SUV has 4wd, I would guess many do not.
In addition, in California, if "Chains are required", snow tires and 4wd are not considered an alternative.

What CLV said.

Harrahs Reno isn't Caesars Palace. However, it's not a dump. My bed was comfy. Since I live in the desert and am used to warm temps, I probably turned off the AC cause the room was too cold. The DL had an excellent selection of butler passed appetizers on a Sunday evening and our meal in the steakhouse was excellent. Pass on the buffet.

The South Tahoe Express goes from the airport to the casinos in Stateline. You can purchase a roundtrip ticket from their website. A concierge at Harrahs Lake Tahoe told me if the road is open, they make the trip.

Harrah's Reno is neither Taj nor pup tent. It's decidedly mid-market ... but keep in mind that is mid-market Reno.

The lake is a GREAT idea; weather can be dicey as pointed out as big storms can whip over the Sierra in a hurry. But the lake is a singular American treasure. If you're a gearhead the National Auto Museum in Reno is a must, and the art museum does a great job for its size. With a car you can cruise down to Carson and up to Virginia City.

Thanks for all this. I think I'll wait until I get there to see if the weather merits renting a car. We used to live in Berkeley, and when it snows up there in the Sierra, it's no fun. Since I'm recently retired and have plenty of time, I thought I'd try this out. Will report back in this topic in early March.