Wondering if April is a good time to visit Lake Tahoe? The answer is a resounding yes! Visiting Lake Tahoe in April avoids crowds and peak prices while still enjoying the beauty of this amazing lake.
What to Know Before you go to Lake Tahoe in April
Weather in Lake Tahoe
The weather in Lake Tahoe in April can vary but temperatures generally hit the lower 50’s during the day and the higher 30’s in the evenings. When we visited Lake Tahoe, it was beautiful during the day and was chilly in the evenings and mornings. It was perfect weather for a campfire at our airbnb in the evenings but comfortable to get out and explore during the day!
Because the weather in Lake Tahoe in April (and the spring in general) can vary, you may run into snow when you visit! There was definitely left over snow on the ground when we were there, but it didn’t actually snow. However, it is very common to have snow in Lake Tahoe during this time so be prepared for that.
Can You Ski or Swim in Lake Tahoe in April?
With snow being common in early spring, swimming in Lake Tahoe in April is not really an option (unless you’re looking for a polar plunge). This is probably the biggest con of visiting Lake Tahoe in early spring. But it is still a great time to visit the lake and enjoy all it has to offer! While you can’t swim because of the snow and cold temperatures, you can still ski. Ski season in Lake Tahoe starts in mid November and lasts through mid to late April. Sometimes ski season lasts through May. We’ll talk more about ski options later in the post!
Off Season
Finally, it’s important to note that Lake Tahoe in April has considerably lower crowds and prices! Because Lake Tahoe’s peak seasons are in the summer and winter, early spring is an excellent time to see this gorgeous place and not feel like you’re fighting for space. We also noticed that lodging options were MUCH cheaper during this time of year!
Thrifty tip: Traveling during a destination’s off season is a great way to cut costs all around. Airfare, lodging, and activities are all likely to be discounted.
South Lake Tahoe vs. North Lake Tahoe
When planning a trip to Lake Tahoe (during any time), it’s important to know which side of the lake you want to spend most of your time at. Lake Tahoe is split into two distinct areas: North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe.
The major difference between the two is that North Lake mostly offers outdoor activities (think hiking, skiing, camping, and other outdoor activities). If you’re looking for a quiet weekend getaway to enjoy nature or ski, then North Lake is your place! If you’re looking for nature with some extra, then South Lake might be more your speed. South Lake Tahoe has more restaurants, shopping, and nightlife (including some casinos!).
Activities in Lake Tahoe in April
Skiing
While swimming may be off the table, there are still so many things to do in Lake Tahoe in April! A major draw at this time of year is that the ski slopes are still up and running. There are multiple ski locations in Lake Tahoe. These three resorts stand out as the most popular: Northstar, Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley), and Heavenly. Northstar and Palisades Tahoe are located in North Lake and Heavenly is in South Lake.
Northstar is known for being a great spot for beginner and intermediate skiers as well as having one of the prettiest views of the lake. Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly have better slopes for the expert skiers. Some of these resorts have other activities as well including hiking, horse back riding, and ice skating. They have some activities that are only available in the summer months so be sure to check on that before planning your trip!
Thrifty Tip: Check out the Epic Ski Pass. This pass is accepted at ski resorts around the country including Lake Tahoe and offers discounted lift tickets if you’re planning to ski multiple days!
Thrifty Tip: Check out local ski rental companies and avoid inflated prices for skis and other equipment at the ski resort.
Heavenly Village
In South Lake Tahoe, a major draw is Heavenly Village which is located at the base of Heavenly Mountain. This area offers cute shops (a great place to get souvenirs), delicious restaurants, and breweries. Many of the restaurants in and around Heavenly Village have patios which are great for an afternoon lunch spot.
A lot of them also have fire pits or heaters for when it’s chillier! Heavenly Village is around the corner from popular hotels and casinos (Hard Rock Cafe, Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, Harrah’s, and others).
Along with the shops and food spots, Heavenly Village is also where you can catch a ride on the Heavenly Mountain Gondola. Head up the mountain for skiing or ride along for the beautiful views. You don’t have to have a lift ticket to ride the Gondola.
We will note that the Gondola is a pricier activity. The views are incredible but just know it’s not quite a thrifty activity. If you have a lift ticket to Heavenly, the Gondola ride is included! Prices vary depending on time of year but they aren’t cheap anytime of the year.
Hiking Lake Tahoe in April
Lake Tahoe is one of the most picturesque lakes in the country! Especially at this time of year with the snow capped mountains in the background and much fewer people. Some of the hiking spots we hit were some of the most popular on the lake and we never felt overwhelmed by the amount of people.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a ton of time on our trip, so we were only able to hit a few hiking spots. We would recommend anything in the Emerald Bay area! We hit Emerald Bay Inspiration Point, Eagle Falls, and Eagle Falls Lake. While on the Eagle Falls Lake trail, we did encounter a good bit of snow and ice and weren’t able to fully complete the hike.
Because the weather at this time of year can still be icy and snowy, make sure to be prepared (more prepared than us) and research the hikes ahead of time. Plan to wear layers and pack your yaktrax just in case you run into some ice!
Here are more extensive lists of the South Lake trails and North Lake trails from one of our favorite hiking websites.
Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay is a must see of Lake Tahoe. Known for its crystal clear water, this section of the lake is quite popular and for good reason. Emerald State Park has a lot of trails to cover and is a great place to visit if you have the time.
You can learn about Vikingsholm and Fannette Island if you’re a history buff, take in the beauty of the area of the lake, or try out kayaking! Kayaking rentals may not be available at this time of year and kayaking in this area is recommended for a more experienced kayaker.
Driving Around Lake Tahoe
We don’t know about you, but we love a good drive with the windows down! We would highly recommend taking a drive around a good chunk of the lake, if not the whole thing. It will take about 3 hours to drive the entire lake without any stops, but we think it’s worth it. Make a day out of it and take your time. There are so many places to make stops that you can plan a full day around it.
Along the route you’ll find scenic overlooks, picnic spots, hot springs, hiking, and some great restaurant options. We stopped at Beacon Bar and Grill in South Lake to have lunch with a view! You can expect many of the restaurants on the water to be slightly overpriced, but we enjoyed our rum runners and zucchini fries. Plus Beacon is right next to a beach and it was a great spot to wait for our table.
Ways to Save
- Check out airbnb for your vacation rentals. This time of year should have discounted lodging prices especially on airbnb!
- Look into the Epic Pass for your lift tickets if you are planning to ski and rent your ski equipment from a rental facility separate from any resorts
- Dining can be pricey in Lake Tahoe. Hopefully you might find some deals in the off season, but plan to stop by a grocery store and make some meals instead of eating out. This will help shave a good bit off your budget!
- There are so many activities in Lake Tahoe that are free! Think hitting the beaches, hiking, and going for a drive. Try to plan as many of these activities as you can.
Have we convinced you that April is a great time to visit Lake Tahoe yet?! We hope so! This lake really is so spectacular and visiting in early spring is a great way to make it a thrifty trip. Let us know if we missed anything and if you have any questions!
Leave a Reply