Tahoe in February is bound to be snowy, so pack up your dog and bring your cross-country skis, snowshoes and boots for the daytime and retreat to your cozy cabin at night. The area is rich in cabin and cottage hotels, many dating to the 1930s-1950s and imparting a rustic, “old Tahoe” feel. But fear not that “rustic” means creaky plumbing and saggy mattresses; our favorite DogTrekker retreats are comfortably furnished, and the hot water never runs out.
On the North Shore, the elegant, two-story Cedar Glen Lodge is surrounded by a cluster of smartly renovated cabins with studios and two-bedroom, two-bath units with a full kitchen and stone fireplace. There’s plenty of room for you and your dog to warm up by the outdoor fire pit, and while dogs aren’t allowed in the Rustic Lounge or wine bar, humans will relish the restaurant’s highly regarded cuisine and lake views. The grounds offer a great space for your pup to stretch her legs after a day on the trails, and the friendly staff keeps dog treats at the front desk.
We have many other cottage-hotel favorites at the lake, including Rustic Cottages on the North Shore, Fireside Lodge B&B in south Lake Tahoe, Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages on the West Shore and Zephyr Cove Resort on the lake’s Nevada side. A bit farther afield, Sorensen’s Resort at Hope Valley, a beautiful area for outdoor recreation, is a well-kept cluster of historic log cabins with a highly regarded restaurant and quick access to cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.
A few tips for winter travel with your dog: Pack paw balm or booties, especially if your pup isn’t used to walking on snow and ice. Road salt and de-icers can irritate pads, so rinse your dog’s feet when you get back to the cabin. Bring an extra towel or two for drying off a wet, snowy pup before she hops on the furniture. And don’t forget a warm dog jacket if your companion has a thin coat — temperatures around the lake regularly dip into the teens overnight in February. Most importantly, keep your dog close on snowy trails where visibility can change quickly, and always carry fresh water since eating snow can lower your pup’s body temperature.
