NORTH TAHOE, Calif. – When Alex Harbottle thinks of childhood, he thinks of his father strapping him into skis at two years old, the over 150 days of skiing per season, and accumulating intimate knowledge of Tahoe’s terrain, something he felt compelled to share with others in his new book, Powder Paradise: The Insider’s Guide to Skiing Lake Tahoe.
“I wanted to pass along the good times and tips to help others create their own magical memories and experiences,” Harbottle says, who grew up in Tahoe City and now splits his time between his hometown and San Francisco.
The book holds expert tips and local intel, from the best runs, and secret stashes, to tips to avoid crowds. It also has Tahoe resort guides, complete with trail maps, promising everything the reader needs to know to conquer Tahoe’s slopes.
Powder Paradise lays out itineraries for all levels, whether beginner, intermediate or expert and family friendly options.
Harbottle also offers honest reviews on over 50 ski brands with his 30-plus years of experience skiing, living and breathing the mountain lifestyle.
In offering practical tips to experience Tahoe’s mountains with ease, Harbottle hopes the book ultimately cultivates the meaningful memories for others that he experienced growing up skiing with his father.
“I want to share this magic so others can create similarly meaningful memories and experiences either from skiing by itself, or from the other social, physical, and mental benefits it can provide,” Harbottle says.
He wrote the book for anyone who wishes to ski in Tahoe or pick up a tip or two to make the time better.
“If the book improved even a single person’s skiing experience,” he says, “I’d be happy.”
Christmas celebrations span the globe. According to a 2025 report from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are roughly 2.6 billion Christians worldwide, a figure that undoubtedly contributes to the popularity of Christmas. Christianity continues to have the most adherents of any religion in the world, and the Christian population is expected to top three billion before 2050.
Christians bring unique cultural touches to their Christmas celebrations each year. Celebrations vary widely, and here’s a look at some notable Christmas traditions across the globe.
Yule Goat
The Yule Goat is a Christmas tradition in Sweden. The goat is believed to be an invisible spirit that ensures that Yule preparations are done correctly. A popular theory connects the goat to the Norse god Thor, who rode a chariot pulled by two goats.
Krampus
While many people celebrate the benevolence of Santa Claus, some celebrate a much grumpier alter-ego of sort. Krampus is a man-goat, half-demon monster who punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime, says Britannica. He is the evil companion of St. Nicholas, and is believed to have originated in Germany. His name comes from the German word “krampen,” which means, “claw.”
Christmas chicken
Christmas Eve is a popular romantic occasion for couples and families in Japan. In addition to gift-giving and a romance, many people choose to feast on a meal of KFC fried chicken and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
Roller-skating to Mass
In the city of Caracas, Venezuela, it’s customary for Christmas Eve celebrants to roller skate to early morning Mass. Known as “Misa de Aguinaldo,” these special church services take place on the days leading up to Christmas, with the most festive held on December 24. On this day, the streets of Caracas are closed to automobiles, enabling revelers to cheerfully skate to church.
Mummering
In Newfoundland, Canada, celebrants known as mummers dress in elaborate disguises featuring mismatched clothing and whimsical accessories. The mummers obscure their identities and visit neighbors’ homes during the 12 days of Christmas, performing songs, skits or dances while others attempt to guess their identities.
Las Posadas
In some Hispanic regions, including Mexico, participants reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem through vibrant processions. They travel from house to house, singing traditional songs and requesting shelter only to be turned away until they reach a final home or church that will symbolically welcome them in.
Spiderweb decorations
Individuals in Ukraine decorate their Christmas trees with artificial spider webs. This tradition is inspired by a tale of a poor widow and her children who didn’t have money for tree ornaments. Upon waking up on Christmas morning, they found their tree covered in sparkling, glimmering spider webs that resembled tinsel. A spider had spun the beautiful display as thanks for finding shelter and warmth in the family’s humble abode. Today’s spider webs symbolize unexpected blessings and gratitude.
Plenty of unique touches set Christmastime celebrations apart across the globe.
The $4.1 million school budget shortfall fueled a free flowing discussion by Douglas County School District trustees on Dec. 3 about a half-dozen possible school consolidations.
Trustees were pitching ideas when Lake trustee Erinn Miller suggested the possibility of busing Carson Valley students to Zephyr Cove Elementary while pointing out it’s not just student population but those in certain grades.
Zephyr Cove Elementary and Whittell High School serve 293 students at Lake Tahoe. The two schools have a capacity of 978 students according to the Douglas County School District.
Trustees discussed potentially consolidating Meneley and Scarselli elementary schools in the Ranchos, which would bring one of the schools up to capacity. Another possibility was merging Jacks Valley and Piñon Hills elementary schools.
“I would never suggest sending kids up to the Lake,” Trustee Marcus Zinke said. “I would rather suggest sending kids from the Lake down to the Valley or making Zephyr Cove and George Whittell a K-12.”
He cited the 2008 closure of Kingsbury Middle School, which took nearly a decade to sell, bringing in $3.25 million. There are questions whether the district could sell either of the other Lake schools as they were donated as schools by the Whittell Estate.
Board President Yvonne Wagstaff asked whether the district could sell the historic Minden school on Mono Avenue that has served as its offices for decades. The school was evacuated due to a rodent and bat infestation.
“If we consolidate schools what are we going to do with the buildings?” she asked. “We have to have those conversations.”
School Superintendent Frankie Alvarado said he would raise the question with the town of Minden, which is negotiating to take over the dog park behind the school.
Even if the schools were closed and sold quickly, the money would go to the building and sites fund, which still has some of the Kingsbury money in it.
Trustee Melinda Gneiting asked whether that could be put in the district’s investment account, where the interest could be used to support the schools.
Zinke argued that consolidating some schools would make sense even if the district wasn’t facing the budget crisis but that it’s too early to make that call.
“We can’t make decisions on consolidating schools without information about how many positions that would save and the unintended consequences of how many kids we’re going to lose,” he said. “We don’t have a crystal ball for that. That’s significantly more convoluted than figuring out about the staff requirements for the number of students and the matrix that you all have. Even if doing that was enough savings to maintain there are still schools that make sense to combine.”
He advocated for otherwise making choices that keep conditions as close as possible to what they are now until more information is available.
Alvarado said district administration won’t place any actions before the board until trustees feel ready to decide.
“We’ll do the analysis and cost savings first before you even have to consider a decision,” he said.
Trustee David Burns said that there are some tough decisions ahead of the school board.
“We have to flat out look at everything,” he said. “We’re looking at four schools running half or less than half and we can’t afford that.”
Even closing elementary schools wouldn’t make much of a dent in the immediate budget deficit or the possible $5 million deficit next year, which the district is under a state deadline to fix.
Should the district fail to come up with a plan, it’s possible the state could take over its finances.
Both the historic Minden School and the Heritage Building at Gardnerville Elementary School are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Heritage Building is currently serving as district offices and could be the new home of ASPIRE high school in the spring after Western Nevada College takes over the Bently Campus for a new nursing program.
Another historic property owned by the school district is the former Douglas County High School, which is leased to the Douglas County Historical Society and is the home of the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center.
LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. – What some are calling a Christmas miracle after a dry December, snow is falling in the Tahoe Basin. Here’s this morning’s report on the storm.
Overnight totals
The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab measured 1.2 inches of snow Wednesday morning. That brings the 2-day total to 5.5 inches.
The lab reports heavy snowfall rates on radar, increasing snowfall predictions to 3-5 feet by late Thursday.
Road conditions
If you’re planning on traveling in the basin or over basin summits, bring chains or utilize the right vehicle. All major highways and roads in the Tahoe Basin currently have restrictions.
I-80
For eastbound traffic, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from Kingvale to Truckee.
For westbound vehicles, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from the Donner Lake Interchange to 4.7 mi west of Kingvale.
US 50
Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from Twin Bridges to Meyers and over Spooner Summit near Glenbrook to just west of Carson City.
Mt. Rose Hwy./SR-431
Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive with snow tires.
SR-28
Chains or snow tires are required from Secret Harbor Chain Up Area to Memorial Point Scenic Overlook.
Kingsbury Grade Road/SR-207
From US-50 to Dagget Pass Chain-Up Area, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive with snow tires.
SR -89
From Picketts Jct. to Meyers, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires.
Chains are also required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from Sugar Pine State Park to the Jct of I-80.
An avalanche watch is in effect for the central Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Avalanche Center has ranked the area with a Level 3 or “considerable” danger on the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale.
The center says to expect the avalanche danger to rise quickly as the storm impacts the area, and estimates the danger to become high on Thursday.
Unstable slabs of new snow will form first in wind-loaded areas and spread to sheltered terrain below the treeline as storm snow intensifies.
The center advises people to monitor the rapidly changing conditions, avoid steep slopes and recreate on lower-angle, non-avalanche terrain to reduce the risk of getting caught in an avalanche.
For more information, visit sierraavalanchecenter.org.
Jennifer Street Parade of Lights Christmas Show – 972 Jennifer Street. Description Incline Village&’s must-see Christmas Light Show set to music at 972 Jennifer Street **Note, these shows are meant to be watched from outside your car for the best effect – please bring a chair and dress warm.** December 5 – 19: Shows will run at 5:45pm and 7:15pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights starting on December 5. From December 20 – December 30: Shows every night at 5:45pm and 7:15pm The show includes a food drive again for nonperishable items – bring them to the marked bin, and will also have a QR code for donations to Tahoe Family Solutions Additional dates: 12/26, 12/27, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30. For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/jennifer-street-parade-of-lights-christmas-show-1261078?sourceTypeId=Hub.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – 8 p.m., 14 State Route 28. Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Fri. Dec. 26th 2025 Doors: 7pm Show: 8pm I Tickets: $30 ADV / $35 DOS Ticket Link: https://tixr.com/e/157774 For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/780647387890538/.
Daily Live Music – 12-8 p.m., Gunbarrel Tavern. Daily live music at multiple locations in the Village, including the corner stage at Azul Latin Kitchen, Basecamp Pizza, and Gunbarrel Tavern. Additional dates: 12/26, 12/27, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 1/1. For more information, visit https://theshopsatheavenly.com/event/live-music-gunbarrel-tavern/2025-12-26/.
DJ DELO in the Mix – 9-11:30 p.m., AleWorX Stateline. For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/dj-delo-in-the-mix/2025-12-26/.
DJ N-TUNE at HQ – 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Bally’s Lake Tahoe Casino Resort, 55 Highway 50. For more information, visit https://casinos.ballys.com/lake-tahoe/events-calendar.aspx?date=12/26/2 025&display=event&eventid=2468302.
Family Holiday Movie Nights – Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd,. Enjoy family-friendly films in a cozy setting as the ballroom transforms into a holiday theater. Starting on 12/26/2025 and ending on 12/31/2025 For more information, visit https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-lake-tahoe/things-to-do-in-lake-tahoe/events/family-holiday-movie-nights.
Heavenly Holidays Ferris Wheel – 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Heavenly Village, 1001 Heavenly Village Way. Heavenly Holidays Ferris Wheel & Tea Cup Ride. December 26 – 31, 2025, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Take in breathtaking daytime views of the lake, then watch as Heavenly Village comes alive at night with a dazzling display of lights. Capture unforgettable photos—especially from our giant Ferris wheel, located just west of the Christmas tree. The views and memories are sure to be as spectacular as the lights! Admission: $5, Location; Base of the Gondola Highway 50.’Tis the SeasonEnjoy South Lake Tahoe as your home away from home for the holidays. While snow-capped mountains, sparkling Christmas lights, and world-class skiing are staples of the regular South Lake Tahoe scene, believe it or not, things get even wilder and more festive during the holidays. Discover your new holiday tradition this season at Heavenly Holidays. Experience the best winter with music, food, and holiday activities! Give the gift of something they’ll never forget. For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/heavenly-holidays-ferris-wheel/2025-12-26/.
Village Ice Sculpture Demo – Heavenly Holidays – 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Heavenly Village, 1001 Heavenly Village Way. Village Ice Sculpture Demo – Heavenly Holidays. Friday, December 26, 2025, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission: Free.Location: Interior of the Heavenly Village Watch local ice sculptors showcase their skills in a thrilling multi-block competition! Using standard ice blocks, they’ll craft stunning works of art. For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/village-ice-sculpture-contest-heavenly-holidays/.
Saturday, December 27
DJ Montague – 9-11:30 p.m., AleWorX Stateline. Additional dates: 12/27, 1/1. For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/dj-montague-5/2025-12-27/.
Tahoe Club Crawl Fall/Winter 25/26 – 8-11 p.m., Tahoe Club Crawl, 31 US HWY 50. Tahoe Club Crawl is an organized VIP nightlife tour of the Tahoe South. With the purchase of your ticket, you will receive a welcome shot at 3 out of 4 stops, appetizers, free indoor games at Tipsy Putt and VIP entrance into Peek Nightclub, Lake Tahoe’s hottest Club! You will meet amazing people and have the night of your lives. We meet every Saturday at 8:00 PM Golden Nugget Casino Center Bar, unless told otherwise. For more information, visit https://tahoeclubcrawl.ticketsauce.com/e/tahoe-club-crawl-fall-winter-25-43?aff=cityspark.
Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience – 7-10 p.m., Bally’s Lake Tahoe Casino Resort, 55 Highway 50. Who’s Bad “A Tribute to Michael Jackson” hits Bally’s Lake Tahoe on Saturday, December 27th. Who’s Bad’s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music’s one true King. Their power-packed performance of Michael Jackson’s expansive catalog has ignited crowds on every continent and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see. For more information, visit https://casinos.ballys.com/lake-tahoe/events-calendar.aspx?date=12/27/2025&display=event&eventid=2462024.
Monday, December 29
Winter Exploration Camp at Galena Creek Regional Park – 9 a.m., 18250 Mt Rose Hwy. As winter approaches, the Great Basin Institute (GBI) is thrilled to announce an upcoming Winter Exploration Camp at Galena Creek Recreation Area and Regional Park. The day camp and immersive educational experience will be held December 29th to January 2nd. The camp is for ages 9-13 and gives them the chance to discover the wonders of winter through hands-on activities, outdoor skills, and exploration. Campers will engage in snowshoeing, animal tracking, wilderness survival skills, science experiments, winter games, guest speakers and more! Campers are also invited to one overnight camping experience and New Year’s Eve Party the night of December 31st. This camp offers a fantastic opportunity for young explorers to learn outdoor skills, connect with nature, and create unforgettable winter memories. The camp runs daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The cost is $325 per camper. Tents and sleeping bags provided for overnight camping on a first come first served basis. To register or apply for scholarships please visit www.galenacreek.org. For more information on the Galena Creek Winter Exploration Camp contact visitorcenter@thegreatbasininstitute.org For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/3512759265568173/.
Wednesday, December 31
Fins Up New Year’s Bash – Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd,. Ring in the New Year with live music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, champagne & beach ball drop at midnight, and more! For more information, visit https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-lake-tahoe/things-to-do-in-lake-tahoe/events/fins-up-new-years-bash.
New Year’s Eve Party at The Idle Hour – 6:30-9:30 p.m., The Idle Hour Lake Tahoe, 3351 Lake Tahoe Blvd Ste 5. Join us for a stylish New Year’s Eve Party set against the stunning Lake Tahoe backdrop. Celebrate with great vibes, good company, and a sparkling start to the New Year—without the late-night rush. For more information, visit https://theidlehourlaketahoe.com/ or call 530-600-3304.
Ring in the New Year at Tipsy Putt. No Cover, No Stress! – 6 p.m., Tipsy Putt – South Lake Tahoe, 4101 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Suite # 101. Looking for a fun, easygoing way to welcome 2026? Skip the pricey entrance fee for a fun unforgettable night. Tipsy Putt is throwing its annual No Cover New Year’s celebration, and you’re invited! We’ll have a live DJ keeping the party going, festive champagne toasts, and all the games and good times you know and love. For more information, visit https://eventvesta.com/events/125547/t/tickets or call 530-443-4376.=
Bowl Incline Presents – 2026 NYE Celebration – 6 p.m., Bowl Incline, 916 Southwood Blvd. Description Join us as we say goodbye to 2025 and roll into 2026 in style! Your ticket includes an incredible night of food, fun, and festivities: ✨ Party Highlights Bowling & Arcade Cards for nonstop entertainment Live Music in the Lounge (6-9PM) Lavish Dinner Buffet featuring our NYE Dim Sum feast (full menu below) Champagne Toast at Midnight Decadent Dessert Bar to finish the night on a sweet note Presale tickets end November 30th – don’t wait! Secure your spot now and get ready to celebrate the new year the Bowl Incline way – with flavor, fun, and plenty of sparkle. BUY TICKETS > BU Additional dates: 12/31, 1/1. For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/bowl-incline-presents-2026-nye-celebration-1268302?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 831-1900.
Thursday, January 1
“Hair of the Dog” New Year’s Day Brunch – Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd,. Featuring a Mimosa & Bloody Mary Bar-just what you need to recover and refresh after ringing in the new year. For more information, visit https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-lake-tahoe/things-to-do-in-lake-tahoe/events/hair-of-the-dog-new-years-day-brunch.
The Sip Scene showcases unique libations from around the basin. Whether it’s a type of beer, wine, cocktail — you name it — we’ll uncover those tasty beverages for you to try at one of the countless local breweries, bars and restaurants.
If you’re a golfer, or even know a golfer, chances are you’ve heard something along the lines of “swing oil” or “aiming fluid” or perhaps even the name of this featured cocktail. This, of course, refers to a sip of a beverage out on the course to “hopefully” help with the swinging of the club. But, in the case of this cocktail, it works just as good when enjoyed indoors.
The ingredients of this libation are quite unique: Condesa prickly pear and orange blossom gin, pisco, hibiscus simple syrup, lime, egg white, and Angostura bitters. Right off the bat, the look of this cocktail is a stunner. Aided by the hibiscus and light pink hue from the gin, it looks like you bottled up Valentine’s Day and poured it in a glass.
The flavor combinations happening in this drink are amazing. The gin pops in with floral and citrus notes that play well with the lime and pisco. Pisco is a South American grape brandy that also has floral and citrus notes but backs them up with more fruit, creating additional depth and layers. Throw in more herbal notes from the bitters and hibiscus and it’s like a dance party with David Guetta spinning the tunes. And if that wasn’t enough, the creamy mouthfeel from the egg whites sends this drink over the top.
To put it in more golf terms, this cocktail is about as close to a 250-yard drive striped down the middle of the fairway as you can get …. It’s that good. And while I’m sure this drink would give me a little “birdie juice” on the course, we’re in the middle of winter so it’s a good thing Stingers has those simulators to get you through until the warmer weather flies.
Stingers Golf Lounge is located at 178 Highway 50 Ste A in Zephyr Cove. For menu and general information visit them online at stingersgolflounge.com or reach them via phone at 530-580-6007.
To try and decide each week where and what to eat around the basin can be a challenge – there are so many amazing choices. In this feature we’ll dive into dishes that will surely satisfy those hunger pangs and leave you wondering where to go next.
Slowly smoked meat is one of my absolute favorite ways to enjoy proteins. There’s just something about the way the smoke creeps its way into the pores of the meat, locking in flavor and juiciness. And when that type of meat makes its way into burritos (or other types of dishes), I get even more excited because all it means is more flavor is going to get piled on top of that smoky deliciousness – like in this week’s feature.
Fox and Hound’s Smoked Pulled Chicken BurritoRob Galloway / Tahoe Daily Tribune
A fan favorite at Fox and Hound, the process starts with a dry spice-rubbed chicken smoking low and slow over cherry wood for about two and a half hours to achieve its juicy, smoky flavor. Tender pieces are pulled away and added to a combination of refried beans, seasoned rice and fresh pico de gallo. You also have the option to make it a super burrito by adding in guacamole and sour cream and if I could recommend anything with this dish, it’s that you go big and make the addition.
I know refried beans can sometimes be like a wallflower at a party, but don’t overlook them here. They are scratch-made in-house and infused with a subtle hint of chorizo giving them an evenness of rich and savory and when it layers in with the smokiness of the chicken it’s like the Avengers uniting – everything is in balance.
This burrito has everything you’re looking for when it comes to flavors and textures. Each component feels like it’s in its wheelhouse and when you add in their side of signature salsa, it takes it up yet another notch. Yes, the chicken is the star of the show, but it gets such a push from all the other ingredients that it really acts as an ensemble closing out the show in star-studded fashion.
Fox and Hound is located at 237 Tramway in Stateline (top of Kingsbury). For ordering and menu information visit them online at foxandhoundtahoe.com or reach them by phone at 775-588-8887.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The year is coming to a close, and if you’re celebrating the beginning of 2026 in a beautiful place like the Tahoe Basin, here are events happening around Lake Tahoe that are sure to help you usher in the New Year:
Fireworks will be a big highlight of the New Years Eve eventsProvided/Jason M. Abraham
Heavenly Village – South Lake Tahoe
Heavenly Village has been celebrating all month long with their Heavenly Holidays events, and for their grand finale on New Year’s Eve, they’re pulling out all the stops. Among the fun plans in store is a live music concert featuring platinum-selling country music artist, Eric Paslay, singer and guitarist, Jared James Nichols, and country-rock singer, Mark Mackay.
“They love playing here,” said Dreu Murin, Spokesperson at Heavenly Village. “Playing underneath the gondola for New Year’s Eve is just a very iconic event for a lot of these folks.”
Additionally, the village will be putting on a Tahoe-style ball drop using one of the Heavenly gondolas, timed with New York City’s ball drop in Times Square, which will be lit up and descending the mountain, followed by an epic fireworks show. “As soon as [the gondola] hits the village at 9 p.m., the fireworks erupt and the band starts jamming, it’s pretty spectacular.”
This Heavenly Village gathering seems to get bigger every year. “Last year, local law enforcement estimated 4500-5000 people in attendance,” added Murin. “Having the ability to celebrate at 9 p.m., it takes the impact off of traffic on Highway 50, and it’s really been a great thing.”
Murin notes the majority of the Heavenly Village visitors are families nowadays, so if you’ve got kids to tuck in, or you’re seeking an early start to the night, this party might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. and wraps up after the fireworks show later in the evening, but celebrations don’t have to end, with festivities trickling over into the Stateline casinos.
Heavenly Village is located at 1001 Heavenly Village Way in South Lake Tahoe, California.
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe – Stateline
Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino is a great option for folks wanting a classic Nevada New Year’s Eve experience, offering not one, but two different types of celebrations on December 31.
If you prefer to stay inside, the Revolution Ballroom will have everything from delicious bites and glittering cocktails to live DJ entertainment as their Crystal Countdown event offers a more refined, ballroom party.
“Ticket holders will enjoy an indulgent buffet experience, including a prime rib carving station, along with two drink tickets and a wristband for the evening,” said Emily Lawrence, Marketing and Entertainment Coordinator at the Golden Nugget. “Crystal Countdown is ideal for guests looking to dress up, dine well, and toast to the New Year in a classic ballroom setting.”
Crystal Countdown will run from 7 p.m., when doors open, to 11 p.m. inside their Revolution Ballroom. The event will cost $149 per person which includes tax and gratuity.
On the other hand, Party on the Plaza fits those looking for a more vibrant, open-air atmosphere running later into the evening. “This outdoor party features a live DJ, cocktails, a midnight champagne toast, and Lake Tahoe’s only midnight fireworks display as the clock strikes midnight,” said Lawrence.
To join Golden Nugget’s Party on the Plaza, arrive at the Saltgrass Patio. Doors open at 9 p.m. Festivities kick off at 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Folks can pay $125 for heated seating or $175 for firepit or firewall seating.
“Together, Crystal Countdown and Party on the Plaza highlight Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe’s ability to create memorable New Year’s Eve experiences for every type of guest, from an elevated indoor celebration to a spirited outdoor countdown, capped off with the region’s only midnight fireworks show.” Lawrence added.
You can find tickets for both events available at goldennuggetLT.com, and guests planning on attending should act soon as Golden Nugget’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are projected to sell out.
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe is located at 50 U.S. Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada.
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe – Stateline
On the 18th floor of Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, is a chance to enjoy an amazing tableside view of New Year’s Eve fireworks.
For $20 a person, Friday’s Station is offering a champagne toast and chocolate-dipped strawberries, making it a more relaxed experience. Seating opens at 11 p.m.
If you’re looking for a faster-paced, more energetic vibe to ring in the New Year, PEEK Nightclub is just the spot. Located inside Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, PEEK will be hosting DJ Angie Vee, known for blending genres including R&B, funk, latin and hip-hop music at 10 p.m.
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe is located at 15 U.S. Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada.
Palisades Tahoe – Olympic Valley
One of Lake Tahoe’s most beloved ski destinations, Palisades Tahoe, has plans to keep folks entertained all night long. Their New Year’s Eve is brimming with activities, live music, kids’ games, and pure joy.
Starting with their annual New Years Eve Torchlight Parade at 5 p.m., guests can hop on their snowboard or skis at the Exhibition chairlift, retrieve a torchlight at the top of the lift, (a new touch they’ve added this year), and cruise down the mountain while watching fireworks.
Registrants must be ages 5+ and participants will need a valid Ikon Pass or lift ticket and wristband to join. There will be an optional $5 donation at checkout, benefitting the Palisades Tahoe Community Foundation.
Another unique and iconic activity is Disco Tubing, with sessions taking place at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. It’s a top-tier family-friendly experience filled with lasers, flashing lights and music from a live DJ.
Fireworks commence at KT Deck at 7 p.m., followed by the East Coast balloon drop, shown at Bar One at 9 p.m.
To conclude the festivities, over at their Olympic Village Events Center is the “Rave for the River” Fundraiser, which supports Team USA Rafting. The event is from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and features DJ Alex T, making for a fun midnight celebration with a great cause.
“From the Torchlight Parade on the mountain to fireworks and an East Coast balloon drop in the Village, New Year’s Eve at Palisades Tahoe is designed to be festive, welcoming and family-friendly for guests of all ages,” said Patrick Lacey, PR Manager at Palisades Tahoe.
To book spots for the Torchlight Parade and/or Disco Tubing, visit palisadestahoe.com.
Palisades Tahoe is located at 1960 Olympic Valley Road in Olympic Valley, California.
Crystal Bay Casino – Incline Village
Crystal Bay Casino is hosting a New Year’s Eve bash, and at the forefront of their show are The Funk Hunters, made up of electronic music producers, Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith.
“After throwing an absolutely unforgettable New Year’s Eve party last year, the Funk Hunters earned an instant encore – so we’re bringing them back to do it all again this year,” said Sam Shear with Terrapin Ridge Productions.
The Funk Hunters will be bumping a unique sound of dynamic electronic music, influenced by old school funk, soul and hip-hop. The event will also feature MNTRA b2b TCHiLT as well as a free Red Room After Party.
“Get ready for another high-energy, can’t-miss NYE throw-down,” said Shear.
Crystal Bay Casino’s event is standing room only, for ages 21+ and charges a $50 entry fee. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale at https://tixr.com/e/155935.
Crystal Bay Casino is located at 14 NV-28 in Crystal Bay, Nevada.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe – Reno/Tahoe
It’s an exciting New Year’s Eve at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Resort, offering folks the chance to spend a fun day skiing on the mountain, and by the evening, a night filled with celebration and camaraderie.
Kicking off the evening events is the Snowcat Parade at 4:30 p.m., their signature holiday event, displaying lit up snowcats as they make their way down the mountain.
Next is the Torchlight Parade at 5 p.m., where members of the Mt. Rose Ski Team take to the snow with torches, creating a moving stream of light, a stunning visual that illuminates the mountainside.
Fireworks will follow at 5:45 p.m., and if you’re interested in seeing spectacular views of Lake Tahoe from the northeast side, Tahoe’s highest base elevation resort is an amazing place to do it.
This is a very popular set of events, and folks planning on attending should take note to get an early start as parking is expected to run out. Carpooling is encouraged.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Resort is the closest resort to the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, located at 22600 Mount Rose Highway in Reno, Nevada.
Northstar California Resort – Truckee
Northstar California Resort is celebrating its 50th winter season anniversary during New Year’s Eve, and will be hosting an all-day, free event in the Northstar Village as part of its Winter Wonders Celebration.
They’ve curated an early start, with music by DJ Replay from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., on the village stage.
Face-painting activities as well as their 360-photo booth will open at 6 p.m. consisting of a circular platform and a telescopic arm which allows you to take cinematic photos and videos.
Big Crush, a high-energy dance band, will be performing at 7 p.m., bringing creative mashups, entertaining choreography and classic covers of some of your favorite songs.
To end the night, they will light up the sky with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Northstar California is located at 5001 Northstar Drive in Truckee, California.
CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR) is pleased to announce that approximately $10 million in grant funding is now available through the Conserve Nevada Program for projects that support conservation and outdoor recreation in Nevada. Conserve Nevada grants are open to all Nevada cities, counties, towns, general improvement districts (GIDs), conservation districts, water conservancy districts, nonprofit organizations, and state agencies.
Competitive grant project categories include:
Wildfire mitigation and restoration
Designing/constructing recreational facilities, campsites, or trails
Acquiring land and/or water for conservation or recreation (including conservation easements)
Enhancing and restoring the Truckee and Carson River Corridors
Protecting and restoring wetlands
Acquisition of credits to protect sagebrush ecosystems
Past projects have included the Valley of Fire Visitors Center Construction, Henderson Bird Viewing Park Pathway restoration, National Forest Foundation Tahoe Meadows Boardwalk restoration, Washoe County’s Canepa Ranch Trailhead construction, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation South Schell Acquisition that protected 1,720 acres of wildlife habitat. The application and program rules are available online at ConserveNevada.nv.gov.
Applications are due by March 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM . The Conserve Nevada Program will award grants beginning in Spring of 2026.
“The Conserve Nevada Program plays a vital role in building partnerships that safeguard and enrich our state’s most important natural and cultural treasures,” said NDCNR Director James Settelmeyer. “Through these strategic investments, we not only achieve balanced stewardship of Nevada’s resources, but also guarantee that our most beloved landscapes remain protected and accessible for generations of Nevadans to enjoy. Every dollar we invest responsibly unlocks millions in matching funds, fueling the continued growth of Nevada’s thriving $24 billion outdoor recreation economy.”
Housing affordability has long been a challenge in the Lake Tahoe region, and a new survey is now putting hard numbers behind what many residents experience every day.
Earlier this year, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), in partnership with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, surveyed people who live and work in the Greater Lake Tahoe region. The goal was to better understand how housing and transportation challenges are affecting daily life in the basin.
The survey included more than 40 questions and was offered in both English and Spanish. Organizers also worked with local nonprofit organizations to reach people who are often underrepresented or left out of traditional surveys.
That outreach was a key focus of the effort, said Jeff Cowen with TRPA.
“This is one of the first times that we’ve taken a survey and focused it as much as possible on underrepresented groups and really trying to reach into communities and populations that are often hard to reach,” Cowen said. “These are often the people whose housing challenges are harder to find and harder to see.”
The results highlight widespread financial strain. Sixty-six percent of respondents say they are housing cost-burdened, meaning they spend at least 30 percent of their income on rent.
Participants cited rising rents, increasing insurance and utility costs, and poor housing conditions as their biggest challenges. Many renters reported that they do not qualify for affordable housing programs or are unable to find homes that are available year-round.
Housing instability is also a significant concern. Fifteen percent of respondents say they have experienced homelessness at some point while living in the Tahoe Basin. Some reported sleeping in their cars or moving frequently between friends’ homes.
Despite these pressures, many residents are trying to stay close to where they work or attend school. About 42 percent of respondents live within five miles of their job or school. Among those who commute into the basin, most said they would prefer to live closer if housing were available and affordable.
Organizers say the survey will help TRPA and advisory groups better understand the challenges facing residents most impacted by the region’s housing shortage and affordability crisis, and inform future planning and policy decisions.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – As local individuals and families struggle with the rising cost of food and other daily necessities, Bread & Broth and its Monday Meal Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) sponsors are making a meaningful impact by providing hot, nutritious meals as well as bags of healthy take-home food for those who attend B&B’s Monday Meal. These meals are served at St. Theresa’s Grace Hall from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., welcoming everyone who comes for a full-course meal and the opportunity to enjoy the company of others.
In addition to the funds generously donated by individuals, organizations, and businesses, Adopt A Day of Nourishment sponsorships of $350 each enable Bread & Broth to serve the filling meals and provide food for meals later in the week. Apart from the annual Thanksgiving meal, an Adopt A Day sponsor hosts each of the remaining 51 Monday Meals throughout the year.
Cindy Kortan, Megan LaChapelle, Jennifer Guenther, Kat Marrone, Terence Reardon.Provided
On December 15, Liberty served as the AAD sponsor for the sixth time this year. In addition to its financial support, Liberty provided five sponsor crew members, Jennifer Guenther and Kate Marrone (both Liberty team members) and Liberty friends Cindy Kortan, Megan LaChapelle, and Terence Reardon to help with the meal service.
Taking a brief break from the serving line, Cindy Kortan reflected on her experience, “It was a wonderful experience to see our community members be so welcomed as they came in to eat a warm meal served by others in the community. There are so many friendly, appreciative, and happy faces as they come through the dinner line. This is a fabulous program.”
A special thanks goes out to Jennifer Guenther, who organizes all of Liberty’s Adopt A Day sponsorships and coordinates the sponsor crew team members. She shared that Liberty is especially active in the community during the holiday season. Besides supporting Bread & Broth’s Monday Meal, Liberty supports families during the holidays with donations to other local non-profit organizations and its employees volunteer at the local Toys for Tots events.
Jennifer added, “Thanks again for having us again last night. What a wonderful way to end the year!”
Bread & Broth appreciates the support and trust that the community places in our all-volunteer, charitable organization. In addition to the weekly Monday Meal, B&B offers a second meal on Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church and provides weekend kid-friendly food to children from the ages of 18 months to 18 years of age through the LTUSD and childcare centers that serve low-income families.
For additional information about making donations or learning more about Bread & Broth, please visit www.breadandbroth.org or follow Bread & Broth on Instagram or Facebook.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The moment Sierra-at-Tahoe’s community has been waiting for is finally here. The resort plans to open for the 2025/26 winter season on Saturday, December 27, at 8:30 a.m., with lifts spinning until 4 p.m., conditions permitting.
After weeks of anticipation, a Christmas storm is set to deliver the goods just in time for opening day, with several feet of snow expected to fall at the mountain between Wednesday evening and Friday. Sierra plans to operate at least Easy Rider Express on Saturday, with additional lift and terrain details to be announced as the storm develops and snow totals are confirmed.
“Our community has been incredibly patient as we’ve waited for winter to arrive, and we’re beyond excited to finally welcome the Sierra-at-Tahoe family back to the mountain for the 2025/26 season,” said General Manager and Vice President Dan Healy. “This season brings two new trails, our new mobile ordering system for dining and the return of what matters most — our Sierra family making memories together on the mountain.”
Opening day festivities kick off at 8 a.m. with hot apple cider samples and sweet treats from Marshall, Sierra-at-Tahoe’s medical clinic partner, and DJ Josbeatz providing the soundtrack. Limited edition Opening Day swag will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 100 people in the lift line.
Private, adult and children’s beginner ski and snowboard lessons will be available through the resort’s Ski + Ride School—reservations are strongly recommended. For dining, Mama’s Kitchen, Aspen Express, Java, Grandbrew and The Pub are expected to be open and serving bites and drinks throughout the day. Ski and snowboard rentals, as well as Sierra Mountain Sports, will be available for gear needs and retail.
For current conditions, mountain information, and updates leading up to opening day, visit sierraattahoe.com.
Lumi is the kind of dog who quietly steals your heart and then never gives it back. Beautiful inside and out, she’s a people-loving girl who truly thrives on connection. She enjoys her walks, takes in the world around her, and once she’s comfortable, her playful and goofy personality comes shining through.
Lumi does wonderfully with other dogs. She may be a bit reserved at first, but it doesn’t take long for her to warm up. Before you know it, she’s happily engaging and ready to play. Watching her interact is a joy, especially as her confidence grows.
Lumi is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
This sweet girl lives for affection and absolutely melts for belly scratches, soaking up every bit of love and attention you give her. She’s well-mannered on leash, though an occasional squirrel might tempt her playful instincts. With her loving heart, gentle manners, and joyful spirit, Lumi is ready to find a home where she can give and receive endless love, and become someone’s loyal best friend.
If you’re ready to bring some life and spunk to your home, come meet Lumi! If you are interested in meeting this lovely lady or to learn more about her, please reach out to one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists at 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. Lumi is spayed, fully vaccinated, and microchipped. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, please visit www.hstt.org.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Oliver Starr, better known to Tahoe residents as “The Wolf Guy”, started a GoFundMe for his recent diagnosis of head and neck cancer. His GoFundMe is nearly at 90% of the way funded, helping with stability through the “unglamorous realities of treatment.”
The GoFundMe was created a little under a week ago. A few months ago, Starr found a lump in his neck that was biopsied and discovered to be head and neck cancer. The funds will go towards medical and dental bills tied to treatment, trips to the cancer center and specialists, food costs for a limited diet, heating costs when he cannot do woodwork and extra help for days that he cannot provide for his family.
Starr also specified that the fundraiser is specifically for the medical costs and not for the Tahoe Wolf Center that he is well-known for. Donations given will not pass through the Tahoe Wolf Center and are not tax deductible. Starr also said that people who wished to donate to the Tahoe Wolf Center nonprofit could do so at the specific donation page.
According to his latest updates, the medical team at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have identified that the cancer likely has not spread. However, Starr will need a surgery to identify the primary site of the cancer and the lymph nodes involved.
“Your donations, messages, shares, and quiet check-ins have carried me and my family in a way I didn’t expect, and I won’t forget it,” said Starr in his update. “From me, my family, and the wolves: thank you for standing with us.”
The University of Nevada athletic department announced Jeremy Evans as the program’s next head coach Monday evening.
Evans will take over for Vanessa Valentine, who resigned from her post Dec. 4 after three seasons in charge. Valentine compiled 14 wins in those three campaigns, including two trips to the Mountain West Tournament.
Nevada’s new head coach comes over from Lake Tahoe Community College where he built a powerhouse over 10 seasons.
While in charge of the Coyotes, Evans helped put together a 144-47-26 record, posting a .724 winning percentage.
From 2017 to 2024, Evans and LTCC did not lose a game in Golden Valley Conference play (71-0).
LTCC did not allow a single goal against in conference play from 2019 to 2023.
The newest Wolf Pack head coach was a six-time GVC Coach of the Year selection and was a two-time finalist for United Soccer Coaches Junior College Div. III National Coach of the Year.
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful to be named the women’s soccer coach at the University of Nevada. I want to thank President Brian Sandoval and athletic director Stephanie Rempe for this opportunity,” Evans said in a press release. “It was clear early in the process we have a shared vision to elevate Nevada Women’s Soccer within the Mountain West Conference. Nevada is a special place, and I’m ready to bring my skillset, energy and passion to campus. I also want to thank Lake Tahoe Community College for giving me my first college coaching opportunity. We worked tirelessly for almost a decade turning the women’s program into one of the most competitive in California that is nationally recognized and respected. I wish them all the best.”
Prior to coaching at LTCC, Evans was a sports reporter for the Nevada Appeal and Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Evans received his Bachelor’s of arts in journalism from Marquette University in 2000. He’s authored two books, The Battle for Paradise and See You Tomorrow.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After a historically successful 2024-2025 season where the South Tahoe Women’s wrestling team achieved a 6th place finish in the Nevada State Wrestling Tournament, the 2025-2026 team is off to a fast start, with an eye on improving those results.
Led by returning senior group of state qualifiers and placers, Lillia Verduzco, Alice Lilly, Diem Johnson, Mia Martinez and Sydney Birkholm, the team won the Douglas Ground and Pound, placed 3rd at the Nevada Queens (the largest women’s-only wrestling tournament in the state of Nevada) and most recently finished 12th, narrowly missing a top 5 finish at the Women’s West Coast Tournament of Champions (a national recognized tournament with over 160 teams across 4 states).
Verduzco and Lilly were crowned as champions at the Nevada Queens, while Lilly and Johnson placed 5th and 3rd, respectively at the Women’s West Coast Tournament of Champions.
The team has also been sparked by an infusion of new talent led by freshman Aabree Schumacher, who has seen deep tournament runs at the Nevada Queens and the Women’s West Coast Tournament of Champions.
Women’s wrestling across the country and in the state of Nevada is seeing rapid growth and South Tahoe now boasts 20 girls on the team with rising participation and interest at the middle school and club programs.
“We couldn’t be more excited for this group of girls who have committed to the team. We have some outstanding leadership among our upperclassman and they are really investing in the young girls in our program,” said head coach Gary Whitehouse.
The team will be competing in the Sierra Nevada Classic and the Quarry Queens over the holiday break before settling into a dual meet schedule and the final post season run.
You can catch the program (boys and girls) in action at a home dual on Wednesday, January 21, at 4 p.m., and the postseason will kick off on January 30.
Severe winter weather has been forecast for the next several days, Tuesday night, December 23 through Friday, December 26. The winter weather may produce hazardous conditions and increase the potential for power outages. Poor road conditions, challenges accessing remote areas, heavy snow, falling trees, and/or the nature of repairs required may result in extended power outages. As such, it is important for you to prepare now.
Here are some tips to help you prepare:
Put together an emergency kit with flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, bottled water, warm clothing, blankets, and more.
Store at least a 48-hour supply of non-perishable food and water.
Plan for medical needs that a loss of power may impact. Keep a list of the nearest medical facilities, hospitals, and nearest accessible transportation. Consider creating a support network of people who can help you in the event of a disaster. Keep a contact list in your emergency kit and on your electronic device.
Keep your cell phones and other electronic devices fully charged. Consider purchasing a back-up battery device to extend the use of your electronic devices.
Create a plan to safely heat your home. Avoid burning coal or wood in an indoor area without proper ventilation. For carbon monoxide safety tips, please visit our Carbon Monoxide Safety page.
Keep your contact information on file up-to-date to receive text, email, and voice notifications in the event of an outage. Call customer care at 1-800-782-2506 or click HERE to update.
View outage updates on our outage map – download the My Account mobile app or access the map through the online portal. See how to use our outage map to check the status of a power outage, see how many customers are affected, and find the estimated restoration time (ERT).
For additional information and real-time updates, please follow us on Facebook (@LibertyUtilitiesLT) or X (@LibertyUtil_CA).
For more helpful information, visit our Outage Tips page.
In the event of a power outage, here are some tips:
First, check to see if the power failure is limited to your home or business. If your neighbor’s power is still on, check your circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, call Liberty to report the outage.
Keep access to your panel clear of snow to help expedite repairs.
If you are not in the area and your camera system or smart home devices are not working, call your internet provider first to check if communications are down. Then check Liberty’s outage map prior to calling Liberty to report an outage.
Report power outages by calling 1-844-245-6868, visiting the Outage Center on our website, or through the outage map on My Account. Download the My Account mobile app to easily access and use the map or, if you’re not a My Account user, access the map through the online portal.
Stay at least 30 feet away from downed wires and report them by calling 1-844-245-6868. Follow the power line safety tips in our video.
Liberty’s tree crews will be ready to assist linemen crews as needed in restoration efforts. During storm events, tree crews will not be cleaning up brush and debris from tree work. Clean-up will occur after storm events, and crews will only be cleaning up the brush and debris that they generate.
Estimated Restoration Times (ERTs) may not be available right away as crews need to assess situations to determine repairs needed. Liberty will provide an ERT when available.
ERTs are subject to change as new developments arise. Power restoration may occur before or after an ERT depending on weather, access, and repairs.
We understand that losing power is inconvenient. Liberty works hard to provide you with safe and reliable service and prepares for potential storm impacts. Additional crews assist as needed with outage response. We monitor the weather closely so we can respond accordingly. Our linemen and additional crews are staged throughout our service territory, ready to respond to outages.
In the event of an outage, our crews will work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible when safe to do so. Forecasts can change rapidly. Please stay tuned to your local news sources and take steps now to prepare for potential winter weather outages.
TAHOE BASIN, Calif. — Rain across the Tahoe region is expected to transition to snow later this week as a colder storm system moves into the northern Sierra, according to forecasters. Here’s what to expect in the days ahead, along with updates from area ski resorts.
Weather Run-Down
While the National Weather Service flood watch for the Greater Lake Tahoe Area remains in effect until 4 p.m. Monday, a brief break between storms is expected Tuesday, with daytime highs in the 40s and the possibility of some sunshine. Dry conditions are forecast through Tuesday evening before rain and snow return late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto said the first system arriving early Wednesday is expected to be weaker and warmer, followed by a colder and stronger storm moving inland Thursday into Friday. Snow levels could start near 7,200 to 7,700 feet early Wednesday, fall to 6,500 to 7,000 feet by sunrise and dip closer to 6,000 feet by midday, allowing rain to mix with snow at lower elevations.
According to the National Weather Service, snow levels are expected to fall below all Sierra passes and could drop as low as about 4,500 feet by Thursday afternoon and 5,500 feet by Friday, potentially bringing snow to valley floors in western Nevada. A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the Sierra from late Tuesday evening through Friday morning.
“The real show should be the Christmas miracle storm on Christmas Day, as Santa should deliver heavy snowfall down to the base as snow levels drop below 6,000 feet,” Allegretto said on OpenSnow.
Current Resort Conditions
The weekend atmospheric river conditions have affected ski resort operations across the Tahoe region.
Palisades Tahoe said operations Monday are limited to the First Venture Lift, the Ahsoka Magic Carpet and PT Kids, with beginner lessons still available through the Mountain Sports School.
Boreal Mountain paused lift operations from Dec. 19 through Dec. 22 due to storm impacts.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort, which opened its 60th season Friday with beginner terrain, closed Monday because of weather but said it plans to reopen Tuesday if conditions permit.
Some resorts reported improving conditions as colder air moved in. Kirkwood Mountain Resort said about 7 inches of new snow fell overnight, with temperatures hovering just below freezing. Sugar Bowl officials said while the storm began warm with rain, forecasts raise hopes for a white Christmas.
TAHOE BASIN, Calif. — Chain controls remain in effect Monday across several highways in the Tahoe region as winter weather continue to impact travel. The following chain control requirements are in place as of 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, according to Caltrans quickmap.
Along the North Shore and in the Truckee area:
Highway 267 Chain Control level R-2, Northstar Rd to Kings Beach – (Jct. 267/28 – Stewart Way)
Interstate 80 Chain Control level R-2, Kingvale to Truckee
I-80 westbound is R-2 from the Donner Lake Interchange to Rainbow.
Along the South Shore;
US 50 Chain Control level R-2, Meyers to Twin Bridges
Highway 88 Chain Control level R-2, Kirkwood to red lake creek
Highway 89 Chain Control level R-2, Christmas Valley to Luther Pass
Under R-2 conditions, chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with snow tires on all four wheels.
There is always room to develop, grow and become a better person. With a new year on the horizon, setting self-improvement goals now can help anyone navigate a path to a better version of themselves.
Here are some New Year’s resolutions that can help a person grow and nurture their well-being.
Focus on improving time management. Feeling rushed and that you don’t have a handle on how you spend your time can exacerbate stress. According to Indeed, making better use of time can enhance productivity, make it easier to meet deadlines and reduce stress. Time management isn’t just about work performance. It’s also an important tool for getting things done at home. Key aspects of time management involve delegating tasks, focusing on one thing at a time (as opposed to multi-tasking) and setting priorities.
Become a better listener. You must be able to communicate effectively in all aspects of life to make sure your message is understood. But it’s equally important to be able to receive and adapt to the messages of others. Take advantages of opportunities to slow down and receive visitors. Seek input when planning, and ask colleagues how they feel something can be completed effectively.
Pamper your mind often. According to Vaughn College, feeling calm and in control often means nurturing yourself from the inside-out. Keeping a mind-body balance is essential. Reading excerpts from motivational books or passages, turning off notifications on the phone, taking a break from social media, carving out time for spiritual enrichment or meditation, or working on a puzzle can help fuel the mind.
Learn to stop procrastinating. Procrastination can lead to increased stress and unhealthy means to managing stress, according to research published in Frontiers in Psychology. Procrastinators are more likely to exhibit avoidant behaviors as deadlines draw closer. To overcome procrastination, breaking down tasks into smallers steps or making short-term goals can help tall tasks feel more achievable.
Focusing on self-improvement at the beginning of a new year can help set the course for productive months ahead.
Whether you’re team-building over craft brews or savoring dungeness crab cakes lakeside, you can experience the true mountain hospitality only found in South Lake Tahoe. Nestled amid the continent’s largest alpine lake and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevadas, there’s a reason why the South Shore is a highly sought-after destination for events of all kinds.
You can book space at flexible indoor and outdoor venues, fully convertible sports arenas, and advanced facilities. From the Tahoe Blue Event Center, our state-of-the-art sports complex, to ample meeting rooms at mountain resorts, cozy lodges, and boutique hotels, we have a venue for what you need. Choose from 143,000 sq. ft. of event space options, 10,000+ hotel suites, 365 days of outdoor activities, and a 24-hour entertainment scene all in one place. Plus, you’ll be within walking distance of thrilling nightclubs, scenic views, and diverse restaurants.
Speaking of diverse restaurants, the following dining establishments and catering services are designed for groups in town to take care of business or take home a championship.
Private Rooms
With these standalone spaces, you can move about freely and enjoy the team-building experiences that arise from sharing meals with one another.
Perched atop a hill overlooking Lake Tahoe, Chart House is a legendary seafood restaurant boasting a private banquet room. With lunch, dinner, and buffet packages, your guests can soak in the views while enjoying the freshest of dishes and the friendliest of service.
Who doesn’t like pizza? Every pie at Base Camp Pizza Co. is crafted with locally sourced ingredients. They also offer “that unmistakable Tahoe vibe” and dedicated space for up to 60 people. And sure, Karen can get a salad here too.
Tucked away inside The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, you’ll find a 442-sq. ft. private dining with a patio for up to 30 guests and an exclusive 418- sq. ft. board room space complete with fireplace, private bathroom, and patio for up to 12 guests. Relish gourmet dining, unwind at the spa, play a round of golf, hit the slopes, or stay the night at this all-in-one luxury resort property.
Whole-Restaurant Takeovers
Let’s just say you have a party-of-five and then some. Below are a few establishments that can handle your wild bunch, no matter how large (and in-charge).
Try California-style Mexican, a lighter take on Mexican and South and Central American cuisine, made with primarily organic and sustainable ingredients, as well as craft cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices. Azul Latin Kitchen can accommodate parties of 20-50 or a full buyout for up to 120 guests. Its sister restaurant, California Burger Co., has the same accommodations with a menu of local ingredients, a curated selection of rotating drafts, and buns baked daily.
Taste one of the best wurst restaurants in the state. Himmel Haus is a German eatery and bierhaus featuring a wide variety of drinks and a simple menu of Bavarian-inspired food. Your party of 30 or whole-restaurant buyout of 80 will fit in just fine—with or without the lederhosen.
You and up to 400 of your closest attendees can overtake the entire Lake Tahoe AleWorX, an award-winning establishment serving wood-fired pizza, craft beer, cocktails, salads, and classic pub food. Trust us, you’ll savor the scenery just as much as what’s on your plate.
Catering Constants
Let our local gems cater to you on every level. Find meals that are built for fueling corporate retreats and teams hungry for victory.
Lake Tahoe’s only Scottish Pub, MacDuff’s Public House, serves from-scratch, locally sourced Scottish favorites and handcrafted cocktails. Their catering services are available onsite, offsite, and at their private venue called The Barrel Room.
Bella Tahoe is an award-winning and critically-acclaimed catering company with everything from specialized brunches cooked on-demand to five-course buffets and takeaway boxed meals to full-service catering options that are all customized to your event’s specifications.
Indulge in the rich flavors of Tahoe’s newest dining experience. Featuring large-party catering and private dining options, the menu at Primo’s Italian Bistro showcases a modern, innovative approach to Italian cuisine. Sip on Italian varietals alongside distinguished California wines, signature cocktails, inventive mocktails, and craft beers. Bonus points for checking out their late-night menu.
Diverse Diets
Whether it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or vegetarian, we don’t think of them as restrictions so much as opportunities for true innovation. Here are some South Shore favorites offering allergen-friendly selections and adapted menus based on dietary preferences.
Sprouts Natural Food Café prepares healthy, organic, gourmet meals with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options that are clearly labeled. Add some color to your plate and feel good about what you’re eating even while you’re away from home.
My Thai serves up mouth-watering, authentic Thai cuisine that allows you to choose your preferred protein and provides a specialty veggie menu. You can also choose your own adventure with each dish’s spice level.
Consistently voted Best Coffee in South Lake Tahoe, Cuppa Tahoe is a coffee shop, bookstore, and private co-working space ideal for executive breakouts and boutique meetings. Their seasonally rotating menu includes several mouthwatering, plant-based items. We recommend the Vegan Hot Mess.
Let’s Meet (& Eat)
One thing’s for sure: you should save room for excellence. Transcend your agenda and satisfy your cravings at the same time in South Lake Tahoe. Browse South Shore venues designed for games, meetings, and conventions of all sizes. You can also scroll through this handy group pamphlet for more reasons to fall in love with the lake.
At 6,224 ft. above sea level, everything is elevated here—including your next event. Attendees will leave feeling so invigorated and satiated, the only problem you’ll have will be convincing them to board their returning flights (which is a great time to mention that we’re just a short drive away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport).
Already like what you see? Send us your RFP. (We promise not to rhyme anymore than that.) Let’s set the table for your success.
From the NHL Outdoors to the Grand Slam of Curling, South Lake Tahoe is no stranger to the world stage, especially when it comes to winter sports. Thanks to a diverse array of indoor and outdoor venues, fully convertible sports arenas, and advanced facilities, you can host any type of competition throughout the year. Nothing compares to the South Shore; find out exactly why below—and start practicing your victory lap.
All-Star Facilities
When it comes to venues, the Tahoe Blue Event Center is your MVP. This state-of-the-art sports complex features an NHL-regulation-sized ice rink, NBA regulation-sized basketball court (that can be converted into a volleyball court), and a multi-purpose arena designed for wrestling, gymnastics, and cheerleading. Basically, if the sport exists, you can probably play it here. The ~27,000 square feet of arena floor space can be configured to accommodate curling, hockey, and figure skating, to name a few. Browse additional specs and capabilities with this handy Tahoe Blue Event Center chart.
Home to an ECHL ice hockey team known as the Knight Monsters, Tahoe Blue Event Center has hosted professional games, concerts, trade shows, conferences, banquets, comedy acts, and various live performances—all with streamlined logistics and top-notch amenities included.
Speaking of logistics, talk about a smooth operator: the center’s multiple locker rooms, exclusive suites, club seats, and spacious back-of-house designated areas are ready for whatever your playbook holds. With seating for around 4,000 fans, modern sightlines, and multiple concourse spaces intended for vendor booths, concessions, and merchandise shops, at least your choice in venues will be a guaranteed win.
Post-Game Experiences
When you’re in South Lake Tahoe, the adrenaline rush continues long after the buzzer sounds. For starters, enjoy the country’s highest concentration of ski resorts within a 100-mile radius. Or come back for another season to take a hike alongside hidden waterfalls, stunning peaks, and lush meadows. You can also roll through our mountain bike trails, with family-friendly paths for starter cyclists to technical climbs for advanced riders. Of course, there are plenty of courses: golf in view of the Sierra Nevada’s granite peaks or along the lake’s shore. South Lake Tahoe’s 300 days of sunshine per year and fresh alpine air will invigorate your athletes’ bodies and minds.
Oh, so you like the nightlife? You like to boogie? We knew you had great taste. Good thing you have full access to 24/7 entertainment. The South Shore holds a trove of craft breweries, lakefront restaurants, casinos, savory steakhouses, vibrant nightclubs, serene beaches, and eclectic shops, all within walking distance of your venue or hotel. How convenient. And while we always keep the South Shore updated, we also contain rich history. Walk in the footsteps of Mark Twain, visit a castle, or dive into our underwater state park to scope out a shipwreck.
South Lake Tahoe has also covered your bases when it comes to top-rated, family-friendly activities. Have your kiddos done enough outdoor adventuring for the day? We get it. The Puzzle Room Tahoe, magic shows at The Loft, all-ages games at multiple arcades, and indoor-mini golf are sure to keep them occupied (and wear them out before bedtime).
You Call the Transportation Shots
This isn’t your average sporting event destination, so we don’t have your average transportation. Lake Link, a free microtransit shuttle system, provides on-demand rides 365 days per year, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Equipped with bike and ski racks, the shuttles include wheelchair accessibility and supplemental services.
We’re also only a short drive away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, with a direct airport shuttle, the South Tahoe Airporter, at hand when you need it most. And the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) recently expanded its Route 50 Express Service to offer rides for select Tahoe Blue Event Center events as well as late-night rides on the weekends. This extended service provides convenient, reliable, and free transportation, supporting a variety of events for both locals and visitors alike. Make the most of your time here with scenic tours and bus rentals. The fleet consists of three luxurious, 28-passenger mini-coaches for local, regional, and statewide destinations. Plus, our company is the only one to ever offer tours from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. You can book bus charters and rentals for all occasions, such as weddings, corporate events, airport transfers, and private tours.
Where Sports are Always in Season
At 6,224 ft. above sea level, everything is elevated in South Lake Tahoe. We keep you at the top of your game 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Nestled amid the continent’s largest alpine lake and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevadas, it’s easy to see why the South Shore is a highly sought-after event destination. Browse our starting lineup of sports venues and see for yourself.
We all know Lake Tahoe is famous for its skiing and snowboarding scene. But what if you want to take a break from that and do something else. Or maybe the snow hasn’t come yet? Well, of course, you can still ski on man-made snow and the experience is great. However, there are a ton of things to do in Tahoe during the winter months that don’t need getting on a chairlift.
1. Lake Tahoe Cruise
Tahoe’s blue is best experienced from a boat. Book one of the Tahoe cruises and immerse yourself in the crisp mountain air and the blue water. Seeing the shores from a boat gives you a completely different experience. Your experience will be unique, whether you decide to do a morning cruise or a sunset cruise.
Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Tahoe aboard the M.S. Dixie II.
Some of the most memorable (or maybe not-so-easy-to-remember but definitely fun!) times are had on board a Lake Tahoe boat tour. Check out the M.S. Dixie II, the Tahoe Bleu Wave or the Spirit of Tahoe. Enjoy great food, great drinks and even better people aboard one of these South Lake Tahoe boat tours.
2. Hit the Spa
Pampering the body as well as the soul is almost a rule when it comes to visiting Lake Tahoe. Pick one of the many spa options Lake Tahoe offers and indulge yourself. Besides getting a massage or a facial, pick some goodies from the spa for yourself or for gifts for your loved ones for the holidays.
The Spa at the Landing Tahoe
3. Night Out
When you feel like you need some more action in your life, plan on an evening out. In December, the Heavenly Village is having full three weeks events culminating with a New Year’s concert. So, pack something warm in your bag and head out for a fun evening.
If you missed the party at the Heavenly Village, don’t worry. There’s always something to do in Lake Tahoe in the evening. Check out the casinos if you are into gambling, or go see music. Comedians, musicians, and excitement await you.
Peek Nightclub – Harrahs Lake Tahoe
5. Ice Skating or Sledding
So what if the snow isn’t perfect right now? The entire family can have a blast ice skating or sledding in Lake Tahoe.
Ice skating in the Heavenly Village | Photo by Jamie Kingham
6. Hiking
Tahoe is always a great place to go hiking or snowshoeing. A few popular hikes are in Lake Tahoe that allow for amazing photography. Whether your spirit animal is more Instagram influencer than John Muir, you’ll find your favorite Lake Tahoe hiking trails on the south shore.
Sunrise from Emerald Bay
7. Take the dog to the beach
South Lake Tahoe is a dog-friendly heaven. Why not bring the pooch with you to experience the lake. From gourmet pet stores to dog-friendly hikes and beaches, there’s plenty to explore. Check out this blog post for more details.
8. Just enjoy the Lake
Sit on the beach or at a lakefront restaurant and take it all in. Whether you are into meditation or not, the lake will calm your senses and relieve the stress. Then, you can go home refreshed and ready to enjoy the holidays.
Fire pit at Jimmy’s Restaurant at the Landing Resort Lake Tahoe
Instead of jumping ahead to all things 2026, we at Moonshine Ink decided to revisit some of 2025’s most top-of-mind stories for our region and see what has (or hasn’t) changed.
Below, you’ll read about the latest regarding Tahoe lead cables, North Lake Tahoe incorporation, fire insurance, and the Town of Truckee’s self-reflection.
Almost five years since a lawsuit was first filed to remove two lead-leaking telecommunications cables from Lake Tahoe, the cables are fully and completely gone.
This one deserves some historical context:
Back in November 2020, Moonshine Ink broke the news that two four-inch-thick telecommunications cables existed beneath Lake Tahoe’s surface, actively leaking lead into the water — and that legal action was being taken to do something about it.
CABLE BE GONE: A crew removes the final length of a telecommunications cable buried below the sand and high-water mark at Baldwin Beach in September 2025. Photo by Jesse Patterson/Keep Tahoe Blue
The intervening years have been somewhat of a rollercoaster. The lawsuit, filed in January 2021 by California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, initially resulted in a settlement by cable owner AT&T that fall. The company agreed to remove the cables, though denied they generated pollution.
Obtaining permits lengthened the removal process. Finally, AT&T planned for fall 2023. But a July 2023 Wall Street Journal investigation found the publicly traded corporation had a legacy of lead-clad infrastructure across bodies of water in the U.S., resulting in a freefall of AT&T stock and the company backtracking on removing the Tahoe cables until more lead testing could be done. (We reported on this, too.)
In September 2024, AT&T settled. By the end of that November, 8 miles of cables were pulled out of Lake Tahoe, though a segment remained due to its proximity to a sensitive habitat to the Tahoe yellow cress.
A year after that removal, on Sept. 18, 2025, the final phase was completed. AT&T worked in coordination with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit to pull out the obsolete cable from Rubicon Bay to Baldwin Beach.
“Good weather and calm lake conditions allowed AT&T’s contractor to pull the remaining 100-foot section of cable with minimal impact to Baldwin Beach and Lake Tahoe,” shared USFS Public Affairs Specialist Lisa Herron in a statement. “Forest Service staff were on site throughout the operation, monitoring work to protect habitat for Tahoe yellow cress, a plant found only on Lake Tahoe’s shoreline.”
The League to Save Lake Tahoe (Keep Tahoe Blue) was also involved with the lead-cable removal.
“Taking out these decades-old, unused cables has been a top priority for Keep Tahoe Blue and the community as a whole. We’re proud to have helped make it happen and grateful to everyone who contributed,” said Laura Patten, natural resource director at Keep Tahoe Blue. “Good things happen in Tahoe when unlikely partners come together for a shared purpose.”
It took a little over two months for a grassroots organization called Eastern Placer Future to collect what should end up being enough signatures to advance the idea of a Town of North Lake Tahoe closer to the incorporation finish line.
To commence an official exploration of becoming a new town by Placer County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Eastern Placer Future needed to collect 2,188 signatures (or 25%) from certified voters within the proposed town boundary. During the last week of November, a third-party consultant verified the group collected 2,387 between September and mid-November.
This is the first time such an effort has progressed so far, despite multiple efforts dating as far back as 1966.
Steve Teshara, one of the Eastern Placer Future committee members, contributes the current success to waning influence of the Lake Tahoe portion in Placer County. District 5, which includes Tahoe’s North and West shores, is 77% of the county’s land area, but its population is not rising. Western Placer’s is.
PETITION POWER: The grassroots Eastern Placer Future reached its most significant milestone to date after enough signatures were collected to move the possibility of a Town of North Lake Tahoe closer to reality. Pictured here: Joy Doyle, Katie Biggers, Sarah Coolidge, and Kerry Andras. Courtesy photo
“[District 5 Sup.] Cindy [Gustafson]’s probably the last supervisor that will be a resident of this area,” Teshara said. “That’s a central concern that we’re expressing to people, and people are resonating with that … People want to see where does our money really go, what do we get back, and are there some services that we could do better because they would be all coordinated locally? We’ll still have services provided by the county … like health and human service and a court system and things like that. And we may do some work and contracting with the county to start with, but people are really getting the sense that this is an opportunity to put in place local decision-making.”
But there’s a long way to go before anything becomes official.
During the first week of December, an Eastern Placer Future representative delivered the petitions to the LAFCO office in Auburn and then accompanied LAFCO staff to take the petitions to the Placer County elections office, which has 30 days to review.
“[The elections office is] the final arbiter of whether we’ve got the requisite number of signatures … We do expect to qualify for the petition being certified as valid,” Teshara said.
Assuming all systems are go, LAFCO will review an official Eastern Placer Future application (the group is currently raising $25,000 for a downpayment connected to this) and then put out a request for proposal for a comprehensive fiscal analysis. An environmental analysis will be considered separately.
“And then LAFCO looks at all the pieces, and they make a determination based on do they think that the town would be financially sustainable over a period of time, not just for a couple of years,” Teshara said. “They have to make sure that it’s an efficient way to provide government services in our area.
“Once they go through all that, then ultimately it has to go to the county for discussions, and finally some sort of county vote on the revenue neutrality negotiations.”
Eastern Placer Future funded an initial feasibility study for incorporation back in 2023. Based on Placer County costs and revenues for fiscal year 2021/22, Eastern Placer annually generated about $16.4 million in property tax; about $3.2 million in sales tax; $22.7 million in Transient Occupancy Tax; $2.1 million in property sales; and $862,000 from utility and service providers. The comprehensive fiscal analysis through LAFCO will create more accurate numbers based on recent costs and revenues, though Teshara said Eastern Placer Future anticipates there being enough funding to operate the town.
“A main way that LAFCO judges viability is it determines what your general fund revenues are,” he said. “If you have a general fund surplus of a certain percentage, that is a very helpful sign and metric. We anticipate that being the case.”
Should the Town of North Lake Tahoe (or whatever its official name might end up being) incorporate, it must do so without any harm to the county. Also part of the LAFCO process are revenue neutrality negotiations. “The county will pass through to the town the property tax, the sales tax, the other things that would be legally accruable to the town, but the county can’t lose a bunch of money based on this,” Teshara explained.
Assuming LAFCO approval, then board of supervisors’ approval, voters will step in to decide. To pass, it will take a 50%-plus-one ballot vote of registered voters within the proposed boundary. Regarding whether such a vote could happen as soon as November 2026, Teshara said, “All I can say is that we’re pushing as hard as we can to get through the process. Does the process take time? Are timelines stipulated under state law that LAFCO has to abide by? Yes.”
As the target is a moving one, Teshara said the best place for the latest updates is easternplacerfuture.org, which will have information about upcoming meetings, donation needs and milestones, and progress points.
When Moonshine dove deep into fire insurance in September 2023, the mood — and situation — was dire. That year, most insurance giants (Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual) began limiting coverage in California in reaction to increasing wildfire concerns. As options shrank for homeowners and commercial tenants, many Californians began turning to the FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort at higher costs. One Truckee resident told the Ink at the time that her premium through the FAIR Plan shot her monthly payment up by 272%, from $1,800 to $6,700.
Looking back at that time from the end of 2025 reveals that such increases were only just beginning. From October 2024 to September 2025, the FAIR Plan acquired 268,379 new dwelling and commercial policyholders. That’s a nearly 200% increase from the October 2022 to September 2023 timeframe.
The FAIR Plan was enacted in the late 1960s to offer insurance to those unable to find coverage through traditional routes. As of September this year, the plan’s total policies in force (or the number of active policies) is 645,987 — a 96% increase since September 2023.
Further, the FAIR Plan’s total exposure following the same timeframes is $696.1 billion (a 52% increase since last September, and 145% increase since 2023). Back in March 2024, FAIR Plan president Victoria Roach said to a state legislative committee, “We are one event away from a large assessment. There’s no other way to say it, because we don’t have the money on hand [to pay every claim] and we have a lot of exposure.” That event, as it turned out, seemed to be the January 2025 Los Angeles fires, which resulted in an estimated $4 billion loss for the FAIR plan. In February, plan policyholders were assessed $1 billion to recoup losses — the first member assessment in 30 years.
On the Nevada side, the 2025 Insurance Market Report put out by the Nevada Division of Insurance noted that “insurers reported that wildfire risk had a direct impact on policy availability in 2023 … This trend has continued into 2024, where certain areas, such as Incline Village and Stateline, have seen wildfire-related policy non-renewals rise significantly.”
BULKING UP: California’s state fire insurance option, known as the FAIR Plan, has seen its policy count skyrocket (by nearly 100% from September 2023 to September 2025). In Nevada, there’s no statewide option, though the legislature recently passed policy to keep insurers from jumping ship like they did in California in 2023. Pictured here, the 2021 Caldor Fire creeps up on a residence. Photo courtesy Cal Fire
There’s no insurer of last resort in the Silver State, but that seems to be the preference. In June 2024, then-Nevada Insurance Commissioner Scott Kipper held a town hall in Incline Village to discuss fire insurance for residential and commercial owners/tenants. Kipper said then that he didn’t consider the FAIR Plan a good policy.
“I believe [a FAIR Plan is] great for consumers having access; terrific,” he said. “But these plans generally provide lesser levels of coverage at a more expensive price. So, there’s a tradeoff that we need to ensure we work toward.”
Mike Peyton, a Farmers Insurance agent based in Incline Village who handles insurance in both California and Nevada, added the insurer perspective. “[The FAIR Plan is] a double-sided sword,” he said. “As soon as carriers know there’s a FAIR plan, there’s a larger propensity to pull out. That’s what happened in California; all the carriers said, ‘Welp, they have a FAIR plan so at least the consumer has somewhere to go.’ It kind of backfired.”
In June of this year, the Nevada Legislature passed A.B. 376, which allows insurers, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, to exclude wildfire coverage from homeowners’ policies and offer it either as a standalone product or eliminate it altogether.
On a positive note, this move could dissuade insurers from leaving the state like they have in California. So says Nevada policy analyst Anahit Baghshetsyan, who spoke with KUNR in October about the bill and said, “One policy you could think about would be debundling the home insurance, offering only wildfire insurance, mitigate the costs through that, or limited-time insurance, so maybe people would just seek wildfire insurance only in the summer months.”
Peyton, meanwhile, noted that despite the unambiguous state of fire insurance out West: “I think we’re on the upswing.”
The reasoning behind his optimism, he explained, is that people are better educated about wildfire realities and the sticker shock of rising prices has subsided. “Carriers are raising rates again but you’re not seeing double,” he added. “Now it’s the standard 3% to 7% [increase].”
Dillon Sheedy, assistant wildfire prevention manager and forester with the Truckee Fire Protection District, pointed to an encouraging trend from a fire service perspective: “More homeowners are taking proactive steps to create defensible space and meet the standards insurers now look for,” he wrote in an email. “These practices are achievable for most properties in our area, they make a real difference in wildfire risk, and we are seeing insurers remain willing to cover homes that demonstrate strong, well-documented wildfire mitigation actions that follow these guidelines and regulations.”
Sheedy noted that thanks to Measure T, passed by Truckee voters in 2021 to create a dedicated source of local funding for wildfire prevention, the district has expanded its defensible space and home-hardening inspections and increased fuels reduction and green-waste programs, among other increased home survivability efforts.
He added, “We can’t speak on behalf of insurers, but we do believe that communities demonstrating strong, consistent wildfire mitigation work are the ones best positioned over time … As the statewide insurance landscape continues to evolve, our goal is to ensure that the Truckee area is a model of what a well-prepared and wildfire-resilient mountain community looks like.”
The Town of Truckee’s Transparency? So Far, Improving
It’s been a year of considerable self-reflection for the Town of Truckee. After growing outcry over the town’s land development processes and skepticism around an organizational assessment of the town grew to a boiling point in early 2025, a giant reset button was hit in mid-May.
The hope: That three reports meant to analyze the young town’s function internally and externally could provide common ground for groups at odds to move forward in a more unified fashion.
More than 110 recommendations were shared at a May 13 council meeting for the town to address residents’ desire to preserve Truckee’s natural beauty, staffing burnout, processual issues, and more.
Six months later, the rubber has not only hit the road, it’s put mileage on the odometer.
“There’s 15 or 20 [recommendations] that are done,” said Town Manager Jen Callaway, “and we’ve got a ton that are in process that we’re working on — almost 50 of those. We’re making great strides. I think the most probably notable and exciting [one] from a community’s perspective and the staff’s perspective is we just got authorization to execute a [three-year] contract with Cloudpermit [for no more than $182,246]. That’s the permitting software, and we are on target to be live with that in May [2026] at the start of the building season. Pretty rapid progress on that.”
Other notable recommendations that have seen progress the last quarter of 2025:
• Hiring: Council approved 10 of the assessment’s recommended 20 new full-time positions — six of which were for the Truckee Police Department. Staff is 90% through the recruitment process. A new tracking process, NEOGOV, is being used to streamline the ability to collect applications and advance promising individuals.
“What we approved and recommended with this first budget was reclassification of the lieutenants to the captain,” Callaway said specifically of the PD positions. “That required a classification study. We’ve done that; they’ve been reclassified and hired an administrative sergeant … And then an emergency services coordinator, so a second position in emergency services. That recruitment is underway now.”
Administrative Services Department survey: complete
Town fiscal policy updates: 75% complete. Staff intends to bring draft policies to town council for final approval during December.
Enhance town’s credit card procession and payment capabilities: 50% complete
Specific to the town’s planning division, which was recognized as “the biggest organizational/operational challenge facing the town” by the Baker Tilly organizational analysis, staff has incorporated amendments to help “clean up” the development process, Callaway said. The application has also been simplified.
Further, “Our community development director, especially for larger projects, is having more of an initial conversation about timelines, expectations, and trying to understand that better before we even start,” Callaway said. “In addition to the software and the planning on-call hours, the staff is really working hard to try to understand expectations and see if we can meet those, or if we can’t, we’re really clear about why.”
Ed Vento, president and CEO of the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe, echoed the sentiment of success. “If you asked me to grade them, I’d give them an A,” he told Moonshine. “I don’t expect perfection; I do expect transparency … The [Cloudpermit] software isn’t going to fix everything, but we expect it to be another tool for staff to use and the public to use toward a better customer service experience.”
CATT members have been able to sit down with engineering and town building staffers to hold discussions on current processes. Vento said he expects the same cooperation and collaboration when meetings with planning staff happen as well.
“Now that both [the town and CATT] have had success, we can approach each other and not think somebody’s up to something,” he continued. “We’ve been able to see each other work. The joke is everyone thinks the town has a conspiracy going. And maybe CATT does too … we both figured out that none of us have the time, the will, and the smarts to work on these conspiracies. We figured out how each other works now and nobody has the time for BS. Is there an issue … with discretion [over design decisions]? Yes, but we’ll address that. We’re taking care of the low-hanging fruit. They’re doing a good job, and I think we are too in communicating.”
It’s no secret that our holiday season in Truckee/Tahoe can be a quintessential winter wonderland. For many, these early winter months are marked with the joy of falling snow, twinkling downtown lights, and our favorite folks gathered around what my mother would call “a rip-roarin’ fire.”
“… IT’S NO COINCIDENCE THAT SO MANY WINTER CELEBRATIONS CLUSTER AROUND WHAT MAY JUST BE THE MOST MAGICAL TIME OF THE YEAR: THE WINTER SOLSTICE.”
In the weeks before Christmas, trees parade like proud passengers atop family cars, gelt (the foil-wrapped chocolate coins given as gifts and game tokens during Hanukkah) reappears on grocery shelves, and elementary school students huddle around craft tables to make ornaments for downtown displays.
As a child at Truckee Elementary, I distinctly remember these ornament-decorating parties. One year, we transformed sheets of white paper into supersized snowflakes; the next, we marbled the inside of transparent globes with acrylic paint and glitter. And while most of our holiday activities centered around Christmas traditions, our teachers still carved out spaces for others. In kindergarten, we munched on latkes and gelt while playing dreidel. For our winter holiday recital, we sang classic Christmas carols side-by-side with “Kwanzaa is Here.”
While nearly all of my schoolmates celebrated Christmas, and nearly none celebrated Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, power remained in the simple practice of acknowledging multiple holiday traditions. That same strength lies in recognizing that our holidays, despite their differences, share important throughlines such as joy, light, renewal, generosity, and gathering.
And it’s no coincidence that so many winter celebrations cluster around what may just be the most magical time of the year: the winter solstice.
For millennia, humans have marked this season with celebrations around the solstice. It’s unclear when exactly these “holidays” began, but archeological sites around the world showcase human architecture intentionally aligned with the path of solstice sun. Stonehenge, for example, marks both the summer solstice — when the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the northeast to shine its first rays into the structure’s center — and the winter solstice, when the last moments of sun cast long rays directly through the circle’s heart. And predating Stonehenge by over 6,000 years, Karahan Tepe in Turkey was similarly built to cast solstice sunlight on key statues and structural elements throughout the site. Ancient Rome and Greece greeted the solstice with exuberant parties, and Yule festivities celebrated by Germanic peoples came to shape many of the beloved rituals we now associate with Christmas: decorating evergreen trees, feasting, gift-giving and lighting candles to illuminate this short-sunned season.
It’s possible that the timing of contemporary Christmas was also gleaned from solstice celebrations. Early religious scholars showed little interest in pinpointing the day or season of Christ’s birth, and it wasn’t until 336 C.E. that emperor Constantine declared December 25th as Christmas. Because the date of this newly declared “Christmas” lined up so closely with solstice celebrations such as Yule and Zoroastric celebrations of Mithra — god of the sun, whose birthday had long been celebrated on December 25th — its timing is popularly attributed to an effort of the Church to adapt pre-existing celebrations.
And just as Christmas absorbed and reshaped solstice traditions, Hanukkah also transformed, particularly in the United States America.
While of minor religious importance within Judaism, Hanukkah became culturally amplified in the 19th and early 20th centuries as Jewish-American communities sought to establish and distinguish their celebrations alongside the growing prominence of Christmas. Gift giving, not traditionally a component of Hanukkah festivities, was widely adopted to liven the Jewish holiday in hopes that it could metaphorically (and literally) hold a candle to the cultural phenomenon that American Christmas had become.
Kwanzaa, meanwhile, was founded in 1966 by American activist Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga to acknowledge African American and Pan-African heritage, community, and culture. Its name was derived from the Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits,” inspired by the harvest festivals celebrated across the African continent, many of which are held in December near the southern hemisphere’s summer solstice. In India, Hindu celebrations of the solstice take part in January with regionally distinct names and iterations.
LIT UP: A menorah holds nine candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, plus one helper candle called shamash, used to light the others. File photo
Local indigenous communities including the Wašiw, or Washoe, tribe have tracked astronomical movement since time immemorial, developing keen understandings of how the moon, stars, and planets move across the sky. Features throughout Wašiw land indicate a deep-seated understanding of the winter solstice.
With this context — far from exhaustive, yet reflective of our celebrations’ interconnected histories — we come back to our snow-dusted corner of the world.
“AS THE DAYS BEGIN TO LENGTHEN, WE CAN CARRY THIS LIGHT FORWARD WITH THE SIMPLE TRUTH THAT THERE IS MORE UNITING US THAN SETTING US APART.”
The lampposts in downtown Truckee wear candy cane stripes, and carols drift through the evening air in Incline Village as Jennifer Street comes to life with holiday light shows. True to form, the North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation is getting ready for a Hanukkah après ski, complete with hot chocolate and latkes. Coffee shops are brimming with cider and pumpkin spice. Garlands of oranges and cranberries and popcorn drape over door frames. At home, my menorah waits on the coffee table with anticipatory candles.
On Christmas morning, I’ll sip a Bloody Mary. Your kids may be snacking on Santa’s leftovers – after all, how often do they get to eat cookies for breakfast? And many of us will end our night among our favorite people, wrapped in sweaters beside a rip-roarin’ fire.
Whatever individual celebrations are in store for us, we’ve arrived at this season as one community. Together, we’ll move through these shortened days. Beneath the snow, seeds for next spring’s flowers lie waiting, ready to endure a hardy winter. If we’re lucky, this season will offer each of us moments of joy, connection, and reflection.
Kwanzaa celebrates African American and Pan-African culture. File photo
And, even when the holidays come to an end, this early-winter season remains a rallying cry to bring our community closer still. Each day we will be gifted a touch more light and gain a little more time in the sun. If we allow it, this prodigal light can be its own kind of celebration, a quiet call to action. As the days begin to lengthen, we can carry this light forward with the simple truth that there is more uniting us than setting us apart.
May this returning light remind us that we are at our strongest when we honor the many threads that make the Truckee/Tahoe tapestry whole. As the sun lingers a bit longer each day, we can choose to retain the warmth that makes this season feel special. We can choose to look out for our neighbors, to notice what we share, and to step into a new year connected — to one another and to this place we call home.
FIRE and star observances have long been associated with solstice celebrations. File photo
This early winter, catch one or all of these headliners; and know that through the coldest months, the Crystal Bay Club will host one to two shows a week that’ll warm you up. For a comprehensive lineup, showtimes, and tickets, visit crystalbaycasino.com.
The days are short and the nights are cold. It’s a good thing that North Tahoe’s premier indoor music venue’s lineup is as hot as a ski-wax iron. Here are four headliners not to miss.
PIANO MAN: Andy Frasco is that and so much more. Photo by Ryan Salm.
Andy Frasco & the UN
If you’ve ever been to an Andy Frasco show, you know the fun-filled fiasco-fest that awaits: Andy up on stage behind his piano banging away at the keys like Billy Joel on a bender — his multi-instrument, multi-personality band and he composing a chaos-theory jam fest of jubilant joy and boyish jocularity that would make Janis Joplin smile.
The tunes play on. The Jameson bottle perched on the piano passes from performer to performer as your troubles melt into the past and the party really gets going: Andy Frasco & the UN hit the Crown Room stage at the Crystal Bay Club Casino Feb. 3, making your Tuesday rock like Elton on a Saturday night.
The show will be the band’s 28th amid its 38-show nationwide Growing Pains tour. But the baby fat on this bellicose band, now with 10 studio albums and hundreds of primetime sets slayed at concerts and festivals worldwide, has long since given way to a certain man-strength momentum. And thoughunder one of his vintage Los Angeles Lakers basketball jerseys, Andy’s dadbod and shaggy curls may not inspire the image of Adonis, Frasco’s musical energy is high on sex appeal.
With its latest album (also entitled Growing Pains), the UN builds on such sonic successes as its debut, “Love, You’re Just Too Expensive,” 2016’s “Happy Bastard,” and 2022’s “Wash, Rinse, Repeat.” Their sound blends genres and breaks rules. It’s loud. It’s full of movement. It says, “fuck you” and then invites you in like a warm neighbor. It is piano-led blues meets rockabilly with some rasta reggae and a side of soul. It’s a trumpet dueling a sax. It’s Nashville songwriting and a “Smells Like Teen Spirit” cover. It’s rad and it’s good, it’s rock ’n’ roll like it should.
At a 2024 show in Phoenix, Frasco grabbed the mic and rapped about life before starting the set’s final song, his thoughts turning to his mom who’d recently survived leukemia. “It’s like, death is a real thing,” he said. “And it makes you think, what are we going to do with our life? You know, are we going to marinate in shit or get out there and fucking live it every single day?”
On February 3, 2026, with Andy Frasco & the UN in town, there’s the perfect opportunity to get out there and live it.
Dead Winter Carpenters
If our mountain-town air and pow-turn Zen and lazy lake days had a house band, it just might be the Dead Winter Carpenters. The Truckee/Tahoe locals lead with the fiddle and fight the good fight with all their strings and percussion and core-cutting lyrics. They find musical victory with their mix of Americana-roots rock and forward-thinking bluegrass with a little altitude-twang thrown in. They’ve played the Filmore and High Sierra and a ton of other notable locales, including a late-night Sergeant Pepper’s Set (complete with costume and gravitas) at the since-gone Hangtown Music Festival down in Placerville that lifted the roof right off the barn. If you’ve seen what the Carpenters can do on a Sunday afternoon at Commons Beach, this Jan. 24 is the time to see what they can do when the sun’s gone down and the kids have been put to bed.
DOIN’ IT RIGHT: The Dead Winter Carpenters bring a vibe every time they hit the stage. Courtesy photo.
The Polish Ambassador
Having been at the forefront of the EDM/live music fusion-scene for nearly two decades, this international man of funky mystery is bringing his turntables and jumpsuits to North Tahoe this Jan. 16 and 17 for two nights of partying with purpose. He’ll bring the mojo. He’ll lay the beats. He’ll rap. He’ll rock. He’ll bring goddesses on stage with ethereal and ancient voices and vibe in Venn diagrams of sonic soliloquies. He’ll stir the dancefloor as he unleashes his rhythms. He’ll show you that you can be a rockstar even (or especially) if you live off-grid on a 25-acre homestead in the Sierra foothills as a farmer and carpenter who records in a solar-powered studio surrounded by towering trees and fresh air. These ambassadorial nights look to be filled with freedom and connection, with light feet and easy smiles.
MOVEMENT AND FUN AND FUNK and a jumpsuit; the Polish Ambassador gets the crowd going. Courtesy photo.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Karl Denson has come a long way since playing sax in the band Sexual Chocolate in Eddie Murphy’s forever-classic Coming to America. In fact, he’s created his own universe — which he brings to town Dec. 26 — and it’s not even that tiny.
THE TINY UNIVERSE that makes a big sound, in front of Karl D. Photo by Ian Rawn Photography
Denson infuses audiences with electricity and soul, his audacious and eclectic ensemble band both backing him up and taking the lead as cosmic forces of musical theory big-bang their way into something very real and tangible and profound. Even though I’m not really supposed to say “I” in these articles, I saw him last spring at the Golden Road Gathering, and I don’t think he’s ever been better. Fine wine gets better with age — and since being the first-ever Bonnaroo late-night act, Karl D’s universe just keeps expanding into interstellar territories that light us up and leave us groovin’.
THE MUSICIAN: Karl Denson doing his thing. Photo by Ian Rawn Photography
This season opens with a potent square between Mars in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces, which will be exact on Dec. 14, and will bring the energy of dissolving illusion through fire. This is a transit of vision becoming reality, where your action will be ignited to align with your soul’s deeper truth.
The new moon in Sagittarius on Dec. 19 activates the inner seeker and sets the stage for a profound winter solstice rebirth on Dec. 21, when the sun begins its return. This energy will offer a feeling of hope and optimism for the coming New Year.
January opens under the glow of a nourishing Cancer full moon on Jan. 3, a sacred invitation to root into emotional safety from within and to honor the tenderness of your true needs. With the full moon conjunct Jupiter in Cancer, this lunation amplifies healing, abundance, and the grace that comes from true self-devotion. By Jan. 18, the Capricorn new moon calls for devotion to what is real, long-lasting and legacy-oriented. Then comes a bold exclamation point on Jan. 27, when Mars meets Pluto in Aquarius for a fusion of raw power and radical self-initiation. This transit feels like a threshold moment, where we shed the shadows of the past and step into the electric momentum of the future.
NATURAL MAGIC
For the Sagittarius new moon and winter solstice portal, light a candle at sunset each evening from Dec. 19 to 21. Write a “vision letter” from your future self, dated one year from now, detailing what you now know, what you have already created, and how you are feeling. Read it aloud all three nights, your speech an invocation to be witnessed by the cosmos. Then, on the night of winter solstice, after reading the letter out loud, burn it in a bowl to release control and anchor trust.
For the Mars and Pluto conjunction in Aquarius on Jan. 27, I recommend a power ritual. Make three columns: 1) How I choose to show up, 2) What I no longer tolerate, and 3) How I protect and direct my power. Then stand tall and, as a vow, speak aloud what you wrote. Afterward, place the paper on your altar or in your journal as a living declaration, something you can return to and reinvoke as needed. When you feel its power has fully integrated into your being, you’ll know it’s time to create a new ritual to reflect your next evolution.
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