South Lake Tahoe ~ Stateline Hotel Guide

From condos to cabins to campgrounds to casinos, and with nearly as many beds as blackjack tables, the Lake Tahoe Basin offers accommodations to suit every traveler. And as varied as the lodging options is the list of things to do when you're not counting sheep.

Whether your stay is as short as one night or as long as two weeks, you'll have no trouble finding a suitable spot to grab a few hours of sleep - or maybe just a place to leave your suitcase and laptop - while you enjoy the myriad outdoor and indoor diversions in the northern Sierra Nevada.

Many visitors think of Lake Tahoe as a winter destination, and rightfully so. With more than a dozen ski resorts in the area, Tahoe draws everyone from the backcountry powder hound to the first-time skier. But the region has it all for the outdoors enthusiast. And it all changes every six months.

The major ski resorts hope to be 100-percent open by Thanksgiving each year. Skiers and snowboarders can expect to find decent snow well into May in a good water year (the 1998-99 season, by the way, was the region's fifth good water year in a row). Snowshoers and cross-country skiers have the luxury of starting earlier and finishing later than their downhill buddies.

Hard-core skiers and snowboarders head for Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, on the west shore, and Heavenly, on the south shore. If those are too crowded for your liking, try Ski Homewood, a smaller resort with great views of the Lake, about five miles south of Tahoe City, or Diamond Peak or Mt. Rose in Nevada.

Northstar-at Tahoe, a few miles north of Kings Beach on Highway 267, is a good family destination with 75 percent of its terrain rated for novice and intermediate skiers. Locals rip it up at Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe, both south of the lake, when the lakeside slopes fill with tourists.

Once the snow melts, outdoors enthusiasts throw the winter gear into the closet and break out the mountain bikes, hiking boots, kayaks and fishing rods. Sporting goods stores and rental operations throughout the region provide all the toys you'll need to enjoy your favorite winter and summer pastimes.

Most of the big resorts have summer operations that feature golf, mountain biking, hiking and even mountain climbing.

The Tahoe Rim Trail - a soon-to-be completed 150-mile loop that offers breathtaking views from the ridges that ring the Lake - is a great way to get some perspective on the vastness and beauty of the Tahoe Basin.

One of the easiest places to access the trail is at Spooner Summit on Highway 50 East. A relatively easy, 10-mile, out-and-back trek north will take you above the tree line and give you an awesome view of the Lake. Remember, however, you'll be hiking at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet, so oxygen debt should be considered if you live at a lower elevation. Take it easy and enjoy the variety of trees, plants and wildlife along the way.

The stunning Sierra scenery that has inspired artists for two centuries still works its magic on those blessed with the talent to transform the abstract into the tangible. The work of local painters, photographers, sculptors and wood workers can be found in numerous art galleries around the Lake.

If you're looking for a little fun after the sun goes down, you won't be disappointed. The casino cluster at the southeast corner of the Lake in Stateline, Nev., rocks 24 hours a day. And even if you don't plan to gamble, check out the casino restaurants, where you'll usually be able to find a prime rib dinner for $4.95 or a surf-and-turf special for $9.95. An eclectic mix of pubs and smaller restaurants can be found all around the shoreline.