SnowFest 2017 North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival
It’s here, SnowFest 2017 North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival will start its 36th annual ten days of crazy winter fun here in North Lake Tahoe, California area this March 3 – 12, 2017!
This is one of my favorite winter events in the Lake Tahoe – Truckee area, and I’m not alone on this as SnowFest has been voted as one of the best annual events.
After several drought years with disappointing winter snow falls, this year will make you forget that ever happened with our massive snow fall that still covers the area. This is one SnowFest week you won’t want to miss.
This annual event, which began back in the spring of 1982, has become the place to be in the North Lake Tahoe area with ten days and nights of exciting fun winter events, and activities for everyone!
You may not know that Tahoe’s SnowFest has become one of the largest winter carnival events in the western United States and is a great way for everyone to celebrate.
The North Lake Tahoe snow festival event planners are busy all year-long to make this winter experience that keeps bringing people back to the North Lake Tahoe area year-after-year.
This year SnowFest 2017 North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival has made a few changes to the schedule and you’ll find that the fireworks show is now on Friday night at Commons Beach in downtown Tahoe City at 8:30 p.m.
You’ll find that the schedule continues to offer fewer multiple events occurring at the same time allowing everyone to be at just about every event without having to miss out on another scheduled event.
SnowFest will begin this year on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Gar Woods Grill and Pier in Carnelian Bay. Tickets are $35 at the door, and will get you into this SnowFest Opening Ceremonies and Queen Coronation.
There will be live music, auction, and more for a fun evening to kick off the SnowFest week of activities!
If you’ll be up in the greater Tahoe City – Truckee, North Lake Tahoe, California area you’ll want to take advantage of all of the fun events that are scheduled for this week.
Some of my favorite events during the ten days are the fireworks show. In the past this has been at Squaw Valley, but this year they will be held on Friday night in downtown Tahoe City in Commons Beach. A fireworks show in North Lake Tahoe is always a must see event!
Next on my list is the annual Tahoe City Parade, which will happen on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
This is small town living at its very best and it a great reminder that a sense of community is often found in the local traditions it celebrates like the annual SnowFest parade in downtown Tahoe City.
A couple of parade watching tips – bring your own folding chairs and arrive early so you can get yourself a good parade watching spot. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with sunshine with temperatures in the low 40’s.
Dress in layers so you can adjust to meet the sunshine, shade, and a breeze if we get one. Bring water, and if you bring your Fido, be sure they are on a lease, and remember to bring plastic bags to pick up after them. You should also be prepared for loud noises, so if your pet does not do well in a crowd, or around other animals, leave them in the car, or at home.
If you are still up for more fun after the parade you you’ll need to check out the 28nd Annual classic Polar Bear Swim at Gar Wood’s in Carnelian Bay.
This is an event that you won’t believe until you’ve been there to watch those brave souls that will actually wade into Lake Tahoe and try to swim that race, let alone finish it.
It’s crazy to watch, and you’ll be impressed with those swimmers that actually finish the race. A must see SnowFest event.
Pacing is the key to success in attending as many SnowFest events as possible, so on Saturday, March 4 you’ll need to pace yourself so you’re ready for more fun on Sunday, March 5, 2017 with the annual Sunnyside Luau at the Sunnyside Resort on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.
During the week there are a number of fun SnowFest events like the Truckee River Winery Wine n’ Ice Competition (Wine N’Ice), BINGO at Rosie’s Cafe, or the Girl’s night out Bunco Bash on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, which is always a sell out.
If you can’t be in North Lake Tahoe on the opening weekend of SnowFest 2017, you’ll get a second chance the following weekend to enjoy the NTPUD pancake breakfast, see another SnowFest parade in downtown Kings Beach on Saturday.
On Sunday, March 12, 2017 SnowFest will come to an end and if you haven’t checked out either the Tahoe Donner Iditarun that benefits the Tahoe Truckee Humane Society, or the River Ranch Snow Sculpture Contest in Alpine Meadows, put both on your list to do this year.
There is so much fun just waiting for you here in North Lake Tahoe and SnowFest 2017 is just one of our annual events that keeps bringing people back to our area year-after-year!
Check out a few of the past SnowFest Lake Tahoe Snow Festival Event highlights here in this video with Laura Allen, Tahoe REALTOR:
Here’s a detailed look at the upcoming SnowFest 2017 North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival Events Schedule:
Thursday, March 2, 2017
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Opening Ceremonies & Queen Coronation at Gar Wood’s in Carnelian Bay, CA (5000 North Lake Blvd.) $35 at the door. Queen coronation, live music, and more!
Friday, March 3, 2017
4 p.m. Willards (170 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA) Apres Ski
8:30 p.m. SnowFest Fireworks Spectacular 2017 – Commons Beach Downtown Tahoe City – You’ll be able to see the fireworks anywhere you can see downtown Tahoe City. This event is Free, but be on time, so you don’t miss anything.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
7 a.m. – 11 a.m. Pancake Breakfast by the Tahoe City Fire Department (North Tahoe Firefighter’s Association) – 222 Fairway Drive (New North Tahoe Fire Station up behind the Cheveron Station in Downtown Tahoe City), Fundraiser for the Firefighter’s Association who works with the NT Fire District.
11 a.m. – 12 noon Paint the Snowman (Crafts) – 380 North Lake Blvd, North Tahoe Arts, Tahoe City, CA
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 noon Parade Watching Party at Blue Agave downtown Tahoe City, CA
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tahoe City SnowFest Parade – downtown Tahoe City, CA – Free
Parade Day Tip – Get to the parade early as parking and access to the downtown area becomes a challenge the closer to it gets to parade time and you know you don’t want to miss a minute of the fun. Bring folding chairs, dress in layers, and wear sun screen so you’ll enjoy the event!
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. SnowFest Post Parade Party Pete ‘n Peters – at 395 N Lake Blvd, downtown Tahoe City, CA. meet the Vulcans from Minnesota and our own miners.
12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. TCNS Winter Party Silent Auction & Raffle, Moe’s Original Bar B Que at 120 Grove Street, downtown Tahoe City, CA. Fundraiser for the Tahoe Community Nursery School.
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. First Annual Snowball Drop – Tahoe City Golf Course|Winter Park 251 North Lake Blvd, downtown Tahoe City, CA. Snowballs are sold in advance byt the 5th -12th grade Tahoe City Students and benefit North Tahoe PTO – all ages. Grand prize $1,000
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 27th Annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim, Gar Woods (5000 North Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay, CA.) Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. with swimmer registration beginning at 1:30 p.m. Race at 2:30 p.m. Call 530-546-3366 for cost to enter the race, or more information. Must be 18+ or older to race.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
(Not on the official SnowFest Calendar, but an impressive event to watch or be in)
9 a.m. 40th Annual Great Ski Race® – The Great Ski Race® is the main fund raising event for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team, a non-profit all-volunteer organization. The Great Ski Race® is one of the largest Nordic ski races in the Western United States. The snow conditions are amazing, and this event is one to see.
40th Annual Great Ski Race®, which will begin at the Tahoe XC Center in Tahoe City, CA and will end up at the Cottonwood Restaurant on the Hilltop in Truckee. If you want to race, you should register in advance. For more information, click here.
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Fat Cat Hot Wing Eating Contest – First Annual competitive Hog Wing Eating Contest – men’s and women heats, 3 minutes to eat as many wings as they can!
4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sunnyside’s Hawaiian Pig Roast – Sunnyside Resort, 1850 West Lake Blvd.,, Tahoe City, CA. Wear your Hawaiian outfits and come out and enjoy a Hawaiian inspired cuisine and cocktail menu. Sign up for the Hula Pie Eating and Hula Hoop Contests. Additional food and drink fees will apply depending on what you order. Nothing feels like SnowFest than wearing Hawaiian shirts, sipping on beach inspired drinks while the snow flakes fall outside. Bring on the winter fun!
Monday, March 6, 2017
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Second Annual Za’s Clam Bake – Za’s, 395 North Lake Blvd., downtown Tahoe City, CA A traditional East Coast Clam Bake including clams, chicken, potatoes, and corn. Call for pricing.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Pete ‘N Peter’s Bar Game Olympics – Pete ‘N Peter’s, age 21+, Entry Fee, downtown Tahoe City, CA, Sign up Early as space is limited 530-583-2400
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
12 noon – 7 p.m. 2014 Wine ‘n Ice Competition – Truckee River Winery’s Ice Carving Extravaganza – Truckee River Winery, 11567 Brockway Road, Truckee, CA Cost: $10 Cover (souvenir wine glass, Marti Gras beads, etc…) Proceeds benefit the Truckee River Watershed Council.
5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. SnowFest Bunco Bash – Girls Night Out North Tahoe Event Center, Kings Beach, CA To purchase tickest on-line at get tickets on-line put in “snowfest” or cash only sales at Truckee Visitor Center in Kings Beach, or The Store in Tahoe City. If there are any tickets left (this has been a sell-out event) cash tickets at the door, must be 21+ or older.
9 p.m. 11 p.m. Rosie’s Bingo Night – Rosie’s Café, downtown Tahoe City, CA Cost $5/per card to play at the door, and you can play more than one card! Great prizes!
Thursday, March 9, 2017
7 p.m. 8 p.m. Black Beeman Pay it Forward Music Festival, Blue Agave, downtown Tahoe City, CA 425 North Lake Blvd., Music and social tribute to the legacy of local legend and friend Black Beeman.
Friday, March 10, 2017
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Bridgetender Rib Fest (65 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City) – This event sells out every year, so get their early if you love to eat ribs. Pricing available at the event.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD) Pancake Breakfast – North Lake Tahoe Event Center, downtown Kings Beach, CA Pricing available for Adults and Children at event.
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. SnowFest Kings Beach Parade, downtown Kings Beach, CA The parade will move along Hwy 28 in downtown Kings Beach! Over 30+ local businesses and non-profit groups will have parade entries.
12 noon. – 1 p.m. Chili Cook Off – Kings Beach Library, 301 Secline Beach, Kings Beach, CA
Sunday, March 12, 2017
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. River Ranch Annual Snow Sculpture Contest, River Ranch, Hwy 89 South at the entrance to Alpine Meadows, CA 29th Annual snow sculpture contest. Entry fee to build a sculpture, but Free Admission to see the entries. Cost on any food or beverage items purchased.
12 noon – 1 p.m. Tahoe Donner Ididarun – Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area – 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee, CA in Tahoe Donner, Truckee, CA – Event sign-ups start at 12 noon and the race starts at 1 p.m. Event takes about 2 hours. Raffle proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Tahoe-Truckee – all ages are welcome – different dog categories.
Get ready to have a lot of fun regardless of the weather conditions. SnowFest only happens once a year, and this is one of my favorite events that happens here in the greater Lake Tahoe area! Have some fun, make some memories, come to Lake Tahoe!
To check for updates, or more information on events check out the SnowFest 2017 schedule here, or better yet plan to be here in Lake Tahoe and have some winter fun!
See you at some of the SnowFest 2017 North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival events this year!
Thinking about making Lake Tahoe, California your second home? Check out the homes that are for sale here:
Want to see what condos are for sale in Lake Tahoe? Here are the current listings:
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For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –
Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260 | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE, Tahoe Real Estate Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker, Tahoe City, CA CalRE#01908304
All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.
SnowFest 2017 North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival
