Spring Activities in North Lake Tahoe
Bloom with Spring in North Tahoe
As springtime blooms its verdant colors in North Lake Tahoe, so do the number of activities available to visitors. While the snow is likely to continue throughout the season up until early summer, there are still a number of beautiful days where the sun is shining so brightly that it hurts to stay indoors. And from spring skiing and boarding to full moon snowshoe tours, you’ll find that there’s plenty to do during the months of March, April, and May in North Tahoe.
Follow along with us today as we detail some of the most thrilling and enjoyable spring activities in the North Lake Tahoe area.
Snowy March Activities in North Lake Tahoe
Enjoy Some Spring Skiing and Snowboarding
March may be the beginning of spring in some warmer locales, but in Lake Tahoe, March typically boasts about 74 inches of snowfall, making it the perfect month to take on some spring skiing and snowboarding. While you might not get as many opportunities to ski on days where the powder is freshly-fallen than you will during the deep winter months, the ski resorts are much more accessible in spring and tend to be less crowded than during the holiday season.
For some incredible spring skiing or snowboarding, head over to Palisades Tahoe, where you’ll find some of the best runs anywhere in the region. If spring skiing on melted and refrozen snow is your favorite, check out some south-facing runs that warm up quickly in the California sunshine. Check out this guide for more information on North Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts.
Get Snowy for Snowfest
Enjoy a tradition in Lake Tahoe that dates back to the 1980s: Snowfest. Originally conceived to help bring skiing traffic during the spring off-season, this festival has transformed over the years to become a spring celebration of some of the best powder anywhere on the planet. This weeklong celebration involves a huge number of events, with everything from a torchlight parade to a polar bear ice swim represented. If you happen to be visiting Lake Tahoe during the month of March, this is a can’t-miss event.
Take a Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Sugar Pine Point State Park
Have you ever wanted to snowshoe by the light of the moon? You can at Sugar Pine Point State Park during January, February, March, and April, where guided full moon snowshoe hikes are held on a monthly basis. While you trudge over the snow-covered west shore of Tahoe, the light of the moon falls on the mountains in the most magical manner while stars twinkle overhead.
Springtime in Bloom: North Lake Tahoe Things to Do in April
Attend a Mountain Music Festival: WinterWondergrass
In recent years, Lake Tahoe has become a destination for music lovers from around the country, and one festival that you don’t want to miss is the annual WinterWondergrass Music Festival held at Palisades Tahoe.
Bringing together acts from all over the United States, this festival has hosted the likes of Sam Grisman, Greensky Bluegrass, and Trampled by Turtles in recent years. There are even some free shows available around the mountain as well for those who don’t want to purchase a festival ticket but still want to enjoy the mountain music fun.
Go For a Snowy Hike and Visit 3 Waterfalls
If you’re coming to Tahoe during April to avoid the winter and summertime crowds, there’s no better way to spend your time than going for a snowy hike to 3 total waterfalls. While it is a bit of a challenge with over 2,000 total feet of elevation, the Shirley Canyon Trail is one you don’t want to miss out on–just be sure to bring your snowshoes if you’re coming during April. If you do, however, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views, lush wildflower blooms, and waterfall views you’ll remember forever.
For even more snowy hikes to choose from, take a look at our guide to hiking in Tahoe during the wintertime.
See You in the Summer: May Activities in North Tahoe
Prepare for the Oncoming Summer at Cushing Crossing
Each year, to celebrate the end of the skiing season and the oncoming summer that approaches, Palisades Tahoe puts on a one of a kind event calling Cushing Crossing. Now on its 32nd anniversary, this event challenges skiers and boarders to skim across a pond after traversing a steep slope, all bedecked in silly costumes. This event is held when conditions ripen enough to allow the pond to thaw out, so it falls on a different date every year.
Pick Up One of a Kind Souvenirs at the Made in Tahoe Festival
There’s no better souvenir than one that was made locally, and at the Made in Tahoe Festival held every May at Palisades Tahoe, you’ll be in just the right place to find one. With tons of local offerings from vendors in the region like local art and food, you won’t want to miss out on this annual activity in the Tahoe area.
Take a Look at More Tahoe Activities on the LocalVR Blog
As the snow begins to thaw out in the North Lake Tahoe area, even more activities and things to do become available. While the wildflowers bloom and the weather warms, enjoy a visit to a mountain music festival or attend an annual event to make the most of your spring Tahoe vacation.
Not sure what else to do while you’re in town? Check out some guides from the LocalVR blog, like our guide to the best free and frugal North Tahoe activities or our recommendations for the best dark sky spots in North Tahoe.