Hot Saucer!
Sled at Granlibakken in Tahoe
Among six-pack chairlifts, supersized gondolas, and gnarly terrain parks, sometimes it's refreshing to experience something old-skool and quaint. Hello Granlibakken! In Norwegian, the name means a hill sheltered by trees. In Tahoe, it means a family-owned "resort" hideaway within half a mile of Tahoe City.
Granlibakken looks and feels like a throwback … like way back … and that's all part of its present-day charm. There's a woodsy lodge. There's the Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park, open year round. There's a small, historically significant ski hill accessed by a rope tow. And then there's what seems to be the most popular activity during winter: sledding. You won't exactly have to hold onto your hat for this adventure: the well-maintained hill is good, tame fun. And it makes for an economical and enjoyable family activity: $14 gets you access to the hill and a saucer rental. Then hit the slope! Yep, the slope. There's only one. Do your best Clark Griswold imitation, and repeat.
TIP: Warm your bones inside the cozy lodge, where the café sells basics including chips, chili, hot chocolate, beer, and wine.
$14 gets you access to the toboggan hill plus a saucer. Granlibakken's snowplay area is open every day; the ski hill is open on weekends and holidays.
