Skiing & Snowboarding--With the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America, Lake Tahoe offers California's best skiing. The ski season typically lasts from November to May and frequently extends into the summer. Lift tickets last winter ranged from $40 to $65 per day for adults, and from free to $33 for children, with special rates for teens and seniors. Ticket prices go up every year, but bargains are available, particularly midweek. Many resorts, hotels, and motels offer ski packages. Contact the visitor centers or visit their websites, to look for these values. The resorts offer instruction for adults and children, equipment rental, special courses for snowboarding, and restaurants. Most have free shuttles.

More Winter Fun

Cross-Country Skiing -- In addition to the major resorts, here are some other excellent choices: Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Resort, Soda Springs, near Sugar Bowl (tel. 800/500-3871 or 800/666-3871; www.royalgorge.com), has 90 trails, including 28 novice trails and four ski lifts, and is one of the largest and best cross-country resorts anywhere. Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area, 925 Country Club Dr., Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-5475; www.tahoexc.org), is a small (14 trails), full-service ski center run by a nonprofit community group and is easy and convenient to North Shore visitors. Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area, near the intersection of Highway 28 and U.S. 50 on the East Shore (tel. 888/858-8844; www.spoonerlake.com), is a quiet, full-service ski center off the beaten path, but it offers some of the most scenic skiing at the lake.

Ice-Skating -- Accessible only by a scenic tram ride (included in the admission fee of $20 for adults, $10 for children under 13), Squaw Valley's High Camp (tel. 530/583-6985) has one of the world's most beautiful and unusual ice rinks. It's open daily from 11am to 9pm (11am-4pm Apr 14-June 22).

Snowmobiling -- Snowmobile rental and tours are available at several locations in the Lake Tahoe Area. Call ahead for reservations and directions. The Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center, 760 U.S. 50, about 4 miles northeast of the casinos (tel. 775/588-3833), offers several tours daily for all experience levels. The cost for a 2-hour tour is about $90 for a single rider, $125 for two. Snowmobiling Unlimited (tel. 530/583-7192; www.snowmobilingunlimited.com) offers 2-hour backcountry tours from Brockway Summit, about 3 miles north of Kings Beach on Calif. 267; prices are $90 for one, $120 for two. TC Snomos, 205 River Rd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/581-3906), starts its tours in Tahoe City, and charges $75 for one and $100 for two.

Snow Play -- For snow play other than at the big resorts, try the North Tahoe Regional Park, at the top of National Avenue off Highway 28, Tahoe Vista (tel. 530/546-5043). This ultimate snow play hill has a $5 fee that includes a choice of sled, tube, or saucer. Taylor Creek Snow Park, off Calif. 89 in South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/573-2674), is run by the U.S. Forest Service. Bring your own equipment for sledding and tubing. For information about all the California Sno Park locations, call the Sno Park Hot Line at tel. 916/324-1222.

Summer Activities

Ballooning -- See the lake and mountains from 8,000 to 10,000 feet above with Lake Tahoe Balloons (tel. 800/872-9294; www.laketahoeballoons.com) in South Lake Tahoe. A 1-hour tour and brunch costs about $175 per person.

Beaches -- Here are a few popular spots around the lake. All have sandy beaches, picnic areas, and restrooms; many have playgrounds. Remember that this is an alpine lake so the water is very cold.

Baldwin Beach: Calif. 89, 4 miles north of South Lake Tahoe

Commons Beach Park: Downtown Tahoe City, free movie (Fri at dusk)

Connolly Beach: U.S. 50 at Timber Cove Lodge; boat launches

D. L. Bliss State Park: South of Meeks Bay on Calif. 89; camping, trails

El Dorado Beach: Between Rufus Allen and Lakeview in South Lake Tahoe

Kings Beach State Recreation Center: Hwy. 28 in Kings Beach

Pope Beach: Calif. 89, 2 miles north of South Lake Tahoe

Sand Harbor: 4 miles south of Incline Village on Hwy. 28; lifeguards

Sugar Pine Point: Calif. 89, just south of Tahoma; camping, trails, pier

Zephyr Cove Beach: U.S. 50 at Zephyr Cove

Bicycling -- There are miles of paved bicycle paths around the lake. Incline Village has a scenic, easy 2 1/2-mile path along Lakeshore Boulevard. This is a safe choice for younger children. In Tahoe City you can follow the path in three directions. The one that follows Truckee River is a relaxing, beautiful ride. On the South Shore, the Pope-Baldwin bike path runs parallel to Calif. 89 through Camp Richardson and the Tallac Historic Site. Nearby in South Lake Tahoe, a paved pathway runs from El Dorado Beach along the lake, paralleling U.S. 50. The Tahoe City trails are my personal favorites, especially the Truckee River section. You can rent a bicycle from any of the shops listed below.

Mountain biking is big at Lake Tahoe. For serious bikers, there is a dizzying choice of trails. At both Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort (tel. 530/562-1010) and Squaw Valley USA (tel. 530/583-6985), you can take the cable car (Squaw) or chairlift (Northstar) up with your bike and ride the trails all the way down. For other trails, check with one of the bicycle rental shops for maps and information. In North Tahoe, try The Back Country, 255 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/581-5861); Olympic Bike Shop, 620 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/581-2500); Tahoe Bike & Ski, 8499 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach (tel. 530/546-7437); or Porter's Sports Shop, 885 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village (tel. 775/831-3500). In South Tahoe, try Anderson's Bike Rental, 645 Emerald Bay Rd. (tel. 530/541-0500), or Lakeview Sports, 3131 Hwy. 50 at El Dorado Beach (tel. 530/544-0183).

Another great choice is Cyclepaths Mountain Bike Adventures, 1785 W. Lake Blvd. in Tahoe Park, a few miles south of Tahoe City (tel. 800/780-BIKE; www.cyclepaths.com), where you can arrange a guided off-road tour. Whether you're into hard-core downhill single track or easy-going scenic outings, the expert guides will provide you with all the necessary equipment, food, and transportation. They offer day tours ($29 and up), weekenders ($199), and 3- and 5-day adventure camps (rates vary).

Boating, Watersports & Parasailing -- Nothing beats actually getting out on the water. Take a guided tour, go off on your own, or just paddle around. Here are a few reliable choices: Zephyr Cove Marina (tel. 775/588-3833; www.tahoedixie2.com) is the lake's largest marina. It's the home of the paddlewheeler M.S. Dixie II and the catamaran Woodwind II. Here you can parasail (tel. 775/588-3530), charter sport-fishing trips (tel. 775/586-9338), or take guided tours. You can also rent motorized boats, pontoon boats, pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, water-ski equipment, and jet skis. Tahoe City Marina (tel. 530/583-1039), 700 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, rents motorized boats, sailboats, and fishing boats. Sailboat cruises are available. This is also the location for Lake Tahoe Parasailing (tel. 530/583-7245).

Lighthouse Water Sports, 950 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe (tel. 530/583-7245), rents jet skis, paddleboats, and canoes. Tahoe Paddle and Oar, North Lake Beach Center, 7860 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach (tel. 530/531-3029), is a good place to rent kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and windsurfing equipment. Paddling around on a calm day in the clear waters of Crystal Bay is great fun. Action Water Sports has two locations: 3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd. at Timber Cove Marina, South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/544-2942); and across from the Hyatt in Incline Village (tel. 775/831-4386). You can rent boats, kayaks, jet skis, paddleboats, and other water toys here; parasailing and guided tours are also available. Camp Richardson Marina, 1900 Jameson Beach Rd., off Calif. 89 on the South Shore (tel. 530/542-6570), on a long sandy beach, rents power- and ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboats. It also offers fishing charters, ski school, cruises on the Woodwind I sailboat, and guided raft and kayak tours to Emerald Bay. SunSports, 3564 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/541-6000), provides rentals, tours, and lessons for kayaking, rafting, sailing, and scuba diving.

Camping -- If you have an appetite for the great outdoors, here are a few of the many good campgrounds at Tahoe:

D. L. Bliss State Park, on the western shore (tel. 530/525-7277), has 168 campsites, fine beaches, and hiking trails.

Sugar Pine Point State Park, also on the western shore (tel. 530/525-7982), offers 175 campsites, a picnic area, a beach, a nature center, and cross-country skiing, and is open year-round.

Campground by the Lake, 1150 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/542-6059), features 170 campsites, a boat ramp, a gym, and a history museum.

Zephyr Cove RV Park and Campground, located at Zephyr Cove Resort on U.S. 50 (tel. 775/588-6644), has a beach, a marina, and complete facilities.

Fishing -- The cold, clear waters of Lake Tahoe are home to kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown, and Mackinaw trout. With lots of hiding places in the deep water, fishing here is a challenge, and many anglers opt to use a guide or charter boat. There are dozens of charter companies offering daily excursions. Rates run about $65 for a half day to $95 for a whole day (bait, tackle, fish cleaning, and food included). On the North Shore, try Mickey's Big Mack Charters at the Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay (tel. 530/546-4444; www.mickeysbigmack.com); or Reel Deal Sportfishing, Tahoe City (tel. 530/581-0924). On the South Shore, try Avid Fisherman, Zephyr Cove (tel. 775/588-7675); Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters, Tahoe Keys Marina (tel. 530/541-8801); or Tahoe Sportfishing, 900 Ski Run Blvd. (tel. 800/696-7797 or 530/541-5448).

Fitness Centers & Spas -- At the end of the day, soak your tired body at the North Tahoe Beach Center, 7860 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach (tel. 530/546-2566). Besides a full line of exercise equipment, the center has a 26-foot spa, saunas, weight room, TV, Ping-Pong, lockers, and showers, for $7 for adults and $3 for children. The Incline Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village (tel. 775/832-1310), is a gorgeous facility with a heated indoor Olympic-size swimming pool, aerobics, basketball, cardiovascular fitness room, lounge, fireplace, and on-site child care. The fee is $11 for adults and $6 for children.

Golf -- With its world class golf courses, mild summer weather, and magnificent scenery, Lake Tahoe is a golfer's paradise. All of the following courses are very busy in the summer so call far in advance for tee times. For more information about Tahoe-area golf courses, log on to www.tahoesbest.com/Golf.

Starting at the north end of the lake, there are four highly rated courses: Incline Village Championship Course, 955 Fairway Blvd., and the smaller Incline Village Mountain (Executive) Course, 690 Wilson Way (tel. 775/832-1144 for both); Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort (tel. 530/562-2490); and The Resort at Squaw Creek (tel. 800/327-3353).

In the south, there's Edgewood, U.S. 50 at Lake Parkway, Stateline, NV (tel. 775/588-3566), home of the Celebrity Golf Championship; and Lake Tahoe Golf Course, 2500 Emerald Bay Rd., South Lake Tahoe, CA (tel. 530/577-0788). In addition, there are some good nine-hole municipal courses: Old Brockway Golf Course, 7900 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach (tel. 530/546-9909); Tahoe City Golf Course, 251 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-1516); Bijou Municipal Golf Course, 3436 Fairway Ave., South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/542-6097).

Hiking -- The mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe are crisscrossed with hiking trails for all levels of experience. Before setting out, you may wish to contact the local visitor centers or sporting goods shops for a map and more in-depth information on particular trails, or hire a guide. Try Tahoe Trips & Trails (tel. 530/583-4506; www.tahoetrips.com) for short and long guided hikes. Everything is provided: food, drinks, transportation, and information about the lake. Going on your own? Some of the most popular short hikes in the area are:

Eagle Falls/Eagle Lake: This moderately easy trail is well marked and begins at Eagle Picnic Area, directly across Calif. 89 from Emerald Bay. It's only about a third of a mile to the steel footbridge overlooking the falls and 2 miles round-trip (1 1/2-2 hr.) to Eagle Lake. Be sure to sign in at the self-registration station at the trail head.

Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm: The trail starts at the parking area on the north side of Emerald Bay, on Highway 89. It's a wide, well-maintained trail, but fairly steep, about 2 1/2 miles round-trip. At the bottom of the trail is a picnic area, as well as world-famous Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle.

Nevada Shoreline: Begin at the paved parking lot on the west side of Highway 28, 3 miles south of Sand Harbor. The trail drops to the beach and follows the shoreline, passing Chimney Beach, Secret Harbor, and Whale Beach. The trail eventually connects to a service road that can be followed back up to the parking area. It's an easy 4-mile hike, with a vertical climb of only 300 feet.

Shirley Lake: This trail leads to Shirley Lake, then down to Shirley Canyon. Take the tram at Squaw Valley up to High Camp and hike down, or vice-versa. The trail begins at the end of Squaw Creek Road, next to the cable-car building. It's a 4-mile hike, easy to moderate in difficulty, with some steep sections.

Horseback Riding -- Most stables offer a variety of guided trail rides and lessons for individuals, families, and groups. Choose the one that appeals to your sense of adventure: 1- to 2-hour trail rides; breakfast, lunch, or dinner rides; half-day, full-day, overnight, and extended pack trips. Expect to pay $20 to $25 for a 1-hour ride, $6 for a half-hour pony ride. Saddle up and savor the scenery. Try Alpine Meadows Stables, Alpine Meadows Road, Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-3905); Northstar Stables, Highway 267, 6 miles north of Kings Beach (tel. 530/562-2480); Squaw Valley Stables, 1525 Squaw Valley Rd., north of Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-7433); Camp Richardson Corral, Calif. 89, South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/541-3113); or Zephyr Cove Stables, Zephyr Cove Resort, U.S. 50 at Zephyr Cove (tel. 775/588-5664).

In-Line Skating -- Although there are many trails around the lake, the best one for blading is the well-paved bicycle- and pedestrian-only path that hugs the Truckee River between Tahoe City and Squaw Valley. Skates and protective gear can be rented for $12 per half day, $18 per full day, from the nearby Squaw Valley Sport Shop, 170 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-6278).

River Rafting -- For a swift but gentle ride down the Truckee River (the lake's only outlet), try Truckee River Raft Rental, 185 River Rd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-0123; www.truckeeriverraft.com). Only available in the summer, the rates are $25 for adults and $20 for children (12 and under).

Tennis -- The mild summer weather at Lake Tahoe is perfect for great tennis. If you want to sharpen your skills, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort (tel. 530/562-0321) offers several excellent tennis packages for its guests only. Squaw Creek (tel. 530/581-6694) tennis courts are open to the public for $12 an hour. Kirkwood, Caesars Tahoe, and Harveys Casino Resort all feature tennis courts for a fee.

Budget-minded players looking for good local courts should visit Tahoe Lake School on Grove Street in Tahoe City, or Tahoe Regional Park, at the end of National Avenue in Tahoe Vista. South Tahoe Intermediate School on Lyons Avenue has eight lighted courts and charges a manageable $3 per hour. South Tahoe High School, 1735 Lake Tahoe Blvd., has free courts.