By: Tahoe Sam

Even though South Shore Lake Tahoe has been appreciated for years for skiing and boarding, there are many other indoor and outdoor activities that gain acclaim for the area from national reporters. On top of that is the most recent: a first place from Orbitz.com for 2007 based on bookings for hotels and holiday packages.

Recently SKI Magazine’s 2007 Resort Guide rated Heavenly Mountain Resort as the 3rd best for vistas, off-hill activities and after ski. In the same issue of the magazine Kirkwood Mountain Resort was featured the cover and given a number 8 rating for best “snow” in North America.

Transworld Snowboarding’s winter 2006 issue classified Sierra-at-Tahoe number 4 for terrain parks, and number 7 for top pipes and total snowboading resort.

Given these recent awards, plus recent snows covering the Tahoe area are just more reminders that the party is just beginning at the U. S.’s number one winter resorts. Skiing is still the main attraction but many other winter activities deliver fun for all ages and interests.

Heavenly’s Gondola - This ride will take your breath away. You will want to take images of the endless landscapes of Lake Tahoe seen from the gondola. The resort has many snowshoe and hiking trails from one and a half to four miles round-trip. You can spend the day wandering around the Sierra forests.

Get to the Lake on the M.S. Dixie or Tahoe Queen Paddlewheel boats. You will be surrounded by 10,000 foot mountains crowned with snow and mirrored in the pure waters of North America’s largest mountain lake. Learn lake heritage and enjoy good food in warm comfort aboard the two to three hour trips. They leave from Zephyr Cove or Ski Run Boulevard and typically include a tour of Emerald Bay.

For outdoor ice skating fun try the rink at Heavenly Village nestled in among the galleries, stores, Movie Theater and fine restaurants. The City of South Lake Tahoe has an NHL standard-sized ice rink in the Recreation Complex a little more than a mile from the Village.

Put some genuine thrills in your life with a helicopter ride from HeliTahoe Helicopter over the lake. Even try a full moon tour over the sparkling waves. Other options typically include the Nevada shore, Secret Harbor and other coves of interest. And, for the ultimate wedding, how about tying the knot while hovering over the lake. HeliTahoe has joined up with Simple Tahoe Weddings so you possibly can ‘take the plunge’ over Tahoe.

Try shopping at The Shops at Heavenly Village, The Village Center or the Factory Stores at the Y. Top top-quality clothes, sporting goods and fashion, as well as fine jewelry are featured.

The Village Center nearby has many additional options with 29 retail shops. The Factory Stores at the Y have terrific bargains and you’ll find them at the intersection of Highway 50 and 89 with 18 more stores of name brand clothes, shoes, training apparel and winter ski wear. Art and photo galleries located in the South Shore offer fine artistic works. Over 20 galleries offer jewelry, art glass, sculpture, prints and oil and acrylic paintings.

Ever dream of coming home a millionaire? Nevada gaming establishments offer 7,000 slot machines and 400 gaming tables at the six, 24-hour casinos such as Harrah’s, Harveys, MontBleu, Horizon, Bill’s and Lakeside Inn

Appreciate gourmet food? South Shore offers every choice from Ciera Steak + Chophouse’s award winning food at the MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa or The Summit at Harrah’s, to a varied collection of local ethnic options, steakhouses, burger shops and cute local restaurants hiding the side streets. Tahoe’s reputation for fine dining grows every year.

Book lovers will find a great read at from among the many area bookstores such as Neighbors in the Village Center.

When you’re ready to completely unwind and relax there is a choice of quiet spas throughout the town at the major hotels and casinos in addition to locally owned shops.

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Vacation Rental for Lake Tahoe offers a complete resource for accomodations and fun at www.vacationrentals4laketahoe.com/what-to-do-at-tahoe.html.