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• Chickadee Ridge Snowshoe Hike
• Premiere Tahoe Ski Day at Diamond Peak
• Skiing at Heavenly
• Skiing at Northstar
• Hike to Monkey Rock
• Winter Kayaking on Lake Tahoe

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We love it when family and friends come and visit us in Tahoe. It gives us an opportunity to be creative in building a personalized itinerary, and sometimes, to play tourists ourselves in some place we’ve called home for over 12 years.

This time, two of my husband’s aunts – one hailing from Minnesota, and the other from New York – planned to come out for some mountain skiing, but the fun expanded beyond hitting the slopes.

Sisters Nancy and Kristin arrived late Saturday evening, after their adventurous drive in the dark over Mt. Rose Hwy. The next morning, we got up early and headed up to Tahoe Meadows with our snowshoes to hike up to Chickadee Ridge (not our first time taking an aunt up to Chickadee Ridge) and see if our feathered friends had an appetite for crushed cashews.

Chickadee Ridge Snowshoe Hike

Chickadee Ridge did not disappoint. A little more than halfway to the top of the ridge, a band of chickadees had already sniffed us out and within minutes, dozens of them were taking turns landing upon our outstretched hands, arms, and even our heads!

We continued climbing up toward the ridge, and scant snow flurries appeared in the air.

The closer we got to the top of the ridge, the colder and windier it got.

This winter hike to Chickadee Ridge can be very popular, especially on a weekend, but on this morning, we were fortunate to have the whole place to ourselves.

To our dismay, the chickadees we made friends with did not follow us up to the top, and despite trying, we couldn’t get them to rejoin us on our way back down, either. But the silver lining for us, as we were descending, was that we saw large groups of other hikers and snowshoers heading up, so our early-morning timing was perfect for a private hike in solitude with the chickadees.

Later that afternoon, we made a stop down at Speedboat Beach, a favorite spot for the aunts’ sister (my mother-in-law).

Premiere Tahoe Ski Day at Diamond Peak

The following morning, my husband checked the wind and weather conditions, and they all decided that skiing at Diamond Peak, the small local area, to kick off the week might be the best way to break in the aunts’ fresh legs at elevation.

And Diamond Peak, arguably, has views second to none.

Before it got too late in the day, we all took a brisk walk on the East Shore Trail as sunset approached, stopping at Sunset Cove to take in the sights.

Skiing at Heavenly

The next ski adventure took place at Heavenly, where the crew also met up with Lynn, a hiking friend of Aunt Nancy’s from years back who lives in the area. Lynn has alpacas and lots of interesting stories to share.

Skiing at Northstar

Friday would be the last day for skiing, and they decided to go to Northstar, where they had wonderful weather and seemed to beat the usual crowds.

Hike to Monkey Rock

On Friday evening, after they all returned from skiing at Northstar, the weather was still pretty nice outside, albeit chilly, so we decided to squeeze in another sunset stroll on the East Shore Trail.

But this time, Aunt Nancy inquired more about the trail up to Monkey Rock, which was something we’d briefly discussed as a hiking option prior to their arrival in Tahoe, and brought up again as we were parking at Tunnel Creek for the East Shore Trail.

When we reached the unofficial spur that connects the East Shore Trail to Tunnel Creek Road that eventually leads up to Monkey Rock, I suggestively said, “We can do it…”

I’m not sure everyone was fully on board with it at that moment, but we started up the steep dirt incline, winding up toward Tunnel Creek Road, and then continued the remaining ascent up to Monkey Rock as the sun set lower in the sky and blended into golden hour. We didn’t hit much snow or ice on the trail until we were near the top at Monkey Rock, where we did have to watch our footing more closely.

I think the aunts were feeling quite accomplished to have made it up to Monkey Rock. And for me, it was a nice added challenge compared to the paved East Shore Trail.

As the sun got lower, the temperature began to drop quickly, so we headed back down to the parking lot via Tunnel Creek Road and headed home to start preparing Aunt Nancy’s birthday dinner!

The following morning was the last activity the aunts would have in Tahoe before they flew back to their home states.

Winter Kayaking on Lake Tahoe

A couple of days before, Aunt Kristin spotted our kayak paddles hanging in the garage and said that kayaking on the lake at her MN cabin was one of her favorite activities. Well, I told my husband, we must get them out on the kayaks before they leave.

Saturday morning was the last opportunity, and they only had a couple of hours before they had to leave for the airport. Lucky for us, the weather that morning was pristine for a winter kayak adventure on Lake Tahoe. We got an early start, loaded up the kayaks and paddles, and then headed to Sand Harbor State Park to get the aunts launched from the beach.

I suspect both of the aunts were a little skeptical about the idea of kayaking in the middle of February, but we assured them we’d get them launched without getting wet, and if they just wore some layers, they’d be fine. They simply couldn’t miss out on this memorable opportunity. I remember the first time we kayaked on the lake and I was in complete awe. It’s so fun to have others experience that, as well.

Sand Harbor was empty, the lake was flat, the sun was shining. We pushed them out and off they went.

After we launched them, my husband and I rushed over to the cove (where we incidentally got married), and climbed up on the massive boulders to get photos of the aunts on their adventure.

From a distance, they didn’t yet know it was us upon the huge boulders, and we heard Aunt Kristin tell Aunt Nancy, “Look at the people up on the boulders!” I responded back and waved, “It’s us!”

They paddled in and out of the coves, in between the boulders, and took in the beautiful sights of Tahoe from the water while my husband and I followed along on land to capture photos of them.

I truly believe that kayaking on Lake Tahoe is the best way to really see the lake. It’s such a calming, surreal experience to be amongst the boulders, both above and below the water, and witness the incredible color and clarity of Lake Tahoe, up-close and personal. So, I’m really glad the aunts were up for it before they departed. And, I think Aunt Nancy felt like it was one of the best ways she’d ever spent a birthday.

Then, it was time to bid our farewells as Aunt Kristin and Aunt Nancy made their way back to the airport. All in all, I think we were able to show them a good time, especially with my husband serving as their personal ski concierge, hand-feeding the chickadees, Aunt Nancy getting to meet up with her friend Lynn, sharing a number of home-cooked meals together, and topping it all off with kayaking on the lake!