by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

Black Bears are the only type of bear found at Lake Tahoe.  As winter approaches, these bears search for food up to 20 hours a day, all in an effort to store enough fat to sustain them through their hibernation.  The search primarily for berries, plants, nuts, roots, honey, honeycomb, insects, larvae, carrion and small mammals.  Bear have, however, learned that human garbage is a great place to find food.

To avoid an encounter with bears at Lake Tahoe, whether at your home or campsite, keep the area free of garbage that smells like food.  Campsites around the lake offer lock boxes.  Bears learn they cannot access food in these boxes.  Similarly, while staying at a home at Lake Tahoe, place all garbage in a bear box, or locked container designed to contain garbage in a place inaccessible to bears.

In Incline Village, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, citizens can report bearing siting and encounters on-line.  These are typical examples of black bear encounters, during this time of year.  Read about recent encounters here.

If you do encounter a bear, the U.S. Forest Service has the following advice:

In Your Yard:  Do not run. Be aggressive and assert your dominance by standing tall and making noise that will scare the bear away. Banging pots and pans together and shouting loudly works well.

In the Woods:  This is the bear's territory, respect that and do not run. Make eye contact cut don't stare, pick up small children, make yourself appear as large as possible, stay calm and quiet, back away and enjoy the experience from a safe distance.

Anywhere:  If the bear attempts to get away, do not block the bear's escape route! Bears will often climb a tree if frightened and usually won't come down if humans or dogs are present.

• Never get between a mom and her cubs.
• Slowly walk away and make a loud noise.
• Though attacks are very rare, if you are attacked, fight back aggressively!

For more information about bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin, please contact the following resources in your area:

California Department of Fish and Game
(916) 984-7123

Nevada Division of Wildlife
(775) 688-1500 General Info
(775) 688-1331 Report Incidents to Dispatch

Bear League
(530) 525-7297

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Center
(530) 577-2273

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Service Office
(530) 543-2600

Tahoe Council for Wild Bears

by:  Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

Lake Tahoe offers numerous ski resorts, all offering special deals, discounts and activities specifically for families. Focusing on younger children who are just learning to ski, our research reveals two resorts that stand out as the best: Diamond Peak Ski Resort and Homewood Mountain Resort.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort, located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, in Incline Village, Nevada markets itself as 'Your Tahoe Place for Kids'. The resort offers 655 skiable acres, featuring 6 lifts, 30 runs, and a Terrain Park. The runs are characterized as 18% beginner, 46% intermediate and 35% advanced. Given its size, the resort offers an atmosphere well suited to kids. In addition to its kid-friendly size the lift ticket prices are a great deal. Kids 6 years old and under ski for free, while kids ages 7 to 14 ski for $18 for a full day ticket, and $14 for a half day ticket.  And perhaps most exciting of all, you might get to ski withDiamond Pete.

From the time you arrive at this intimate resort, Diamond Peak reduces the hassle factor by its ease of access. Not only is there a free shuttle with frequent runs to and from the resort , but also the parking is immediately adjacent to the ticketing window and child ski school. No long walk with your ski, only to board a gondola to finally arrive at the ski school location.

The Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center is a great option for kids 7 years of age and younger. Kids are fitted with ski or snowboard equipment and have the option of participating in 2 or 4 hour lessons. There's also an all day value package, which includes all day group lessons, rentals, lift ticket, lunch and supervision with a 1 to 5 instructor ratio.

Diamond Peak also provides ski & snowboard lessons for 7 - 14 year old children morning, afternoon and all day with lunch. Meeting times for lessons are 10:00am and 2:00pm everyday. The full day lesson packages for kids in this age group include lessons, rentals & lift ticket.

Homewood Mountain Resort, near Tahoe City on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, is also a smaller resort without the intimidating crowds. Skiiers park close to lifts and the ski school. No long walks, or gondolas. The resort does offer a shuttle that will pick up at your local hotel and drive you home at the end of the day; just call and they'll be on their way.

Homewood Mountain Resort is uniquely affordable. Children younger than 4 years old ski free. Kids 5 to 12 years old ski for $10 per day during regular periods, and $12 per day during holiday periods.

Ski and board lessons for Kids ages 7 through 12 are available daily, for asl low as $108 for a full day, in the Mountain Rangers Program. Mountain Rangers enjoy the trail network located at Homewood's South Lodge, while those who are more experienced adventure to all areas of the mountain. (Click here for a 25% off coupon)

by:  Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

Northstar-at-Tahoe is of Lake Tahoe's premier ski resorts.  In this article you'll find many of the discounts offered on adult full day lift tickets at Northstar. Lift ticke specials offer a reduced price and also feature variables such as when the tickets can be used, and by whom.  For the sake of organization, Northstar lift ticket deals are mentioned in this article from most expensive to least.  Not addressed here are the options for saving on ski rentals and discounted lodging.

At $84 per day, the most expensive ticket sold at Northstar is the Holiday Rate ticket.  Holiday rates apply during the following dates: December 25, 2009 - January 2, 2010 ; January 16 - 18, 2010 ; February 13 - 21, 2010.  There are several ways to discount this rate, even during the holiday periods.

For $79, you can purchased a non-holiday rate ticket.  By purchase a 'Multi Day' lift ticket for at least two days, you can reduce your lift ticket price to $69 per day

You can also pick up the 'Costco Warehouse 4-Pack', reducing you lift ticket price to $67 per full day.  These tickets are valid any day during the 2009/10 ski season, with no black out dates. These tickets are also transferrable, allowing use by more than one person.

The Ski Tahoe North Interchangeable Lift Ticket is one of the best lift ticket deal you'll find at Lake Tahoe, taking into consideration both price and flexibility.  Offered in 3 to 7 day packs, these tickets average to about $66 per day, any day, holiday or not, and they are transferrable.  They are good at seven popular North Lake Tahoe ski resorts.  They are so flexible that you can literally wake up in the morning and decide which resort you choose to use one of the vouchers at that day.  You can even share the vouchers with friends, even if they live in an area which would preclude them from buying these special tickets themselves.  In fact, who may purchase these tickets is the only significant limitation; most folks living in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area cannot purchase them.  Check here for details.

Airline and travel agent employees can ski for $64 per full day, excluding holiday periods.Official airline badge or IATAN ID must be presented in order to receive a lift ticket at these rates. Local civil service employees, including police and  firefighters can ski for this same price, again during non-holiday periods, .Official credentials and a photo ID must be presented in order to receive a lift ticket at these rates.

You can reduce  your daily rate to $63 per day by purchasing the 'Quad Pak Lift Ticket' offered by Northstar. Northstar Resort's Quad Pak allows you to ski/ride any four days during the 2009.10 Lake Tahoe winter season (no blackout dates) for less than $63 per lift ticket. If you plan to ski less than four days this package is, of course, less attractive.

Present a "Value Season Voucher' when purchasing your lift ticket at Northstar, and your ticket will cost $59 for one full day. Click here to find a list of shops that will give you these free vouchers.  The Value Season Vouchers are not good any day; vouchers valid from only from season opening through December 18, 2009, January 3 - 15, 2010, and March 15 through the end of the 2009.10 season. Vouchers are available at the following Costco locations:  Reno, Sparks,Cal Expo, Citrus Heights, Fremont, Hayward, Redwood City, Rohnert Park, Roseville, San Leandro, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco El Camino, Stockton, Vallejo, Vacaville.

Groups of 20 people or more can arrange for group sale tickets, which will amount to $57 per person for a full day ticket.   Groups (20+) can save on lift tickets, lessons, dining and more.  Northstar has  dedicated day group sales managers and an on-mountain coordinator to help your group experience go smoothly.

Parents can get on regular price ticket to share during the day, allowing one parent to ski while the other parent enjoys time with non-skiing children.  Because this $79 ticket is shared by two people, it could be considered a $39.50 per person per full day ticket.  During holiday periods, this ticket is $84, bring the per person price to $42.

If you work for another ski resort, which resorts is not specified, you can also ski for half price, or $39.50 per day at Northstar.  Present to the Ticket Office a letter of introduction from your resort HR department along with a photo ID to receive discount. One ticket per person, per day.  Offer valid Sunday - Friday, excluding December 26 - 31, 2009; January 16 - 17, 2010; and February 13 - 14, 2010.

Reno and Sparks residents can also ski for $39.50 per day. Pick these tickets up at the 'Tickets & Season Pass' window at Northstar  and present your valid ID with Reno or Sparks address and valid zip code.

 Local teachers can ski, during non-holiday periods, for $25.  All local teachers who work at schools in Truckee, North Tahoe and Incline Village are eligible for a $25 lift ticket.  Purchase throughout the season at any Northstar ticket window. Local school ID or current report card required at time of purchase. One ticket per person, per day.

In honor of our service men and women, Northstar Resort is offering active duty military personnel FREE skiing or riding on Sundays*. Present your CAC card at Northstar's Ticket Office for your free ticket. One ticket per person, per day.  Offer valid every Sunday, excluding holiday periods.

by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

The tubing venue at Heavenly Mountain Resort is not your ordinary sledding hill.  More suited to thrill-seeker than little ones this hill is akin to a five lane luge run; it's fast. Each of the five lanes is approximately 500 feet long.  One lane is set aside for those preferring a more gentle ride.  Tubing guests are delivered to the top of the hill by the deluxe covered magic carpet.  

The ''high end' nature of this tubing venue explains the $30 price tag to ride for one hour.  Add to the sledding hill price the price of the gondola ride; you can't reach the Adventure Peak, where the tubing venue is located without taking the gondola first.  The gondola ride is nothing short of spectacular.  The views of Lake Tahoe area unprecedented. 

Here are some tips to make your sledding adventure at Heavenly Mountain Resort's Adventure Peak the best it can be:

1. Dress warmly.
2. While helmets are not required for tubing, you might choose to put a helmet on children.  While you can't rent a helmet at Adventure Peak, you can rent them at most any sportinggoods store at the base of the gondola.
3. Buy your gondola tickets at the base of the gondola.  You'll buy your tubing hill tickets at Adventure peak.
4. On you way up the mountain on the gondola, make sure to stop at Malcolms deck.  Don't save this stop for the way down, it can only be accessed going up.  There you'll be able to grab a coffee and really take in the amazing views.  At Gondola Sports, you can find fun Heavenly gifts and accessories.
5. At the bottom and at the top of the gondola you can rent a locker for anything you don't want to wear on the sledding hill.
6. Arrive early in the day to make sure you get the chance to go tubing.   If you arrive later in the day, the tubing venue may have sold out for the day.  The tubing venue is open from 11:30a to 4p on weekdays and from 11a to 4p on weekends.  The gondola operates from 9a to 4p on weekday and 8:30a to 4p on weekends. 
7. Use caution at the end of the tubing run.  Listen to the Heavenly employee's there to help you cross the other tubing lanes.
8. Make sure you have the ribs at the Smokehouse Barbecue.  Honestly, you just can't pass them up.

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Copyright ©2009 by TahoeKidsGuide.com, Inc.. All rights reserved

by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

Families traveling to Lake Tahoe over the Christmas and New Years Eve holiday break might be interested to know about childcare options in the Lake Tahoe area. I have not visited these facilities myself, and have no first-hand knowledge of them. I have, however, learned the following about each facility:

Every Friday and Saturday night, between 5:30p. and 8:30p, during the Winter season, The Village at Northstar offer childcare and entertainment for children 4 to 12 years old. The program costs $49 per child. Holiday special dates are also available December 26 - January 2, 2010 and February 12 - 20, 2010.

Kids get to hang out with Marty the Martian, Northstar's life-sized friendly and lovable mascot, have dinner and eat S'mores by the ice rink firepits. Parent's Night Out is a fun and convenient alternative to at-home babysitting.

In addition to dinner, indoor enteratainment (movies and games) and treats, kids will enjoy a 30 to 45 minute outdoor activity (ice skating, scavenger hunt or bungy jumping.) Northstar's Parents' Night Out program claims a supervisor ratio of 1 to 5 kids.

For reservation details, click here, Space is limited, first-come, first-serve. Reserve your Parent's Night Out package by 4:30 p.m. the day of your planned night out.  Kid's Drop off begins at 5:15 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. at the Children's Ski & Snowboard School Center.

On Saturday nights at Tahoe Gymnastics, in South Lake Tahoe, children that are potty-trained can enjoy an evening of aerobic exercise, pizza dinner and a movie. The maximum number of children they take is 30 and their child to supervisor ratio is 10 to 1. The rate for this service is $35 per child per Saturday night ($25 for additional siblings.)

On New Years Eve, December 31st, Tahoe Gymnastics will offer a special 'Sleep Over' night. Children can either stay until 12:30a (Early registration rate: $30 per child; Regular Registration: $40) or sleep over all night and be picked up by 8a (Early registration rate: $70 per child; Regular Registration: $80)

If you're looking for a babysitter to care for your children at your house or condo, interview Caitlin Johnson with Interactive Childcare.

by:  Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

While ski  and snowboard lessons might typically cost you a pretty penny, this coming weekend eight Lake Tahoe ski resorts will offer ski and snowboard lessons for $25.  During the '10th Annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend', scheduled for the weekend of December 12-13, ;beginner's lessons cost $25 and include an all-day beginner lift ticket, group lesson and gear rental.

Ski and snowboard 'students' participating in this $25 lesson deal have their choice of resorts: Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Granlibakken, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl.

While Diamond Peak Ski Resort will not be open this coming weekend, the resort plans to open on December 17th.  Diamond Peak will offer a learn to ski and snowboard special event in January and again in March.  From January 11th through the 15th, and from March 8th through the 12th, beginngers can enjoy a $29 dollar lesson at Diamond Peak.

For this weekend's event, reservations are not required, but participants should arrive early. Lesson packages can be purchased at each individual resort the day of lessons. Participants should contact resorts directly for resort-specific information.

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by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

When traveling to South Lake Tahoe for a family vacation there are a few criteria that can make the difference between a hectic vacation and a pleasant and relaxing time with your family.  Many travel experts, chief among them parents, say these criteria are price, size of the hotel room and proximity to  family-friendly activities.  Here are a few South Lake Tahoe hotels that meet all three criteria.

An enormously popular resort for families visiting South Lake Tahoe, is Lakeland Village.  The Base Lodge Of The Heavenly Ski Resort is less than two miles from this resort; Heavenly's Gondola is less than one mile away. Lakeland Village is set on 19 wooded acres with one-quarter mile of private sandy beach on Lake Tahoe, complete with a pier and boat moorings.

The lodging is perfect for a family vacation.  The three townhouse buildings offer one to five bedroom townhomes.  The lodge offers rooms ranging from studios to one bedrooms.  To see a virtual tour of these accomodations, click here.

In the Winter, complimentary continental breakfasts are served in The Lakeshore Room or in the lobby. In the Summer this resort also offers:  outdoor heated pools, a children's wading pool, two spa tubs, beachside bistro, An adjacent sun deck offering barbecue grills and lounge chairs, beach volleyball, horseshoe pit, fitness room, sauna and two tennis courts.  In the Winter guests can enjoy a heated outdoor pool, two spa tubs, a fitness room and sauna. The Resort also offers a full-service ski shop with ski and snowboard rentals and accessories.

Right at the base of the Heavenly Gondola and The Village at Heavenly, is the Embassy Suites Hotel Lake Tahoe Resort. Every suite at this Lake Tahoe resort offers a bedroom and living room, a perfect set-up for families that want to be together and enjoy some privacy too.  All rooms also include a refridgerator, microwave oven, coffee maker and two remote-control cable color televisions with in-room movies.  To see a virtual tour of these accommodations, click here.

Just on the other side of the Heavenly Gondola, and just next door to The Village at Heavenly is the Marriott Grand Residence Club.  This resort offers multi-bedroom condos for sale, or for the night, for the week or for the entire season.   To see a virtual tour of these accommodations, click here.

For a complete list of South Lake Tahoe accomodations, some more family-friendly than others, click here.  If you are interested in staying on the other side of the lake, near Tahoe City and Squaw Valley, click here.

Columbia for Kids

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by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

Wax up your skis and snowboards, and pack your stylin' gear...the 2009/10 ski resort is nearly here.  Lake Tahoe ski resorts are opening, and in some cases are already opened.  Here is a list of expected opening dates for Lake Tahoe ski resorts and what lifts will be running as they usher in the new ski season:

Alpine Meadows is scheduled to open on December 5th, assuming the weather cooperates. 

Boreal Mountain Resort has been making snow and has been open since October 9th.  As of November 18th, the Castle Peak Quad Lift and the Excelerator Lift were the only lifts in operation.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort is slated to open on December 10th.  Which lifts will be open will be a function of weather, but the resort plans to open all lifts as soon as possible.  On opening day, skiers and boarders living within a 50 mile radius of Diamond Peak can buy a lift ticket for $20.  Season pass holders will be treated to a free barbecue.  A famous celebrity among the young slope-goers, Diamond Pete, will make an appearance on opening day, and on the resort's first weekend.

Heavenly Mountain Resort  plans to open on November 21st.  Tamarack Express and Dipper Express are the lifts that are expected to be open that day.

Squaw Valley will also open on November 21st.

Homewood Mountain Resort plans to open for skiing and snowboarding December 18, 2009.  On December 19th, season passholders can celebrate the arrival of the 2009/10 season at the Second Annual Season Pass Kickoff Party at the South Lodge.  Enjoy live music, while enjoying a variety of delicious appetizers.

Northstar-at-Tahoe is preparing for a November 21st opening day.  On opening day, Northstar plans to open four lifts: The Big Springs Express Gondola, Arrow Express, Vista Express and The Big Easy Quad chairlifts wi be open from 8:30am until 4:00pm.

Squaw Valley is also planning to open on November 21st this year.

by:  Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

On November 7th and 8th, the San Francisco Ski and Snowboard Festival comes to the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavillion.  This ski, snowboard, wine and beer festival is presented by Snowbomb, the well-known on-line location for discount lift tickets.  The event is open from 10am until 8pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

If you're looking for ski and snowboard gear, this event promises to be the biggest and best place to see the latest styles and technology for the 2009/10 season.  Lombardi Sports and Porters Lake Tahoe will showcase over $1 million in ski and snowboard gear to all event attendees.  If it's a great deal on gear you're looking for, the event will also feature 2008/09 winter gear discounted as much as 70%. 

Learn what's new at the ski resorts.  The festival will feature resort booths from over 20 of the top resorts in North America, including Squaw, Whistler, Vail, Mammoth, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Big Sky and many more. All Lake Tahoe resorts will be in attendance.

We used to be an exhibitor at many other ski shows but we were unhappy with the events. They were stale and boring. Our festivals are revolutionizing the consumer ski show industry. With festivities for adults as well as kids the event has something to offer for all ages. Last year, the Oktoberfest like atmosphere on Sunday was contagious. The roars of “prost” would roll through the pavilion turning the entire floor in to one massive party. Kids can play in the snow area or watch professional BMX and skaters hitting the massive halfpipe in the Festival’s extreme scene. 

In addition to the most current information about top ski resorts and gear, the festival features premiere wines from over 50 wineries on November 7th and select beers from nearly 50 breweries on November 8th.