The opening weekend of North Lake Tahoe's Annual Snowfest, Feb. 27 - March 1, gets the party started with a variety of events, including the opening ceremonies, crowning of the Snowfest Queen, fireworks, the Tahoe City parade, the annual Polar Bear Swim, and the Sunnyside Luau.

On Friday, Feb 27th, the 34th Annual North Lake Tahoe SnowFest will begin with Opening Ceremonies at Palisades Tahoe. The night sky will be lit up with an amazing torchlight parade of skiers, and the spectacular Coors Light Fireworks Display.

On Saturday, Feb 28th, visitors and locals gather to see Tahoe's wackiest and wildest strut down Tahoe City’s North Lake Boulevard in the annual SnowFest Parade, featuring numerous "eclectic" and 'locally-flavored' floats and displays related to Tahoe’s lifestyle. This family-friendly event offers something for everyone, from vintage fire engines and big trucks, to musicians, a snow shovel drill team, and a special appearance by this year's parade’s Grand Marshal. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and park off the main street, which will close during the parade from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Following the parade in Tahoe City, Snowfest revelers head east along the north shore of Lake Tahoe to Gar Wood's Grill and Pier, just a few miles away in Carnelian Bay, to watch the annual Polar Bear Swim. This is a one of a kind event, where daring souls brave the extreme cold temperatures of Lake Tahoe in an 'out-and-back' swim.

On Sunday, March 1st, the action includes the return of the Arctic Paddle, a cold-water paddleboarding event, the Snowfest Dawg Pull, and the annual Sunnyside Luau, a very tasty fundraiser.

The opening weekend of Snowfest sets the stage for a ten-day series of fun events celebrating North Lake Tahoe's vibrant community and mountain town culture.

For a complete 2015 Snowfest event schedule, click here.