Ten wacky things to do at Lake Tahoe this weekend

The 28th Annual Snowfest Winter Carnival hits Lake Tahoe this weekend, and it's nothin' but fun. Between February 27 and March 8th, visitors can enjoy 50 fun-filled events. Here are some wacky things you can do as a family this weekend:

#1 Polar Bear Swim (Directions) - Saturday @ 2 p.m.

Can anything be wackier than intentionally jumping into 40 degree water? This weekend scads of folks are doin' it. Polar Bear Swim participants compete in a swimming race in Lake Tahoe, beyond the end of Gar Woods’s pier and back (approx. 225 yards). Hundreds gather to watch these [fool] hardy souls as they brave the cold water.

#2 Snowfest Parade (Directions) - Saturday @ 11:30 a.m

See Tahoe's wackiest and wildest strut down North Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City. "Tahoe City Through Time" is this year's parade theme so come early and get the best spot to see Tahoe at its wackiest.

#3 Ice Cream Eating Contest (Directions) - Saturday @ 1 p.m.

See if you can beat the reigning champion, who travels many miles to defend his crown. There will be different age categories to this cold and messy, yet surprisingly yummy, competition. Held at the Tahoe City Fire Station.

#4 Wacky Winter Bowling (Directions) - Sunday @ 10 a.m.

Here's your chance to be, or at least watch, a human bowling ball. Participants will fly down the “bowling lane” on a snow saucer and take out as many giant bowling pins as possible. Helmets required for all sledders and participants 18 and under. Helmets available at event. Saucers provided. Age groups for participating are: 5-11, 12-17, 18 & Up. Held on the Tahoe City Golf course, behind the Bank of America.

#5 Sick & Twisted Freestyle Competition (Directions) - Sunday @ 11 a.m.

As if this inviting title isn't wacky enough, visitors will see who's got the best moves in this Slopestyle competition. This tour showcases local talent in over 12 events per season and awards more than $25,000 in cash and prizes.

#6 Snowball Softball Tournament (Directions) - Sunday @ 12 noon

Spectators can enjoy this six team single elimination tournament, from noon to 6 p.m.

#7 Dog Pull (Directions) - Sunday @ 11 a.m. (Register) and @ 12 noon (to watch)

Folks of all ages can watch, and participate with their pooches in this proud display of canine athleticism. A variety of sizes and shapes of dogs participate in this Big Pull. Fun prizes for dogs, along with dog tag “prizes” to proudly wear around town. Located on the Tahoe City Golf Course, behind the Bank of America.

#8 Fat Cat drawing contest (Directions) - Saturday @ 11 a.m.

Kids, ages 4 to 12 years old, are invited to draw their best "Fat Cat". Draw the best fat cat in your age category, and win great prizes!


#9 Decorate a bear (Directions) - Saturday between 12 noon and 2 p.m.

A free event for children! North Tahoe Arts and the BEAR League invites children of all ages to stop by the North Tahoe Arts Center after the parade and decorate a wooden bear! Children will receive a bear that they can color however they want and can bring them home with afterwards! Juice and cookies will be provided.

Cruising on Lake Tahoe in the Winter

by: TahoeKidsGuide.com

Visiting Lake Tahoe in Winter brings to mind skiing, sledding and generally playing in the snow. Last week, we discovered how amazingly fun, beautiful and educational it can be to take a cruise on the M.S. Dixie II in the Winter.

M.S. Dixie II Captain, Ozzie Gonzalez, greeted us at the gangway with a delightful smile and an eagerness to share his knowledge. Captain Gonzalez began his career on this boat, in 1994, when the it was new.

Our kids did the interviewing. Here's what we learned during our voyage: The boat travels an average of 7.5 miles per hour during its 2 hour journey.

There are 3 levels to the boat. Guest enter the boat on the first level, where you'll find plenty of indoor tables and chairs. The indoor tempature on this level is set at a cozy 72 degrees ferenheit. There is a small outdoor deck on the first level bow (front of the boat). There is no seating outside on level one.

By taking 12 steps up, either indoors or out, you can access the second level bow of the boat. Indoors, on the second level, is where the food is. (and it's good family-food too) In addtion to the snack bar and grill, the second floor also has restrooms and abundant indoor table/chair seating. You can place your order at the counter and your meal is brought to your table by friendly staff.

The third level is entirely outdoors, and provides an awe-inspiring view of the lake and surrounding mountains. We were dressed for snowplay, and were always warm and comfortable while seated on the outside decks.

Our kids agreed, without hesitation, that their favorite part of our adventure on the lake was the paddlewheel, located at the stern. They were intrigued to learn that the paddlewheel rotates towards the boat when going forward, and away from the boat when backing up.

For me and my husband, the highlight of the two hour cruise on the the M.S. Dixie II came as we approached the mouth of Emerald Bay. We had seen Emerald Bay in the Summer and Fall, but this was our first view of this magnificent area in the Winter. It was a completely different experience.

The first thing my husband noticed was how much more majestic Emerald Bay is when you are aboard the only vessel in the bay. In the Summer, the bay is filled with many boats. On this day in February, however, the bay was void of other boats. It was quiet, except for the sounds of our slow-moving boat and excited children.

As the history of Emerald Bay, from how it formed to the construction of the Vikingsholm, played on the speakers on the boat, we we treated to the rare beauty of Emerald Bay in the Winter.

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