Some of you may be asking yourself “What does it matter how crowded the line is? I’m going up anyway!” Well, good for you for having a “can do” attitude.  However, checking the lift cams can be extremely beneficial when trying to decide which way to begin your day on the mountain.  Many resorts such as Heavenly and Kirkwood have more than one ski lift that will give you access to the mountains.  By using the resort’s webcam, it is easy to see which lift is more crowded, which can help you can plan accordingly.

The webcams can also be handy for checking weather in real time.  No more listening to the often long, drawn out weather report by phone or checking the sometimes outdated website.  Click on the webcams ahead of time and check the lift lines and weather for yourself.

Heavenly Ski Resort                                                         Seirra at Tahoe

Kirkwood Ski Resort                                                      Northstar at Tahoe

Squaw Valley                                                                    Mt. Rose

Diamond Peak                                                                  Alpine Meadows

This home will capture you before you walk in the door! Polished log accents give this home a sharp look. Interior is well appointed with slate tile and hickory hardwood floors, warm stone hearth fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and log wood accents throughout. This home has been loved and it shows. No detail has been over-looked. Buy this home today at a great value and enjoy nearly all of the furnishings (and the antler chandelier) included in the sale. Located two minutes from Heavenly.

New Custom home with partial views of the meadow & Mt. Tallac awaits all your summer & winter activities. Walk or bike ride to pope beach, Camp Richardson and Fallen Leaf lake, mins to Heavenly Ski Resort, Sierra at Tahoe. This custom home has Nine foot walls & Vaulted ceilings, designer wall finishes, Granite & Travertine countertops. Jenn air ss appliances. Cedar siding, High Grade Milguard Windows, 40yr roof. Must see to appreciate, location & craftsmanship.

As soon as you turn the corner and drive up, this home has your attention. Prestigious Montgomery Estates Custom Home backing forest has 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths with beautiful interior finishes. A must see to appreciate.

What a view from this top deck. This deck is Hot tub ready with 220V setup and separate cleanout for easy cleaning of your hot tub.

The ultimate mountain lodge styled home surrounded on ALL sides by USFS lands! VERY PRIVATE. Extraordinary river, forest & mountain views. Selling with distinctive, hand selected mountain furnishings. Vaulted pine ceilings, 3 floor to ceiling river rock fireplaces with log mantles, slate floors, log railings inside & out, antler chandeliers, pine cabinetry, full wrap cedar siding, tumbled marble granite slab counters, and a gourmet kitchen with GE Monogram appliances. A secluded mountain retreat!

Lake Tahoe Locals are making their presence known at the Olympics this year being held in Vancouver.  Many of the Olympians competing this year grew up here and call Lake Tahoe home. With world renowned ski resorts such as Squaw Valley, Kirkwood, Heavenly it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why Lake Tahoe is a breeding spot when it comes to fierce Olympic competitors.

One of the bigger names that calls Lake Tahoe home would have to be Hannah Teter.  Hannah resides locally here in South Lake Tahoe and can often be seen riding the pipe at Sierra at Tahoe, her home mountain.  In 2006, Teter made her Olympic debut as a 19-year-old and snatched the Gold medal in the half pipe competition in Tornio, Italy.  Hannah is no stranger to competition having been the World Half Pipe Junior champion at age 15.  Hannah realizes how lucky she is to be a professional snowboarder and gives back by focusing on humanitarian causes.  Hannah donates much of her prize to help support an under privileged village in Kenya.  She is hoping to bring home another win and has already pledged prize money to earthquake victims of Haiti.

Another popular name in the Olympics is Marco Sullivan.  Sullivan was born and raised here in Tahoe City on the west shore of Lake Tahoe.  At the age of three, Marco put on his first pair of skis and began to tear up what would become his home mountain, Squaw Valley.  Sullivan can keep up with anyone on the slopes, but he’s ready to give it his all and finally bring home some prestigious Olympic medals.  He has hinted that this might be his last Olympic competition, so the pressure is on. Sullivan has had many accomplishments throughout his career, including a 2001 win at the NorAm over all, a World cup win in 2008 and a third place finish at the legendary Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen Switzerland.

Giving Hannah Teter a run for her money would be Elena Hight. Elena is yet another South Lake Tahoe native and began as a member of the U.S Junior National Snowboard team at age 15.  She continued from there and won her first pro competition in 2005, where she swept the Australian Open by winning both half pipe and slopestyle competitions. In 2006 she made the Olympic team and was named the sports rookie of the year. Elena is only twenty and still at the beginning of her highly anticipated career. 

These are just a few of the approximately nine Olympians set to compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics this year. Lake Tahoe wishes all Olympians the best of luck….but bring the Gold to Tahoe!

For more information on Lake Tahoe Olympians competing in the Winter Olympics, check out the official website at Vancouver2010.com

By far, the most recognizable Lake Tahoe movie moment is found in in The Godfather Part II .  The compound that the Corleone Family lived in is still a favorite to find.  The house and grounds portrayed in the film are located on the California side of Lake Tahoe. The Fleur du Lac is the summer estate of Henry J. Kaiser. The only structures used in the movie that still remain are the complex of old native stone boathouses with their wrought iron gates. Although Fleur du Lac is private property and no one is allowed ashore there, the boathouses and multi-million dollar condominiums are easily viewed from the lake.

Another favorite filmed here is the TV series Bonanza.  The Ponderosa Ranch was actually located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and the opening sequence for the series was filmed at the McFaul Creek Meadow with Mount Tallac in the background.  This was a nostalgic hotspot for those who grew up watching the Cartwright family deal with life on their ranch. Unfortunately, in September of 2004, the Ponderosa Ranch closed its doors after being sold to a developer for an undisclosed price.

City of Angles starring Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage also filmed some of the movies most memorable scenes here as well. Who could forget Meg Ryan riding her bike, eyes closed, with Lake Tahoe as her back drop. City of Angles also filmed at Fallen Leaf Lake which is mere minutes from Lake Tahoe.

The picturesque and unscathed natural beauty of Lake Tahoe make it easy to see why so many movies have been filmed in the area. There is little doubt that Lake Tahoe will continue to be a favorite with film makers, because Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains are truly one of the most beautiful places on earth.

You can spend a weekend pampering yourself at luxurious spas and salons or rough it with only the bare essentials out in the backcountry.

Risk it all on Black or Red at one of the Casinos.

 Maybe take your money and go shopping at Heavenly Village or Outlet Shops.

 Or, fly down one of the many ski resorts at mock speed.  It really is just a matter of choice here in Lake Tahoe.  So bring your honey, bring your friends and bring your family to Lake Tahoe to take advantage of the extended weekend and take your pick of activities.

Here are some quick ideas on actives in Lake Tahoe

Downhill skiing/snowboarding             Rent a snowmobile

Sledding and tubing                             Take a boat cruise on Lake Tahoe

Horse drawn sleigh ride                         Ice skating at Heavenly Village

Get a massage                                    Snow shoe to a scenic view point

Cross country ski along the beach         Test your luck at the Casinos

Watch a movie at a theater                   Play video games in the arcades