7 Reasons to Explore Wellness in North Lake Tahoe
It’s time to get out of the office and into the mountains where you can unplug and hit reset. When you blend wellness with travel, you not only experience the best a place has to offer, but you feel rejuvenated when returning home. A trip to North Lake Tahoe is the perfect ticket for finding your center no matter what type of adventurer you are.
1. Fresh air, pure water, and endless outdoor activities
Photo Credit: Ryan Salm Photography
It’s scientifically proven that spending time in nature reduces stress, improves mood and enhances cognitive performance (while also providing a great workout). So imagine how healing and transformative it would be to spend a few days – or weeks – playing in one of the clearest bodies of water in the world. Now add to that miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking, many of which are vibrant with blooming wildflowers and rushing waterfalls. With perfect temperatures lingering around 80 degrees, and long days and warm nights, you will leave the Sierra feeling happier, healthier and sharper than ever.
2. Unique nature-inspired spa treatments offer a holistic wellness experience
Photo Credit: The-Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe
Who doesn’t secretly want to spend an entire day of their vacation being pampered? Whether your body needs to recover from a day of summer skiing, downhill mountain biking, or walking the cobblestone streets of North Tahoe’s shopping areas, a myriad of luxurious spas offer pure rejuvenation. Unique options can be found in North Tahoe and include high-altitude adjustment treatments at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, hot stone massages with rocks sourced directly from the lake at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, and even a relaxation treatment just for kids at the Resort at Squaw Creek spa. Following the same principle as reason #1 above, most local spas integrate outdoor elements in their interiors for a full sensory experience that blends seamlessly with your vacation.
3. Combine wellness and unbeatable outdoor adventure
Photo Credit: Chris Bartkowski
Home of the ultimate dual sport day, North Lake Tahoe knows a great pairing when it sees one (see the North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail). For wellness warriors visiting in the summer, it’s just as easy to combine yoga with another adventure or even something delicious. In fact, the owners of Petra Wine and Tahoe Yoga (located in the village of Northstar California), know exactly how well an hour of outdoor power yoga and an evening of wine tasting go together with Sips & Salutations.
If you prefer to pair yoga with something a little more adventurous, change your perspective with stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga on Lake Tahoe. Practice your downward dog and warrior poses while balancing on turquoise alpine water. On a hot summer day, go out with Mountain Lotus Yoga and you will likely intentionally lose your balance more than once.
4. Move your yoga practice to the air and the water
Photo Credit: Chris Bartkowski
If yoga on a mat has never been your thing, or you’re looking to take your practice to new heights, try something new like acro yoga, aerial fabrics, or aerial hoop (yoga in a suspended hula hoop). Going from the ground to the air will work muscles you never knew you had. It will position your body into elegant poses, and provide the perfect atmosphere for uninhibited self-expression.
5. Four days of exquisitely curated wellness at Wanderlust Squaw Valley
Photo Credit: Wanderlust Festival
Wanderlust has become synonymous with wellness around the world and it all started in North Lake Tahoe nine years ago. This four-day yoga and wellness festival takes place in both the Village and at High Camp of Squaw Valley. From July 20-23, participants will navigate several days of workshops led by globally recognized yoga and meditation instructors. They’ll also savor in thought-provoking lecture series, sustainable farm-to-table dining and live music from acts like Quixotic and Little Dragon. With a goal of helping people discover their true north, Wanderlust Squaw Valley gives health-conscious yogis of all ability levels a safe and stunning place to look inward.
6. Sustainable menus crafted from locally sourced ingredients
Photo Credit: West Shore Cafe
No matter what kind of traveler you are or where you’re traveling from, tasting local cuisine is one of the best ways to experience a new environment. In North Tahoe, the theme of cuisine is undoubtedly sustainable, seasonal and intentionally crafted. The Tahoe Food Hub, a local non-profit provides locally-owned restaurants with fresh, in-season ingredients for local chefs to make magic with. Foodies can sample from dishes like the Beer Brined Chicken (with local veggies and poultry) from West Shore Cafe, Pan Roasted California Halibut from Christy Hill, or the easy and healthy grab-and-go Harmony Wrap from Mountain High Sandwich Co. As the cherry on top, almost every restaurant you select will provide a multi-sensory experience with stunning lake and mountain views, cozy interiors, and immediate access to world-class recreation. Healthy, tasty, adventurous and Instagrammable? Culinary and wellness at its finest.
7. Authentic connections made over delicious healthy meals
Photo Credit: Niobe Burden
Wellness wouldn’t be achieved without inspirational human connection and a few new bits of knowledge. Fortunately, you’ll have your cake local cheese platter and eat it too with chef’s tasting tables that go beyond just in-person meal prep. At Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique, Chef Douglas Dale leads groups through the Tahoe City Farmer’s Market and then provides instruction on how best to shop and cook with ingredients. This hands-on experience ends with a shared meal and combines stunning lake views with curated wines. Tucked back in the mountains, Manzanita in The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe offers guests a chef’s tasting counter for an interactive tapas tasting with the chef himself. Offering only the finest seasonal ingredients and a decor that radiates warmth, you’ll find yourself engulfed in pure healthy indulgence.
Combine wellness with adventure and you will leave North Tahoe with a clear mind and open heart. Share how you create wellness in North Tahoe by tagging your photos with #TahoeNorth!
Feature image credit: Ryan Salm Photography