When you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway, look no further than Northstar-at-Tahoe, where staying and playing are practically synonymous. With a winter season spanning mid-November to mid-April (weather and conditions permitting), a high-speed chairlift and two intermediate ski trails on The Backside of the mountain, and a new 22-foot half pipe designed by Shaun White, Northstar is a great place to hit the 95 ski trails spanning 3,000 acres, perfect for both alpine and Telemark skiing, as well as snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. When you’re done, stay in the on-site lodging and visit the base area village with shops and restaurants, as well as a 9,000 square-foot outdoor skating rink. Season passes start at $379. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort is located on Highway 267, just six miles north of Lake Tahoe and six miles south of downtown Truckee.

Squaw Valley USA, host to the Olympic Winter Games in 1960, is located off Highway 89 between Truckee and Tahoe City, a mere 96 miles from Sacramento via Interstate 80. Head to Squaw for a day of skiing from November to mid-May, but leave early, because lifts open at 9 a.m. daily (night skiing is open Fridays and Saturdays until 9 p.m., and Monday through Thursday until 7 p.m.). Squaw’s 170 trails span 4,000 skiable acres, and their 33 lifts get you to all kinds of trails, as well as the 400-foot Riviera Superpipe’s 18.5-foot walls. Grab a quick bite at any of the on-mountain dining options, including Alexander’s, The Terrace Restaurant, Wildflour Too, Bar North, The Arc, 39° North, and Crossroads Café. End your day with dinner at the base village at Amigos Burritos, Tornino’s Pizza, Freshies Salads, Wok-About, Dave’s Deli, The Blue Onion Café, Mamasake Sushi, Fireside Pizza Company, or Soupa, and (if you’re not the designated driver) cap it off with a cocktail at Le Chamois & Loft Bar, Cornice Cantina, Twenty-Two Bistro & Bar, or Uncorked Wine Bar before you all head home.

Homewood Mountain Ski Resort is the perfect ski and snowboard area to take the kids. Homewood’s family-friendly atmosphere is just one of the many reasons it was deemed the gem of Lake Tahoe’s west shore by SKI Magazine. Located at the shore of west Lake Tahoe via Interstate 80 to California State Route 89, this 1260-acre mountain offers unobstructed views of the lake and surrounding peaks. The mellow vibe makes Homewood a great ski and snowboard area for the whole family.

CBS Sacramento Insider’s tip: Pack a lunch for the family, because you can tailgate for lunch right next to Homewood’s lifts.

Boreal Mountain Resort is a snowboarder’s paradise, with 41 trails on 480 rideable acres, 100 rails, jumps and funboxes, and a 450-foot superpipe located off the Accelerator Express Quad Chair on the Race Course run. This Superpipe features 18.5-foot walls and a consistent slope grade of 15 degrees. (Fun fact: Boreal’s Superpipe has hosted two major U.S. pipe competitions—the U.S. Grand Prix Snowboard competition, and the U.S. Snowboard Association’s Snowboard Revolution Tour.) Boreal is up Interstate 80 about 80 miles at the Boreal / Castle Peak exit, and is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Season passes range in price from $25 for children under four years of age, to $279 for adults.

CBS Sacramento Insider’s tip: Save some money and buy a night pass for $129, which can be used from 3:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. and when night operations are not in session, typically early and late season.

Alpine Meadows is a great ski resort for singles, due in part to their party vibe courtesy of an eight-ton Bombardier BR 275 snow grooming machine that’s been converted into a 20-foot wide, 13-foot long rolling stage, which hosts performing bands, as well as the system’s iPod Touch 32 gigabyte music library. As if that’s not enough, Alpine also boasts three bars–the Ice Bar on the backside at the base of the Sherwood Chair; Alpine Bar at the lodge, which has six beers on tap, as well as the famous “shotski”, and pool, ping pong, and foosball tables on the mezzanine; and Last Chair Bar, where the classic Alpine Bloody Mary is quite popular. Alpine is located about 120 miles from Sacramento off Interstate 80 near Truckee, and offers more than 100 trails on 2,400 acres of terrain. Alpine Meadow’s passes include discounts for college students, with a $199 pass valid Monday through Friday.

(credit: http://www.squaw.com)

New Year’s Eve in Olympic House, Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley has so much to offer for a New Year’s Eve vacation. In addition to a huge party featuring two DJs, a live band, and five bars, you can relax with some ice skating, a ride on the cable car, dog sledding tours, the climbing wall, and snow tubing. Check out Olympic Museum which showcases memorabilia from the 1960 Olympics held at Squaw Valley. Entry to the NYE Party is only $10 and guests must be 21 or older.

(credit: http://www.ZephyrCove.com)

Zephyr Cove Resort New Year’s Eve Cruise
760 Hwy 50
Zephyr Cove, NV89448
(775) 589- 4906

In addition to the lodge, campsites, cabins and RV hookups, Zephyr Cove is home to the Tahoe Queen and the MS Dixie II. Take a cruise for New Year’s Eve for an outstanding party on the lake. The Tahoe Queen is the only authentic Mississippi paddle wheeler on Lake Tahoe. MS Dixie II is the largest cruising vessel on the lake and both boats have received rave reviews for their stellar service and enchanting tours.

(credit: NorthstarAtTahoe.com)

NYE at Northstar Resort

Mountain homes, family friendly condos, budget friendly hotels and brand new luxury condos round out the lodging choices available at Northstar at Tahoe. While the accommodations might be perfect, you probably won’t have much time to spend enjoying them because New Year’s Eve at Northstar promises fun all day and night. Shopping, dining, ice skating, bungee jumping, live music, drink specials and DJs will make NYE unforgettable. Throw in a fireworks show and you just might take up permanent residence there.

A Heavenly New Year Celebration

Touted as the best family-friendly celebration in Lake Tahoe, A Heavenly New Year Celebration has a schedule of events for everyone to enjoy. An ice sculpting show accompanied by a light show, music and audience participation kicks off the event. A live music dance party and gondola drop will precede the 9 p.m. celebration complete with fireworks.

(credit: http://www.rivagrill.com)

If you’re looking for something a little quieter than an all night long street party, a relaxed dinner at Riva Grill on the Lake might be a good location for your New Year’s Eve festivities. The restaurant is located in South Lake Tahoe and showcases gorgeous views of the lake. If you have other NYE dinner plans, Riva Grill on the Lake also serves brunch, lunch and has an impressive bar and grill menu. There are plenty of photo ops from the deck and the food is delicious. Reservations are suggested.

Michelle Ventress lives in Sacramento with her husband and two dogs. When she’s not writing or traveling she enjoys spending time working in her garden and volunteering.

Photo Credit: California State Parks

An Emigrant Christmas at Sutter’s Fort
Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2701 L Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 445-4422
Link

Being a pioneer might have been full of hardships most of the year, but when it came to celebrating the Christmas season the emigrants to California could party. John Sutter was known as a gracious host to all those who crossed mountains and oceans to reach his fort. Today the fort is portrayed as it was in 1846, two years before the discovery of gold. Volunteers don clothing of gingham and leather to allow participants to travel effortlessly back in time. Candles will be dipped and popcorn strings strung. Guests can transform cornhusks into heavenly angels while whip up 3D stars from multiple folds of a sheet of paper. There are sing-alongs all day long and everyone goes home with a craft.

(credit: oldsactheatreoflights.org)

Old Sacramento
Activities vary
925 Front Street
Sacramento, CA 94203
(916) 808-7059
Free
www.historicoldsac.org

Old Sacramento gives their Victorian Americana holidays a special sparkle with the Theatre of Lights. Every year the theatre uses special effects, lights and sound to make the beloved Clement Clark Moore’s poem “T’was the Night Before Christmas” come to life. As sugarplums dance and eight tiny reindeer prance narrators, including a former Sacramentan – Mark Twain, tell the famous Christmas tale. You’ll find Santa Claus strolling around the streets spreading holiday cheer and you can buy warm drinks at various locations.

On Saturday, December 10. From 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the annual 19th Century Living History Holiday Ball will be held at the Stanford Gallery. Visitors can take dance lessons and the Pony Express will make the Christmas Card Ride just like they did in real life during the holiday season on 1860. Father Christmas resplendent in his green velvet Victorian garb will be spreading joy to children of all ages accompanied by a troupe of carolers.

Photo Credit: Robert Rohwer

Polar Express
California Railroad Museum
Nov 25 – Dec 18, 2011, everyday except Mon and Tues; 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m.
125 I Street
Sacramento,
CA 95814
(916) 445-6645
Ticket required
Directory listing

Dress in your best PJ’s and hurry because the Polar Express is about to leave the platform. This highly popular holiday activity brings together multiple generations for the train trip of a lifetime. Book a ticket online for a seat in a series of cars including the 1950s Southern Pacific Audubon Dining Car. Once aboard dancing waiters bring cups of hot chocolate and a cookie treat as a mysterious conductor roams the aisles. Excitement builds upon arrival at the North Pole where Santa can be seen as the engine switches for the return trip home. While chugging back to the Central Pacific Passenger Station everyone can sign carols as Santa delivers a special gift to each passenger. Once at the depot Santa is available for individual chats and photo ops.

Linda J. Bottjer is a full-time writer who believes fully in the power of Santa Claus. Follow her at Words 4 Sail.