Winter abounds at Tahoe South with snow, festivals and celebrations

With substantial early season snow coverage, Tahoe South is looking to double down on a second consecutive winter of remarkable conditions packed with its renowned 24-hour vibe and hospitality.

The combination of skiing/snowboarding, live entertainment, ski films, outdoor recreation, family adventures and good cheer are in store for the holiday season. (www.TahoeSouth.com).

Headliner Entertainment
Heavenly Mountain Resorts’ inaugural #HelloSnow includes daily events that celebrate skiing/snowboarding, on-mountain music and après festivities, Dec. 4-16. The #hellosnowfest reggae festival features music from Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, Thrive and 40oz To Freedom (Sublime Tribute) at California Base Lodge complete with food trucks and craft brews, Dec. 16 from 12 – 5 p.m. (www.skiheavenly.com).

Heavenly Holidays kicks the season into high gear with a two-week adventure of family fun Dec. 18-31 at Heavenly Village. The family festival entails ice sculptors, DJs and live music, magicians and a visit with Santa in his giant snow globe.

At the Stateline casinos, MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa’s lineup of showroom entertainment and comedians includes Jonny Lang, Dec. 2; Melvin Seals & JGB at BLU nightclub, Dec. 2; Daniel Tosh, Dec. 15; Tower of Power 50th Anniversary Tour 2018, Feb. 2-3; Beth Hart, Feb. 10; Mike Gordon, Feb. 11. (www.montbleuresort.com).

Harrah’s South Shore showroom entertainment acts include Abbacadabra – The Ultimate ABBA Concert, Nov. 24-25; MarchFourth, Dec. 14; One Night with King, Dec. 19-30; Tainted Love, Jan. 13; Saved by the 90’s, Jan. 20; Jim Breuer, Jan. 27; Dark Star Orchestra, Feb. 18 and Penn & Teller, Feb. 23 (www.caesars.com).

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe entertainment at Vinyl features Zion I, Dec. 16; Lee Dewyze: American Idol Season 9 Winner, Dec. 15; Triple Threat: Gilby Clarke of Guns N’ Roses, Dec. 23; Vietnamese Concert and Dance, Dec. 24; and 80’s Dance Party Featuring Glam Cobra, Dec. 31. (www.hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com).

Festive Snow Gatherings
Sierra Cinemas Movie Night offers a family-friendly gathering of complimentary movies under the stars by the firepits every Saturday night through Feb. 24 at Lake Tahoe AleWorX in The Crossings complex. Hosted by FNCTN, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Lake Tahoe AleWorX an array of holiday classics: “Elf,” “Frozen” and “The Polar Express” as well as ski movies will be shown. The show starts at 5 p.m. with films airing at 6:30 p.m. and it is recommended to dress warm, bring blanket and chairs. In partnership with the City of South Lake Tahoe, the community tree lighting at The Crossings is Dec. 2. (www.facebook.com/laketahoealeworx).

MontBleu’s Winter Welcome Pray for Snow Party features DJ MartyParty & Wick-It The Instigator at BLU Nightclub, Nov. 25 (www.montbleuresort.com).

Barton Health’s Festival of Trees and Lights embodies the holiday spirit of community giving, Nov. 30 - Dec. 3. The 9th annual fundraiser at MontBleu includes Christmas tree and wreath decorations, local entertainment, a gift auction and a visit from Santa Claus. (www.festivaloftreeslaketahoe.com).

Winter Wonderland at Beach Retreat & Lodge offers gatherings throughout December including photos with Santa (kids as well as pets), gingerbread house building, cookies, crafts, and roasting s’mores. All events are free and guests are encouraged to bring coat and/or blanket donations to assist the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless' Warm Room. (www.tahoebreachretreat.com).

Films For Fanatics
For 68 years, ski families have cheered the start of winter with quintessential story telling of passion for the sport. This year the family grows and the traditions continue with Warren Miller’s “Line of Descent” at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Dec. 1-2. (www.caesars.com).

The annual “Tahoe Tribe” gathering to celebrate outdoor passion converges at the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival, Dec. 9 at MontBleu. The festival premieres short clips from the industry’s best adventure outdoor activities ranging from skiing/snowboarding, climbing, biking, surfing, along with a night of DJs, break-dancers and giveaways. (www.laketahoefilmfestival.com).

Countdown to 2018
The drumbeat to New Year's will stretch the outer limits of music and imagination with the return of the highly anticipated SnowGlobe Music Festival, Dec. 29-31, with electronic sights and sounds leading into 2018. The three-day dance party outside at Lake Tahoe Community College features nationally renowned headliners Porter Robinson, Dillon Francis, Zedd, Travis Scott, E-40 and many more. SnowGlobe will also feature dynamic fireworks displays and "big air" snowboarding and skiing demos between main stage sets. Tickets are still available. (www.snowglobemusicfestival.com).

Heavenly Holidays concludes with a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration with an outdoor concert at the Heavenly Village. The countdown to the brightly-lit gondola ball-drop and firework display occurs at 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve weekend will debut Hard Rock’s sultry new resident show, Electrify: Rock N Roll Burlesque at Vinyl Showroom, Dec. 28-30 at 9 p.m. The burlesque evenings will return every Friday and Saturday from Jan. 19 – April 7. (www.hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com).

High-spirited New Year's Eve revelry is amplified at PEEK Nightclub at Harrah's Lake Tahoe; live music and theme parties throughout Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe; and MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa’s three venues: Opal Ultra Lounge, BLU nightclub and convention center.

Safe Travels
During snowfall, a fleet of city and state snow removal vehicles work throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin to keep the roads clear and safe for travel. Caltrans has current California road conditions at www.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-ROAD (7623) or 916-445-7623. For road conditions in Nevada, contact the Nevada Department of Transportation at http://nvroads.com or 877-687-6237.

For the most up-to-date information on snowfall, mountain base depths and road conditions in South Lake Tahoe, check area ski resort web sites and cams or call snow phones Heavenly: 775-586-7000; Sierra-at-Tahoe: 530-659-7475; Kirkwood: 209-258-3000.