Tahoe South tunes up for winter with epic $100 million resort-to-recreation renaissance

With more than $100 million in revitalization efforts this year, a mountain of changes are underway at Tahoe South, the “No. 1 Ski Destination” (USA Today 2014), providing more upscale lodging, entertainment, shopping, skiing and outdoor recreation for the 2014-15 winter season.

The resort-to-recreation renaissance includes the planned winter opening of the $60 million remodel of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, $24 million remodel of MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, $3 million at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel and $15 million for the Château shopping center across from Heavenly Village.

“The major investments to our lodging, gaming and shopping landscapes are the necessary pieces that are coming together for our revitalization renaissance,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “The economic momentum has helped invigorate the town.”

The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, (formerly the Horizon) will shake, rattle and roll this winter with $60 million in renovations. Features include 539 refurbished hotel rooms, several new restaurants and bars, and a 25,000 square foot casino – all designed to incorporate elements of the Hard Rock culture. With music at its core and recognized as a leader of live entertainment venues, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe offers guests a memorable experience. (www.hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com)

Renovations exceeding $24 million at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa include the casino floor, convention center and all 437-rooms from the 17th floor and down and begins in mid-October. The designers describe the overall look as “Scandinavian fantasy” with clean, contemporary aesthetics that combine beauty, functionality and efficiency. The rooms will feature all new furniture, headboards, nightstands, HD flat screen TVs, and fully remodeled bathrooms with new shower fixtures, counter tops, and vanities. Room remodels will be conducted one floor at a time with buffer floors above and below to assure comfort and quiet during the transformation and are expected to be completed by May www.montbleuresort.com.

Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel has begun work on a $3 million second phase that will add alpine mountain ambiance touches to its premium and balcony suites, lobby, banquet rooms and pool area in time for the holiday season. This follows an investment of $5 million in nine-story top to bottom renovations last April after the resort went independent.

The Château is now open with more shops coming online winter 2014-15. The center mirrors the popular Heavenly Village shopping area on Lake Tahoe Boulevard in California near the Nevada border. McP’s Taproom (formerly McP’s Pub) has moved into the Chateau and is scheduled to open mid-November. The $15 million investment for the first phase includes 27,868-square-feet of boutique shops and restaurants.

Basecamp Hotel has purchased the adjacent Capri hotel, in order to expand their offerings this winter. The renovations include 24 additional guest rooms (74 total), a beer garden, meeting space for 40 people, a private event space in a vintage Air Stream trailer, 20 person hot tub, three more fire pits (total four) for roasting s'mores and two large rooftop decks with views of Heavenly Mountain Resort.

The Mellow Mountain Hostel appeals to international guests and backpackers who want to meet fellow travelers to share their worldly adventures. The lodging establishment features 11 dorm-style rooms and is located steps from Harveys Casino and the Heavenly Village. Mellow Mountain is billed as Lake Tahoe’s only traveler hostel. (www.mellowmountainhostel.com)

More local companies, too, are either expanding their franchise or developing new ones. The owners of the successful Base Camp Pizza at Heavenly Village have expanded with the summer opening of a new Mexican restaurant, Azul Latin Kitchen, also located in the Village. (http://azullatinkitchen.com). Across town along Highway 50 the Cold Water Brewery & Grill will open in early-November with California comfort food paired with handcrafted brews such as Mr. Toad's Wild Rye, Still Water Stout, and Preacher's Pale Ale (www.tahoecoldwaterbrewery.com).

With big-name entertainment and signature events on the calendar, Heavenly Mountain Resort is the go-to ski destination for those looking for a high-energy experience, and this season, Heavenly’s not making you wait until après to join in on the party. Heavenly will roll out a mid-day party on the deck at East Peak Lodge on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 - 3 p.m. Select holiday weekends will feature live music. With the West Coast’s largest snowmaking system Heavenly plans to open late November 2014. (www.skiheavenly.com)

This winter at Sierra-at-Tahoe the $5 million Solstice Plaza will be in full swing. The 30,000-square-foot deck and 9,000 square foot-base area offers a new après scene and enhanced guest services as well as a new retail shop, demo center and restaurant Solstice Eatery – featuring internationally flavored rice bowls. Sierra Resort offers a new indoor/outdoor bar, food options, and live music around the outdoor fire pits that overlook the mountain.

Dovetailing with the center and crucial to the learning program, Sierra Resort has invested $580,000 in Prinoth Bison grooming technology that will create ideal snow conditions to foster the learning curve of newcomers.

Sierra has also upgraded its mobile apps for guests for better smart phone interaction with the mountain. Users can create a profile and track their season including number of runs taken, top speed, altitude, vertical feet gained and distance traveled. Other features include an interactive trail map, snow reports, videos and events (www.sierraattahoe.com).

Known for its deep powder, steep runs, and cornices Kirkwood Mountain Resort has taken its Expedition Kirkwood Beyond Boundaries series to a new level with seven new semi-private excursions (www.kirkwood.com). The new courses include Intro to Backcountry, Out of Bounds Private Guides, Discover the Steeps, Explore Cornices & Bowls, Navigating Chutes, Ladies Only and Ultimate 4. The excursions are offered throughout the season at different times, dates and will vary based on the program. The overall focus is to explore #KirkwoodDeep and develop the skills that are needed to conquer some of the most difficult terrain in Kirkwood.

Less than an hour to Tahoe South from Reno airport
Named one of the "Best Airports for Skiers" by SKI Magazine, Reno Tahoe International Airport has also added a number of new flights from Houston, Portland and other key air gateway cities. RTIA provides easy and convenient access to Tahoe South with the six-lane, 65-mile-per-hour I-580 freeway. The 8.5-mile divided freeway features new anti-icing technology. Multiple daily shuttle runs are also available via South Tahoe Express, the non-stop luxury motorcoach for just $30 one-way. For information on available flights, maps, airlines and the region visit: www.flyrenotahoe.com.

Visitors to the Tahoe South website are able to view all six real-time 18 megapixel cameras with options to view in full screen, zoom, explore or a daily time-lapse. The cameras not only provide beautiful imagery but serve as a resource for media to utilize for articles or broadcasts. For more information visit www.tahoesouth.com/prism. To access/request real-time broadcast quality images from a specific date please email: info@tahoesouth.com

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. For Tahoe South information: 1-800-288-2463 or www.tahoesouth.com.