Snow Sports: During the winter, Lake Tahoe is riddled with people enjoying the snow, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and just playing around! There are over 500 miles of slopes and 15 ski resorts in the area, all with unique trails and beautiful mountains.
Anytime you are out skiing or snowboarding, layers are essential. Make sure you have a comfortable base layer shirt with a winter jacket, thermals, and snow pants. Face coverings, hats, gloves, and scarves are all great things to wear in the snow.
Swimming: If you are traveling to Lake Tahoe in the summer, even the late spring or early fall, it’s almost a no-brainer that you will be going swimming! Besides the lake itself, there are many other little swimming holes in the area that you will definitely love to take a dip in. Be warned, even in the summertime, the waters of Lake Tahoe tend to be very chilly from all the snow runoff!
The essentials include a bathing suit, a beach cover-up, sunscreen, and a trusty sun hat. You may also want to wear a rash guard to stay warm. Especially for swimming in the rivers or streams around the area, you will want waterproof sandals, though flip-flops are fine for swimming by the lake.
Hiking: One of the more popular activities in Lake Tahoe is hiking. There are exactly 109 hiking trails scattered across the area. From seeing waterfalls, to hiking mountains, to simple walks through the forest, there is a trail for everyone. A wonderful thing about Lake Tahoe is that you can hike most of the trails any time of year. Some may be more restricted during the winter because of snow.
I suggest wearing a good sun shirt/base layer shirt to start. Moisture-wicking hiking pants, a quality pair of hiking shoes, and a comfortable t-shirt are the essentials. Sun hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are all important things to remember. Don’t forget bug spray, either!
Restaurants: Although Lake Tahoe is known for its outdoor activities, the town itself actually has some amazing restaurants and some really fun places to eat! You can choose from any of the 400+ restaurants to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
From casual breweries to fine dining, there is a restaurant for every occasion. Casual jeans, t-shirts, sandals, or sneakers will be fine for most restaurants. Have a light jacket handy in case it's cold outside or inside the restaurant. For fancier places, or for a nice date night, a semi-casual dress, or men can wear a button-up.
Much of your time spent in Lake Tahoe will be enjoyed outdoors. Having quality outdoor wear is perfect for a trip to the area. Include moisture-wicking hiking clothes and a good quality pair of hiking shoes or boots on your trip.
