Lake Tahoe Hotels

Under big, unbroken skies, ringed by snow-capped mountains and a short distance from Wild West wilderness, Lake Tahoe has made its name as a winter wonderland but it has plenty to offer all year round.

Historic mansions, museums and shops lure visitors to the North Shore's small towns of Tahoe City and Kings Beach. The South Shore is dominated by South Lake Tahoe on the California side and Stateline in Nevada, home to the major casinos. In between are state parks, national forests, beaches and coves for hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, parasailing and jetskiing.

Explore the museums, shops and casinos of Reno, the 'biggest little city in the world'. Follow the trail of the miners, native Americans and gunslingers of Carson City's Old West past, and hunt for antiques in Truckee. Ride a gondola from Olympic Village in Squaw Valley to the top of the mountain for views of the lake.

Scale Genoa Peak (2,800 metres) and ponder the natural splendour of the lake and surrounding mountains. Leave civilisation behind in the granite and pine emptiness of Desolation Wilderness. Discover 2,000-year-old native American rock art at the Kyburz Flat Interpretive Area just north of Truckee. Wiggle into your hip waders and tie your flies for some fine fishing in the hundreds of streams and lakes.

Circumnavigate the lake by horse, mountainbike or foot on the 250km Tahoe Rim Trail. Cruise the placid waters by paddle steamer or churn them up by jet ski, then take to the skies with a spot of parasailing.

Burgers, steaks, fries and spicy Mexican food are everywhere with a range of Japanese and European standards in between. Savour local specialities such as locally caught wild mountain salmon and trout, or try elk or other game dishes.

Play poker with the pros in Stateline and Reno, where casinos hum around the clock. Celebrate or commiserate over a beer or two in the funky bars and nightclubs of South Lake Tahoe or in one of Truckee's or Tahoe City's more basic drinking dens.

Get decked out in Nevada silver and Indian turquoise baubles and cowboy boots. Load up on Old West antiques, native American baskets, and hand-carved wood sculptures.