Hotel at a Glance: Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge

Named for its picturesque setting—"Granlibakken" is a Norwegian term for a hill sheltered by fir trees—Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge is a quiet hideaway near the shores of Lake Tahoe. The AAA Three Diamond lodge sits on 74 wooded acres brimming with possibilities for outdoor recreation. Guests will find tennis courts, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and a treetop ropes course within steps of their rooms. Emerald Bay and a handful of hiking trails, including the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, are within easy reach as well.

• Walk to town: The resort connects to Tahoe City via a 1.4-mile forest path.
• Stay active: You can rent bikes or go hiking onsite at the Tahoe Rim Trail, or visit the lake for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
• A room with a view: Some standard rooms and all studios feature private patios with views of the surrounding forest.
• Go golfing at nearby Tahoe City Golf Course or any of the 43 courses within a hour's drive.
• Have a zen moment: with a 75-minute private yoga session or outdoor yoga excursion.
• Daily breakfast features items such as eggs, sausage, pancakes, bacon; eggs benedict on Sundays.

North Lake Tahoe, California: Ski Haven, Historic Sites, and Year-Round Outdoor Activities

Surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the 22-mile long Lake Tahoe straddles the California-Nevada state line. But for locals, the real division comes down to the North Shore versus the South Shore. The big-ticket nightlife is down below, including major casinos where the show rooms host everything from live bands to standup comics. In the winter, the north side reigns with one of North America’s largest concentrations of ski resorts. Most of the action is split between two of them. Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, has 4,000 acres of skiable terrain spread across six peaks. Some prefer the more low-key atmosphere of Alpine Meadows, which has about half the acreage but a little more elbowroom.

Many of the resorts stay open year-round, with hiking, trips to the lake, and paddle boarding serving as popular summertime activities. You can get in free with a cable-car ride and tour the collection of memorabilia and historic news clips.

Crowds of all ages gather for North Lake Tahoe's various special events, which range from wine and food festivals to rock concerts and mountain-lifting competitions. Historic sites in the area pay homage to Tahoe's past as a Native American settlement. In the nearby historic town of Truckee, trendy boutiques and fine-dining establishments sit beside local dive bars and souvenir shops along the town’s main drag.

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