5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do in Tahoe This Spring That Aren't Skiing

It’s officially spring in Tahoe and that means longer days are upon us. Every Tahoe local knows that means more time to maximize your time outside, so we’ve rounded up our favorite ways to spend spring days that aren’t skiing. However, we highly encourage you to squeeze in a couple runs AND then try one of these other outdoor adventures. Now that is Tahoe living. 

Mountain Biking in Truckee or Nevada City

Tahoe is definitely known for its technical and unique mountain bike trails. While most of those trails won’t be accessible until summer (thank you Sierra snowpack!), you can actually head down the “hill” to Nevada City for incredible riding. An early spring favorite of Dave Gove’s is the Hoot Trail. The “Hoot” is a fast and flowy singletrack with great berms and smaller jumps, especially in the spring after snowmelt. Bust out a couple of laps and head across the street for a craft beer from Ol Republic Brewery. Nevada City is just a quick 1 hour drive from Truckee. 

Boating on Lake Tahoe

Photo: Lukas Brassie

It should always be boating season in Lake Tahoe according to Sally Gardner. Typically the “season” opens up around Memorial Day, but it’s relatively calm and quiet during this time. There is truly nothing like skiing at Squaw Valley and hopping on the waters of Lake Tahoe for a sunset cruise in May. 

Paddleboarding Donner Lake

Photo: Mark Lowenstern

In spring you always “follow the sun”, says Katie Benty. So take her advice and head to the mountain for morning turns and then follow it up with a long paddle on Donner Lake to soak up the afternoon sun. Pack your sunscreen. The high altitude sun will sneak up on you!

BBQ at the Beach

While BBQ-ing may not be your typical “activity” it’s still one of the best ways to cap off a perfect spring day in Tahoe and catch a sunset. One of the many amenities that Tahoe Donner offers is access to a private beach where you can grill up burgers and veggies. Lukas Brassie loves to hang out with friends, enjoy a cold beer and perfect his grill marks on the sirloin he picked up from the Truckee Butcher Shop. 

Road Biking Around Lake Tahoe

Photo: Bike Tahoe

There are 72 miles of scenic roadway that wraps around Lake Tahoe and there is no better way to take in the sights than on a road bike. With the longer spring days, you can find Mark Lowenstern cruising around on his road bike to get in some exercise after a day in the office. 

Springtime in Tahoe is Simply the Best

We love spring in Tahoe for the incredible access to outdoor adventures. We hope this guide helps you discover your favorite zones around the Truckee/Tahoe Area and encourages you to keep exploring this spring!