Packing Essentials for a Lake Tahoe Vacation
An Essential Packing Guide to Tahoe
Packing for vacation is a stressful process, especially if you’ve never been to the location you’re planning on visiting. Lake Tahoe, for instance, can be tough to put together luggage for. Not only can the weather change without warning, but with such high snow totals each and every year, you’ll want to pack things that will keep you comfortable and warm during your trip, no matter what season you’ll be coming.
Since it can be hard to figure out packing on your own, we’ve come up with a handy guide to Lake Tahoe packing essentials in spring, summer, and winter. Read on to learn what to pack in (almost) every season for a great Lake Tahoe vacation.
Spring Packing Essentials for a Lake Tahoe Vacation
Spring is an unpredictable season in the Lake Tahoe region. Because of the large variations in temperatures, packing for a springtime vacation is a balancing act between cold and warm weather clothing. Here’s a few of our spring packing recommendations for a 7 day trip:
3-5 top base layers: One of the best ways to keep warm or stay cool in unpredictable weather is to pack lots of layers. From cotton shirts to wool bases, there are many different things you can use as a base to layer the rest of your clothing on top of.
3-5 casual shirts and pants: On warm days, it’s important to have some clothing that will keep you comfortable.
2-3 bottom base layers: Keep your legs warm with some long-john style bottom layers. While you might need to shed these if you get a little hot while on the slopes, they’ll keep you warm on very chilly days.
2-3 pairs of wool socks: Wool is the perfect fabric for those cold days, and a few pairs of wool socks will keep your feet warm and dry during different activities.
2-3 pairs of shoes: From ski shoes to casual shoes, it’s important to have a few options that will keep your feet warm and dry while you’re on the slopes or out walking through town.
Polarized sunglasses: The sun is much closer in Tahoe than it is closer to sea level, so bring along a pair of sunglasses so you can see the slopes while you’re skiing or boarding.
What to Pack for Summer in Lake Tahoe
Summertime is when the living is easy, and you can get away with only packing a small bag if you happen to visit during this beautiful season. Here’s what’s on our list for a summer trip to Tahoe:
1 cozy sweater/jacket: It can still get cold during the summer nights, so be sure to pack your favorite comfortable sweater to put on when the chill enters the air.
5-7 casual tops and bottoms: The great thing about summer is that you usually don’t have to layer up too much, so be sure to pack all of your favorite summertime clothing in your luggage.
2-4 pairs of summer shoes: Whether you’re going hiking or biking, having some good shoes will always be an important part of enjoying your vacation.
A bathing suit: Who doesn’t love going to the beach during the summer? Be sure to bring along your swimsuit so you can take a dip while you’re on vacation.
Sunscreen: The mountains are much closer to the sun than you think, so before you lay out for a long tan or enjoy a day of fun on the lake, bring along some sunscreen to protect your skin from that mountain sun.
What to Pack for Winter in Lake Tahoe
Winter is the most popular season of the year for Tahoe, and packing is often difficult for your first skiing or snowboarding vacation. Here’s a few of our best packing ideas for a winter in Tahoe:
A winter coat: This might just be the most important packing essential for your next Lake Tahoe winter trip. Choose wisely–if you’re spending tons of time on the slopes or in the snow, it’s a good idea to bring an insulated jacket that can hold up to the temperature and still keep you tasty.
A wind breaker: Even when you’re not on the mountain, the winter wind can be brutal, so pack a warm and insulated wind-breaking jacket.
A skiing bib or snow pants: Gear up for your next winter vacation in Tahoe with a skiing bib or snow pants in your luggage, which will keep you nice and cozy on your gondola and chairlift rides.
5-6 base layers: We’ve already gone over the importance of layers in Tahoe, but during the wintertime, they are more important than ever.
3-4 bottom base layers: The importance of bringing along bottom base layers that will keep you warm cannot be overstated. Before your trip, grab a few pairs of long john’s to wear underneath your ski bib or snow pants.
Snow boots: Whether you’re doing a lot of on-mountain adventuring or not, snow boots are another essential item. Find some that provide traction in the snow and on the ice.
Beanie or warm hat: Keeping your head warm is more important than you would think when traveling to Tahoe, so include a beanie or warm hat in your luggage that can fit over your ears.
Snow goggles: The glare of the sun off the snow is incredibly bright at times, and ski goggles can help you to combat those harsh rays.
Tips to Make Your Next Tahoe Trip Even Better
Tahoe can be a hard place to pack your luggage for, but with our packing lists, you can breathe a little bit easier knowing that you’ve included everything that you’ll need on your vacation. From winter to summer, you’ll be prepared for whatever Mother Nature decides to throw your way.
Wondering where to find even more Tahoe tips? Have a look at our list of the best nature spots around North Tahoe or our recommendations for the best places to stargaze in the region.