Question on Lake Tahoe

[Sigarms]

Some of you know we were out in Northern California last year with our boy before he shipped off for the Air Force as a family vacation.

Loved the area and although we did day trip to Virginia City for the tourist trap thing, didn't get to Lake Tahoe although we drove by I guess the exit coming over Carsons pass into Nevada.

Wife just asked me about going there first week in November (Lake Tahoe).

Is November to cold in the area for non skiing? Is there skiing in the area first week in November?

Not being familiar the seasons, overall a good month to visit that particular area? What kind of weather? How far it it to Donner's pass? (area I wanted to visited, but even with 2 weeks still didn't make the time with Rout 1 and Yosemite).

 

[Torvy]

Like anywhere with that kind of elevation, I think the answer is...it depends.

Go to Reno and get to Tahoe from the Nevada side. If the weather doesn't cooperate, call an audible and enjoy a show in Reno.

 

[ning]

November would probably be one of the least touristy times to go. The lake will still be beautiful, but it'll be anywhere from cool to chilly.

Question is basically, what do you want to do there?

 

[Sigarms]

Question is basically, what do you want to do there?

Honestly, just drive around, get lost, and experience the area.

We kind of fell in love with Northern California last year kind of doing the same thing. That said, we had goals last year of hitting Yosemite and Big Sur.

Wife said we should go on vacation this year and I said OK. Walked in the house and she's like "how about Tahoe in November". I'm like sure! LOL

That said, I remember getting snow in Utah in May, so I'm liking thinking at that elevation out west, what the heck is the weather like in early November LOL.

I'm used to weather from around the lake placid NY area in November. That said, lived in NC for the last 25 years and I forgot what weathers like in NY in November. What's your definition of "chilly"? LOL

 

[Sigarms]

Go to Reno and get to Tahoe from the Nevada side. If the weather doesn't cooperate, call an audible and enjoy a show in Reno.

Apparently we are flying into Reno...

Rental SUV for $350 for the week.

 

[ericm979]

The first storms of the season are usually in October. Sometimes September or November. I don't know how much snow they drop at lake level but they can close the high passes. Looks like Tahoe City (on the north side of the lake) sees an average of 15 inches of snow in November.

I think the ski areas try to be open by Thanksgiving as that's a big ski weekend.

 

[Hughman]

I assume when you say "skiing", you mean snow, not water. It's always too cold for water skiing on Tahoe in my opinion. Probably too early for snow, but you never know when that first storm will hit.

We were just there two weeks ago on our way up 89 to Lassen. Donner is a little way north of the lake. Beautiful time of the year, but your mileage may vary.

 

[Sigarms]

I assume when you say "skiing", you mean snow, not water. It's always too cold for water skiing on Tahoe in my opinion. Probably too early for snow, but you never know when that first storm will hit.

We were just there two weeks ago on our way up 89 to Lassen. Donner is a little way north of the lake. Beautiful time of the year, but your mileage may vary.

I'm never water skied in my life. Skiing or snowboarding. That said, replacing the shoulder never has happened yet, so perhaps snow tubing if there is any snow LOL

I was hoping you'd chime in (among some others). You're gave us some pretty good ideas last year and we weren't disappointed.

If we just wanted to drive and get lost somewhere, any recommendations would be appreciated.

Donner has always held my interest, but didn't get there last year. How long of a drive from Tahoe?

 

[Hughman]

Drive the loop around the lake

 

[Hughman]

I could recommend some good jeep trails like the Rubicon, but that would require a good jeep.