Heavenly Ski Resort opened on Saturday, November 21, 2009 for the ski season!  So if you are heading up to Lake Tahoe to stay in vacation rentals or motel rooms this Thanksgiving weekend, you will be able to get outside and do some downhill skiing and snowboarding!

“Thanks to our incredible snowmaking crew and system, Heavenly will open with mid-winter conditions and expanded terrain,” said Heavenly’s COO and co-president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, Blaise Carrig. “In addition to California Trail we will also open Orion’s run providing our guests with access to the most open terrain and best snow surface conditions in Lake Tahoe.”  Orion’s run is Heavenly’s one-mile long signature trail on the upper Nevada side of the mountain accessed via the Dipper Express Chairlift.

Heavenly will operate for skiing and snowboarding, weekends from 8:30 am to 4 pm, and weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm; Gondola sightseeing and on-mountain dining are also open.  All access to the mountain will be through the Heavenly Village Gondola.

There are many events going on this month to make your Lake Tahoe vacation much more exciting and memorable! From concerts to special Thanksgiving dinners, you’ll be sure to keep the entire group entertained!

November 5 – December 31 (Every Thursday)
Italian Night at Zephyr Cove Restaurant
Zephyr Cove Resort
Phone: 775.589.4968 for Reservations
Zephyr Cove Restaurant will host a true Italian Night every Thursday through the winter with the exception of Thanksgiving Thursday. Chef Jason’s culinary delights include classics such as Grilled Herb Flatbread, Stuffed Chicken Marsala, Fried Lasagna Bolognese, and Homemade Tiramisu! Please come join us for an authentic Italian experience.

November 14
Jose Feliciano
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
South Shore Room
Toll Free: 800.427.7247
Jose Feliciano Concert Details
South Shore Room, 7:30pm

November 20 – November 22
Valhalla Holiday Faire – Arts and Crafts Faire
Valhalla Grand Hall / Tallac Historic Site
Phone: 530.541.4975
The fourteenth annual Holiday Faire features a variety of arts and crafts vendors inside Valhalla’s Grand Hall, and admission is absolutely free. A twenty foot Christmas tree and a crackling fire in the Grand Hall’s huge stone hearth will also set the mood. Music will resound throughout the Hall provided by the LTUSD Children’s Choir and area hand bell choirs. Father Christmas will visit children of all ages, and there will be popcorn and delicious holiday drinks and snacks for sale. Proceeds from the event are directed to the Tahoe Tallac Association’s ongoing historic restoration at the Valhalla Estate. Friday, November 20, 5:30-8:30 pm, Saturday, November 21, 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday, November 22, 10 am – 5 pm. Free admission. All ages welcome. A free shuttle will run from the Y at the intersection of Hwys 89 and 50.

November 20 – November 21
Heavenly Ski & Snowboard Foundation’s 21st Annual Ski & Snowboard Swap
MontBleu Convention Center
Phone: 530.541.7354
Friday, November 20th: 6pm – 11pm – “Moonlight Madness Pre-Sale” $5 – kids under 12 free. Saturday, November 21st: 10am – 5pm – FREE ADMISSION. You’ll find great deals on new and used equipment, clothing and accessories while you help the Foundation raise money to provide alpine, freestyle and snowboarding programs for young skiers and riders in South Shore that helps them build social skills beyond skiing.

November 21
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
South Shore Room
Toll Free: 800.427.7247
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Concert Details
South Shore Room, 7:30pm

November 26
Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner on the Tahoe Queen
Tahoe Queen at Ski Run Marina
Toll Free: 800.23.TAHOE
5:30 – 8:30pm departing from Ski Run Marina

November 26
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Riva Grill
Phone: 530.542.2600
2:00 – 9:00pm. In addition to regular menu.

November 28
Judy Collins
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
South Shore Room
Toll Free: 800.427.7247
Judy Collins Concert Details
South Shore Room, 7:30pm

If you are cooking your family and friends a holiday feast in your Tahoe vacation rental this season, I highly recommend checking out Overland Meat & Seafood Company for your special dinner.  They are South Lake Tahoe’s only full service meat market and their meats are all natural with no hormone implants, no antibiotics, and no animal by-products; their poultry is free range and organic.  I recommend pre-ordering your holiday meats because they can be in very high demand and can sell out.  They are currently taking orders for the holidays.  They offer prime rib, ham, duck or free range turkeys.   I have personally had their prime rib for multiple Christmas dinners and they are the best I have ever tasted!  They come covered in Overland’s delicious, signature rub, so there is no seasoning required.

And if you have your holiday menu covered already, they have great weekly specials and monthly specials, that I recommend highly as well.  Fridays are one of my favorite days to shop there.  It is known as Fresh Fish Fridays where their fish is flown in fresh from Hawaii weekly.  You’ll also find a nice selection of fine wines, sauces, rubs, cheeses and many other side dishes to go along with your meal.