Hey guys. As you read this, I’m on my way Tahoe for the weekend, which is a topic I’ve been wanting to write about ever since a friend invited us up to Tahoe a few weeks ago. We went for a quick overnight and had a blast. That’s where the pictures came from.
San Francisco’s close proximity to Tahoe is one of the things I’ve been most excited about since becoming a Northern Californian again. Whether for an August weekend on the lakeshore or a January day of snowboarding, getting to Tahoe is worth the 3-hour drive.
As kids we made trips to my papa’s cabin near Tahoe in both the summer and winter. Along the way, we made a habit of stopping for burgers and fries at California’s signature fast food joint — In’N'Out. So as we drove to Tahoe a few weekends ago, we made good on my family tradition. This time around I was no longer interested in cheeseburgers, but I was on board for a chocolate shake. 
Sometimes you gotta get creative to keep traditions alive, and sometimes you have to drink milkshakes. That’s life, guys.
Our trip only got better from there. Looking at the snow that had arrived as we drove into Tahoe, I couldn’t remember the last time I saw snow.
And, having not been to Squaw Valley ski resort since I was a wee kiddo, I was pretty excited about driving by the Olympic rings and torch at the entrance. I somehow managed to snap a picture as we drove past. You can’t see the rings at the top, but the torch managed to get me all sorts of jazzed for the winter Olympics next year. 
We spent Sunday on the slopes. 
…and found them to be in perfect condition! It was sunny, chilly and the snow was soft and new. This is how Californians ski. No joke: I learned to snowboard in a t-shirt and snow pants.
So now we’re off for more! This weekend we’re trading our snowboard boots for snowshoes. I’ve never been! Have you? I’m also planning on bundling up in my cutest snow clothes, reading by a fire while it snows outside, and drinking hot cocoa. Catchya on the flip side, people!
How fun, Kate! I still want to learn to snowboard…I’m slowly getting the hang of downhill skiing but our midwestern “mountains” are really just large hills in comparison, so I think I’d be intimidated at Tahoe!
Enjoy snowshoeing! I did a 6-miler with snowshoes in Rocky Mt. National Park a few Thanksgivings ago, and my hip flexors were soooo sore the next day, because you have to do this funky little march to get your giant snowshoes out of the way of each other.
You’d be fine in Tahoe, Jor! As a designated beginner hill snowboarder, I can attest to Tahoe’s plethora of approachable hills for skiing and snowboarding. The thing I’m intimidated by in the midwest and east coast is the extreme weather! Tahoe gets cold, but not as bitterly cold as Vermont, etc.
I’m so excited to try snowshoeing! I imagine it being a great workout and very picturesque. I’m planning on bringing Jordan’s SLR camera and snapping some pics. Stay tuned!
Can’t wait to see the photos. I agree with Jorie- you’ll be sore after snowshoeing but it’s so fun. My favorite wintertime destination is… well, I live in one! So I like to get away to warmth!
Snowshoeing was a blast! I can’t wait to post the pictures here. Also, I’m dying to get to Park City! It seems like such a fun city, and from all the photos on The Usual Bliss, it’s absolutely gorgeous too.
It’s lovely, in winter and also in summer. I have yet to bust out my snowshoes here though!