Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center
- Guided tours to lake overlooks above 9,000 ft
- Scenic Lakeview Tour, about 2 hours
- Ultimate Experience, about 4 hours
- Check in at Zephyr Cove Resort, 760 US-50
ActivitiesSnowmobiling & Sleigh Rides
Snowmobiling and sleigh rides at Lake Tahoe
Guided snowmobile tours climb to ridge-top lake views above 9,000 feet, self-drive tracks sit right in town, and horse-drawn sleighs run at Sand Harbor.
Conditions today
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Today
- High 72°, low 48°
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Snow base
- No snow reported
- Resorts open
- 0
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Best months
- Jan: best
- Feb: best
- Mar: best
- Apr: possible
- May: out of season
- Jun: out of season
- Jul: out of season
- Aug: out of season
- Sep: out of season
- Oct: out of season (this month)
- Nov: out of season
- Dec: best
Late December to mid-March for most tours, depending on snow. Lake Tahoe Adventures ran from December 27 to March 15 in the 2025-26 season.
Know before you go
- Ages
- Tour riders must be at least 5. Drivers must be 16 or older and show proof of age; under-18s need a parent’s written consent.
- Getting there
- Zephyr Cove tours check in at the Zephyr Cove Resort lodge on Highway 50 and shuttle riders to the trails. Arrive early; Lake Tahoe Adventures asks for 2 hours 15 minutes.
- Your own sled
- Hope Valley Sno-Park has groomed routes for private snowmobiles. You need a Sno-Park permit and California or Nevada OHV registration, and wilderness areas and ski areas are closed to snowmobiles.
- Dress
- Ridge-top tours are cold and windy. Wear layers, waterproof gloves and snow boots; some operators rent warm gear.
Best known for
- Zephyr CoveTours to lake views above 9,000 ft
- Lake Tahoe AdventuresHope Valley backcountry
- Tahoe Sleigh RideHorse-drawn sleighs at Sand Harbor
Shore by shore
North Shore
Most tours leave from the South and East Shores. From the North Shore, Sand Harbor's sleigh rides are the closest winter ride.
East Shore
Zephyr Cove Resort is where both guided tour companies check in, and Sand Harbor has the horse-drawn sleigh rides.
South Shore
Tahoe Snowmobiles runs self-drive tracks at Stateline and near Meyers. Hope Valley Sno-Park is for riders with their own snowmobiles.
West Shore
There are no snowmobile tours on the West Shore. Zephyr Cove, on the East Shore, is the nearest departure.
6 places for snowmobiling & sleigh rides
Open the snowmobile and sleigh mapLake Tahoe Adventures
- Backcountry tours above Hope Valley, 7,200 to 10,000+ ft
- Free shuttle from Zephyr Cove Resort
- Riders 5 and up, drivers 16 and up
Check in at the Zephyr Cove Resort lodge 2 hours 15 minutes before your tour
Full detailsMore on laketahoeadventures.com (opens in a new tab)Tahoe Snowmobiles, Stateline
- Self-drive laps on a groomed snowmobile track
- Next to Tahoe Blue Event Center
- Drivers 16 and up
- Snow tubing on site
Tahoe Snowmobiles, Lake Tahoe Golf Course
- Self-drive snowmobile track near Meyers
- 2500 Emerald Bay Rd
- Drivers 16 and up
- Snow tubing on site
Hope Valley Sno-Park
- For riders with their own snowmobiles
- Groomed: Blue Lakes (11.5 mi) and Forestdale (3.5 mi)
- Ungroomed: Willow Creek (8.5 mi)
- Fee
- Sno-Park permit $15/day or $40/season
Snowmobiles need California or Nevada OHV registration
Full detailsMore on ohv.parks.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)Tahoe Sleigh Ride at Sand Harbor
- Horse-drawn rides in antique European sleighs
- In front of the Sand Harbor Visitor Center
- Reserve online
Formerly Borges Sleigh and Carriage Rides
Full detailsMore on sleighride.com (opens in a new tab)Gear and rentals nearby
Open the amenities map- Tahoe Paddle & OarRentals, Kings Beach, CAKayak, SUP, pontoon & pedal boat
- Emerald Bay Water SportsRentals, South Lake Tahoe, CAGuided kayak tours, Emerald Bay access
- Zephyr Cove Boat RentalsRentals, Zephyr Cove, NVPowerboats, pontoons, jet ski, parasailing
- Tahoe City KayakRentals, Tahoe City, CAKayak & SUP rentals, Lake access
- Sand Harbor Clear Kayak ToursRentals, Sand Harbor, NVClear kayak tours, Stunning east shore water
- Camp Richardson WatersportsRentals, South Lake Tahoe, CAKayak, SUP, paddleboats, South shore
Guides and official sites
These open on other websites.