Scenic vistas, mysterious coves, mountain tops with forested glens and glacier-white, sandy beaches. Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States and one of the clearest alpine lakes in the world. In Roughing It, Mark Twain's prequel to his travel story, The Innocents Abroad, he writes that boating on Lake Tahoe's vivid, ultraclear, cobalt water is like floating on the air.
The area has not one, but two gay ski week celebrations, as well as a handful of gay owned and operated cabins and bed & breakfasts. One organization offers commitment ceremonies for gay couples, who've found the incredible lake views a proper backdrop for their outdoor observances.
The winter schedule for gay travelers is punctuated by Blue Gay-La and WinterFest Gay and Lesbian Ski Week, now in its 13th year.
Blue Gay-La covers South Lake Tahoe, with three resorts and a combined 9,100 skiable acres. They're notorious for Drag Races on skis and memorable apres ski parties. WinterFest books A-list gay entertainment and has plenty of indoor/outdoor adventure options for non-skiers, from snowmobile rides and ice skating to boat cruises and spa treatments. At both gatherings you get to ski in the midst of panoramic beauty.
Spring and Summer, the lake is popular for beach-going and boating. Lakefront restaurants dot the water, most equipped with docks and buoys. You can also find sailboat racing, firework shows, and guided cruises. There are hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails, ranging in difficulty. Tahoe Rim Trail, 165 miles long and circumnavigating the lake, is the most famous.
Explore our Lake Tahoe pages for where to stay, play and dine. And, yes, they do have a gay bar!
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