The high alpine Lake Tahoe provides a beautiful setting for a host of ski resorts set around the lake including Heavenly and Squaw Valley which are the best known.

Lake Tahoe is an easy 3 hour drive from San Francisco and the casinos in the Nevada section of Lake Tahoe, where gambling is legal, make it a fun place to go. It is also possible to fly into Reno (indirect flight) which is only an hour or so from the skiing, although this is usually a slightly more expensive option.

Located at the north end of the Lake, Squaw Valley offers over 4,000 acres of skiable terrain on six interconnected peaks. The ski resort receives an average of 450 inches of snow a year and though good for both beginners and intermediates, Squaw is an advanced skiers' paradise with huge open bowls and steep couloirs. It is also particularly well designed for snowboarders who can test their skills at the floodlit terrain park and half-pipe.

Until recently, Squaw did not have much to offer in terms of accommodation but the new Intrawest Village at the base of the mountain now offers condos to suit all group sizes. There are a number of shops and restaurants in the Village area, and the Mountain base at the top of the gondola offers dining options, an ice skating rink and night-skiing.