Tahoe South addresses COVID winter visitation safety with enhanced approaches

For winter enthusiasts eager to explore South Tahoe’s vast outdoor winter wonderland, tourism officials recommend advance planning, mid-week stays, and securing reservations early for desired attractions and dining. To help visitors plan a safe, healthy winter adventure, Tahoe South offers updated information on its website at “Know Before You Go” and Responsible Recreation with all current state and county health protocols.

WHAT TO EXPECT
When traveling to South Lake Tahoe, a coalition of Lake Tahoe agencies and local government remind visitors of the public health directive to wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay six-feet apart to decrease the spread of COVID-19. “The Virus Doesn’t Take a Vacation,” outreach safety campaign includes videos.

HOW TO SKI / SNOWPLAY
For the 2020/21 winter season, Sierra-at-Tahoe is promoting winter play through skiing and snowboarding with new regulations and operational changes to meet COVID-19 pandemic requirements for returning to the mountains. Consistent with health guidelines, face coverings will be required, as will physically distancing by maintaining six feet apart whenever possible.

To promote health and safety on chairlifts, guests are invited to self-group and load chairs with related parties (guests skiing or riding together).

With indoor capacities limited in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, guests will be asked to embrace their car as a lodge to stay warm between laps and for snack breaks. Sierra’s plans will not require a reservation system, as daily lift access will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis, provided parking is available.

Regular cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas will take place, as well as daily staff wellness checks. For more information, please visit: sierraattahoe.com/covid-19.

This season, Vail Resorts’ commitment to safety takes on more importance than ever. CEO Rob Katz announced the Company’s 2020/21 winter operating plan in a letter to guests, which outlines a comprehensive, out-front approach to operating its 34 North American resorts, including Heavenly and Kirkwood Mountains Resort, with the goal of ensuring a safe, enjoyable and successful ski and ride season. Tentative opening dates are Nov. 20 for Heavenly and Dec. 4 for Kirkwood. Key changes outlined in the plan include:

— Guests will be required to wear face coverings to get on the mountain and in all parts of resort operations, including in lift lines and riding in lifts and gondolas.

— To maintain physical distancing on chairlifts and gondolas, the resort will only be seating related parties (guests skiing or riding together) or: two singles on opposite sides of a four-person lift; two singles or two doubles on opposite sides of a six-person lift; or two singles on opposite sides of our larger gondola cabins.

— Ski and ride school will be offered and on-mountain dining will be open, but with changes to help keep guests safe.

— Mountain access will be managed to ensure guests have the space they need. As such, Vail Resorts announced a mountain access reservation system and limits on lift tickets to prioritize its pass holders. Full details on the pass holder reservation system can be found here.

Camp Richardson Resort’s Mountain Sports will continue its operations similar to summer months to safely provide travelers with equipment rentals with cleaning/sanitation protocols, required mask wearing, and social distancing still in place. Snowshoes and cross-country skis will be available to rent for the day or longer durations, and groomed trails around the resort will open as conditions allow. See camprichardson.com.

Sledding is an iconic winter pastime with additional places to zip down a hill. New this season, Sled Meyers, operating out of Tahoe Paradise Golf Course, is focused on family fun for visitors and locals while providing numerous skill level runs for various adrenalin needs. Tahoe Snowmobile Tubing Hill across from MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa provides tube rentals as well as a small snowmobile course. Sierra at Tahoe’s Blizzard Mountain; Adventure Mountain at the top of Echo Summit heading into the Tahoe Basin; and Hansen’s Resort, on Ski Run Boulevard, approximately a mile from the Stateline/Heavenly Village corridor, each offer dedicated groomed areas for tubing and snow play as well as lodge amenities.

Tourism officials recommend guests call or visit the individual businesses websites for current COVID protocols throughout the season. If sledding independently at various hills, Take Care and area partners encourage guests to take memories and trash (i.e. broken sleds) home upon departure.

Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina, in the South Lake Tahoe area of Nevada, provides the quintessential lakefront “log cabin” winter getaway with activities for all ages, including sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling via Lake Tahoe Adventures and boat cruises on the M.S. Dixie II paddle wheeler. The M.S. Dixie II will be available all winter for sightseeing to iconic Emerald Bay for tours and dinner cruises. Seating for dining will be spaced with limited occupancy due to the pandemic. The boat may also be rented for winter weddings and private charters. The resort has implemented mask requirements for guests and employees; social distancing protocols; new technology to minimize contact including plexiglass shields in public areas; frequent disinfecting at high-touch areas; addition of hand sanitation stations throughout the facilities; and each snowmobile helmet is sanitized after each tour with the option to purchase a balaclavas ski mask. See zephyrcove.com.

Lake Tahoe Adventures snowmobile tours offer a natural distancing while exploring a variety of trails winding through mountain meadows and peaks at nearly 8,500 ft elevation with stunning lake views. Reservations are recommended; for current schedule, details and operations visit: laketahoeadventures.com.

CHEERS TO NEW ATTRACTIONS
In anticipation of a new travel landscape, Spa Edgewood at the Lodge at Edgewood is offering a menu of “hands-off” services: Reiki Energy Healing is a method of spiritual healing and self-improvement; self-guided Hypervolt Massage feature master therapists to guide clients through massage techniques to alleviate sore muscles and ease away tension.

Edgewood Tahoe’s partnership with Veuve Clicquot pairs winter activities with the finest champagne. Snowshoe to the Champagne Chalet features a snowshoeing experience across the Edgewood golf course to a charming custom built Veuve hut and bar with indoor and outdoor seating by the fire. Edgewood will also have a lakeside ice skating rink with Veuve mobile bar to cheer the beautiful lakefront backdrop. See edgewoodtahoe.com.

NEW COFFEE, COCKTAILS & CO-WORKING SPACE
Cuppa Tahoe, located in The Crossings at Tahoe Valley near the “Y” – intersection of Hwy 50 and 89, opened in May and provides an inviting setting for a cup of coffee, a rotating menu of quick bites, as well as a bookstore with casual co-working space and private conference room. See cuppatahoe.com.

In the same center, Tahoe Cocktail Corner offers craft cocktails, hot beverages, martinis as well as an extensive menu for brunch and dinner. The menu includes sausage platters, charcuterie boards, smoked duck, ahi tuna poke, gourmet toast, rosemary ricotta, and beet carpaccio. It also shares patio space with the same owner of Lake Tahoe AleWorxs allowing guests the option of a single tab and a choice from either menu. See tahoecocktailcorner.com.

RENOVATED ACCOMMODATIONS
Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino completed more than $41 million in capital expenditures starting in 2019 and through 2020 including renovating all 519 guest rooms in the famed resort’s Lake Tower. The tower’s balcony suites, with incredible views of the lake, were also refurbished last year. In addition, Gordon Ramsay HELL’S KITCHEN Lake Tahoe opened January 2020. See caesars.com/harveys-tahoe.

Coming this winter, Coachman Tahoe, located five-minutes from the lake as well as the Heavenly Village, has added 40 rooms across the street from its property adding to their existing 41 modern boutique hotel rooms. The Coachman is dog-friendly and provides work/play options including meeting space and a partnership with Cowork Tahoe, a local coworking office.

The Beach Retreat and Lodge has made renovations to their property to include ski lockers with boot dryers. New après food/cocktail menus at the Boathouse on the Pier provides a lake sunset setting for skiers following an adventurous day outdoors.

RnR Vacation Rentals in South Lake Tahoe enhanced their short-term renting model to incorporate discounted 30-day stays at their 65+ vacation rental homes to accommodate winter enthusiasts with options to work remotely for an extended period of time.

About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Designated the “America’s Favorite Ski Destination” by USA TODAY readers, Tahoe South combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: spectacular natural beauty and a modern tourism destination with an array of outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. Tahoe’s timeless splendor and diversity toward health and wellness, green business practices and sustainability continue to define its inimitable personality. For information about lodging, recreation, packages, and healthy travel at Tahoe South, call 1-800-288-2463 or log onto www.TahoeSouth.com.