Orbitz picks Tahoe as No. 1 ski/board destination

A national online travel firm has confirmed what those who've skied or snowboarded in the Lake Tahoe area have known for years: Tahoe is the No. 1 ski destination in the country.

The travel booking giant, Orbitz.com, reported Lake Tahoe as the top choice among travelers booking hotel and vacation packages between Nov. 20 and May 1.

Based on hotel and package sales, Lake Tahoe moved from the No. 3 spot last year to the top spot this year as more people flocked to the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada.

Trailing Lake Tahoe was another California ski resort, Mammoth Lakes, followed by Park City, Utah; Breckenridge, Colo.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; and tied for sixth were Steamboat Springs and Vail, both in Colorado.

Three other Colorado ski areas finished up the list: Snowmass, Keystone and Winter Park.

More than a dozen ski resorts are located in or near the Tahoe Basin, while the lake’s beauty, Nevada gaming and nightlife offer visitors a wide range of activities.

Orbitz Ski Index gave Lake Tahoe high marks, especially during the early spring, when “visitors can satisfy two urges in one day” — skiing and golf.

“With seven ski resorts and expansive terrain spread over more than 17,000 acres, skiers and snowboarders of all levels are sure to find plenty of runs to fit any level of expertise,” Orbitz said on its Web site.

Orbitz also noted that one of Lake Tahoe’s strengths as a ski destination is its proximity to Reno. In the midst of winter, skiers can spend a half-day on the slopes, then spend the afternoon on the golf course.