Activities:
Hiking
Snow Sports
Photography
Adventure
Wildlife & Nature
Eco/Sustainable
Includes:
Complimentary pick up/drop off from the San Francisco Hilton hotel (Mason St. entrance)
Hotel accommodations (double occupancy same-sex or couple share, single occ supplement applies for single bookings)
Narrated guided tour by a full-time professional, knowledgeable guide
See Lake Tahoe, Donner Pass, Sacramento, Truckee, the Sierra Mountain Range, Emerald Bay, 2 Ski Resorts, and more!
Transportation throughout tour in biofuel mini-coach
Not Included:
Meals (stops will be made to purchase food).
Optional activity entrance fees (Ski Resort access, Lift tickets, Lessons, etc)
Gear Rental (Ski/Snowboards, Snow Shoes, Winter Clothing/Boots/Goggles/etc)
Single occ supplement for private room for 1 person
Guide gratuity (optional)
Suggested Gear List:
Camera & charger
Small day pack
Change of clothes for 3 days
Swimwear, towel
Toiletries
Sun protection, hat
Water bottle
Warm layers (evenings can be cooler)
ADDITIONAL Gear For Partaking in Snow Sports
Raincoat/jacket
Hiking boots or durable sneakers (preferably Gortex or waterproof)
Warm layers (long underwear & wool fleece suggested)
Waterproof jacket/pants for winter conditions
Gloves, wool socks and a hat (75% of your body heat is lost through your hands, head, and feet)
Ski/Snowboard Gear (not provided)
SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 1 (THURSDAY)
SAN FRANCISCO TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT
10:00am: Pick up from San Francisco Hilton Hotel (Mason Street entrance)
Morning: Buckle up! After departing San Francisco, you’ll head through California’s capital city, Sacramento, through the Sierra foothills and into the famous Gold Rush Country, cresting a high mountain pass within the Sierra Nevada. Then we’ll wind our way through large pine forests, before dramatically descending into South Lake Tahoe.
Afternoon: In the evening, we’ll settle into our centrally located hotel and then head out to happy hour with the Apres Ski crowd at the base of Heavenly Mountain Resort before a comfy night’s rest.
SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 2 (FRIDAY)
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
All Day: While masses of people are piling into their cars to head to the mountains, you’ll be on the first lift up to carve the groomers, or to get fresh tracks in that Heavenly powder! Don’t worry if you’re not really into skiing, our guides will offer the opportunity to go out on a fabulously scenic drive on the mountain roads surrounding Lake Tahoe, or maybe even a snowshoe adventure! If you’re really just here for the casinos, they’re open 24 hours, and you’re welcome to see if Lady Luck is on your side all day if you like! Don’t want to miss out on any of it? No problem, we’re flexible: our guides know their stuff, and we’ll help you fit in a scenic drive in the morning, get yourself a half day ticket on the mountain, and then hit the casinos all night long!
SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 3 (SATURDAY)
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE TO SQUAW VALLEY & TRUCKEE, CA
Morning: We’ll hit the road early this morning and head toward historic Tahoe City taking in views of Emerald Bay before heading toward the famous Squaw Valley Resort. If you’re heading up onto this epic ski and snowboarding destination today, you’ll be glad if you dusted off the cobwebs on Heavenly yesterday. This place is the real deal, where you can often see extreme athletes pushing the envelope, soaring from the cliffs as you ride up the famous KT-22 Express. Make sure you bring your swimsuit too: the High Camp Pool and Hot Tub high on the resort is open for business…all winter long! This side of the lake also offers amazing snowshoeing or cross country skiing opportunities as well. Once again, you’ll be offered the choice to head up on the ski hill, or we’ll take you out on the trails through Stanislaus National Forest or maybe a snowshoe hike near the Donner Memorial State Park and explore the history of the ill-fated pioneers of the Donner Party as they struggled to travel west in their wagons and became stranded in the winter of 1846-47.
Afternoon/Evening: After a full day of winter adventures, we’ll head into the historic town of Truckee, CA to check into our accommodation for the evening, and then head out for dinner and a night on the town with the locals.
SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 4 (SUNDAY)
TRUCKEE TO SAN FRANCISCO
Morning: After three days of taking advantage of some incredible Sierra Nevada fun, we will be headed back down the pass toward the city by the bay. While traveling back through the beautiful foothills of California, you’ll experience more of the beauty witnessed by our country’s first western explorers. We’ll make some final stops at small town favorites such as Ikeda’s Country Pie Shop in historic Auburn, California as well as driving through the state capital, Sacramento.
Afternoon (approx 3:30pm): After crossing the iconic Bay Bridge, you will be dropped off at our San Francisco hotel around 3:30 PM for check in… as well as some much needed rest before heading back out to catch some more of your favorite sights around the city.
**Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to rapidly-changing conditions beyond our control (weather, crowds, traffic) and the small size of our vehicles/groups, our guides have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary to best suit the group’s needs. While we guarantee we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this Lake Tahoe Winter Adventure Tour itinerary (conditions permitting), we don’t guarantee them in this specific order. **
