The following report is produced and distributed regularly by the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

Updated: November 22, 2011

Mostly sunny skies to start this week with snow likely for Thanksgiving Day. Get geared up and ready as many ski resorts are open or are opening in the week ahead.

Resorts and Towns’ Update:
The Lake Tahoe Hyatt in Incline Village has announced a $20 million renovation, including complete redesign of the property’s 422 guest rooms and suites, as well as a new look for the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, Sierra Café, and the Spa Terrace Conference Center. Renovations are slated to be completed by April 30, 2012.

Projected Resort Opening Dates (weather/conditions dependent):
Alpine Meadows – opening December 10
Boreal Mountain Resort – Now Open
Diamond Peak Ski Resort – opening December 15
Donner Ski Ranch – opening TBD
Granlibakken Resort – opening TBD
Homewood Mountain Resort – opening Dec 17
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe – opening November 23
Northstar-at-Tahoe – Now Open
Royal Gorge Cross Country – opening Dec 10
Soda Springs – opening TBD
Spooner Lake Cross Country – opening TBD
Palisades Tahoe – opening November 23
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort – opening November 24
Tahoe Cross Country – opening November 25
Tahoe Donner Cross Country – opening TBD
Tahoe Donner Ski Resort – opening December 9

Many North Lake Tahoe restaurants are offering traditional Thanksgiving buffets, as well as popular “Turkey to Go” meals. Click to www.GoTahoeNorth.com for a complete list of restaurants around the region.
 
The four-diamond Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley kicks off their popular holiday program, “Magical Memories,” Thursday, November 24, with family-oriented events that run through January 8, 2012. Events include the Gingerbread Village Unveiling, Grand Tree Lightening, appearance by Olympic gold medalist and ski movie star Jonny Moseley, breakfast with Santa, caroling, ice carving demonstration and moonlight snowshoe tours.
 
Get in the spirit with the Holiday Jazz Festival, Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Spa and Casino in Incline Village. Guests can enjoy a complete Thanksgiving weekend along with spectacular jazz performances. Reserved seating is $65/person.
 
Also in Incline Village, the Mark Twain Cultural Center presents “Roughing It” Friday, November 25, 7:30 p.m., when McAvoy Lane, the Ghost of Mark Twain, relives the adventures of Samuel Clemens to Virginia City where he discovers his literary lodestone. Tickets are $24.99/adult and $9.99/student.
 
Women backcountry skiers unite Wednesday, November 30, 6:30-8 p.m., at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City. This informal gathering is for women who enjoy backcountry skiing and riding, so they can connect, network, share stories, talk gear and shop. This event is free. All ages and abilities are welcome.
 
Join the Palisades Tahoe Institute Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 p.m., for the test-screening of "Dam California," an independent feature film created and produced by a team of Tahoe-based filmmakers, shown at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley. The film highlights the ultimate fight to control one of our most vital natural resources—water, and is entered in the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
 
Mark your calendar for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Kings Beach, Friday, December 2, 5-7 p.m., at the North Tahoe Event Center. The festivities include photos with Santa, cookie swap, craft stations for kids, hot cocoa, candy canes and homemade soup.
 
North Lake Tahoe ski resorts shorten the learning curve with those new to skiing and snowboarding by offering a special savings weekend to get you cruising down the slopes in no time. The 12th Annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend – Learn More on the North Shore, scheduled for December 10-11, is geared for beginners, costs only $30 and includes an all-day beginner lift ticket, group lesson and gear rental. Click to www.GoTahoeNorth.com for details.

Getting Around:
The North Lake Tahoe Express daily airport shuttle service is available to and from North Lake Tahoe and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The shuttle runs from 3:30 a.m. until midnight. Fees are $40 per person, one-way, and $75 round trip. Discounts are available for groups of two or more. Reservations are required and can be made four hours in advance.

The North Lake Tahoe Recreation Update is part of a partnership between the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. The combined efforts of both entities are aimed to further promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.