Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite destinations in California. Growing in NorCal, trips to the lake were just another part of the summer and winter meant snowboarding and hot cocoa by warm fires. With the cold weather officially underway, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is gearing up for its winter travelers by offering new and enhanced amenities and experiences for 2016 (which means I’m already picking out my snow clothes).
As always, the five-star resort offers après-skiing which allows guests to ski or snowboard directly to the resort’s ski beach to dine at the Backyard Bar & BBQ restaurant. New this year is The Champagne Experience located at the restaurant. Guests can sip on bubbles by the glass or bottle outdoors while enjoying oysters on the half shell every Friday throughout Sunday during ski season.
When it comes to getting that perfect Instagram pic, head to the six-passenger Silver Green Gondola by Moët & Chandon, cabin number 14. One of 160 gondolas originally constructed in Veryins, France in 1986, the cabin is open for guests to relax in with Champagne in hand. It features a Bose sound system, LED lighting and Bluetooth capabilities.
Along with outdoor activities, travelers can head indoors to stay warm with fitness classes and spa treatments. The spa’s winter menu includes a number of treatments available for soothing sore muscles from skiing and snowboarding as well as bringing you back to a relaxing state after the hectic holidays. The Tahoe Time out is a 90-minute locally-inspired treatment which utilizes pine essence to ease fatigue with a full body exfoliation. Afterwards guests will sip on local tea and unwind in a private soaking tub infused with Epsom salt and sage, meant to stimulate the circulatory system. The session ends with a full body massage using cedar wood oil which decreases inflammation.
Fitness buffs can continue their regimen while on the mountain as well with classes such as après-ski yoga and a winter conditioning class which allows guests to train like the Olympians do. The session targets “power, agility and performance on the slopes with functionally-directed explosive and reactive moves.”
It’s your season, snow bunnies, and sounds like the Ritz is ready for your visit. Room rates begin at $319 a night on weekdays.
