A Lake Tahoe Bachelor Party Itinerary

There’s nothing like a Lake Tahoe bachelor party for a groom with a serious adventurous streak and a proclivity to party. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with California to the west and Nevada to the east, Lake Tahoe is home to world-renowned skiing, biking, and hiking, plus resorts that are just as famous for their après as they are for their epic terrain and a few casinos thrown in for good measure.

Needless to say, you won’t be bored during a Lake Tahoe bachelor party!

What to Do

If you’re heading to Lake Tahoe in the winter, it’s all about finding the best resort for your crew. The lake is surrounded by some of the best in the west, including Heavenly, Northstar, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw Valley.

If you’ve got one of Vail Resorts’ Epic Passes, add both Heavenly and Northstar to your itinerary. At the southern end of the lake, Heavenly flanks the Cali-Nevada border, so you get to pick your state and your runs. It flaunts a wild après scene, some of the continent’s best tree skiing, and Vegas-style nightlife (hello, casinos!) if you head toward the Nevada base as the day winds down. For a group of skiers and riders that range from beginners to experts, start and end your days at California Base Lodge. If you’re all seeking double blacks and deep powder, Stagecoach Lodge on the Nevada is your best starting point. Once the lifts close, head east to Nevada. Two iconic Vegas staples, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, have also made themselves at home in the mountains. Throw some dice, place a bet in the sports book, or hit the dance floor at Hard Rock’s club, Vinyl, or Harrah’s PEEK nightclub.

Be sure to get a multi-day pass because, once you’ve gotten your fill at Heavenly, you can head north to Northstar. Steep-seekers will love the mile-long groomed black runs on the back side, while the whole crew will be able to get behind a beloved Northstar tradition: Tōst. Every day at 2 p.m. on the East Ridge trail, guests can pause to enjoy a complimentary flute of bubbles as they take in the views. Get there a few minutes early to make sure you get a glass!

Of course, Lake Tahoe bachelor parties are equally epic in the summer. Northstar’s bike park is one of the best in the country, offering everything from easy cruisers to technical descents (and even a little air!), served by the resort’s lift network.

Rather keep your feet on the ground? Head to Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe for hiking and golf with spectacular views. Ten courses surround the town, so find a tee time and get swinging! Take an easy hike along the lake, or challenge yourselves to tackle a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. For a trail that screams “Lake Tahoe bachelor party,” follow the Ale Trail, leading you from your outdoor pursuits to some of the region’s best beer.

And of course it wouldn’t be a Lake Tahoe bachelor party with a little time on the lake itself! A “sun and sand” crowd will love The Party Boat Lake Tahoe, a charter that will take you on a cruise around the lake as you hit the best waterfront bars. If water sports are more your thing, paddle the Lake Tahoe Water Trail, get an adrenaline rush with Tahoe Wake Tubing, or cast a line into the lake’s incredibly clear waters with Lake Tahoe Sport Fishing.

Where to Eat

With so many resorts in such close proximity, Lake Tahoe is surrounded by all sorts of dining options.

Spending a few days on the snow at Heavenly? Don’t miss pho at Lakeview Lodge or the list of 97 beers (one for every run on the mountain) at Booyah’s, both located at the top of the Tram on the California side. If you’re chasing freshies on the Nevada side, head to the “beach” at Star Bar - at the base of Dipper and the Comet Express - for a cocktail in the sun.

Enjoy California cuisine and spectacular sunsets at the lakeside dining room at Sunnyside, located on the western shore in Tahoe City. Kick off your meal with Duke’s Mai Tai - $1 from every purchase goes to the Lake Tahoe Waterman Association to support the California Tahoe Conservancy.

If your Lake Tahoe bachelor party is taking you south, don’t miss the Sunset Bar & Grille at Zephyr Cove, where you can pair your frozen libations with sandy toes. If you’ll be spending your days at Northstar, make a reservation for the Chef’s Counter at Manzanita at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. This five-course tasting menu showcases the restaurant’s best seasonal dishes, and has built-in entertainment as you overlook the open kitchen.

Where to Stay

Going all out for your Lake Tahoe bachelor party? Splurge on mid-mountain lodging at Northstar at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. Unwind in the slopeside spa, warm up in the hot tub, or grab a local craft beer at the Backyard Bar & BBQ.

If the Heavenly gondola is your main focus, it doesn’t get better than Basecamp Hotel. This contemporary property offers the amenities of a resort with motel prices, the perfect place to settle in for anything happening in South Lake Tahoe. Throw it back to the sleepovers of yesterday with the Explorer’s Club room, where four bunk beds mean there’s room for eight and a pull-down projector and screen are ready for late-night XBox sessions. Outpost Brewing Co., located right in the hotel, supplies the Beer Garden with the freshest beer you can get, plus fire pits, corn hole, and live music. 

Or escape to the Old West at Edgewood Lodge. With the only shorefront golf course on Lake Tahoe, three acclaimed restaurants, and an expansive spa, the lodge’s mix of dark wood and warm leather is a refined, masculine setting that’s the perfect jumping-off point for your adventures.