Tahoe South goes big with revitalization, major enhancements into 2015-16 winter season

Tahoe South is destination vacation central for the 2015-16 ski season with more than $200 million in major enhancements in lodging, recreation and dining hot spot renovations that are underway.

From slope-side to beachfront and all points in between, the ongoing revitalization opens the gates to additional places to stay, shop, dine, play, recreate and experience the Tahoe lifestyle. Major news continues with the Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe, which broke ground Oct. 1.

When completed in early summer 2017, the LEED-designed 169,000 square-foot $100 million project will increase local overnight lodging with 154 new hotel rooms, a centerpiece lodge reminiscent of the great national parks, health spa, bistro style restaurant and bar, plus conference and event center. Plans also include 40 fractional residences, golf course enhancements, and expansion of the existing clubhouse. The property will also deliver significant water quality benefits for the 4,200-acre Edgewood Creek watershed with enriched wetlands, new fish and wildlife habitat, and upgraded storm water systems for urban areas upstream.

On the California side, the new three-story development Zalanta Resort at the Village, located within the Château at the Village is set to open in 2017 and will feature 19,571 square-feet of retail shops and restaurants on the ground level, and 30 two, three and four bedroom condominiums with full service amenities on the upper floors. The $25-30 million development is located at the state line across from the Heavenly Village and adjacent to Harveys Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Beach Club, a 20 acre 143 luxury condominium development, is the first whole ownership project on the lake in over 30 years. Located adjacent to the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course the development will feature a private pier, lakefront clubhouse, health club, spa, pool, food and beverage. Phase 1 of this gated community is scheduled for occupancy fall 2017.

Inn by the Lake, located a few miles south of the casinos near Lakeview Commons beach, is investing $2 million this winter to renovate 65 of their 99 rooms with new bathrooms, furniture, carpets and paint. In addition, heated sidewalks, new roofing, and paint in the event center, lobby and pool buildings will complete the upgrades. The remaining 34 rooms will be revitalized the following season.

The Loft is a first for the California side as it combines a theatre, with nightly live entertainment, and a lounge and restaurant for families and adults. A family-friendly show, “Magic Fusion,” will launch early December and run six nights weekly with award winning magicians. Located on the third floor of the Heavenly Village Cinema, the stage will rotate to face the lounge and highlight DJs or solo acoustic artists. The restaurant will feature homemade Italian cuisine from four generations of authentic recipes, along with a full bar with craft brews, wine and cocktails.

SLT Brewing Company will be the first South Lake Tahoe establishment to provide a selection of sour brews as well as barrel-aged beers. The brewery will offer lighter fare including sandwiches, salads, brats and pizzas. The ownership group, known as Sidellis Lake Tahoe, from a collision of names: Chris Sidell, Ellwood "Dustin" Ellis, and Steve Canali, are bringing their area hospitality backgrounds at various breweries and UC Davis viticulture and enology/fermentation science education to the forefront.

The 2015 Tahoe South resort renaissance featured the opening of the $60 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, $24 million remodel of MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, $12 million in renovations at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Tahoe South also added a number of new restaurants, bars and eateries including the Highland Bar at Harrah’s, California Burger Co. in the Heavenly Village, Cold Water Brewery in mid-town, Harumi Sushi in Round Hill, and Agave Azul Mexican Grill in Stateline.

“The commitment of capital and confidence for infrastructure improvements and development from both area entrepreneurs and outside investors, complements the destination’s unique combination of outdoor recreation, dining, gaming and lodging to provide a memorable experience,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Combine that with the anticipated snowfall from El Nino influencing weather patterns and we’re primed for an epic winter.”

Ski and Board Full Steam Ahead
Heavenly Mountain Resort celebrates its 60th anniversary this season with a wide range of improvements, planned expansions, special retro-themed Unbuckle at Tamarack après parties and free concerts. Heavenly features many improvements including expansion of the interactive Epic Discovery environmental education program and the planned four-season Forest Flyer alpine coaster ride that will open in summer 2016. The coaster is one of many year-round mountain recreation experiences, such as the zip lines and ropes courses, Heavenly is adding over the next 10 years.

Heavenly skiers and riders jumpstart the ski and board season Dec. 4-12 with Winter Ignite, a celebration featuring on-mountain activities, mountain concerts at the casinos and a free headliner concert in Heavenly Village.

Heavenly visitors will also find other improvements including upgrades at the Sky Deck outdoor dining area near the base of Sky and Canyon Express, Sunday tailgate parties at Tamarack Lodge, and beginning in January, a series of outdoor Saturday concerts featuring regional headliners at the top of the Gondola, outside Tamarack Lodge.

Sierra-at-Tahoe will bring new groomer technology and healthier food selections and boost its Wi-Fi connectivity in the 2015-16 season.

Sierra-at-Tahoe has also diversified its fleet of high-performance snowcats to include a new Prinoth Bison X. In addition to two new terrain park snow cats added last year, the new Tier 4 model reduces pollutants, conserves fuel and minimizes the impact on the environment, upholding Sierra’s highest grade in pollutions standards.

Sierra will also increase free Wi-Fi connectivity in the base area, giving guests better connection with friends and family on and off the mountain to share videos, photos and Snapchats. The Sierra Mobile App is available to gauge a skiers’ speed, distance, vertical number of runs and even daily calories burned over the course of the season.

Known for their creative, emerging food trends, Sierra will continue to source sustainable, healthier, organic food options in the Solstice Eatery. If you show up early enough, you can catch free Yoga sessions in the Solstice as well.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort, known for its deep powder, steep runs, and cornices, welcomes winter with a number of new tours, clinics to navigate the mountain.

Kirkwood offers a Discovery Series for intermediates and expert skiers/riders ready to take it to the next level. The series combines Kirkwood’s famous terrain with top coaches strengthen skills in the steeps, and navigate the signature chutes, cornices and bowls. All sessions include lunch and use of Go Pro cameras for skier/rider analysis.

The Discover the Steep series will focus on the unique Kirkwood terrain giving skiers and riders room to explore and boost skill development to successfully ski/ride these areas from top to bottom with confidence. The Navigating Chutes clinics will teach skiers and riders when it’s ideal to ski/ride some of Kirkwood’s extreme terrain including The Notch, Ski School Chute, The Sisters, Venturi and The Fingers. Each series has room for groups from three to six people and are arranged based on ability and snow conditions.

New Tahoe South Personal Itineraries
Want to know what to see and do during your stay? The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority has launched Utrip PRO, a free online travel-planning tool and mobile app that easily and quickly creates personalized itineraries via the Tahoe South website, www.TahoeSouth.com.

The Utrip PRO platform uses any traveler’s interests and budget to create personalized itineraries including outdoor and indoor activities, attractions, entertainment, and restaurant recommendations, based on individually determined budget parameters. The system also engages local area experts to design “Featured Trips” showcasing insider tips on their favorite venues. Once created guests can share customized information via social media channels or email to family and friends. They can also access their trip through Utrip’s free mobile app.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and events in Tahoe South, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TahoeSouth, YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA, Instagram: www.instagram.com/tahoesouth and use #tahoesouth to share posts.