Tahoe.com Staff, 10:02am, 2/8/2012

Do The Local Thing!

Still wondering what to do this Valentine’s Day in Lake Tahoe? Are you a ‘dinner and a movie’ couple? Maybe you would rather be on the slopes? Either way, Lake Tahoe is full of date ideas to make your Valentine’s Day memorable. Here are ten of our favorite Tahoe date ideas.

Go skiing

If you’re in Tahoe, you’re surrounded by world-class ski resorts. Even if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, take a couple’s lesson. Nothing is quite as memorable as that first time on the slopes. Check out our skiing page to get started.

Go on a snow shoe hike

Join the Sweetheart Sunset Snowshoe Hike! Celebrate Valentine’s Day by trekking with your sweetheart to the Tahoe Meadows Ridge Overlook, where you will enjoy drinks, snacks, and the sunset over Lake Tahoe.
Learn More

Go on a dinner date

Leave the cooking up to the pros. Check out some of our favorite restaurant specials that are sure to set the mood. Beat the rush and call soon to make your reservations. See some of our favorite dinner specials.

Take a sunset dinner cruise on the Tahoe Queen

When lakeside dining isn’t enough, take your date to the open waters.

Take in a movie

The basin is dotted with movie theaters, which is also a great way to entertain the kids indoors if the weather turns sour. There are single screen theaters in Tahoe City (Cobblestone Cinema) and Incline Village, and two screens at the Brockway Twin Theater in Kings Beach. They are run together as North Shore Theaters; call 530-546-5951 for movie info.

On the south shore are two multi-plexes at the state line and within two blocks of each other. The Heavenly Village Cinema has 10 screens (530-544-1110) and will validate parking in the nearby parking garage. Hollywood Cinemas offers eight different movies and is located inside the Horizon Casino. Take advantage of their free valet parking; for movie times, call 775-589-6000.

Browse the art galleries

Tahoe is home to many galleries expressing various styles of art: paintings in oil and watercolor, bronzes, sculpture, glass, jewelry, photography and much more. Some long-known favorite spots are Gallery Keoki in the Squaw Village (beautiful horse bronzes), the Vrooman Wildlife Gallery in Truckee (featuring more than 30 nature and wildlife artists), James Harold Galleries (in the Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City) and Jon Paul Gallery for wall-to-wall Tahoe photography (in South Lake’s Village Center).

Ice skating

If you’ve been dying to unleash your own “Blades of Glory,” there are outdoor ice rinks throughout Tahoe’s resorts. There’s the Olympic Ice Pavilion at Squaw’s High Camp (open daily year-round), a 9,000 square foot rink at the Northstar Village (open daily winter and summer), the Village at Heavenly Ice Rink (open daily in winter) and a 6000 sq.ft. rink at Kirkwood Village (open Fri, Sat & holidays). 

Wine and beer tasting

There are various places to test your inner oenophile. Bacchus & Venus in the downtown Truckee area is open for wine tastings noon-7pm daily. Their four-taste flights cover a variety of well-chosen California wines. 530-550-9800. Fifty Fifty Brewing Company has a light-hearted approach to naming their locally brewed beer, with titles like Foggy Goggle Belgian White and Donner Party Porter. 530-587-2337.

In the village at Squaw Valley is Uncorked, a wine bar open daily with wines by the glass, cheese plates, tastings, live music, and “Meet the Winemaker” events each weekend. 530-584-6090.

At south shore, Picchetti Winery has a tasting room that showcases the wines from this Cupertino, CA winery. 530-541-1500.

Also in South Lake Tahoe, near Heavenly’s California Lodge, is Apres Wine Company in the Ski Run Center. They’re open daily with a wine shop, tasting room, gifts and small bistro. 530-544-9463.

Take a gondola/cable car ride

Some of the best views of the lake are quite rightfully from atop the mountains, and there’s more than a simple up-and-back ride to enjoy. At Squaw Valley, the cable car rises 2,000 feet uphill, dropping off passengers at High Camp, where you can have lunch or a cocktail on the sun-soaked deck. Besides the five different High Camp restaurants (perfect to meet your skiing friends), there’s also an ice rink and pool.

The 2.4 mile gondola ride at Heavenly pauses at the mid-way station – a 14,000 sq. ft deck dotted with tables and benches – all the better to drink in the views of the snow-etched shoreline. Bring your own picnic, or buy a latte, smoothie or cocktail at Café Blue. At the top of the mountain, there’s a restaurant, tubing hill and a chance to walk around watching the skiers and riders at the learning center.

Test your luck at the casinos

In an area where even the Nevada supermarkets and the Reno airport have slot machines, gaming is a part of the Tahoe experience. No matter what your preferred game of chance is, you’ll find it in the north and south shore casinos. Crystal Bay is home to three casinos, Incline Village has the world-class Hyatt and south shore offers six more casinos at Stateline. Besides gaming, most casinos have several dining choices, shopping, hotel rooms, spas and even game arcades for the younger set.

Need to get in shape?

Check out Shake Rattle & Pole
“Spice up any relationship pole dance party style this Valentines day.” Learn to pole dance with Shake, Rattle and Pole Dance Parties.  They come to your location for the party, instruction and fun!  Feel hot, look hot, be hot.  Great way to celebrate any fun occasion with your best girlfriends. Designed for all ages, and sizes of women.  Call 775-853-1118

Need a place to say?

Need a vacation rental? Check out Tahoe Luxury Properties
They send champagne and chocolates to all of our their in-house guests!

Lake Tahoe Getaway Vacation Rentals
February Sweetheart Savings
Looking to plan a romantic weekend in the mountains?  Or maybe just a weekend with friends?  C’mon, you’ve waited long enough! Lake Tahoe Getaway has reduced all February rates AND if you mention this you’ll receive another $50 off your two night or $100 off your three+ night stay. Call (800) 922-4929 To Redeem their special

*Select Homes (those under $250/nt) excluded

Americas Best Value Inn
Stay with them over Valentine’s and receive a bottle of wine and chocolates for your sweetheart.

Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort
Mourelatos greets all of their Valentine’s guests with a glass of champagne, in-room sweets, two long stem roses, and a $25 gift certificate to the excellent Spindleshanks Restaurant, conveniently located across the street. The Valentine’s Day package also includes a complimentary late checkout of 2 p.m. providing a leisurely and relaxing extended stay.

Image:  Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from Rachel Kramer Bussel‘s Flickr photostream.