If you follow along on Instagram than you know that our family recently went to Lake Tahoe for a last hurrah of the Summer. We had such a fun time and it was nice to have a getaway so close to home! Summer (and Fall) is a wonderful time to visit Lake Tahoe and we loved being able to escape the heat for a few days. One of the highlights of our trip was our adventures at Heavenly Ski Resort so keep reading for all my recommendations for Summer trips in South Lake Tahoe! This post is in collaboration with Epic Discovery at Heavenly Ski Resort. They were gracious enough to host our family for the day. All opinions are my own.
summer in south lake tahoe
You might think of Lake Tahoe as a winter destination but there is so much to do in the warmer months when the snow is gone. On our recent Tahoe trip we drove down to the Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe from Squaw Valley. Our objective for the day was to take a gondola up to the top of the mountain and check out Epic Discovery with our Ultimate Adventure Passes.
The Ultimate Adventure pass gives you access to all the Summer fun that Epic Discovery at Heavenly has to offer. From gem panning to zip lining, there’s something for everyone.
Heavenly Mountain
Heavenly is such a beautiful ski resort and the perfect place to enjoy Summer in South Lake Tahoe. Last Summer Mike and I came alone and just hiked around. It’s a unique location because you can be in California or Nevada within minutes as the state line literally runs through the resort. As a homeschooling family it was the perfect place for a field trip as we were able to not only have fun, but get a bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding topography. If your family aren’t really the snow sports type then Summer is the perfect time to explore.
fun for the littles
One question I got asked a lot was regarding what there was to do with little ones. Two words–a lot. First of all, the journey up the mountain in the gondola is an adventure all in itself. My kids loved the 2.4 mile ride up the mountain and thought the view was amazing. On the way up you also make a stop at the observation deck that has some great photo ops.
Pro tip: The gondola only stops on the way up so be sure to get off because you won’t get a chance on the way back down.
My four year old daughter was able to do the following: Bear Cub Ropes Course, Red Tail Flyer Zip Line, Tubing, Granite Peak Climbing Wall, Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster, and Gemstone Panning. While her older siblings were doing a bigger ropes course she was able to play on a fun playground they have. She definitely kept busy and was never bored!
Know before you go: If you have a child younger than four than there might not be a lot for them to do. Check height, weight, and age minimums before you go. Our 19 month old was too little to do anything so we took turns wearing her. If you have really little ones you should plan to baby wear, or bring a stroller that can handle off-roading.
Our whole family also loved the mountain coaster so make sure you add it to your to-do list! You must be a certain height to be a driver, and at least 16 years old to drive with a passenger. But don’t worry–if you have little ones you can do a Disneyland-style parent swap instead of waiting in line.
thrills for bigger kids
My three older kids were basically able to do everything. My 9, 7, and 5 year old all loved the Black Bear Ropes Course, which is the medium-sized one. Unfortunately we ran out of time for them to try the Boulder Cove Ropes Course which is the most challenging course. They all wanted to though and have been begging to go back ever since!
Know before you go: Close-toed shoes must be worn for every activity so make sure you have them! You’ll also want to make sure you dress in layers (it gets cold at 10,000 feet!) and bring water and sunscreen.
In addition to the Red Tail Flyer Zip Line that my kiddos did, there are several other zip line options that you can add on to your Ultimate Adventure Pass. The Blue Streak Zip Line will have you reaching speeds of 50 miles an hour while the Hot Shot Zip Line has four lines so you can race your friends! There are also longer and more involved Zip Tours that you can do.
Pro tip: Get there early and plan accordingly! We were there for five hours and it wasn’t crowded at all and we still didn’t have time to do everything we wanted to! Activities close at 4:00 pm sharp.
fuel your family at Tamarack Lodge
When you’re ready to sit down and rest for a bit I recommend heading to Tamarack Lodge. This eatery may be cafeteria style but it is far from a school lunchroom. The food is delicious and portion sizes are generous. With offerings from chili to a salad bar to pho there’s something for even the pickiest eater. Our family especially enjoys the large cheeseburgers and the pizza.
Pro tip: there is a cell phone charging station near the bathrooms. Take this opportunity to charge up your phone while you’re getting some grub.
Have you ever been to Heavenly for their Epic Discovery summer activities? What do you think would be your favorite part?
