By Tim Hauserman

It happens at the beginning of every winter. As the snow blankets the mountains around Lake Tahoe, we abandon our fall activities near the lake shore and head to the downhill slopes or the cross country ski trails. We revel in the joys of snow, it’s is what we are supposed to be doing in the winter after all, but that big beautiful body of deep blue water is still there, and in some ways is more spectacular than ever.

Recently after returning to my home in Tahoe Park after skiing I sat bundled up writing. I was deep in thought about how best to tell the story of an iconic local skier and climber when I glanced out the window and saw just a hint of pink in the sky popping up above the fir trees across the highway. I leapt out of my chair, because writers are always looking for a semi valid excuse to not be writing, and tromped across the highway to the Tahoe Park Beach.

Laying placidly above Lake Tahoe were scattered precursor clouds of the next storm that would bring a few more inches of snow to the lake. A gentle breeze pushed soft waves to the shoreline. Not a boat could be seen on the lake, and the usually bustling Sunnyside Lodge pier lay quiet.

As the sunset progressed over the lake I was treated to a display that was just as pretty as the those I see in the summer, but there was a quiet that you only feel during the winter. As an added bonus the peaks were covered in a fresh layer of white. Yes, it was cold, and I was glad to be wrapped up in a warm jacket, but the cold was invigorating and a reminder of the power of winter in the Sierra.

Next time you head to Sunnyside apres ski take a few moments before you dive into the fish taco special, or tell tall ski tales around the fire, to stand along the shoreline and contemplate the sunset and Lake Tahoe. Yes, even though it is winter, Tahoe is still magnificent and still well worth your time.