With more than 250,000 square feet of meeting space set against a spectacular natural backdrop, it’s no wonder Lake Tahoe is a go-to destination for meeting planners. And with the largest concentration of ski resorts in the country and a climate that averages 700 inches of snow and nearly 300 days of sun a year, it’s no surprise that the region is a dream for winter enthusiasts. But while the Reno and Tahoe area is undeniably famed as a winter sports paradise, that’s far from all there is to do there.
See and Be Seen
Sightseeing is a major activity in the Reno/Lake Tahoe region, which is widely acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. Add to that many meetings- and incentive-friendly hotels and resorts, nightlife, dining, and casinos with gambling and shows and there’s plenty to do for those who feel skiing is closer to falling than fun.
One group meeting there next year that has a better-than-average ability to judge a good destination is HelmsBriscoe. The Scottsdale, AZ-based global meeting procurement firm is taking more than 1,800 associates and partners to Reno in early March, solidly within the ski season.
The firm was looking for a Western destination for its 20th Annual Business Conference (ABC), says Peter Shelly, HelmsBriscoe’s executive vice president and chairman of the ABC. “Reno came forward and offered an exciting opportunity for us to use multiple headquarter hotels as well as the Reno-Sparks Convention Center [RSCC],” he says. “The city is very accessible, and all aspects of our conference, both business and social, will be satisfied in Reno. We have also planned several post-conference programs to take place in the Lake Tahoe area, and this will provide a unique element to our overall experience.”
Aside from the fact that the RSCC, airport, and downtown casino hotels are all within a 10-to-15-minute drive, the local convention partners have proven “very upbeat and responsive, and this has made the overall planning of our upcoming conference much easier and most enjoyable,” Shelly adds.
Stay Warm
When it comes to non-athletic winter activities, “first and foremost, there are tours,” says Jason Hawk, co-owner of Lake Tahoe-based Blue Sky Events & Destination Management. Lake cruises to Emerald Bay are a must, says Hawk, calling the bay “truly spectacular.” Options include paddle boats like the 400-passenger M.S. Dixie II and the 50-person luxury yacht Tahoe Blue Wave. There are also helicopter tours and scenic bus drives that stop at the small communities around the lake, “each with its own unique vibe,” Hawk says. For a quick trip back in time, he recommends visiting Virginia City, NV, a historic mining town.
Then there are the trams at the major ski mountains, not all of which are for skiers. The eight-person gondolas at the Heavenly Mountain Resort offer shore-to-shore views of Lake Tahoe, as well as the Carson Valley and Desolation Wilderness, as they climb more than 9,100 feet to The Deck, an observation area with dining facilities. Group catering is available at the top as well.
Squaw Valley’s 8,200-foot High Camp offers activities ranging from hiking to paintball to perusing a museum dedicated to the 1960 Winter Olympics. Along with dining and shopping at the base of the mountain, it has a ropes course perfect for teambuilding activities, Hawk notes.
Northstar-at-Tahoe, another noted resort, has a scenic gondola and dining and shopping areas, notably Manzanita by celebrity chef Traci Des Jardins at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Other scenic dining options in the area are the Chart House steakhouse, 7,000 feet up a mountain, and the lakeside Riva Grill.
Be Cool
For those who wish to take in the landscape in a suitably wintry fashion, Borges Sleigh Rides takes groups on one-hour tours through the forest and past Friday’s Station—the only remaining Pony Express station in Nevada—in an antique European sleigh drawn by statuesque Russian horses.
On the nightlife front, “the biggest clubs are in the casinos,” Hawk adds. “Right at the state line, on the South Shore, is where the action is.” Among the options are an outpost of Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina Lounge at Harveys Lake Tahoe, and Blu at the Montbleu Resort Casino. A decidedly calmer choice is the high-end Cliche cigar and cocktail lounge at sister property Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.