Tahoe Nightlife Includes Moonlight Excursions

[ERIC]

Tahoe Nightlife Includes Moonlight Excursions

Snowshoe at Sugar Pine State Park

by Katrina Paz
outdoornewswire.com
January 27th, 2006

(TAHOE CITY, Calif.) - There's more to nightlife in North Lake Tahoe than Hot Toddies and fireside fondu. Monthly moonlight tours lead the nocturnally adventurous on peaceful snowshoe tours to highlight an often-overlooked side of the Sierra Nevada.

Tours at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore include a campfire and hot chocolate for $5. Led by at California State Park Ranger, the journey leads snowshoers down to the shoreline and historic Ehrman Mansion. Snowshoe rentals are available for $5 and all proceeds go to the Sierra State Parks Foundation. The next tour takes place Saturday, February 11.

Northstar-at-Tahoe's monthly tour includes hot chocolate and s'mores. The two-hour excursion costs $20 and rentals are available for an additional $5. Trips are scheduled for Saturday, February 11 and Saturday, March 11.

Outings from Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee are also two hours, followed by a lakeside campfire at Donner Lake. Participants need to bring their own gear and there's a $6 parking fee at the park. Their last hike is Saturday, February 11.

For custom moonlight tours, Tahoe Trips and Trails and the Tahoe Adventure Company often arrange private trips for small groups. Trekkers heading out on their own can rent gear from The Back Country (with locations in Tahoe City and Truckee), Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, Porter's Sports (Truckee, Tahoe City and Incline Village) and Tahoe Dave's (Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Olympic Valley and Truckee).

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations and event details, contact the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, the area's largest reservation center, at 1-800-824-6348 or visit http://www.PureTahoeNorth.com. The visitor's information center in Tahoe City is located at 380 North Lake Boulevard.

[markskor]

Not at Tahoe but...
Many years ago, there were always similar organized moonlight x-country excursions up to Lake Mary in Mammoth. Not living up there anymore (Snowy?), these advertised group skis would leave from the Nordic center at Tamarack Lodge after dark, follow the road up, and then assemble at the Lake Mary store where hot soup, toddies, and... were available. Always coinciding with the full moon, it gave skiing across the frozen lakes a totally different perspective.
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[Snow Nymph]

I don't know about the organized groups, but I have friends that xctry ski in the Tamarack area after the lifts close (last spring they were doing it). Some time, when I can stay up there longer than just the weekend, I might try it.

[Snow Nymph]

Some evening events in Mammoth

Check the Events schedule at
http://www.mammothmountain.com/events/i ... nth=200602

Full Moon Snowshoe Tour
Spend an evening under the stars! Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center is offering a snowshoe tour which includes equipment rentals, a hot drink and dessert. For more information please call 760.934.2442 or click on the link above.

Full Moon Cross Country Ski Tour
Spend an evening under the stars! Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center is offering a cross country ski tour which includes equipment rentals, a hot drink and dessert. For more information please call 760.934.2442 or click on the link above.

Parallax Snowcat Dinners: A Gourmet Dining Adventure
Take a snowcat ride to Mammoth's highest fine dining spot, Parallax. Located mid-mountain at McCoy Station for the best views around! $150 per person. The package includes a five course dinner and wine. Reservations are required. For more information or to book your snowcat dinner please call 800.MAMMOTH.