Things to Do in Sparks

Fishing guru Chris Wharton has fly-fished on America's glassy lakes for more than 35 years, part of which he has spent passing on his extensive knowledge of the sport as the guide and instructor at Stillwater Guide Service. He regularly takes groups out to fly-fish on the calm, trout-filled waters of nearby Lake Davis and Frenchman Lake, among others.

Chris knows that fly-fishing is infinitely more rewarding once one has attained the proper skill set. That's why his lessons focus on precision casting and hook-setting techniques that help students reliably net trout of up to 7 pounds. He also teaches groups how to read the waters for clues that help determine where trout are most likely to hunt for food, shelter, and the sharks that ate their wives. When he isn't leading three-hour lessons, Chris organizes full-day trips and overnight adventures to numerous aquatic destinations.

Strapped into an ultramodern Apollo Trike powered hang-glider, FAA-certified instructor Paul Hamilton pilots air tourists above South Lake Tahoe’s crystalline expanse, which reveals picturesque reflections of the Sierra Mountains’ snow-capped crags. A light-sport aircraft powered by a purring Rotax engine, the Apollo Trike enables the prolonged airtime and weather compatibility not found in flights with a conventional hang-glider or out-of-control umbrella. During Paul’s introductory, intermediate, and advanced lessons, students swiftly suit up in appropriate flight gear before a quick safety briefing prepares them for the journey. An emphasis on hands-on training anchors the interactive lessons, which require no previous experience and may even take off in winter thanks to Ultimate Flight’s heated apparel and midflight campfires.

Shadows from drifting kayaks spill across the bottom of the lake, the clear water offering almost no interference in the view of the lake floor. Guests float on the pristine waters as expert guides lead them through miles of waterways filled with wildlife views on guided tours. Beginners can practice their skills in an outdoor pool during lessons that cover basic paddling techniques, ocean safety, and mermaid etiquette. Guests who fall in love with the peaceful sport may purchase their own kayak or stand up paddle board at the store, or rent one and take advantage of the free instruction and gear that comes with each rental.

As a new mother, Tanya Rose Bordner found herself suffering from the severe headaches, hormonal imbalances, and emotional lows that often accompany motherhood. She knew she needed to take better care of herself and decided to try Bikram yoga. Though skeptical at first, she found herself hooked after one class when she discovered that she felt better physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and she eventually decided to become a Bikram-yoga instructor.

Now, Tanya and her team of certified instructors—all of whom have trained for several hundred hours—strive to share the benefits that Tanya felt in that first class with others. Using two breathing exercises designed to circulate oxygenated blood, these instructors lead students through 26 postures that carve out toned muscles and pump up flexibility. The classes take place in a 105-degree room with a recently renovated rubber floor, and after each session, staff members encourage students to press an ice-cream cone or the provided frozen lavender towels against their heated brows.

Surrounded by towering foothills and nestled next to the waterways of scenic Carson Valley, Sunridge Golf Club’s 18-hole, par 72 course stretches across 6,914 yards of picturesque vistas and challenging course play. The layout demands confident swings from the first tee box—the beginning of a 575-yard par 5—where errant shots will find an aquatic abyss to the right of the fairway. Tight fairways and intervening creeks supply the bulk of the challenge throughout the round, requiring golfers to summon sound course management, deft club selection, and one flutist versed in charming pond monsters. A relatively difficult course, Sunridge’s five tee options and photo-op-worthy topography make for an enjoyable round for golfers of all abilities. Players can warm up their swings prior to the round at the driving range, which offers both grass and synthetic-turf hitting surfaces, allowing players to choose whether to infuriate Mother Earth by tearing divots into her cherished dirt or by favoring her inorganic doppelganger.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 6,914 yards from farthest tees
• Course rating of 72.5 from farthest tees
• Slope of 137 from farthest tees
• Five tee options
• Scorecard

Gentle waves lap against the hull of the Tahoe Cruz as snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees peek through its sails. Helmed by U.S. Coast Guard–certified captains Mike and Jim, the 50-foot sloop glides along Tahoe's tranquil waters for afternoon and sunset cruises that sail travelers around the scenic lake, treating them to views of its abundant nature and grand homes—including Fleur du Lac, where parts of The Godfather Part II were filmed. Mike and Jim lead private charters as well, escorting groups as they take in the sights or race to interrupt a mermaid ex-girlfriend's wedding before she gurgles "I do."