Things to Do in Lake Tahoe This Winter That Aren’t Skiing or Snowboarding (Both Outdoors and Inside)

One of the best parts of winter in the Bay Area is being so close to Lake Tahoe, where you can head up for a weekend to enjoy the snow.

But what if you don’t ski or snowboard? Or if you’ve planned a December ski trip and the Tahoe weather forecast still hasn’t delivered enough snow yet to actually hit the hill?

The good news? Just because you don’t want to ski — or if this season’s scanty snowfall means it’s not even worth hitting the slopes — it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun.

Keep reading for our list of outdoor and indoor Tahoe activities that will work equally well for non-skiers and skiers seeking a Plan B for a pre-booked trip, in light of this season’s dismal snow showing so far.

• Jump straight to: Indoors Tahoe entertainment to keep you warm

Outdoor activities in the Tahoe snow that aren’t skiing or snowboarding

Go snowshoeing

Snowshoeing can be satisfying even when the snow isn’t at great depths yet. While snowshoeing trails abound in Tahoe, one great option on the north shore is North Tahoe Regional Park, where six miles of trails take snowshoers and cross-country skiers through the pine forest along well-maintained routes.

Looking for a more rugged experience? Check out Chickadee Ridge, West Martis Creek Trail or Tahoe Meadows off of Highway 431. All three are choose-your-own-adventure style snowshoeing, where you can turn around anytime to get back to the warmth of your car.

Try sledding and tubing

Also, up near Tahoe Meadows’s snowshoeing trails is ample space for sledding.

You can also opt for the full tubing experience at spots like Sierra-at-Tahoe, Soda Springs or Hansen’s sled hill in South Lake.

Take a hike — snow or no snow

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean hiking is off the table, especially at lower altitudes.

If you’re looking for lakeside vistas, check out the East Shore Trail, a 5.2-mile paved walk stretching from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. You can even warm up with a cup of coffee or tea from the Tunnel Creek Cafe once your stroll is done.

Hit the beach

Don’t count out Lake Tahoe’s beaches in the wintertime. Due to their low elevation, most stay open or convert to dog parks in the winter — and are a great place to watch the early sunset.

Go fat tire biking 

If you have a need for speed — or just love cycling generally — consider adapting your skills to the winter version of the sport and rent a fat tire bike that can be ridden on snow.

Rachel Elste and her husband co-own Bike Truckee, a local shop that does half- and full-day rentals for those looking to ride the snow. The wide tires and extra traction allow the bikes to practically “float” on snow — so long as you go in the mornings, when the conditions tend to be best. That’s because the snow is hard and packed down in the morning, before the sun melts it, making it tougher to travel on.

Elste’s business even rents electric fat tire bikes, which she said “revolutionized the sport” by helping riders take on more adventurous routes without worry.

“They just make it more fun,” she said, emphasizing that you should bring your most waterproof shoes and warm gloves to stay comfortable. “And definitely more accessible for an average person who doesn’t bike all the time.”

If you’re looking for a scenic ride nearby, Elste recommends the Truckee River Legacy Trail, which is right across the road from her shop and hugs the river for nearly 10 miles, “accessible year-round, almost no matter the conditions.”

Visit the resorts (without skiing)

Head to a local ski resort for ice skating or simply to hang around the lodge or village areas. The Village at Northstar is one resort space that’s worth the trek, especially if you’re willing to shell out for boozy hot chocolate to be enjoyed around outdoor firepits near the skate rink.

And if you’re looking for a party, most resorts even have live music or DJ sets on weekend afternoons and evenings.

Indoor activities to keep you cozy

Have a lazy brunch

If you’re hankering for a steaming cup of coffee to start your day, sleep in late and lean into the winter vibes at Tahoe’s best brunch spots.

Fire Sign Cafe and the Old Post Office Cafe on the East Shore are renowned for their cozy atmospheres and top-tier breakfast fare to fill you up.

In South Lake Tahoe, Driftwood Cafe, The Getaway Cafe and Bert’s Cafe are local favorites.

Get some exercise indoors

Tahoe has many activity-oriented gyms, including ample yoga studios and indoor climbing gyms.

For the more adventurous, there’s the indoor skate and trampoline park at The Bunker near Donner Summit. This spot features a full gymnastics facility, including indoor trampolines and a skate park — and you can rent or bring your own gear to get the most out of a day or weekend pass, said Woodward Tahoe spokesperson Tucker Norred.

Norred recommends coming in for a few hours and bouncing on the trampolines and nearby foam pits or taking a gymnastics class or clinic to perfect your skills.

“Some people think it requires a high ability level, when really, it’s for everybody,” he said — but their expert-level staff are on hand to help you progress.

Take a dip in the hot springs

If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity, a soak in some local hot springs might be in the cards. Carson Hot Springs, just half an hour’s drive from the East Shore of the lake, has four outdoor pools and nine indoor private rooms with tubs ranging from 100 to 104 degrees — and is open all year long. Prices range from a reasonable $17 per person for access to outdoor pools and saunas to $30 for access to indoor pools as well.

“No matter how cold it is, snowing, whatever — we’re open,” said Keith Shellhamer, chief operating officer.

The pools, filled with natural hot spring water, are first-come, first-served, so get there early on busy winter weekends, advised Shellhamer. There’s also a brewery, restaurant and candy store on site.

Buy a day pass at a nearby hotel

Locate the closest resort spa to where you’re staying and embark on a full day of soaking, massage and other spa amenities. The Hyatt in Incline Village and the Ritz-Carlton at Northstar each offer day rates for their spa.

While these day passes aren’t cheap, keep in mind that even the highest day rates are still cheaper than a typical day ski ticket would have been — if you need help justifying the cost.

Rent a lane and go bowling

The recently renovated Incline Village’s Bowl Incline “is so much more than a bowling alley,“ said Alison Hollman, owner and general manager.

That’s due to the “small but mighty” newly expanded arcade, sports bar and two restaurants all inside the bowling alley, including a full bar and outdoor covered patio.

On busy weekends, Hollman recommends making a reservation to secure a lane.

Some first-time visitors “walk in to expect that typical 1970s bowling alley, low ceilings, maybe still the hint of cigarette smoke in the air,” she laughed. “But we’re completely remodeled. We have really great food.”

See a show

If you need late-night entertainment, try either of the California-Nevada state borders for casino concerts — Bally’s formerly MontBleu) and the Crystal Bay Casino both have regular shows. During the winter, several ski resorts also tend to have free or ticketed concerts, so be sure to check their schedules before you make plans.

If you’re more of a movie buff, head to the north shore where two single-screen theaters have showtimes every night.

Take in an ice hockey game

The local professional ice hockey team, the Tahoe Knight Monsters, plays at the brand-new Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline — and has games all winter long.