Lake Tahoe Resorts About More Than Just The Snow That's On The Way

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (CBS13) — When you think of a Tahoe getaway, you think skiing, snow and hot chocolate. But now local resorts are letting visitors know they can get a summer experience they wouldn't expect at 6,000 feet up a mountain.

"I mean it's a great spot, why would you not want to hang out here year round?" said Tom Ford.

The 24-year-old moved from Boston to Tahoe last fall, looking to spend a few months on the slopes.

"I was planning to just come out here for a couple months snowboard and then move on, but once the summer came around I fell in love even more because of everything they have here," he said.

Now, local resorts are looking beyond just boating, fishing and swimming.

"It's kind of a Renaissance right now," said Kevin Cooper, Senior Communications Manager with Vail Mountain Resorts. "I think it's experiential, I think it's, you know, bringing it 365 so you can come to our resorts 365 days a year and have a great time."

But Cooper, known as "Coop" to the locals, told CBS13 that hasn't always been the case.

"It took 10 years to get that legislation through!" he said.

Back in 2011, President Obama signed the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act, allowing ski areas to use their land for more than just winter sports. Now Cooper is happy that summer guests will have the up-close experience with nature that snowboarders and skiers have had for years.

"It's about year-round," Cooper said. "A family can come up and enjoy anything all year."

In June, Heavenly Village Resort launched their summer experience called Epic Discovery – featuring a zip line, canopy tours and their Mountain Coaster.

"It's not obtrusive, it blends in with nature and that was a big point," Cooper said.

"I would encourage my younger relatives to take advantage of that," said Anna Williams, a Tahoe visitor.

She and her husband David are long-time Californians and when they think Tahoe, they still expect a winter wonderland.

"Personally I probably wouldn't be doing all that myself, but if you have a really good restaurant and some good entertainment, I'm there!" Williams said.

Looking to next summer, Cooper hopes the new outdoor activities combined with existing summer concerts at nearby casinos means big crowds in 2017.