Lake tahoe

Well in some oddball way seems we're going to Tahoe in Jan. This trip just kinda jumped out with a 2 bed timeshare swap and free air, so what the hey. It;s not like I'm in any condition for skiing, hell, I just started walking with my cane around the house but I figure I'll be pretty mobile by then and our son has been chomping at the bit to travel out west so here it is. The place we got is 400 yds from a lift at heavenly so he'll be chasing snow bunnys and skiing for the week with M joining him for a day or so, see how that goes, she hasn't skied in 10 or so years.

Me? well it seems there's a couple casinos right in the near proximity of ourplace, how convenient, something for gimpy ol' dad to occupy his time . It looks like harrahs, harveys, horizon and another one or two are a stones throw away so should work out. We should able to do some cool family things in the evenings, theres a young magician who has good reviews, and looks like plenty of decent places to eat with some great views of the lake. I've spent the morning yelping and trip advisoring so I'm gaining some knowledge.

I was wondering if any of yinz have any thing to share about the S. Tahoe area, any musts', places to avoid, etc. I have read that the Horizon casino is all but on it's last leg, no tables and outdated slots and appeared harrahs was prob best bet for gaming. Any help appreciated, thanks!

JOHN

Hi John:
Glad you are home and getting around even if it is with a cane. I skied for over 25 years and my all time favourite ski place is "Heavenly". It is aptly named for sure. We were there back in 1998 and stayed in a timeshare partway up the mountain. The skiing is just out of this world and there are a good many easy runs too. Orions (where Sony Bono lost his life) is
a beautiful run and easy. The scenery from the top of the mountain is incredible and there are good restaurants on the slopes. One thing we did the week we were there was to take the van and drive halfway around Lake Tahoe. This was done on the Wednesday to give our legs a rest. The scenery on the drive was incredible - well worth it. We would drive down
to town each night to eat at the different casinos and the food was great. I also won a $500.00 penny slot jackpot which was a nice treat. If you have any expert skiers in your party then they might like the challenge of skiing down the California side - I didn't enjoy that at all as it was tough skiing. I was more of a happy cruiser down the slopes. I would think in
January it would be much colder than when we were there in mid March so skiers would have to rug up. I envy you going there as it is awesome.

Take care and keep up the exercising etc.

Diane

We go to South Lake Tahoe every year, so our last visit was in February of this year.
Times have changed a lot in the last five years.

Yes, Horizon is definitely on the brink of closure, if it hasn't already. It may as well have been closed when we were there 8 months ago, hardly anyone or anything going on.

Harrahs is connected to Harvey's by an underground walkway, which is fairly dark and dismal. Both properties are old and worn down, and Harrahs doesn't seem interested in putting any money into renovations. The Forest Buffet is mediocre and way overpriced, not worth the money, even though it has lovely views of Heavenly and Lake Tahoe.

We always stay now at the Marriott Timber Lodge, right next to Heavenly Village and the ski gondola. Used to stay at Harrah's but it was always challenging . . . housekeeping was frustrating and not worth the aggravation we experienced each visit. . .

If you are a non-skier, you can buy a ticket to take the gondola up the mountain, I think it was $15 or so, and well worth it. You can join your skiing family members at the lodge up on the mountain now that Heavenly has expanded its dining options.

Heavenly Village has shops and dining options like Wolfgang Puck's.

Many of the old restaurants/shops that used to exist five years ago are no longer in business . . . just take a drive down to the "Y" (the intersection where Californians head on back to Sacramento) and it is like a ghost town . . . maybe a run down K Mart and a Little Caesars pizza joint still open.

I absolutely adore Lake Tahoe, always will, which is why we return every year, but we are avid skiers and it is gorgeous.

I also recommend a drive around the Lake, it is pretty, but in January, if there is a lot of snow, some of the road around won't be open.




'

Are you staying at the timeshare that's located at the top of the hill or one of the ones located on the street near the casinos?

If you like pizza- I definitely recommend Blue Dog Gourmet Pizza. It is towards or just across the state line from the Harrahs casino. It is walking distance. It is in a small strip building. We were there the beginning of October a couple of years ago and went up Heavenly- loved sitting up there outside the restaurant in that seating area. I was surprised how different the casinos seemed as far as gaming and restaurants. Because weather permitted in October, we were able to one day do a complete drive around the beautiful lake and another day a drive to Carson City. Had a wonderful trip- I hope you enjoy yours. Blue Dog Pizza was great!

WOW thanks, great replies. We're staying at a place called royal aloha vacations club, looks decent enough, it's located right off kingsbury ridge dr. , a couple miles from 50 so looks like decent location. I've been diligently reading and finding out everything still, one of the best parts of going somewhere for me is the research and finding out about things to do, places to eat etc.,etc. Sheesh, I still do that when we go to vegas, always something new to learn .
Pizza? I love a good pizza, could say I cherish a good pie, haha.

I'm really looking forward to admiring the mountains and the lake it sure sounds like theres a beauty like no other there. Being from W. Va. and always appreciating rugged terrain I'm pretty excited to see it. Looks like theres several good places to dine with a view. The chart house has possibilities for a splurge dinner and the buffet that sits atop harrahs might be in the works(especially if free). The red hut cafe sounds like an institution, a good greasy spoon for breakfast, my kind of place, cheap and divey.
The gondala looks like a must, but 34 bucks a pop seems pricey especially considering I'm sure we'll pay a hefty fare for lunch while up there. Oh well, WTH, on vacation and if the food is decent and the view spectacular, it'll be worth it.

Back to research, hope this trip works out for us, have a lot to accomplish before.

J

Are you a former yinzer? I'm from the area too.

A must do is the Lake Tahoe paddlewheel boat cruise. Interesting (pre-recorded) narration about the area. A very pleasant afternoon, sit inside or outside or roam about the boat. Buy food or drink if you want to.

We were told the best gambling is at a casino called Lakeside. Not a chain, more a "locals" place. We didn't make it there.

As mentioned, the Gondola ride up Heavenly is very relaxing, awesome scenenery, a lodge that serves pretty good food, big windows looking out at the skiers, etc.

The bad news: it's been over a decade since I have been to Tahoe.
The good news: I have spent 8 weeks at the royal aloha vacations condo's over a a ten year span.

We loved the condo, tiny kitchen but huge loft. Two first floor bedrooms one bath, upstairs the giant loft and another bath. Parking was a pain, a long walk to and from the car. If you look at it on a map you will see a big parking lot to the East that looks close but it is 100 feet straight down. Walking from the condo, it's easier to park North near the office, longer distance but at least it is roughly at the same level. I was a much younger man back then and that climb from East lot, kicked my ass. I would usually drop people off at the condo, park, then do the long walk. I know your having some problems getting around these days, don't get macho, get dropped off and picked up.

Best pizza in the Tahoe area used to be Sams Place near Zephyr Cove. It was a really fun place with great Pizza and salsa. I look at reviews on yelp these days and it sounds like it has slipped a bit. It's about a 10 or 15 minute drive from the condo.

Again it been a while since I've been there and durhams post makes me sad to hear some of the changes, but you will love Tahoe and have a great time.

If you want anymore royal aloha info, pm me.

Sounds like you have a really fun trip planned. Hope the weather/road conditions in January cooperate.