Ring in the New Year at Squaw Valley USA with a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Extravaganza. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and is viewable from the Base Area. Grab a hot cocoa and find a seat as you take in the New Year with an amazing firework display at the bottom of the mountain. The show is scheduled at 9:30 p.m. to accommodate the families that will be ringing in the New Year at High Camp to give them time to get down and celebrate in the base area.

Resort at Squaw Creek reinvented its family-friendly New Year’s Eve Holiday Party to become a complete night of entertainment in the Grand Sierra Ballroom. Doors open at 7 p.m. with a gourmet buffet, children’s buffet, and a magician to entertain guests while dining. At 9 p.m. a balloon drop with sparkling cider toast, ideal for all ages, takes place. At 9:15 p.m., comedian Rick D’Elia, takes the stage to add a little PG-rated humor to the evening. Then a DJ spins dance-beat tunes leading up to the Champagne toast and balloon drop to ring in the New Year at midnight local time. An array of late night appetizers, including Kobe beef sliders and rolled chicken quesadillas, will be served prior to midnight balloon drop and toast. Tickets are $75 for adults and $25 for children ages 4 to 12. Prices are plus tax and gratuity. Children 3-and-under are free. Reservations are required at 530-581-6686. In an adjacent ballroom, movies for younger children will be offered in a supervised environment, so parents need not worry about children getting too tired for the late night festivities. Items at the buffet include Pacific oysters, peel and eat shrimp, stone crab claws and spicy cocktail sauce with fresh sliced lemons and horseradish. Hot entrees include Chianti-braised veal with tomato and mushroom parmesan whipped potato mousseline, pan-seared Pacific crab cakes with roasted garlic aioli and citrus beurre blanc, braised radicchio and arugula, and tri-peppercorn crusted New York Sirloin. Dessert offers numerous selections. The children’s buffet features mini pizzas, chicken tenders and other dishes suited for a younger palate. For a complete menu visit http://www.magicalsquawcreek.com.

Continuing Magical Memories holiday celebration events take place New Year’s Day, 11 a.m.-noon, when a legion of brave souls have the opportunity to greet 2011 with an icy splash into one of the resort’s unheated swimming pools for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. The heated main swimming pool and hot tubs will offer a warm-up following the dip. Hot chocolate will be awaiting the participants afterward, and a prize. Throughout New Year’s Day the traditional football bowl games aired on big screen televisions at Sandy’s Pub.

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Guests are invited to ring in the New Year with Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort at the annual Fire andamp; Ice New Year’s Eve party, open to all ages in the Village at Northstar. There will be live music and entertainment throughout the day including fire dancers, fireworks, skating, food, drink specials and other fun. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe just above Northstar will continue the New Year’s festivities with a celebration in the ballroom complete with entertainment, an extravagant dessert buffet, open bar, Champagne toast and dancing until 1 a.m. Tickets are $65 for hotel guests and $95 for non-hotel guests. Call 530-562-3000 for information.

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Join a Torchlight Parade on New Year’s Eve, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee, Dec. 31, 6 p.m. This event is for intermediate skiers and riders age 10 or older who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on our Racecourse run. Come early to secure a spot in the parade. A DJ and snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. Sign-up is from 4:30-5:45 p.m. with a 6 p.m. start time. Info at ski@tahoedonner.com or 530-587-9444.

To help ring in the New Year at the River Ranch, Chef Walter has an exciting menu available starting at 5 p.m. from $36.95-$49.94 that includes a choice of soup or salad. A children’s menu is available as well for $14.95. Reservations are suggested on this busy holiday night at 530-583-4264. The River Ranch Lodge andamp; Restaurant is on Highway 89 at Alpine Meadows Road, just north of Tahoe City and 10 miles south of Truckee.

Come early with the family for an a la carte menu, or come later for a three-course prix fixe dinner, Friday, Dec. 31 Jake’s on the Lake in Tahoe City, Boatworks Mall. Guaranteed reservations required. At the countdown to midnight ring in the New Year 2011 with party favors, hats, balloon drop and a Champagne toast. DJ Ryu will play dining and dancing music, no cover charge. Free Night Rider service. For reservations please call 530-583-0188 or visit http://www.jakestahoe.com.

Wear your white attire to the White Room Party, featuring two awesome bands: Subjektochange and Drop Theory. Tickets are $15 in advance (available at the brewery) or $20 at the door. Put on your dance shoes, dig out your best white duds and party at Fifty fifty, 11197 Brockway Road, Truckee, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. Call 530-587-BEER for info.

Lake Tahoe’s West Shore Caf is now open for dining and lodging, 5160 West Lake Boulevard, Homewood. Located lakeside and adjacent to the slopes of Homewood Mountain Resort, the West Shore Caf offers guests a new menu, beautiful surroundings, warm ambiance, and close access to skiing at Homewood. New Year’s Eve menuWelcome 2011 with lakefront, gourmet decadence. The West Shore Caf will host a New Year’s Eve menu, presenting a four-course, prix fixe menu complete with Champagne. Taste Chef Bryce’s most creative celebratory dishes, including oyster-saffron bisque, frisee with pine nuts and burrata cheese, venison osso bucco; and a palate of desserts including Ghirardelli chocolate mousse. Reservations are required for New Year’s Eve at 530-525-5200.

Big Water Grille will offer an early seating reservations 5-6 p.m. with a three course menu for $55 per person or a late seating for $100 per person that includes live music during dinner, dancing to DK, party favors and Champagne toast at midnight. Reservations required for both at 775-833-0606 or http://www.bigwatergrille.com. The menu features: Hors d’oeuvre of Dungeness crab cake, citrus aioli; Filet of beef stuffed fingerling, blue cheese; Stuffed mushroom cap, parmesan, spinach. Starter choices lobster bisque, lobster sausage, oven dried tomato; Pumpkin Cannelloni, truffled cream spinach, ricotta, wild mushrooms; Waldorf salad andamp;#8212;apples, celery, candied red walnuts, blue cheese dressing. Entre choices New Zealand rack of lamb, shank caillette, cabbage, lentils, baby carrots, cabernet reduction; Seared sea scallops, wild mushroom risotto, truffles, brussels sprouts; Filet of beef, potato-leek gratin, rapini, short rib rag. Dessert choices apple tart with vanilla ice cream; Chocolate cheesecake, crme anglaise; Pineapple Upside Down Cake, caramel, lemon sorbet.

The Cal Neva will feature a New Year’s Eve party with three areas of music. Advance tickets are $33 or $40 at the door. Doors will open at 9 p.m. and the music starts at 9:30 p.m. For information call 775-832-4000 or visit http://www.calnevaresort.com.

The Crystal Bay Steak andamp; Lobster House will offer two seatings on New Year’s Eve, 5:30-6:30 p.m. is $85 per person, 8:30 p.m. seating is $99 per person. The menu is: Marscapone Orzo pasta with fresh Dungeness crab and olive oil appetizer, hearts of Belgium endive, Stilton cheese, spiced pecans, red grapes, pomegranates and basil vinaigrette salad. The entree choices are: Angus filet mignon with morel mushrooms, foi gras and Cabernet glace; Steam Australian lobster tail with Newburg cream and Norwegian bay shrimp; or Slow roasted half Peking duck with Grand Marnier orange sauce. The entree is served with garlic mashed potatoes and three seasonal vegetables. Dessert features either a strawberry Romanoff or chocolate fondue with fresh berries and both are accompanied by a flute of Champagne. Call 775-833-6333 or visit http://www.crystalbaycasino.com.

The Lone Eagle Grille will celebrate New Year’s Eve from 8- 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, with a five course dinner that includes personalized champagne glasses, photos in a New Year’s frame and masquerade mask favors. Cost is $250 per person. Entertainment provided by Jeff Jones until 1 a.m. Complimentary passed appetizers throughout the lounge and complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. Reservations recommended at 775-886-6899 or online at loneeaglegrille.com. Complimentary valet service and safe ride home within Incline Village.First course choices: Sauted artisan foie gras with persimmon compote and warm spiced demi; Candy stripe beet carpaccio with pickled root vegetables, chevril vinaigrette and Humboldt fog goat cheese drizzle ; chilled Hama Hama oysters on the half shell filled with California Caviar and dungeness crabmeat. The second course choices: Black truffle and aromatic vegetable Velout en Croute; Juan de Fuca Spot prawn bisque with a shrimp fritter. Third course choices: Baby spinach salad with Carmody cheese and macerated currants, warm boar bacon/Dijon vinaigrette; Bibb salad with Clementines, heart of palm and pomegranate, Champagne dressing. Fourth course choices: Maine lobster with winter vegetable and white truffle risotto, sauce maltaise; pheasant roulade with prosciutto, sweet breads, artichokes and heirloom potatoes, alpine herb jus; butter poached and mesquite grilled bone-in beef tenderloin with Point Reyes and Butterball potato strudel, educated guess demi; cedar wrapped troll caught winter King Salmon and smoked Kurobuta pork belly with an Apple Hill tart with red onions and yams, cider broth. Fifth course: Fragrant orange crme brulee on short dough crust, chocolate bouchon with caramelized cocoa beans and coffee praline and milk chocolate Napoleon.

The Tahoe Biltmoreandamp;#8217;s New Years Eve Extravaganza will feature a night of fun and festivities including a give away of $2,011 in 2011 with hot seat drawings 8:30 -11:30 p.m. Live music 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. with the Dane Rinehart Band in the Breeze from 10 p.m. until early morning 2011. Free party favors and a free Champagne toast at midnight. Food specials at the Biltmore start with fine dining at Conradandamp;#8217;s Steak and Chophouse. Enjoy a special New Yearandamp;#8217;s Eve prix fixed menu or Conradandamp;#8217;s regular full menu. Call 775-833-6748 for reservations. The Biltmore Caf has a special New Yearandamp;#8217;s buffet for late night diners offering quick, quality food so you can get back out to enjoy the festivities.