Author: Kayla Anderson

My name is Kayla and I live in North Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Along with snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, and golfing, I love to read, write, and drink coffee. As a full-time freelance writer, I regularly contribute to The Tahoe Weekly, the Sparks Tribune, and Enjoy magazine. To see samples of my work, view all of my recent articles here. I’ve also written a few eBooks. I'm also excited to announce that I co-authored a book with Stuart Thornton titled Northern California Road Trips out in stores now! It is the perfect companion for a trip around Northern California, spelling out where to go, what to see, and what to do in the state's coastal and inland regions. This comprehensive guide also includes a variety of maps, images, and information about national parks such as Lassen, Crater Lake, Yosemite, and more. I hope you enjoy reading Northern California Road Trips as much as I enjoyed writing it and that you find a place (or a few) that you connect with. I'm currently working on the second edition of this book, set to be released in Summer 2023.
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Iron & Wood—A Way to Keep Your Golf Game Up in The Worst Weather

January 7, 2026 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published in the Holiday Issue of IVCBA’s Seasonal Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY, Written by Kayla Anderson

Incline Village is known for its changing wintry weather, and not everyone is a skier or snowboarder. Fortunately, Tahoe natives Will and Ashley Wolford manage a place behind The Paddle Wheel on 120 Country Club Drive #15 that invites locals and visitors to come in anytime, relax, and play some golf…no matter what Mother Nature orchestrates outside. 

With a single bay facing Trackman iO golf simulator screens, golf aficionados can practice their swing year-round at Iron & Wood while using state-of-the-art technology that provides relatable data, which in turn helps improve their game. 

“The ball flies higher and farther up here, so it’s helpful to come practice before playing a Tahoe course,” Will says. 

Will and Ashley are both from North Lake Tahoe but connected years later after they moved back and met on a blind date at the Tahoe City Golf Course. Ashley is from Incline Village and has been a golf instructor with IVGID for the past few years. After having their first child (now almost 2 years old), the couple wanted to start their own business. 

“We wanted to live in Tahoe and knew golf would somehow be a part of that,” Ashley says about how they came up with the Iron & Wood concept. She explains that Iron & Wood is a multi-use venue that caters to locals, visitors looking for something to do, and those who want to take lessons with Ashley. 

“People saw the benefit in practicing consistently beforehand and faster improvement in their game. And we use real golf balls,” Ashley says. 

Will adds that, along with being in a nice indoor environment, people can actually talk to each other while playing instead of being away from their friends searching for their ball, plus it’s good for beginners because you can move along the course at your own speed instead of having to worry about the pace of play. Iron & Wood gets a mix of non-golfers, golfers, kids, and people who even rent out the space for their weddings, bachelor parties, and birthday parties, although the couple’s ultimate goal is to feed golfers to the course.

“Our goal is to build better golfers,” Will says. 

Iron & Wood is rented by the hour, and there are around 400 courses loaded onto the Trackman golf simulator. 

Incline Village resident Chris Feroli has been a familiar face at Iron & Wood since day one. After moving to Incline five years ago, he started taking lessons with Ashley about three years ago.

“I’ve been coming here since Iron & Wood opened, I think I signed up right when it started,” Chris says with a grin. “In the winter, I’m usually here twice a week.”

He plays once a week at the Championship Golf Course in the summertime and says his game has improved immensely since he started frequenting Iron & Wood. 

“I have way more confidence out on the course. And these two are great; they’re friendly and welcoming. It’s fun to watch their business grow and nice to play year-round,” Feroli adds.For more information about Iron & Wood or to book a reservation, visit https://www.ironandwoodgolf.com/.

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Diamond Peak Celebrates 60 Years

January 7, 2026 | Kayla Anderson

Originally published in the Holiday Issue of IVCBA’s LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Magazine, written by Kayla Anderson

Sixty years ago, back when Incline Village was becoming a town, 655-acre Ski Incline was taking root as a community-owned ski resort. It celebrated a lot of “firsts” in the Tahoe ski industry at the time, it was one of the first resorts in the area to have original moving magic carpets, the first to have a manmade snowmaking system, and I believe it was the first to have a mascot (Penguin Pete—that was the brainchild of New Zealander Ski School Director Bee Ferrato). In 1985, when it installed the Crystal Ridge quad, it opened a whole new world of black diamond terrain, hence the resort changed its name to Diamond Peak. 

Twenty years ago, I was working in the wakeboarding industry in Orlando, Florida, and soon missed having four seasons—I had to buy a sweater every time I came home for Christmas. As an avid snowboarder, I applied for winter ski resort jobs at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, and Sunriver in Bend, Oregon, in October 2006. Diamond Peak called me back first.  

By December 2006, I had moved to Carnelian Bay with three guys who also secured jobs at Diamond Peak (I spent my first night in town going to the ICBA’s Christmas Tree Village Pray for Snow party, where I met one of my bosses, Mike Bandelin). As a lift operator, I worked with fellow chair bumpers from New Zealand, Australia, South America, and beyond, on J-1 visas during their summer breaks.  

Ed Youmans was the general manager, and Mike Bandelin was the mountain manager at the time, and they were both great to work for. Mike had worked at the resort since he was 17 years old, and hailing from Vernon, New Jersey, I believe Ed became the GM in 1995. 

Ed used to tell unbelievable stories of his time working at Action Park, now fondly remembered as “The World’s Most Dangerous Waterpark.” Diamond Peak Ski Operations Manager Jay Rydd used to work with Ed at Action Park, and I’m sure he has his own stories to tell. 

The Lift Op Life

Before Diamond Peak renovated its ski school, there used to be a locker room facing out to the Lakeview chairlift that we used to call The Bunker because it was partly underground. Every Friday night, we had little impromptu rail jams outside The Bunker, where we would drag a barbecue out into the snow and find things like trash cans, fences, and unused railings that we could slide off on our snowboards (the whole freestyle skiing scene hadn’t come into existence yet). In January, after we got several storms that dumped feet of snow, the cat drivers pushed piles of it under the Lakeview chairlift and behind The Bunker. Ski School carved the snow piles into a gigantic sea turtle and the other a 10-ft. long whale with pinecone eyes. Tourists who didn’t ski came to Diamond Peak just to take pictures of the whale. At one of our Friday night rail jams, we tried to jib off the top of the whale and touch its tail without breaking it off. 

The Beginning of Diamond Peak’s Iconic Events

In April 2007, the IVGID marketing coordinator position opened. I applied for the year-round position and got it. I worked at Diamond Peak as the IVGID marketing coordinator from 2007-2009. During that stint, our marketing team created some signature events that are still in place today. The marketing director at the time, Milena Regos, came up with Last Tracks, and it’s crazy to think she struggled to sell the concept at the time, while there’s now a waitlist for it. We also put on quite a few successful Dummy Downhills, the Luggi Foeger Uphill Downhill Race, and new events have come on the scene, like Ullr Fest and Pi Day. 

My favorite event happened only once, though, and that was Bruce Spring Skiing Day. My late coworker Jay Abdo and I came up with it to celebrate the first day of spring and drum up some business after the holidays. Despite Ed being from New Jersey, he was not a Bruce Springsteen fan and hated the idea of us celebrating The Boss. But we did it anyway…we brought in a Bruce Springsteen cover band and gave everyone named Bruce a discounted lift ticket (we were liberal about who qualified). About a hundred people showed up to ski and dance the afternoon away…a few Bruces but mostly season passholders.  

The Memories Continue

Thanks to Diamond Peak hiring me as a lift operator when I wanted to move to the West Coast, I have lived in North Lake Tahoe for almost 20 years. Over that time span, I’ve known people who’ve met, fallen in love, and raised their families based on some Diamond Peak connection. And every time I ride the mountain, not only do I recall dozens of other stories, but I see new memories being formed, consistently proving that the community connection has remained strong. Cheers to another 60 years!

READ MORE AT LIVE.WORK.PLAY MAGAZINE

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In The News – The Tahoe East Shore’s Best Patios

September 11, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/11/2025, Written by Kayla Anderson, Tahoe Magazine

Thanks to a high number of sunny days and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, people flock to Lake Tahoe to golf, bike ride, get married, eat good food, and most of all, be outside when the weather’s nice. Here are some of Incline Village/Crystal Bay’s best patios chosen for their views, ambiance, friendly staff, and/or exceptional fare: 

Sage Leaf Tahoe

https://www.sageleaftahoe.com

READ MORE >

Photo provided: Crosby’s

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The Local Lens – Admiring Incline’s Public Art

September 9, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

This is my favorite time of the year, when things start to quiet down but the weather is still nice and the lake is as warm as it’ll ever be before the snow starts to fall. It’s also the perfect time to catch up with friends at the farmers market, bike or hike along the East Shore Trail, or simply stroll around the streets of Incline taking in the public art. 

As an art aficionado myself, I love that Incline Village has no shortage of public art and in recent years more has been coming on the scene. Therefore, now is the best time to check out these vibrant public art pieces scattered throughout town. Here are a few new and popular ones:

Highway 28/Highway 431 Roundabout Critters

Ten years ago, locals petitioned to fix the bottlenecks at highways 28 and 431, and then one of Nevada’s largest roundabouts was installed. To fill in the middle of the circle with something pleasing to look at, the Incline Roundabout Public Art nonprofit enlisted the help of June Towill Brown, a local sculptor. She created a bronze bear, deer, and coyote sculptures (donating about $250,000 of time and materials), which still stand today amongst the sagebrush and native plants. 

“5 Kids in a Tree” at the Incline Village Library

If you can’t wait to crack open that book after you leave the library or are trying to finish one you’ve got, then the benches in front of the “5 Kids in a Tree” sculpture out front is a good place to relax and tuck into a novel. The detailed rambunctious bronze statue was created by Ken Ross and donated by longtime residents/book lovers Andrew Whyman and Barbara Perlman-Whyman.

“Buddha’s Eye” at UNR at Lake Tahoe

Originally established as a liberal arts college, 20 years ago, sculptor Robert Wick created and donated a bronze sculpture called “Buddha’s Eye” to the college. Wick’s public art sculptures reflect the union of land, architecture, and art, and this dynamic piece can be viewed in front of the Prim Library. 

Trash to Treasure Painted Bear Boxes

Two years ago, Incline Middle School collaborated with the Incline Education Fund and UNR at Lake Tahoe to create a “Trash to Treasure” initiative, which involved promoting and participating in community cleanup days and then taking that collected trash and turning it into public art. This year, the school has expanded the effort, working with IVGID to paint bear boxes around town. The painted boxes represent a canvas for change and sustainability; a couple of them are at the softball fields and the Recreation Center.  

New Tunnel Creek Café Mural and Signage

Those hiking or riding the Flume Trail above Tunnel Creek Cafe may notice a new forged metal sign and mural leading up to Flume Trail Bikes. Local artist Ryno had some paintings hanging up in Tunnel Creek Café, and the folks at Tunnel Creek worked with Flume Trail Bikes to hire Ryno to paint the mural.

The signs leading up there were recently created by Sustain Tahoe’s Jacquie Chandler and her partner to better direct people up to Flume Trail Bikes; the one at the entrance has a nice bench to sit under. 

Around the same time that Ryno created the Flume Bike Trails mural, he also painted two colorful mountainscapes on the front of the Incline Storage buildings on Highway 28.

“I painted them both late last fall… it snowed a couple days right in the middle of each one which dragged it a little longer than expected. My inspiration came from old retro ski posters from the 70’s Everyone just wants either Tahoe landscapes or bears up here so I try to at least paint them differently than the normal since I’m rarely able to paint in my forte.”

Natural Grocers Community Mural

Last year when the new Natural Grocers opened, the Colorado-based company teamed up with Kings Beach artist Sara Smith, known for her intricate animal portraits, to paint a mural on the side of their new building facing Highway 28. With the help of some high scaffolding, she filled the top part near the roofline with an image of our crystal clear blue lake and Tahoe’s animals/pollinators, then invited the community to come out and leave their mark on the lower half. In late August of 2024, people picked out stencils and paint then got to work on their creations, filling in the blank wall. If you ever drive by, look at the wall and find the brown bunny sitting in the grass…it was created by yours truly. 

Get Out and Find Some Art

There are a few other public art pieces in town, but these are some of the newer, more well-known ones. The best thing to do is to get out, walk around, and see how many you can find! 

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IVCBA Wellness Resource Guide

August 19, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

From IVCBA’s Seasonal Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY – Summer Edition – Written by Kayla Anderson

The IVCBA Wellness Resource Guide, featured in LIVE.WORK.PLAY., spotlights local IVCBA Member wellness providers in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. From yoga, massage, and acupuncture to personal training, chiropractic care, and spa services, the guide showcases businesses like The Sanctuary Tahoe, Tahoe Fitness Loft, Stillwater Spa, and more, supporting community health and well-being.

  • The Sanctuary Tahoe

The Sanctuary on state line offers a full range of services such as therapeutic massage, yoga, acupuncture, counseling services, and wellness in a lovely and relaxing atmosphere. For more information, visit https://thesanctuarytahoe.com/. 

  • Tahoe Fitness Loft

Over on Mays Boulevard close to Grocery Outlet, Tahoe Fitness Loft offers personal training, Pilates, Barre, TRX, spin, and kickboxing classes. Drop in for a trial; www.tahoefitnessloft.com.  

  • Lakeside Personal Training with Trish McKowen

Trish McKowen believes that real, lasting transformative change is possible which is why she became a personal trainer more than 25 years ago and still strives to help her clients achieve optimal health and wellness. Learn more about her method at https://lakesidepersonaltraining.com/. 

  • San Soma Massage

Far beyond traditional, San Soma’s highly trained and experienced therapists offer a tranquil journey into therapeutic healing and mind/body alignment. To see what revitalizing and healing services are offered, visit https://www.sansoma.com/. 

  • BACKcountry Chiropractic

BACKcountry Chiropractic stays on top of the latest chiropractic tools and treatments so you can stay flexible, healthy, and limber to enjoy all the backcountry Tahoe activities you love. https://backcountrychiroiv.com/ 

  • Barton Health PT

The comprehensive care team at Barton Health evaluates and treats you when your ability to function is impaired by injury, disease, or illness. Learn more at: https://www.bartonhealth.org/health-services/rehabilitation/physical-therapy/

  • IVCH Physical Therapy and Medical Fitness

The Incline Village Community Hospital offers a hands-on approach in developing an individualized treatment plan that can relieve symptoms, improve your physical abilities, and return you to your healthy lifestyle. https://www.tfhd.com/ivch/services/physical-therapy-medical-fitness/

  • Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

At Stillwater Spa, experience the ultimate in relaxation and recovery with its innovative touchless therapies such as cryotherapy (to reduce inflammation and boost recovery); floatation therapy (for stress relief); and the Harmony BioAcoustic Mat for deep relaxation and improved mobility. https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/tvllt-hyatt-regency-lake-tahoe-resort-spa-and-casino/spa

  • High Sierra Restorative Health

High Sierra Restorative health is a modern, premium Tahoe area concierge clinic focused on helping people live stronger, longer, and youthful lives by using the most up-to-date testing and treatments to optimize their health. https://restorativehealthnv.com/

  • Incline Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine

Studies show that regular acupuncture treatments can increase the number of T-cells in the body, helping one from getting sick. Fortunately Incline Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine is well versed in the health benefits of acupuncture. https://pammurphylac.com/ 

  • Move Mountains 

Move Mountains hosts events and provides consulting to engage your mind and body to ultimately creating a happier, healthier you as well as build a stronger, more successful team around you. https://www.movemountains.com/

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In The News – New Opening for Cal Neva Set for 2027

August 18, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published with the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/18/2025, Written by Kayla Anderson

On the evening of August 12, close to 60 people gathered at the Incline Village Library to hear about the progress on the Cal Neva revitalization efforts from McWhinney Senior VP of Development-Hospitality Jason Newcomer.  

In the hour-long presentation, Newcomer recapped when McWhinney purchased the property (in 2023) and what it has done since.  

“Over 1200 people signed up on our website to receive updates and shared stories with us,” Newcomer said. “We’ve never encountered a property with this kind of past.” 

READ MORE >

Photo: Revitalize Cal Neva

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If You Take Care of These Incline Businesses, They’ll Take Care of You

July 29, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

By: Kayla Anderson – Originally Published in LIVE.WORK.PLAY Summer 2025 Edition

As a local business, it can be tough navigating the seasonality of economics in this town, especially when so much relies on tourism. That’s why it can help to offer incentives to keep people coming back, and make customers feel valued. Here are some Incline businesses that offer loyalty programs, clubs, happy hours, and more: 

Known for their incredible stromboli, pizza, and sandwiches baked on housemade breads, you can’t go wrong with anything on Incline Bak’d’s menu. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-5pm, the best time to visit is from 3pm-5pm when happy hour is going on. During that time, buy a draft beer or wine and get a slice of pizza for only $2, or a pizza slice for $4 if you don’t get a drink. Be sure to indulge in a couple of delectable made-with-love cookies while you’re there…you can get two for $5 during Happy Hour. www.inclinebaked.com

On Tuesdays-Fridays from 3pm-6pm, Glasses Wine Bar also hosts a happy hour, offering customers 15 percent off glasses of wine ordered from behind the bar or 10 percent off to those out of the wine dispensers. Four varietal wine tastings are available during its Happy Hour as well, available at the bar only.

If you’re a high level wine enthusiast, the Glasses Wine Bar Wine Club also has two types of tiered subscriptions offered, costing between $95-$149 quarterly. Both tiers include four bottles of wine, discounts on merchandise/additional bottles of wine, free wine tastings, and more. Glasseswinebar.com 

Using a Santa Maria-method of grilling over red oakwood-fueled open pit, Gus’ has made a name for itself with its signature melt-in-your-mouth LATS (its smoked, grilled, and sauced-up chicken legs and thighs). Their open pit and relaxed indoor atmosphere with a full bar and 140” TV make Gus’s a popular shifter spot. Speaking of which…Gus’ has a happy hour from 4:30pm-5:30pm Thurs.-Mon. with beer, wine, and cocktail specials to pair with $2 street tacos. http://www.gusbbqtahoe.net/ 

Marie Antoinette famously said, “let them eat cake!” which no doubt has me thinking that she’d be a fan of Happy Tiers’ Cake of the Month Club. Members of the club receive one gigantic piece of layered cake once a month for an entire year, which is perfect for sweet treat lovers and fans of cakemaker Andrea Jurss’s artistry. Memberships usually go on sale sometime in January and are limited to 25 participants. 

Happy Tiers also offers a variety of VIP packages for families and businesses who have regular celebrations throughout the year; packages include monthly gift cards and regularly distributed sweet treats for your employees and/or loved ones. www.happytiersbakery.com

  • Wyld Peony, 797 Southwood Blvd. Ste. 15, Incline Village

Incline’s newest floral boutique, Wyld Peony, specializes in uniquely customized floral arrangements, capturing the thoughtfulness and beautiful personality of the giver and receiver. Holding a degree in environmental horticulture from UC Davis, Wyld Peony Owner Jen Weschler knows her stuff when it comes to flowers and takes your special event to the next level with her lovely bouquets. 

On top of that, you can give yourself or someone else the gift of flowers all year long with a Floral Subscription—having the freshest, seasonally available flowers arranged and delivered to you at intervals of your choosing. https://wyldpeony.com/

  • Alibi Ale Works– Incline Public House, 931 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Alibi Ale Works has a secret/not-so-secret club that rewards its beer lovers with exclusive benefits. Limited to 250 people per year, it costs $100 annually to be a part of Alibi Anonymous, and in turn members get discounts off pints, cans, bottles, growler refills, merchandise, food, and more. Members also receive access to growler fills on limited beers, early access to new beer releases, and access to the AA Facebook group which fosters connections with fellow members. 

If you join AA, just be sure to always bring your special membership token every time to visit an Alibi location, otherwise beers may be on you. Open to people ages 21 and older. https://alibialeworks.com/

No matter how young, fit, or healthy a person is, altitude sickness can happen to anyone, and being at 6,220 feet above sea level can affect people differently. Therefore, if you find yourself spending a full day hiking, biking, or having an active day on the lake and afterwards feel sick or lightheaded, the Go2 Aroma Oxygen Bar is there to give you a boost. Fifteen different aromatic treatments are available on the oxygen bar aroma menu and one 10-minute session can get your energy levels back to 100 percent. 

If you’re a fan of oxygen bars, Go2 Aroma Oxygen Bar also sells gift cards so you can save on multiple sessions. https://www.oxygenbartahoe.com/ 

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The History of Incline’s Music on the Beach

July 22, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published in the IVCBA Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY. – Written By: Kayla Anderson

Sometime in the late 2000s, IVGID decided it was going to sell concessions—and alcohol– at its beaches. A few members of the community were opposed to liquor sells, but since people could bring their own alcohol in anyways, the resistance was weak. IVGID staff set up a small table and tried it, but then other residents didn’t think it was fair for IVGID to compete with the private sector since its costs were so low. 

The original owner of Incline Spirits, Will Brigham, was paying attention to the topic and attending the IVGID Board of Trustees meetings. When IVGID agreed to let a private business take over alcohol sales at the beaches, Brigham went around and asked all the local bars if they wanted to bid on the project. No one was interested, so soon Incline Spirits opened The Barefoot Bars at Incline Beach and Burnt Cedar. 

“In the beginning, IVGID let us have a 10’x10’ tent and we wanted to bring something to the beach that didn’t involve a cooler, like make pina coladas and Mai Tai’s,” Brigham says. 

In trying to get people to visit the tiki bars as well as being a musician and lover of live music, Brigham had the idea of starting Music on the Beach. He partnered with his neighbor and fellow musician Mitch Harbaugh to bring in local bands. 

 “Will and I have been involved in the local music scene all of our lives,” Harbaugh says, “and Will started creating a vibe not only with the beach guests but amongst the bands. There’s a lot of talent around the lake…we got a pulse and kept it consistent, and it elevated the quality of the entertainment.”

Harbaugh credits Brigham for creating something built for the minor leagues that ended up being pro ball. 

“Mitch is dead on. I remember doing text message campaigns blasting out locals specials and the band lineup; I was really guerilla marketing it [Music on the Beach]. But consistency is key, and we kept the same hours, playing in any kind of weather,” Brigham adds.

“As soon as the tiki bars opened, my wife who had worked for Goldfish Properties for 18 years said that no one complained anymore about paying to get into the beach,” Harbaugh says. 

Soon everyone wanted to play there, and Music on the Beach was drawing 6[00]-900 attendees. Will and his wife Aimee Miller eventually sold Incline Spirits to Miles and Mayra Hendrickson, who kept Music on the Beach going. 

“Miles and Mayra have done a great job with Music on the Beach. They continued with the exact vision I had and made it better in ways I couldn’t have imagined. They made it a destination for locals. It’s great to go down there and see that huge crowd,” Brigham says. 

When Miles and Mayra bought the place, they inherited me. We’ve been doing this for 14-15 years now and what it’s turned into is freaking incredible. 

“You can usually find me dancing in front, I’ve created a lot of wonderful memories here. And we leverage the crowd to keep it G-rated and positive, non-political, promote kindness and goodness and community,” Harbaugh adds. 

“There’s this couple, a retired colonial and his wife. The wife has Alzheimer’s but Music on the Beach is what keeps her fired up…she doesn’t remember a lot, but she looks forward to this. They had their 65th wedding anniversary at Music on the Beach, and she had her 84th birthday at the beach. This truly is a community thing, it’s a chance to celebrate us locals,” Brigham adds.

Since IVGID recently approved its Beach House Project, Incline Spirits announced this will be its last summer hosting Music on the Beach. 

“I have mixed emotions about it. I’m not affiliated with Music on the Beach anymore, but I have been a part of it. I know IVGID put a lot of money into building the new beach house, but I would just hate for Music on the Beach to lose its magic; there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears going into it. The aloha we show our guests and community…I don’t want to lose that. 

“Music on the Beach has a giant piece of my heart with it. We’re very grateful for all the community support and all the love we’ve received. I’m honored to have been a part of it,” says Brigham. 

The Incline Village Barefoot Bars host live music on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm-7pm throughout the summer. To see the 2025 Music on the Beach band lineup, visit https://inclinespirits.com/barefoot-bar/. 

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2025 Fitness Events

June 18, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

By: Kayla Anderson for LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Magazine Spring Issue 2025

The Tahoe Sierra’s incredible outdoor environment acts as a hub for some of the top races and sporting events around. Here are some ways to stay fit, have fun, and make new friends this summer: 

All Summer Long: Tahoe Bike Races

From June’s America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride and the Lake Tahoe Mountain Bike Race to the brutal Tour of the California Alps Death Ride and Rose to Toads (the point-to-point mountain bike ridge that traverses the entire East Shore with an 8,000-ft. elevation gain) later in the year, Tahoe has a lot of exciting and challenging two-wheeled centric races this summer. Northstar California also hosts a series of downhill mountain bike races at its resort with awards given to the top men, women, and juniors in their respective divisions. Check out a calendar of events on the Bike Tahoe website: https://biketahoe.org/calendar-of-events-races/

For women rippers who aren’t so much into competing but want to progress in mountain biking in a fun, inclusive, and supportive way, check out the Dames of Dirt. These Reno-Tahoe women rider base meetups encourage making new friends, discovering new trails and getting some inspiration along the way. 

June 21, Aug. 9, and Sept. 12-14th: Tahoe Paddle Racing Series

Want to see how good of a paddleboarder you are against others? Then the Tahoe Paddle Racing series is the perfect way to gauge your abilities on the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe. Put on in conjunction with the Tahoe Waterman Foundation and Waterman’s Landing in Carnelian Bay, the race series kicks off with a fun Paddle Jam short race June 21st, then a downwinder August 9th, and ending the season with the big 22-mile lake crossing September 12-14th (if the weather cooperates). For more information about this summer’s paddle events, visit https://www.tahoewaterman.com/races. 

June 23-29, 2025: TERC Circ(umnavigation) of Lake Tahoe

Join the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center to circumnavigate Lake Tahoe in the name of science. This kayaking event, called TERC Circ 5, takes place over seven days, starting Monday, June 23 and ending Sunday, June 29. Many people have paddled Tahoe’s shores, but this event is unique in that you get to follow 6-13 miles of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline each day with TERC staff and researchers to see, share, and learn about Lake Tahoe’s ecology, geology, and its emerging challenges. Each day the locations vary; for more information visit https://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/kayak-lake-tahoe. 

July 2-4, 2025: Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration

Incline Village goes big for Fourth of July, with all kinds of events coming on the schedule as we get closer to Independence Day. Thursday, July 3rd will have a lot going on for residents and visitors of all ages. The day kicks off with a flag raising ceremony and pancake breakfast with our local fire department and ends with a flag retirement ceremony at dusk. After the flag raising ceremony, kids can take part in the Kids Bike Parade rolling alongside local heroes and Incline High School will also be hosting a 3-on-3 Highlander Pride basketball tournament. http://ivcba.org/events/local-heroes/

July 19-20, 2025: B4BC Skate the Lake

The 21st annual B4BC Skate the Lake is coming back July 19-20th where people skate/bike/roll 28 miles along the West Shore together (from Sugar Pine to Palisades Tahoe and back down to Tahoe City) to help spread awareness and information about breast cancer in this fun, endurance based event. Skate the Lake kicks off on Commons Beach in Tahoe City on Saturday, July 19th with live music, a raffle, yoga, and more all day long before the big skate the following day. 

Aug. 9, 2025: The Marlette 50k and 10 Miler

August 9th is a day of East Shore trail runs, with the Spooner Lake 5k and 10k on the docket as well as the big Marlette 50k and 10 Miler will be going on at the same time. The Marlette 50k starts at Spooner Lake and follows 31 miles of beautiful trails along the ridgeline, passing Marlette Lake and offering up panoramic views of Big Blue. The Marlette 10 Miler is an out-and-back run starting at Spooner and heading to the south side of Marlette Lake on the North Canyon Trail, offering stunning views of Snow Valley Peak and the canyon. https://tahoetrailrunning.com/marlette-50k/ 

Aug. 17, 2025: 14th Annual Lake Tahoe Sharkfest Swim

While sharks don’t technically exist in Lake Tahoe (card sharks, maybe), this annual swim event held at Sand Harbor gives participants the chance to see dramatic rock features and possibly other things in Lake Tahoe’s crystalline waters. This one-mile swim starts at the beach next to the boat ramp and finishes at Sand Harbor’s main beach on the south end of the park around the bend. This event is for experienced open-water swimmers only who can comfortably swim one mile in a pool in under 40 minutes. https://raceroster.com/events/2025/99656/2025-lake-tahoe-sharkfest-swim

Sep. 13, 2025: XTERRA Lake Tahoe

For those who truly want to test their mettle, XTERRA Lake Tahoe will put you in your place. This classic backcountry triathlon course starts with a 1,500-meter swim in Lake Tahoe followed by a bike ride up Tunnel Creek, and then a run along the Flume Trail. https://www.xterraplanet.com/event/xterra-lake-tahoe

Photo credit: TERC

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Summer Kids Camps and Activities in IV/CB 

May 6, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

By: Kayla Anderson

It’s that time of the year when the weather is getting nicer and kids are itching to get out of school and on with their summer vacation. Here are some camps and activities to keep them entertained:  

Mountain Bike Teams

The Diamond Peak Mountain Bike Team (DPMBT)- For two-wheeled rippers around ages 6 and older, the DPMBT invites them to come and improve their skills by riding some of the best trails in the Tahoe basin. Experienced coaches are happy to guide athletes from their first mountain bike ride to national competitions, but if they want to just ride for fun then that’s okay, too. Rides are tailored to riders in the Mini Shreds (ages 6-8) and Cross Country Team (ages 9-plus) groups. For more information, visit  https://www.dpsef.org/programs/mountain-bike-team . 

Lake Tahoe School Youth Mtn. Bike Summer Camp, July 21-25– The Lake Tahoe School in Incline Village also hosts a five days of off-road cycling morning rides for kids ages 9-13. Nothing too easy and nothing too hard, the group rides 10-12 miles per day. Transportation, snacks, and mountain bike gloves are provided, but the camp is limited to only seven campers and likely to fill up fast. 

Daisy Day Care Saturday Summer Camp

Running one of the only licensed home daycare centers in North Lake Tahoe, Daisy Day Care Founder Harmony Shreve has been a licensed childcare provider for more than 25 years and has “loved every minute of it.” Her Daisy Day Care’s Saturday Summer Camp (for ages 2-10) offers a great opportunity for kids to explore, learn, and have fun outdoors. Each week, the camp meets at a different trailhead near Incline Village and go through a curriculum that includes yoga, hiking, breathwork, nature lessons, and snack breaks. Season passes for the Saturday sessions are on sale until May 31st but there is a limited supply. https://tahoedaisydaycare.com/ . 

Incline Village Library

The Washoe County Library System has activities for kids and adults available all year long, but summertime is when the real fun starts. Along with the Summer Reading Program, the Incline Village Library will have Camp STEAM for kids ages 6-11 on June 24-25th and Art Camp for Kids ages 7-12 for three days July 8-10th. In the two-day Camp STEAM, kids have fun with science, technology, engineering, art, and math, diving into these five innovative topics through engaging experiments over two days. 

The creative three-day Art Camp for Kids in July explores different art techniques inspired by famous artists. They’ll learn about a new artist, experimenting with painting and crafting in fun hands-on activities as well as collaborate on a group art project and create their own masterpieces to take home. Registration for both programs is required, visit the library on 845 Alder Avenue to sign up. 

Tahoe Family Solutions Camp Explore

Tahoe Family Solutions will be having its popular and successful Camp Explore come back this summer, with overnight camping trips for 3rd-8th graders and the Backpacking Group for 6th-8th graders. Campers explore the Sierra Nevada trails, lakes and peaks with their new friends as well as take part in activities such as hiking, swimming, kayaking, crafting, learning outdoor safety skills, and making s’mores around a campfire. Since these camps are free this year (thanks to the generosity of community donors) and meant for kids who wouldn’t have these opportunities otherwise, they fill up extremely fast. Registration opens in April. 

Boys & Girls Club of NLT (BGCNLT)

The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe offers several daily and multi-day specialty camps at its locations throughout North Lake Tahoe, including the Kings Beach Clubhouse, the Truckee Elementary school site, and the Duffield Youth Program – Incline Village.

Its summer camps and activities feature themed weeks, beach days, sports, arts & crafts, STEM activities, field trips, and more. In addition to its standard camps, BGCNLT hosts specialty camps such as mountain biking, kayaking, paddle camps, and hiking excursions. BGCNLT summer camps are open to kids in K-5th grade and teens in 6th-12th grade. Registration opens April 1st. To access the current summer day camps, specialty camps, and field trips digital guide, visit www.bgcnlt.org. Offerings are subject to change.

Nike Swim Camp at UNR at Lake Tahoe

Open to competitive swimmers ages 10-18, the coed Nike Swim Camp is designed to take those skills to the next level by providing a better understanding of swimming fundamentals. Overnight campers stay on campus in dorm rooms and meals are included, but extended stay/commuter participants can come as well.  This camp is best for teens who have competitive swimming experience and can swim at least 50 meters in all four competitive strokes: fly, back, breast, and freestyle. For more information, visit https://www.ussportscamps.com/swim/nike/university-nevada-reno-lake-tahoe-swim-camp

IVGID Summer Camps 

The Incline Village General Improvement District will host tennis camps, junior lifeguard camps, basketball camps, and more this summer; for more information about its current and upcoming programming visit www.inclinerecreation.com. 

Ambassadors Soccer Camp

Get ready for another epic summer soccer camp! Cornerstone Church and Ambassadors Soccer Camps bring you a camp focused on children ages 5 – 14 that creates a five-day (Monday – Friday) soccer experience. Campers will play and compete in a fun, safe and positive environment facilitated by Christian mentor-coaches from around the world. Our soccer camps also include a daily Bible time where children will hear more about the Bible and faith in Jesus through our Toward the Goal curriculum.

Lake Tahoe School Summer Camps

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