With generous support from Mother Nature, South Shore Lake Tahoe combines a spectacularly natural, scenic destination with all the amenities imaginable to capture and experience its beauty, character and energy. And, what better day of the year to indulge in such bliss than Valentine’s Day; the day of the year earmarked to celebrate those who are most cherished.

During the winter months, the Lake Tahoe basin becomes a white winter wonderland full of beauty and romantic settings as well as thrilling adventure. "Although the mountain slopes are one of the main attractions in South Shore, there are many venues to take in its natural beauty," noted Patrick Kaler, Executive Director for Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. "It's an amazing outdoor playground where couples can relax in a scenic horse-drawn sleigh ride or thrill to a ridge-top snowmobile adventure. Options for daytime escapes in South Shore are endless: dog sled rides, ice skating, lake cruises, helicopter rides, hot springs and, of course, incredible mountain slopes for skiing and riding."

Outdoor Recreation
All three South Shore mountain resorts, Heavenly, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood are encouraging amorous couples to enjoy the spirit of Cupid. Heavenly Mountain Resort is asking lovers to race their heart out for that someone special in their life at its annual Sweetheart Race. Couple can steal away to enjoy magnificent lake views. Visit www.skiheavenly.com for more race details. The Sierra-at-Tahoe crew will be out on the mountain spreading love and giving out Valentine’s candies. Kirkwood Mountain Resort is featuring a kissing booth and pleasant surprises from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and later that night, the resort is hosting a themed Sweetheart Dinner for two from 5:30- 8:30 p.m., including pink champagne. To make a reservation, call (209) 258-7365.

When not on the slopes, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Lake and its surrounding snow-capped peaks while on a cruise around the Lake. A two-hour cruise to Emerald Bay or a special evening dinner and dancing cruise is an ideal way to spend Valentine's Day. Both Lake Tahoe Cruises at (530) 541-3364 and M.S. Dixie II Paddle-wheeler at (775) 588-3508 offer wonderful sightseeing cruises.

What better way to accent a heavenly vacation than to tour Tahoe's wondrous winter scenery in a horse-drawn sleigh. Ride with the Borges Sleigh Rides in an antique European sleigh; the Borges family's famous Belgian Blondes and Baskir Curleys from Russia are hitched to their sleighs and ready to take couples for a one-hour tour over the meadow and through the woods, past Friday's Station, the historic Pony Express way station, to one of the most spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. Reservations are recommended; call (530) 541-2953.

Guided wilderness tours on snowmobiles are an exciting and thrilling quest to unexpected places. The tours, provided by Lake Tahoe Adventures at (530) 577-2940 and Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center at (775) 588-3833, take riders into the heart of Tahoe's forestlands and all the way to the top of its mountain ridge. Snowmobile Ride and Dine offers tours to the top of Tahoe and features Lake views at 9,000 feet; the tours also can be packaged to include dinner at the Historic Zephyr Cove Lodge. For dinner reservations, call (775) 589-4908 or call (800) 23-TAHOE for snowmobile tour information.

Couples can experience the thrill of the wind in their faces as a team of Huskies takes them on a winter adventure. Join 30-year veteran musher Dotty Dennis and her Husky dogs for an exciting and memorable winter adventure on Husky Express. The sled rides last about an hour, depending on how fast the track is, and are in a wilderness setting in scenic Hope Valley, 30 minutes south of South Lake Tahoe. For more information, contact Husky Express at (775) 782-3047. Or, try Running Creek Sled Dog Rides which circles around Kirkwood Meadows daily with full moon tours available monthly. Reservations for a 40-minute ride of pure bliss can be made at (775) 266-4720.

High Sierra Helicopters offers the opportunity to see Lake Tahoe from a new altitude. The South Lake Tahoe tour is a 20-minute flight and shows the shoreline from Zephyr Cove to Emerald Bay; the Lake Tahoe tour is a flight around the lake and lasts 45 minutes; and the Sunset Tour is an hour-long flight around the lake that showcases the beauty and the colors of the setting sun against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. For special offers or more information, call (866) 744-TAHOE.

At Heavenly’s Adventure Peak, located at the top of the Gondola, the first part of the adventure is simply getting there. The 2.4-mile ride up the mountainside in the Gondola is one trip visitors will never forget while the second part of the adventure is the park itself, complete with snow tubing, sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The lift-accessed tubing hill provides snow enthusiasts with hours of fun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. seven days a week. The Village at Heavenly has an outdoor ice skating rink; it’s great fun for everyone. For more information, call (775) 586-7000.

Spa Treatments, Massages and Hot Springs
After a long day exploring the panoramic, winter beauty of Lake Tahoe, the only thing that completes the day and prepares travelers for a night on the town is a relaxing and peaceful massage from any one of South Shore's high-class spas. A Massage For All Seasons offers wonderfully delightful and relaxing season specials, and especially for Valentine’s Day, the spa is offering Swept Away Couples Retreat for $280, which includes a hot stone massage and aromatherapy body scrub. Tranquility Massage and Healing Arts Spa creates custom packages for couples, as well, to pamper themselves; for more information call (530) 542-3906. South Shore's first and foremost massage-day spa, Massage Therapy Cottage-Day Spa, offers a wide-array of spa treatments and massages; for more information, call (530) 541-4269 anytime to make an appointment.

Another popular spot to relax tired ski muscles is to soak them in the soothing water of natural hot springs. Amenities differ at each establishment, so be sure to pick the one which best suits personal tastes. Grover Hot Springs in Markleeville off Highway 89, at (530) 694-2248, overlooks a rustic park with a mineral spring fed pool. Established in 1850, couples can enjoy relaxed elegance in the oldest of the Sierra resorts, Wally’s Hot Springs. Located off Highway 206 in Genoa, Wally’s Hot Springs boasts of natural hot springs and spa atmosphere, a complete workout facility and on-site massage therapist to complement the experience. For more information, call (775) 782-8155.

Dinner and Entertainment
South Shore has more Four-star, Four-diamond resorts at 6,200 feet above sea level than any other place in the world. The award-winning casinos, Caesar’s Tahoe, Harrah’s Tahoe, Harvey’s, Horizon Resort Casino, Lakeside Inn and Casino all have incredible dining options to suit almost any craving.

If couples are looking for something out of the ordinary, Nepheles and The Fresh Ketch are divine. Nepheles, named after the Greek goddess of epicurean delight, has been specializing in intimate Lake Tahoe fine dining since 1977 and is a local favorite. Ideally suited for romantic dinners, the restaurant offers an award winning wine list featuring California vineyards and its chef Mark Vassau is noted for his daily specials prepared with the freshest fish, meat and vegetables. Nepheles is located on Ski Run Boulevard near Heavenly Mountain Resort, reservations are recommended at (530) 544-8130. Located on the water in the Tahoe Keys Marina, The Fresh Ketch offers casual dining downstairs and more formal dining upstairs with outstanding cuisine, the freshest fish and magical views. To make a reservation, call (530) 541-5683.

Options to cap off a romantic evening are endless on Blue Avenue. Among the most popular performances are The Improv at Harvey's Tahoe, which is featuring host and emcee Howie Nave and guest appearances from Cathy Ladman and Carol Leifer, and in the Cabaret, Greg Thompson’s Dancin' In the Streets. For more information or tickets, call 800-HARRAHS.

Bill's has quickly become known as the hot spot for live entertainment with the addition of William's Back Door Blues Club. The "Blues Club," as it has become known, is the spot on the South Shore to see the top performers from all around Northern California and Nevada, as well as the country’s top up-and-coming blues act. Bill's casino is right next door to Harrah's.

Come see an incredible show in the intimate setting of the Horizon Golden Cabaret now featuring "Fusion 2," which combines grand illusion and interactive magic and comedy. Club Nero at Caesars continues to bring in great DJs and popular hip-hop and R&B superstars along with an exploding laser light show. Head to Altitude inside Harrahs for some incredible nightly promotions, dancing and beautiful cage-dancers. The Horizon Casino Resort is featuring live music in the Aspen Lounge.

South Shore Lake Tahoe has something for everyone in its white winter wonderland this Valentine's Day. For the thrill-seeking adventurers, South Shore has steep terrain and fast snowmobile rides to scenic mountaintops; for lovers looking for a peaceful, romantic weekend, South Shore has horse-drawn sleigh rides and pink champagne dining options, and for the couple searching for something out of the ordinary, South Shore has couple massages, hot springs and helicopter rides flying at sunset. To find out more options or to make a reservation, visit www.bluelaketahoe.com.