Lake Tahoe: North Shore

March 15 - 17, 2013

Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite road trips to go on.  It is the perfect distance for a weekend trip from bay area.  Normally I head to South Lake Tahoe (aka South Shore) - the area known for the casinos and Heavenly Ski Resort.  The main casinos on Stateline Blvd are Monte Bleu, Harrah's and Harvey's and just across the street is an Embassy Suites and a Marriott.  However, this trip I made my way up Interstate 80 and went to North Shore.

My cousin, Lisa, invited me to her work event being held in Tahoe and I jumped at the chance for a relaxing girls weekend.  We started our trip about 7am on Friday morning to take full advantage of a weekend in Tahoe.  We were going the opposite way of traffic so we made it up to Squaw Valley around 11:15am.  Two of the passengers in our car decided to take advantage of the slopes for a few hours, while my cousin and I walked around 'The Village'.  The Village is comprised of shops, restaurants and hotel rooms.  We ate at the Olympic House - I had tomato soup and a pizza bagel.  It was good - standard ski lodge food.  We got some cupcakes at Batch Cupcakery - which we were delish and made fresh that morning.  For cupcakes - I would suggest going around 1pm as all the flavors were done and on display compared to 11am while some of the flavors were still being baked or cooling in the back.  After Lisa and I did some shopping at Lather and Fizz Bath Boutique - a super cute handmade soap and lotion shop.  The soap price is determined from the size of the soup you would like to purchase so it is perfect for everyone's budget.  They have other items at the shop as well - such as pajamas, bath bombs and stuffed animals.

Squaw Valley.

Lake Tahoe + Cupcakes. 

Around 2pm - we left Squaw and headed over to the Ritz Carlton - Lake Tahoe.  This was our home base for the weekend.  The Ritz Carlton is located on the mountain of NorthStar - so when you turn onto the property and are driving up to the hotel you will see the slopes on one side and homes/condos for renters on the other.  Upon our arrival the bellmen unloaded the car and took our snowboard/skis and boots to the mountain club - there they hold your equipment and warm your boots so they are nice and toasty until you decide to head out to NorthStar.

Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe.

Lobby @ Ritz Carlton.

After checking in - we made our way to the room which over looked the outdoor swimming pool/ hot tub and the big easy ski lift of Northstar.  The room was extremely nice - and included a private fireplace, a sink-in tub and - my favorite - a nice cozy robe.  The bed was extremely comfortable and the pillows were dreamy.  I wish I could have them for my apartment - when you lay your head on them you sink in just the right amount.  Ahhhh perfection.

View from the room - Pool + Northstar.

Fireplace. 

Bathroom w/ Sink in tub.  

After unpacking, we took the gondola from the Ritz Carlton to Northstar Village to meet some of Lisa's coworkers who were having some food and drinks.  Northstar Village is a comprised of restaurants, shops, and a large roller skating rink.  After spending a little while there Lisa and I headed down to use the spa amenities - which includes a sauna (wet and dry), an indoor whirlpool, and an '18yr and older only' outdoor pool heated to 85 degrees.  Having the spa amenities was the perfect way to relax and enjoy.  After spending a little over an hour down there - we got ready for dinner.  Lisa's company dinner was held back in Northstar Village at Mikuni's Sushi Bar - a branch of the same restaurant in Roseville and Sacramento.  Mukini's offers both traditional and fusion style meals - with extremely fresh ingredients.  On Friday the gondola ran till 10:30pm - so we made sure to head back around 10pm.  The ride takes about 10minutes - but if you miss the gondola back...I am not sure what you would do.  It is not exactly an 'easy' walk back to the Ritz Carlton.  When we got back to the room - the turn down service had already stopped by and they left a note from the front desk.  Now flash back to checkin - I asked about lift tickets for Northstar and told them I was considering going snowboarding the next day but I was a little nervous to go by myself.  Well the note was from the front desk - Kyle Huscher - who checked us in.  He provided us with a map of Northstar and a note offering his favorite run at Northstar and if we had any questions to contact him or the staff.  The staff a the Ritz Carlton really went above and beyond in the service department to make sure our trip was personalized and relaxing.

Gondola from Ritz Carlton to Northstar Village. 

Lisa and I @ Mikuni's. 

Note from the front desk. 

Saturday morning Lisa and I ordered room service.  We had 2 eggs (over-medium), potatoes, a meat - I had bacon and she had sausage - and toast.  We also ordered yogurt and homemade granola with juice to drink.  The room service was right on time - and delish.  Just beware of the high price tag.  At 9am - Lisa and I headed down to the spa for our treatments.  We had appointments at 10am but decided to get there early and relax.  I had reserved the Lake Tahoe Hot Stone Massage - for 80mins.  It seems whenever I get a massage the max time is just not enough - I did not want it to end.  However - I am not sure if the price tag equates to what you are getting.  The cost of the massage was $256 dollars + 20% gratuity.  If I was paying this price - I would expect the best massage of my life - unfortunately that wasn't the case.  It was by no means bad - but it was not the best ever.  After getting my massage - I decide to head out and get a half day pass to Northstar.  The lift ticket was a hefty price tag of $86 dollars which starts at 12:30 and goes till 4:00 when lifts close.  To get my stuff I went down to the Mountain Club - where I got my warmed boots - and then walked right outside to get my board.  From there I walked maybe 7 steps and strapped in and I was on the mountain.  I snowboarded down to the main lodge where all the lifts start and I was off for the day.  I met my coworker on the mountain at Zepher Lodge and had some lunch.  I ate the garlic knots - ohhhh ya - doughy and lots of garlic whats better?  I boarded until about 3pm and when I was ready to head in I went back to the location of all the main lifts - hopped on the 'Big Easy' lift and went about 25% down the hill and right into the ski-up valet at the Ritz Carlton.  I would just like to point out this is the most convenient design. I believe this makes it worth the money to stay at the Ritz Carlton or at a ski up house on Northstar.

Room service.  

Lisa and I at the spa. :)

Whirlpool.  <3

Runs at Northstar. 

Zepher Lodge. 

To relax my muscles after a half day on the mountain - I met up with Lisa at the spa.  We steamed in the sauna for a while and hung out in the whirlpool before it was time to head out to dinner.  Dinner on Saturday night was scheduled at the Tavern.  It is an American-type restaurant with everything on the menu from sandwiches to steaks.  Along with our champagne we had appetizers of fish tacos and mac and cheese.  For my main meal I had a side of the daily soup and a turkey sandwich.  The meals were very tasty and filling.  There wasn't a huge WOW factor at the restaurant - but I would go back if I was staying in the area.

Early evening view of Northstar. 

Cousin love @ the Tavern.

Sunday morning - Lisa and I packed up our things and went down to the gym to do some quick cardio to work off the meal from the night before then we headed back to the spa for one last enjoyment of the amenities.  We checked out about 10:30am and hit the road to head back to the bay area.  The traffic was light and we made it home by 2pm.

I am so thankful Lisa asked me to go on this trip with her.  It was the perfect relaxing weekend I was in need of and it was my first time staying at a Ritz Carlton...hopefully not my last.

Highlights of my trip:
- Spa amenities
- Ski/Snowboard Valet
- Northstar
- Catching up with my cousin