Tahoe Question

[Shorty936]

Hiya

This question is more directed to Vet as he is the info god of USA resorts but if anyone else can answer will be good too,

I am staying in South Lake Tahoe next feb and just bought the tahoe value pass for 379 (season pass for heavenly and Northstar)

My question is what's the best way to travel to northstar and does it take a long time would prefer bus travel as we plan to ditch the hire car when we make it to tahoe and then only get another one when we leave.

[Shorty936]

hmm trying to move this to the OS section of the forum any idea how I can do that ?

[John Deere]

You ask a mod nicely to do it for you :D

[Shorty936]

haha Thanks John :)

[Podlettte]

We did north and south lake tahoe in 2 different parts of our trip (5 weeks) so I'm not sure how long it takes to get from south to north (where northstar is) or if there is a bus service between south and north.

have you tried googling?

[Taxman]

No bus between Stateline/South Tahoe and the northern part of the lake. Travel time depends on weather and whether going by west side of lake (Emerald Bay) or around the east side of the lake (necessary after a big snow fall). Google maps says:

East side of lake - 40 miles & 1:05 travel time
West side of lake - 46 miles and 1:20 travel time

Squaw, Alpine Meadows and Homewood would definately be quicked arounf the west side of the lake.

[Shorty936]

Thanks Taxman

[Vet]

Gee you ask for God and ... Taxman answers your prayers. We've been going to the wrong Church! :giggle:

I never saw a Northstar resort bus from Heavenly to Northstar (have seen Squaw & Kikrkwood and Alpine meadows shuttles though). Have a look at Nstar's website for shuttles.

There are buses from the Stateline casinos to Reno and then to Nstar: a long trip. You might be better off keeping the car a few extra days or doing an overnight rental. IIrc Born2Ski and Taxman got overnighters thru Avis and used a Qantas FF promo code for a discount to get it for $160 overnight.

[Shorty936]

haha well now you both have answered them :)

I would be very surprised if they didn't have a direct bus as what is the point of selling a pass for both resorts if they are unable to provide a easy, environmentally friendly, and cheap transport.

May just use the rental car though as one my my mates will be able to get 60% off,

Also while I have you Vet have you ever stayed in the mountain homes on the cali side, they say 2 min to the lift but are they exaggerating or is it really right at the back door ? I just cant remember as I didn't go to the cali base area of heavenly much on my last trip
http://rentals.laketahoegetaways.com/rns/search/1356D.aspx

[Vet]

If there is abus it will go round the Mulberberry bush so fartor in time vs convenience of a car, Shorty.

Without an address, I'd only guess from the architecture the home looks like many very near Heavenly's Cali Loge side, and they'd be a 2 minute drive. Of course, the photo could be of a place in the boon docks in a street that isn't cleared on powder days.

Now say 3 hail Marys and stop looking at snowporn!

[Shorty936]

thanks Vet

oh and I cant help but look at snowporn Heavenly had its 1st snow for the season, that's enough to get me excited

http://www.skiheavenly.com/video-and-interactive/web-cams.aspx

[Vet]

Yeah i was chatting to my fellow snow gods about having a teaser. They thought they'd tempt you lot ... and annoy Buller's marketing department!:giggle:

[Shorty936]

Warning SnowPorn

1st Snow in Tahoe and a very happy reporter

http://www.youtube.com/user/HeavenlyMtnResort#p/u/0/vUGpH2dN9uM

[Podlettte]

If there is abus it will go round the Mulberberry bush so fartor in time vs convenience of a car, Shorty.

Without an address, I'd only guess from the architecture the home looks like many very near Heavenly's Cali Loge side, and they'd be a 2 minute drive. Of course, the photo could be of a place in the boon docks in a street that isn't cleared on powder days.

Now say 3 hail Marys and stop looking at snowporn!

You could click on the map view of where the property is ;) :p

It's not far from the tram on the cali side, but it's all uphill. not sure of the exact bus route, but you could search for that I'm sure to make sure you aren't walking 1km in ski boots blah!

[Vet]

You could click on the map view of where the property is ;) :p

:big_laugh:. Next you'll tell me to dump my Atlas because they have satellite pics on google!

[Boardingbuny]

Check to see if its on the Free Blue Bus Route. Many of the close places are. I would have a look but im approaching my download limit (again).

I also dont recall a bus out to Northstar. We drove, reckon about the 40min mark.

And yes Vet and Taxman are gods when it comes to Tahoe :)

[Vet]

This is from last year (Squaw should update their squaw.com site soon) but if repeated there's a free shuttle to Squaw. That won't help you get to Northstar but, trust me, those 'from $439 squaw-alpine passes' are on sale til 30/11/11Squaw Valley (http://www.squaw.com/)Search for:





Mobile (http://www.squaw.com/mobile/snow-report?nomobile=false)
Summer (http://www.squaw.com/home-summer)

Home (http://www.squaw.com/) ›
Free South Lake Tahoe Shuttle

Ride our FREE shuttle to Squaw Valley USA December 18, 2010 through April 2, 2011.Drink your coffee, plan your day and leave the driving to us! Squaw Valley's Shuttle will whisk you away in our plush 47 passenger buses, complete with reclining seats, video, and a restroom.Regular Season: January 2 through April 2, 2011, Tuesday through Saturday only. Holidays: Daily service December 18 - January 1, 2011 and Sunday, January 16, Sunday, February 13 - Monday, February 14, 2011. Reservations: 866-769-4653
(Reservations required 12 hours in advance)
Click Here for reservations (http://www.tahoeskishuttle.com/purchase.php?step=1&init=cont&resort_id=2&ispopup=1) Important Schedule Dates:


January 2, 2011 through April 2, 2011- Shuttle runs Tue-Sat only.
Shuttle Service ends April 2, 2011
Free Shuttle Schedule:


Scheduled Pickup Locations
Departs

Pick-Up Spot



Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort
7:20 am

Hotel Entrance



Harvey'
7:30am

Bus Loading Area on North Side of Casino



Embassy Suites
7:35am

Valet & Bus Loading Area



Forest Inn Suites
7:40am

Lake Parkway, South Side of Lobby



Harrah's
7:50am

East Side of Casino in Valet Parking



MontBleu Casino
7:55am

East Side of Casino in Bus Loading



Horizon
8:00am

East Side of Casino in Valet Parking



Estimated Arrival Squaw Valley USA
9:30am

Squaw Valley



Return Shuttle Departs Squaw Valley promptly at 4:30pm daily. NOTE: You must ride the shuttle to Squaw Valley in the morning in order to ride the bus back in the afternoon. We do not offer one way rides in the afternoon.

Estimated return to South Lake: 5:30 - 6:00pm.

Walk-up customers without reservations will be taken on a space available, first-come basis.
Shuttle riders should be waiting at stop at least 5 to 10 minutes early.
Schedules subject to change and/or delays due to traffic and weather.
Must be 18 or older to ride the bus without a parent or guardian












.

[Shorty936]

Thanks for all the info.

At that stage we were not going to have a car during the tahoe part of the trip,

We were going to drive from San Fran and try to drop a car off and pick another one up to drive to Vegas ended up being too much of a hassle and it wasn't much more expensive to hire a car for the whole time.

[Boardingbuny]

Just noticed on heavenlys Facebook page about the Bay Area bus timetable being releases for trips between heavenly and. Northwest

Www.bayareaskibus.com

[Taxman]

That might be a TART bus and not a BART bus, if the latter, then it certainly got lost somewhere on the way out of San Francisco.

[Vet]

Taxman prefers TARTs.

If you go to Norway, don't catch the Touriste Fahten

[Shorty936]

Has anyone done Snowmobiling in south lake tahoe ?

I am looking at booking a a tour and just want to know if anyone has had any good or bad experience's

[Boardingbuny]

Hey Shorty!

Yes and yes. Scott was amazing, we had an amazing time.

Ill dig out the details for you.

[Boardingbuny]

Vet recommended to me and it was just brilliant.


Scott - 775-530-0675 whitemountainadventures@clearwire.net
(whitemountainadventures@clearwire.net)

[Shorty936]

Thanks :)

[Vet]

fyi Squaw-Alpine extended their 30/11/11 season pass deadline for 48 hours

and Kirkwood has a 2-pak for $99USD

DearBuddyWood, let's try that again! Below you will find the correct link (http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/7221072:10507796293:m:1:182611083:E09F3D7EC08704C2 A87575E7CF226936:r) to purchase your discounttickets...enjoy!Hook up your friends with aKirkwood 2 Pack this Christmas! Forward this email on so your pals can redeem this sweet deal!

Just $99 gets you 2 lift tickets that can be used any time, any day! Use them for you and a friend on the same day, orkeep them both for yourself—anything goes! These tickets are available for purchase until December 25th, 2011 or while supplies last. Purchase online here> (http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/7221072:10507796293:m:1:182611083:E09F3D7EC08704C2 A87575E7CF226936:r)> (http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/7221072:10507796293:m:1:182611083:E09F3D7EC08704C2 A87575E7CF226936:r)
Login: membership
Password: buddywood

[Shorty936]

Hey BoardingBunny

Unfortunately Scott isnt doing tours this year, not due to the lack of snow but his son was diagnosed with a life threatening brain cancer :(
He was very lovely though even taking the time to reply to me explaining the situation and provided me a lot of information on other local operators

[Boardingbuny]

How Horrible. Thanks for letting me know shorty. I will send off a quick email.

[Shorty936]

Wednesday through Friday--RAIN AND SNOW MOVE IN WITH HIGH SNOW LEVELS AT FIRST -- -> The pattern shifts from just cold arctic air up north and limited moisture across the area, to heavy and relentless moisture and storms lined up from off the Pacific Ocean. There is a ridge of high pressure across western Alaska/ eastern Siberia, with an undercutting jet stream and long fetch of Pacific moisture pushing into the Sierra Nevada (the fire-hose as some have called it). When this happens late week, we expect to see wet Pacific storms slamming into the Sierra Nevada with close-call snow levels (relatively mild air due to the source region off the milder mid Pacific Ocean waters) Thursday night through Friday. This wetter scenario is expected to help balance out the dry patterns we have seen so far this winter. This is expected to set up a very good base of heavy dense snow pack and a lot of water (what we wanted to see in November and December). Snow levels start near 6,000 feet late Wednesday and through Thursday, then rise to above 7,000 to 8,000 feet or so Thursday night through Friday, with very heavy snow above this elevation. Late Friday we see snow levels drop, and all areas get hit with heavy snow through the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday--HEAVY SNOW -- -> Colder storms with copious mid Pacific moisture and modified arctic air push in off of the Pacific Ocean, causing heavy snow across the area, falling down to 6,000 feet and lower (to 3,000 feet by Sunday). The first storm moves in on Saturday, with some great powder expected to top off the dense base of snow. Areas above 8,000 feet and along the crest are expected to see 8+ feet of snow Thursday through Sunday, with more coming next week. CM

[Paul Oberin]

Saturday and Sunday--HEAVY SNOW -- -> Colder storms with copious mid Pacific moisture and modified arctic air push in off of the Pacific Ocean, causing heavy snow across the area, falling down to 6,000 feet and lower (to 3,000 feet by Sunday). The first storm moves in on Saturday, with some great powder expected to top off the dense base of snow. Areas above 8,000 feet and along the crest are expected to see 8+ feet of snow Thursday through Sunday, with more coming next week. CM
8+ feet of snow, I do like the sound of that.:cold:

[Shorty936]

So do I very much, for the past 2 years I have been telling my friends how awesome the place is and they have had no snow lol

Cant wait to play in powder :))))))))))))))))

[Shorty936]

8 DTG and last day of work today major excitement setting in

Will try and do a TR every few days

[Paul Oberin]

3 DTG for me, If there is deep fresh powder I won't be stopping to take photo's, but my helmet cam may be uploaded at night for you all to get SDS. ;)

If there is just groomed snow and nice scenery I will try and stop and take a few pics and do a daily trip report.