California's kid-friendly Truckee River rafting

It’s one of North Lake Tahoe’s most popular family activities: rafting or tubing on the Truckee River. And in the midst of July's heat, we can't think of a better way to cool off. Take a raft trip on California's mild Truckee, and you'll find it is a good river for a kid's first raft trip, or for a grownup who doesn't want to work too hard and chill out on a hot, lazy summer day.

The timing is perfect: we just heard from our pal Pettit Gilwee that the dam gates have flung open, the river is flowing, and rafting along Lake Tahoe’s scenic Truckee River is now underway. Two outfits— Tahoe City-based Mountain Air Sports and the Truckee River Raft Company—have opened for the season, offering self-guided, leisurely five-mile float trips down the Truckee River. North Lake Tahoe is just a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport.

Details: With either the Truckee River Raft Company or Mountain Air Sports, most trips take two to three hours; you pull out at River Ranch Lodge near Alpine Meadows Road along Highway 89. Park in Tahoe City and take a free shuttle back to the car vehicles after the float (any time before 6 p.m). Hours: 8:30 —3:30 daily (weather permitting). Trips include parking, shuttle, paddles, life jackets and commercial rafts for 2-20 people; footwear is mandatory. Group rates are available. To watch a video of the trip, go to this link. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com.

Lake Tahoe's newest hotel: really Ritzy

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, opened its doors this weekend, in time for the holiday season (and skiing) at Northstar-at-Tahoe. It's the biggest hotel/resort news in the Tahoe Basin, having taken three years and some $300 million.

Tucked into a wooded hillside, The Ritz-Carlton Highlands' grandeur is, from a distance, fairly well-disguised. Still, it is hard to hide the fact that this is the area's first five star-caliber hotel, featuring 170-rooms, 23 private rsidences, a top-flight restaurant, and a vast spa.

Just how 'ritzy' is this place? Well, to start with, all the rooms have a fireplace. And there's a mountain concierge and ski valet, with ski-in and ski-out access; and an inter-mountain gondola connecting to the Village-at-Northstar. There's the luxe Highlands Spa that's bigger than all the houses on my block, and boasts a lap pool, fire pit, yoga and spin studios. And that top-flight restaurant? It's called Manzanita and is helmed by San Francisco chef Tracy Des Jardins. Too rich for your blood? Consider the great deals in spring and fall, when prices drop by half; or swing by for drinks or a meal at Manzanita. All we can say is, it's about time, Tahoe.

Details: In Truckee, at 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court; 200 miles east of San Francisco and 98 miles from Sacramento. Rooms from $355 in winter (from $175 in spring and fall); 800/241-3333 or click here.

Tahoe's Wine and Food Fest really cooks

It's not just another food fest. The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival always makes an effort to spotlight the latest culinary trends. This year, the September 11-13 gourmet gathering at the Village at Northstar in Truckee is focusing on Asian grilling techniques. Plan ahead to attend the fest and who knows, you may end up to be a better backyard barbecuer.

Your guide to the mysteries of grilling: Lars Kronmark of the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley. Kronmark, a regular at the 24th annual festival, says that the difference between Asian grilling (Yakitori) and grilling as Americans know it, is the focus on high heat, thin cuts, and marinades, similar to a skewering style. Kronmark recently returned from a chef tasting tour in Japan where he was inspired by the growing popular spin on grilling and small-bite dishes.

Yakitori – The Secret to Great Japanese Grilling is a free event at the Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival and takes place Saturday, September 12, at 11 a.m. And there are lots more freebie demos.

Details: Call 888/229-2193 or go to www.tahoefoodandwine.com. Some events are free (like the Gourmet Marketplace), others cost, because the Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Community Fund of North Lake Tahoe through the 501c(3) Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation. My old pals at Sunset Magazine are a co-sponsor of the event.

Wildflowers in North Lake Tahoe

When the weather is just right, the alpine wildflowers around Lake Tahoe (left) can put on quite a show (hey, free fun!), and they're bursting into bloom this month—at these high elevations, it's still spring. And an early summer hike is the best way to get great views of Big Blue while checking out the blooms.

“Several weeks of unusually wet and cool weather last spring has resulted in one of the best wildflower seasons on record,” says Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

Result: the trails and paths throughout North Lake Tahoe are offering up an unusual bounty of colorful displays. But go soon:right now is the perfect time to hike the trails of North Lake Tahoe, when the days are sunny but cool. The region’s wildflowers are expected to hang around until the end of July.

Jump on the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile loop trail that traverses the ridgelines around Lake Tahoe. You’ll get easy way to access higher elevations ablaze with wildflowers; some of North Lake Tahoe’s best flower-spotting spots: the area northeast of Marlette Lake between the Tahoe Meadows and Spooner Summit trailheads; Paige Meadows, between Barker Pass and Tahoe City trailheads.

Don’t want to hike, or have toddlers in tow? Then stick to the heart of Tahoe City; within walking distance from restaurants and retail, you’ll find the Gatekeeper’s Museum and the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum at the Tahoe City Dam, both home to lush grounds bursting with wildflowers. And just about one mile north of Tahoe City, at Lake Forest Beach and at the end of Bristlecone Avenue, the lupine are blooming with what many local residents are calling the best showing in the last 30 years.

Details: For hiking trails, lodging reservations, recreation and special event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 877/949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com.
PHOTO CREDIT: Zikas, North Lake Tahoe Resort Association

North Lake Tahoe fires it up for the Fourth

One summer, I watched a Fourth of July fireworks show from the shore of a northern lake, and I'll never forget it. The bright colors reflecting off the water made each explosion look doubly powerful. And the crowd gathered along the beach watched in mellow rapture.

So where can you go this weekend? Well, how about North Lake Tahoe? It plays host to a number of independence events and celebrations, and it’s not that far away (North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno area, two hours from Sacramento, and just over three hours from San Francisco airport). My pal, Pettit Gilwee, emailed me the other day about some fun events. Here’s a summary:

Incline Village July 2 through Saturday, July 4: parade, dress-up-doggie contest, ice cream social, patriotic chalk drawing contest and rubber ducky race. Fourth of July Fireworks, July 4, 9:30 p.m. at Incline Beach.

Kings Beach Friday, July 3 Fireworks, 9:30 p.m. and can be best seen from the Kings Beach State Recreation Area. There’s also a Viewing Party at the North Tahoe Event Center, right on the water in Kings Beach ($10, live music and dancing, along with a no host bar and food available for purchase).

The Village at Squaw Valley USA. Groove to Hell Bound Glory, a live, free concert with a country, rock ‘n’ roll twist Friday, July 3, 4-7 p.m. in the Plaza.

Village at Northstar in Truckee, Friday, July 3: Arts & Crafts Festival showcasing more than 60 artists’ work. Evening outdoor showing of the movie Little Giants. Kids’ Parade Saturday, July 4, noon to 2:30 p.m --children are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters, big wheels, pets or themselves and then parade through the village plus Arts & Crafts Festival.

Tahoe City’s fireworks celebration begins July 4 at 9:30 p.m. at Commons Beach Saturday, Prime viewing: the beach, where family picnics are popular; or make reservations at one of Tahoe City’s lakefront restaurants (Jake’s on the Lake, Christy Hill, Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique).

However you see the show, stay safe n' sane this holiday weekend. And Happy Birthday, America!

Details: Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 877/949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com.
Photo credit: Tom Zikas/North Lake Tahoe

North Tahoe ski deals

Right now, we're seeing the best ski conditions of the year in North Lake Tahoe, with more than six feet of new snow hitting the destination over the last seven days (much of it arriving over the Presidents Day weekend).  

“The powder party continues,” said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “Skiers and snowboarders are in for a treat with optimal conditions at area resorts, and for those that love groomers, our teams are out in full force making rows and rows of corduroy.”

Why go now, well, besides the great snow? Because there are also some great deals and great events to watch.

Bargain tips: A North Lake Tahoe vacation doesn’t have to break the bank—thanks to a new electronic kiosk, put together by the area visitors bureaus at www.gotahoenorth.com/cool-deals. Check it out for great values and specials for activities, dining, entertainment, lodging, and skiing.

Upcoming events:  February 21, Sugar Bowl has Jam 4 The Cure, a benefit with Boarding for Breast Cancer. Feb. 19-22 at Northstar-at-Tahoe, the best in skiing and snowboarding push the envelope at the Winter Dew Tour. Feb. 27-Mr. 5, Squaw Valley hosts the Freeride World Tour and the world’s finest international freeskiers and riders conquering the steep and seemingly unskiable rock faces. Feb. 27 through Mr. 8 is SnowFest, a 10-day winter carnival and one of the region’s most popular annual family celebrations, with parades, a polar bear swim, and dress up your dog contest.

Details: For more on ski resorts, events, current weather conditions in North Lake Tahoe, click on www.GoTahoeNorth.com. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two-three hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over four hours from San Francisco International Airport. Carry chains.

PHOTO: Courtesy Squaw Valley USA