The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Adds Luxe Touch to Family Ski Vacation

Lake Tahoe is famous for its many winter ski resorts, but, if you’re looking for a luxury ski-in/ski-out property for you and the family, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is the only game in town.

Outdoor Fire pit © The Ritz –Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Located mid-mountain at Northstar California Resort, the property is not only upping the ante with luxury services this season — including ski valets, gourmet dining and seasonal spa treatments — but staff are also going all out to woo its younger guests.

Each year during the holiday season, for example, there are special appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a life-sized gingerbread ski gondola and a dozen brightly decorated holiday trees on display. The property will also decorate your guestroom with your own holiday tree by advance request and for a fee, decorated with string lights and bulbs in a range of sizes.

Not visiting until after the holidays? No worries, the property is serious about fun all winter with Marshmology s’mores roasting experiences around the outdoor fire pit, astronomy lessons, storytelling and more for children and parents. The property also boasts a Very Important Kids (VIK) program that offers daily, supervised, half- and full-day activities for children aged 5-12. Little guests can join scavenger hunts, learn arts and crafts, go on outdoor adventures and play games 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with lunch provided with the full-day option.

Downmountain exterior, night © The Ritz –Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Or go all out with the Total Package, which includes luxury accommodations in a king or queen/queen room, a private snowshoeing lesson for a family of four, a $100 resort credit and, most importantly, an Indoor Camp Out, for children aged 4-8. The way it works is staff set up a 3-by-4-foot tent with Ritz-Carlton linens and featherbed right in your guestroom or suite, along with an activity book with crayons, camp light and a teddy bear. You even get a s’mores kit for the whole family to enjoy at the fire pit.

Lobby, fireplace at night © The Ritz –Carlton, Lake Tahoe

The total package starts at $899 per night and must be purchased at least a week in advance.

Need more space? The resort’s two- and three-bedroom Luxury Residences offer plenty of room and views, along with such exclusive in-room experiences as massage treatments, caviar and cocktail receptions and pasta-making classes with the resort’s executive chef Mark Jeffers.

Dining is a priority throughout the property, and options include an Après-Ski Experience in the backyard that guests can ski or snowboard directly into, with Moët & Chandon Champagne and a raw bar serving shrimp cocktail, oysters and ceviche. You can also get casual at the Backyard Bar & BBQ overlooking the slopes or go gourmet at Manzanita, the resort’s signature restaurant offering seasonal and locally sourced California cuisine.

Manzanita © The Ritz –Carlton, Lake Tahoe

For some après-ski pampering, Mom and Dad can enjoy the winter spa menu, which tackles the sore muscles and other results of a day in the wintry outdoors.

Easy access is another feature of the resort, driving distance from the San Francisco Bay Area, also accessible from the Truckee Airport, just four miles away. Hotel guests are greeted at the airport and transported to the mountain resort in a Ritz-Carlton Mercedes van and their gear, including skis and snowboards, are transferred directly to the ski valet until they need it.

S’mores © The Ritz –Carlton, Lake Tahoe