The wooden "Thunderbird" yacht is currently being held captive within its granite garage at the historic Thunderbird lodge.
Low water levels on Lake Tahoe and a damaged engine have put the glamorous speedboat out of commission until the 2015 summer season. To get the beauty back out on the water, the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society will be need to raise $250,000 to repair the twin Allison aircraft engines.
Custom built in 1939 for the real estate mogul George Whittell Jr., the "Thunderbird" boasts two 1,100 horse power Allison engines — a type of engine used in WWII fighter planes — under its Honduran mahogany and stainless steel paneling. On the "Thunderbirds" final cruise of summer 2013, the engines started to make unusual noises which then resulted in scored cylinder walls, pitted crankshaft bearings and fragmented piston rings.
The Preservation Society fortunately has two spare Allison engines in storage but will...
One of the most exciting on-land adventures Tahoe has to offer are the many diverse mountain biking trails. Plan your next family outing with biking tours ranging the scenic Truckee River bike path, to the single track biking trails with views of Lake Tahoe. When getting out there, here are a few tips to remember before hitting the trails and even the brakes.
Relax One of the most important things to mountain biking is staying relaxed as it is very easy to lock up your elbows and white knuckle it down the trail. The adventure will be far more enjoyable and your body will be more forgiving afterword if you can remember to stay loose and bend your elbows and knees.
Going Up Hill Notes to remember when peddling up hill is to shift into a lower gear, stay seated to avoid sliding out, lean forward to help weight the front end, and keep peddling as the slower you go through certain sections, the harder you wi...
Well, after another mild winter, many trails in the Tahoe Truckee area are clear and mountain biking season is in full swing. Many a local can be seen with a Stand Up Paddleboard, Mountain Bike AND a pair of skis or board on their roof! Spring is a special time in Tahoe and Truckee with 2 and 3 sport days very doable and common. Many of our guests are taking advantage and booking Multisport Adventures with us. Kayak or SUP in the morning and enjoy a guided mountain bike tour or hiking trip in the afternoon. With some moisture arriving this weekend, it looks like one more powder day (at least) may be in our future followed by some great mountain biking conditions after the dirt soaks it up.
If you are not familiar with local trails or are new to mountain biking, one of our knowledgeable guides will be happy to introduce you to the area, provide the gear, and even your lunch! Check out our Guided Mountain Biking and Multisport Adventure offerings Read More
1. Quick drying layers: "Long Underwear" pants and two or more tops, depending on the weather and time of day. There are a myriad of quick drying fabric blends out there, both natural and synthetic, but they can be broadly identified by the keywords "wicking" and "fast-drying." These fabrics will keep you warm and dry, where your cotton t-shirt absorbs sweat and can leave you in an uncomfortable and possibly dangerous situation as it hinders your body's ability to retain heat.
2. Waterproof outer layers: Especially if the forecast is calling for precipitation, quality waterproof jacket and pants are a godsend. When it comes to waterproof materials, many brands claim it, but few stand up to the true test (Sun-wet Sierra Nevada snow will separate the best from the rest). Although it usually requires a healthy investment, Gore-Tex not only keeps you completely dry but also breathes out moisture created by your body. A shell layer combined with quick dry base la...
Lake Tahoe is an incredible Winter destination for good reason: The region boasts gorgeous landscapes, a bevy of incredible ski resorts, and towns and activities to suit all tastes. Whether you are a holiday visitor or a weekend warrior you'll want to relish every minute of your time here this winter. Here's how:
• Plan ahead. There is much more to a Tahoe visit than the roof over your head! Make reservations at a great local restaurant, get tickets to a concert or book an activity ahead of time. You'll have some great highlights to look forward to and the legwork will be done by the time you head out. Check out the North Shore Events Calendar for great ideas.
• Drive Safely. Check in with the California Department of Transportation ahead of time for road conditions and chain controls. They have a website, app and phone line. Depending on weather conditions, T...
"Had a wonderful excursion kayaking Sand Harbor area. Guide informative about lake and Tahoe history without it being rote or stale. The packed lunch was light and tasty. Very much enjoyed and hope to do another tour in September when I pass through." -Jonnie B.
"Thanks for the kayak and sail package. Me and my friends had a wonderful time. Loved every bit of it, including the lunch. Our trip started with kayaking and though all of my friends were doing it for the first time, everyone could do it easily and our guide, Sean was really cool. Sean allowed us to have fun the way we wanted to and never rushed us. I would highly recommend this to my friends." Ben C.
"We did the Sand Harbor Kayak tour with Tahoe Adventure Company. Emma Hoffman was our tour guide. This tour was worth the money. Emma guided the tour well, was informative about the history of the place, friendly and kept us engaged. But what I am happy about is something bigger than that...Myself and my husband are beginners in kayaking. We were struggling with balancing the Kayak and suddenly our kayak toppled down. Emma took charge of this unexpected situation and immediately helped us! She stayed calm and guided us step by step as to how to get back on the kayak and got us back on kayak. Without her, I don't know how we would have managed! Because we are very new to this. Thanks, Emma! A guide's or Company's worth is known especially based on how they handle unexpected situations! Also, Emma helped our group Cliff jump by jumping along with us. Without her lead none of us had the guts to jump by ourselves. I am glad I chose Tahoe Adventure Company for this tour and glad that Emma was our tour guide. I’d come back to Tahoe adventure company again for both summer and winter activities. They ensure safety along with providing adventure." -Viv N.
You know how the last day of vacation looms, and you can't help but feel a little sad? These folks have the cure for you! We booked the Sand Harbor adventure for the last day of our trip and we just LOVED it. The cherry on top of a wonderful trip. The kayaks they use are stable and have great back support, but the guide really made this trip for us. Jill was helpful and knowledgeable, and we definitely learned more about the lake from her than we have on any other excursions. Jill found us some super cool and secluded rocky inlets and gave us a chance to wade around and explore. Everything was amazing! We'd highly recommend this company and this adventure. Everyone else we worked with deserves high praise as well. (Kate, Erica, and Nicole... y'all are rockstars!) -Karen M.
-- Karen M.
So, my wife and I did the kayak tour for 3 hrs. just the other day from Sand Harbor. Tahoe Adventure were great start to finish. Online registration is simple and was confirmed quickly. Reminders sent, directions and recommended list sent. Very professional. The day of the trip was simple. Sign up, travel and into the water. Kayaks were comfortable and clean, back support was excellent. Guides were great, knowledgably and easy going. The Lake is fabulous We had a wonderful day. We had first timers, on the trip that had no issues with the trip what so ever. If you want a fun day, this is your ticket. -Joe L.
-- Joe L.
"We did the Sand Harbor Kayak tour with Tahoe Adventure Company. Emma Hoffman was our tour guide. This tour was worth the money. Emma guided the tour well, was informative about the history of the place, friendly and kept us engaged. But what I am happy about is something bigger than that...Myself and my husband are beginners in kayaking. We were struggling with balancing the Kayak and suddenly our kayak toppled down. Emma took charge of this unexpected situation and immediately helped us! She stayed calm and guided us step by step as to how to get back on the kayak and got us back on kayak. Without her, I don't know how we would have managed! Because we are very new to this. Thanks, Emma! A guide's or Company's worth is known especially based on how they handle unexpected situations! Also, Emma helped our group Cliff jump by jumping along with us. Without her lead none of us had the guts to jump by ourselves. I am glad I chose Tahoe Adventure Company for this tour and glad that Emma was our tour guide. I’d come back to Tahoe adventure company again for both summer and winter activities. They ensure safety along with providing adventure." -Viv N.
