Summer recreation options at Lake Tahoe run deep and diverse

What do six months of record snowfall mean for South Lake Tahoe this summer? It translates to pure blue energy on and off the water, reports the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

Memorable and value-packed summer vacation options run far and wide. Here are five reasons, provided by the LTVA, to make Lake Tahoe a destination this summer:

See It, Bike It, Hike It
Scenic rides on the Heavenly Gondola offer a bird’s-eye view of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay and Mount Tallac. Summer operations begin June 10 and run through mid-September. At Adventure Peak, the new Tamarack Lodge offers artisan pizzas, smoked tri-tip, pulled-pork sandwiches, a salad bar, a full bar and Lake Tahoe’s highest-elevation, do-it-yourself ice cream parlor. Adventure seekers can also enjoy an adrenaline rush on Heavenly’s super tubing hill, over snow the first part of the summer and on a special synthetic surface once the snow melts.

Whether it’s fat tires for mountain biking or skinny tire riding, the cycling choices are endless in the Basin. Ask a local where they ride or check with one of the shops about what not to miss – they’ll probably offer Flume Trail, Mr. Toad’s or Powerline. For feet grounded on terra firma, there are a number of hikes, including the Lake Tahoe Rim Trail, Mt. Tallac, the Velma Lakes Loop or the rugged Desolation Wilderness. For maps, visit the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit office at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe. 530-543-2600. www.fs.usda.gov.

Van Sickle bi-state Park opens late-summer 2011 with convenient access for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The only park of its kind in the U.S. straddles the California-Nevada border near the casino corridor and includes utilities, restrooms, picnic sites, trails and trailheads.

Summer Entertainment
When day turns to night, it’s the 24-hour allure of Nevada lifestyle with outdoor concerts, showrooms, nightclubs, restaurants and gaming. With five, 24-hour casinos in South Shore, the odds for fun come in spades with award-winning restaurants, indulgent spas and show stopping entertainment.

Live music at South Shore has become a major fixture with the Harveys Outdoor Summer Concert Series, Harrah’s South Shore Room and MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa's top-tiered music and comedy headliners. Music thrives throughout Lake Tahoe in casino nightclubs, bars and pubs around town.

And what would summer be without Lights On the Lake July 4 and again on Labor Day weekend? These annual events provide spectacular fireworks displays over the Lake.

Water Recreation
South Lake Tahoe revs up summer for speed and adventure on water skis, or cools off with a cruise on the Lake. South Shore has a number of chartered cruises and its famous paddlewheeler boats – the M.S. Dixie II or Tahoe Queen – providing an unforgettable tour around the Lake, including iconic Emerald Bay. Popular self-powered water sports include kayaks or standup paddle boards at all marinas.

A summer of fun awaits at the beaches, including Historic Camp Richardson, Zephyr Cove Resort and Round Hill Pines where swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing or water skiing await. Jet ski and cruises are available at any one of the area's local boat outfits, from authentic paddlewheelers to vintage yachts.

Record snowpack translates to gushing waterfalls, explosions of wildflowers, beach, boating and marina activities.

Tahoe Golf
Lake Tahoe golf courses are vibrant green, with lush fairways and smooth greens at the four South Shore courses.
Edgewood Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Golf Course, Tahoe Paradise and Bijou Municipal provide a variety of challenges in the High Sierra setting, whether it’s the tightly manicured fairways that stretch between the Lake along Edgewood Tahoe, the mountain backdrops at Lake Tahoe Golf Course, or family friendly Tahoe Paradise and Bijou Municipal.

Airborne
Above water options include helicopter tours via HeliTahoe’s expanded summer options for lake wide tours, guided adventures including waterfall tours as well as a “Doors Off Tour” for an adrenaline rush and a convertible like ride.

Hot air balloon sunrise flights that escape the confines of gravity over Lake Tahoe are offered daily through Lake Tahoe Balloon Ride, weather permitting and offered through October. South Shore marinas offer boat power to add a little lift above the water by parasailing or – the thrill of floating 300 feet above one of the deepest lakes in the U.S.

The Heavenly Gondola soars to elevation 9,150 with new on-mountain dining at Tamarack Lodge.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and events in South Lake Tahoe, visit The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: www.twitter.com/SouthShoreTahoe, and YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA. For information about Lake Tahoe South Shore, call 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or visit www.tahoesouth.com.