CRYSTAL BAY, Nev. – A timeless lakeside retreat fusing old-world design with modern mountain living will sell at auction via Concierge Auctions. ‘Legacy Lakeview Estate’, located along 16 and 20 Calaneva Drive in Crystal Bay, Nevada, blends European craftsmanship with Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty.
Listed at $18.25 million, the estate is offered in cooperation with Jean Merkelbach of Lake Tahoe Real Estate. Bidding is set to open December 4, 2025 via the firm’s online marketplace, conciergeauctions.com, and will culminate on December 18, 2025 as part of the Concierge Auctions’ End-of-Year Global Sale. Curating the very best-in-class, the final live auction event of the year will take place at the Pendry West Manhattan in New York City, featuring a selection of luxury offerings from all brokerage brands.
Built in 1952 and planned over 14 years, ‘Legacy Lakeview Estate’ is a rare collaboration between architect Brad Puttman and landscape architects Cornell, Bridgers and Troller of Los Angeles, blending European alpine craftsmanship with the raw natural beauty of the mountainous Crystal Bay. Comprising two parcels and four buildings—including the main residence at 20 Cal Neva Drive and three alpine guest cottages at 16 Cal Neva Drive—the property spans .894+ acres and offers over 9,877 square feet with nine bedrooms and 10 full bathrooms.
“‘Legacy Lakeview Estate’ is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a property that captures both the romance of a European chalet and the majesty of Lake Tahoe,” said Bob Buttaro, VP of Business Development. “Our auctions are tailored for properties that combine architectural pedigree and unmatched setting to reach the most discerning global buyers.”
The main residence opens to sweeping panoramas of the cobalt blue waters and distant mountains beyond. Inside, a wall of glass floods the central living area with light, framed by wood beams salvaged from California’s first sawmill in Sacramento. A travertine fireplace, antique Tole chandelier and cabinetry of backlit antique stained glass create an atmosphere of timeless European sophistication. The home’s design invites both grand entertaining and tranquil retreat, anchored by its harmonious connection to the surrounding alpine landscape.
20 Calneva Drive Provided / Engel & Völkers Lake Tahoe
20 Calneva Drive Provided / Engel & Völkers Lake Tahoe
20 Calneva Drive Provided / Engel & Völkers Lake Tahoe
20 Calneva Drive Provided / Engel & Völkers Lake Tahoe
20 Calneva Drive Provided / Engel & Völkers Lake Tahoe
Three separate alpine guest cottages complete the compound, offering additional sleeping accommodations and private quarters for guests. Outside, terraced slopes feature indigenous plantings, boulders and tiled walkways, with every vantage point capturing the lake’s serene beauty. A gated entrance and handcrafted rock wall offer both total privacy and security, ensuring the estate remains a true lakeside sanctuary.
“The quality, privacy and sense of place make this property one of the most unique offerings in the area,” said listing agent Jean Merkelbach. “It’s rare to find a property that feels both timeless and completely at home in its surroundings, and we’re thrilled to bring it to the market with Concierge Auctions.”
As part of Concierge Auctions’ Key For Key® giving program in partnership with Giveback Homes, the closing will result in funding towards new homes built for families in need.
Agents will be compensated according to the terms and conditions of the Listing Agreement. See Auction Terms and Conditions for full details.
For more information, including property details, diligence documents, and more, visit ConciergeAuctions.com or call +1.212.202.2940.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe is hosting its 4th Annual Holiday Sausage Party to support Tahoe kids. This family-friendly event will take place at Sidellis Brewery on Sunday, December 7, 2026 from 4-9 p.m.
“Chris and the Sidellis team have been amazing in supporting our Club by hosting this event for the past four years,” said Aimi Xistra, director of development at the Club. “It’s so much fun for everyone and an easy way to support our community’s youth.”
Sidellis will serve delicious sausages with mustard and beer cheese on a pretzel bun for $10. For every sausage sold they will donate $2 back to our Club. You can choose from five types of sausages: bratwurst, hot links, polish, chicken and vegan. BGCLT will also be celebrating with Happy Hour beers all night long and for each one purchased $2 will be donated.
In addition to the amazing food options, they will also be hosting a huge raffle. Tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20. This year we will be raffling a Sierra at Tahoe Junior Season Pass, Heavenly Life Tickets, winter gear, lessons, rentals, and tons of other prizes. If you are a member of the Sidellis Mug Club you will receive one complimentary raffle ticket for supporting.
For more information about the impacts of the Club or how to help support the youth of South Tahoe, visit bgclt.org.
RENO, Nev. – Sky Tavern announces the launch of its holiday fundraising campaign, It’s NOT a Dream, supporting its youth scholarship fund. The organization also formally announces Chris “Toph” Brown as its CEO/Executive Director, reinforcing a renewed commitment to access, affordability, and community-led recreation.
For more than 70 years, Sky Tavern has offered thousands of youth the chance to learn to ski, ride, and develop outdoor skills at a fraction of the true cost. The actual cost for a winter program participant exceeds $1,000 per season, yet families pay only a small portion—and many pay nothing at all. Every child at Sky Tavern receives some level of scholarship, made possible entirely through donor support, community involvement, and volunteerism.
“We scholarship everyone at some level based on the support we receive,” said Brown. “Many families pay reduced costs, and depending on circumstances, some pay nothing at all. As a father and someone who has worked in the ski industry for years, I know how expensive skiing has become. Watching families access this sport because the community chooses to support them—that hits my heart.”
Brown, who has served in leadership roles at western mountain resorts, said his commitment to Sky Tavern stems from the culture that makes it unlike any other ski program in the country.
“When I first came to Sky Tavern nearly two years ago, what sold me wasn’t the mountain— it was the people, the families showing up, the volunteers teaching lessons, and the shared belief that every kid should have access to winter recreation,” Brown said. “My goal is not to change what makes Sky Tavern special, but to lean into what’s already been built.”
“Toph has already proven his ability to lead with clarity, discipline, and a deep commitment to our mission,” said Board Chairman Yale Spina. “Elevating Toph to CEO and Executive Director reflects both his performance and the trust he has earned across the organization. His understanding of the complexity of operating a mountain alongside one of the region’s longest-standing nonprofits makes him the right leader at the right moment for Sky Tavern’s future.”
The “It’s NOT a Dream” campaign is a call to the community to ensure skiing and snowboarding remain accessible in a time of escalating participation costs nationwide.
Donations directly support operational costs, programming, and instruction so children can experience the outdoors— not just imagine it.
“Sky Tavern is the most affordable, dedicated, and community-powered program in this region. If you want to help, spread the word, donate, or bring someone new. That support is how we make dreams become reality,” said Brown.
How to Support “It’s NOT a Dream”
Donations of any size make an immediate difference and help remove the barrier to outdoor recreation for all. To give or learn more, visit www.skytavern.org.
Sky Tavern is a 510c3 sports recreation organization located in Reno, NV, with a mission to provide Outdoor Recreation for All. Season passes are on sale now for the marquee Family First Learn to Ski & Ride program.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Tahoe region offers some of the best winter outdoor recreation in the world, but parking availability, snow removal, and limited trailheads often make the backcountry difficult to access. To help the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance tackle these issues, the Tahoe Fund is launching a new $10k matching challenge to the community.
The first 100 people to donate $35 or more by December 31, 2025 will unlock a $10,000 gift to Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (TBA) in celebration of their 10th anniversary. Donors to the challenge will also receive a TBA membership that corresponds to their gift level. Membership tiers are $35, $150, or $500, and include the following benefits:
Every TBA member will receive a 3-month free trial with onX with 20% off an onX annual membership if continued
Everyone at the $150+ level will receive an exclusive Flylow x TBA collab hat
Core members at the $500+ level receive TBA glass tumblers, a hat and beanie
“The Tahoe Backcountry Alliance does a phenomenal job helping people safely recreate outdoors, especially during the winter months,” said Verdi DiSesa, Tahoe Fund Board Chair. “We want to help make their job even easier. When people donate to help meet the $10,000 match for this fundraising campaign, they’re contributing to an effort that will help improve backcountry access for all.”
As part of their mission, TBA also offers cross-country ski and snowshoe experiences as part of the Washoe Tribe’s Youth Expedition Program, and provides opportunities to borrow sno-park passes and gear for free at libraries throughout El Dorado, Placer and Nevada Counties.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Tahoe Fund for championing our work and investing in preserving and increasing access to human powered backcountry access for everyone,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance Executive Director. “This matching campaign will make a meaningful impact and support the growing community of winter backcountry users.”
TAHOE BASIN, Calif./Nev. — Tahoe’s early-season snow outlook is off to a disappointing start, with no measurable snowfall in the past 10 days — and no relief expected for at least another 10. As of Monday morning, nearly every forecast model shows dry weather through at least Friday, Dec. 12.
Still, ski areas are making the most of what they can.
Snowmaking takes center stage
“The good news is that temperatures dropped just enough overnight that it is near to below freezing from top to bottom for most mountains,” said OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto. “Looking around the lake at ski area cams, it looks like they are blasting away, trying to make as much snow as possible.”
With natural snowfall off the table, snowmaking remains the region’s best hope for fresh coverage. Allegretto notes that snowmaking conditions will be marginal early in the week, briefly favorable midweek, and then unfavorable again by the weekend as milder Pacific air moves in.
By Thursday, the region warms again, with highs returning to the 40s and nearing 50 degrees at lower elevations through the weekend. Skies are expected to remain partly to mostly sunny throughout the week.
Those warmer temperatures may persist into next week — even overnight — delaying any meaningful cooldown until closer to mid-month.
“Hopefully, by midweek, the ski areas that aren’t open yet can make enough snow to open by the end of the week, as they are hoping to,” said Allegretto. “But we need natural snow and a lot of it.”
Long-range outlook: The “Fantasy Range”
Beyond Dec. 12, models hint at the possibility of storms arriving closer to mid-month. But Allegretto cautions that anything more than 10 days out falls into what meteorologists call the “Fantasy Range” — a period where models lose reliability and trends become speculative.
There is at least a sliver of optimism: the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), a large-scale tropical pattern that can influence storm tracks, may shift into a more active phase during the second half of December, potentially helping steer storms farther south toward the Sierra.
For now, Tahoe is in what appears to be a three-week dry spell that started around Nov. 22.
