cross country skiing and snowshoeing in South Lake Tahoe

The Lake Tahoe region may have the greatest concentration of large xc ski areas in the U.S., with more than 800 km of groomed trails. Most of that is on the north end of the lake, but South Shore has a good network of trails, too. Most also allow snowshoes.

Sorensen's Resort has accommodations and meals in the Hope Valley, CA area. The Hope Valley Outdoor Center is near the junction of Highways 89 and 88, about 20 miles outside of South Lake Tahoe where you can walk the Emigrant Trail and enjoy a historic experience shared with the settlers that trekked to California seeking gold. It has about 60 km of marked xc ski trails, 20 miles of which are groomed, and there are lessons and rental gear. Trail fees are by donation. Lodging at Sorensen's Resort that has more than 2 dozen cabins to accommodate a range of guests. There is also a cafe open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Kirkwood Cross-Country has 80 km of machine-groomed tracks, skating lanes and three interconnected trail xc ski systems with three warming huts, including the 1864 Kirkwood Inn, a trappers' log cabin full of nostalgia. The trail pass is $18 and lower for skiers aged 7-18. A professional ski patrol and a variety of programs. Rental gear includes cross-country ski, telemark, snowshoes and pulk sleds. XC ski lessons are also available. Spectacular scenery with ridge tops and meadows. Vail Resorts now runs Kirkwood. CCSAA member

Camp Richardson Resort in South Lake Tahoe has a xc ski center with lessons, rentals and trails along the Lake Tahoe shoreline. The snow is unreliable at this area but it has a historic hotel, cabins, and the Beachside Inn. CCSAA member

Spooner State Park Cross-Country on Hwy 28, about a half-mile north of Hwy 50 in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on the east side of Lake Tahoe. There are beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, and Nevada Nordic is a club that is grooming a couple of loops about 8 km at Spooner State Park. They also groom at the Incline Mountain Golf Course and at the Old Highway 431 Trail across from the Mt. Rose Scenic Overlook where the old Diamond Park Cross Country Center was formerly located. There is a parking fee at the park.