Lake Tahoe Travel is the new name and identity of our regional destination marketing and management partnership, formerly known as North Lake Tahoe.
This refreshed identity reflects the depth of experiences across our communities and invites visitors to explore Lake Tahoe beyond the surface. Representing the west, north, and east shores, from Emerald Bay to Spooner Summit, Lake Tahoe Travel unites 12 distinct towns under one cohesive brand while continuing its mission to inspire, elevate, and promote responsible tourism.
What’s New
A new name and logo that highlight Tahoe’s iconic elements. The sun, mountains, and water reflect the full spectrum of colors found in the landscape.
The “Dive In” campaign, launching today, is designed to inspire visitors to look beyond the surface and discover the diverse and meaningful experiences, communities, and seasons that make Lake Tahoe special, while promoting responsible tourism.
Lake Tahoe Travel is operated through a cooperative partnership between the North Tahoe Community Alliance and Travel North Tahoe Nevada, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting a vibrant tourism economy while preserving what makes this place extraordinary.
As we step into this next chapter, we look forward to continuing our work together to showcase Lake Tahoe as a destination that’s as meaningful as it is beautiful.
In The News – Sky Tavern’s Party in the Sky celebrates fall at 8,000 ft.
October 2, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/02/2025, Staff Report
As its aspen leaves turn yellow, Sky Tavern is preparing for its annual fall fundraiser festival, Party in the Sky. Fall’s highest elevation celebration in Reno/Tahoe, the event celebrates community and the outdoors, winding down the mountain bike season as the nonprofit mountain begins its transition to winter.
Set for Oct. 11, the festival invites the Reno/Tahoe community to the donation-driven mountain for family-friendly activities, including bike demos and shuttles, food trucks, a vendor village, youth pump track workshops, group rides, a massive prize raffle, and a 650-foot dual zip line in partnership with neighboring nonprofit organization Project Discovery.
The event begins at 10:00 am and runs until 4:00 pm. Admission is on sale now via the Sky Tavern website. Kids under 12 are free. Proceeds go to community-built trails and programs. Party in the Sky is supported by Another Bike Shop Reno and DieCutStickers.com.
In The News – Saving Lives, One Pet at a Time: The Village Pet Foundation’s Impact in the Tahoe Basin
October 2, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/02/2025, Written by Zoe Meyer
For pet owners in the Tahoe Basin facing unimaginable choices between costly veterinary care and losing their companions, the Village Pet Foundation (VPF) is a lifeline. Since its founding in July 2023, this volunteer-run nonprofit has saved 120 pets—and counting—by providing funding for emergency veterinary care that prevents euthanasia. In just under a year, VPF has far surpassed its original goal, bringing relief and hope to families in need.
Operating across the Tahoe Basin and beyond, VPF partners with six veterinary clinics to fund critical treatments for animals at risk of being put down. The average cost per case is $2,000, a sum many pet owners simply cannot afford. Funding comes from thrift stores, community fundraisers, and private donations. The need is urgent—95% of the pets VPF assists would not have survived without this intervention.
Chairperson Pat Abbey, motivated by the overwhelming number of pets euthanized due to financial hardship, has vowed to never turn away an animal in need. As the demand for services grows, so does the foundation’s reach. For Abbey and her dedicated team, the impact of their work is evident in the lives they save. Every rescued pet represents a family kept whole. Among the stories that have recently come to light, three remarkable cases—Remmy, Stitch, and Gordo—stand out as powerful examples of survival, resilience, and the difference VPF is making.
We’re proud to share that so many of our IVCBA members were recognized in the 2025 Best of North Lake Tahoe & Truckee awards. These awards celebrate the people and businesses that make our region such a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. From lively music venues and family-friendly entertainment to award-winning dining, unique shopping, and trusted local services, our members were highlighted across nearly every category.
Whether it’s enjoying a night out at Crystal Bay Casino, grabbing coffee at Happy Tiers, dining at Rosewood or Sage Leaf, exploring Thunderbird Lodge, or enjoying some fun at Bowl Incline or Iron and Wood, these businesses and individuals represent the best of who we are. Their recognition is a win for all of us — locals, visitors, and the greater community that supports them.
Here’s a look at the IVCBA members who were honored as winners and finalists this year:
2025 Passport to Dining promises to be a memorable evening you won’t want to miss!
September 30, 2025 | Member Submitted
Enjoy “A Culinary Journey in North Tahoe” showcasing a delicious and fun evening of unlimited tastings to excite the palate, featuring ~25 tasting stations including restaurants, caterers, breweries, and wineries. While enjoying tastings, attendees may purchase raffle tickets and bid on a list of extensive silent auction items which will include valuable items and packages. Come and enjoy a night celebrating the culinary talents and gifts of our North Tahoe community.
Proceeds from the auction and raffle portion of the event will benefit the Tahoe Waterman Foundation, a local non-profit based in Carnelian Bay, who are dedicated to helping people facing life-changing injuries and mental and physical health challenges experience the healing power of water through paddle sports. The Tahoe Waterman Foundation provides resources and programs for personal growth and recovery through simple but powerful paddle sports experiences and both time on and time in Lake Tahoe’s pure blue water.
Originally published in the Bobcat Newsletter – ‘Bob’ Cat News
Inevitably, people ask the question of many of us – what makes Lake Tahoe School so special or different from other schools? My initial response is always what drew me to LTS during my first interview for the interim Head of School position eight years ago. Throughout my interview, everyone spoke about the strong sense of community in the school. From my first day on the job, our community has proven time and again the validity of these words as a strong, vibrant, caring, and supportive assemblage of parents, students, faculty, staff, and others, all dedicated to providing the best learning environment for our students. At times, difficult to quantify, this sense of community is palpable to those already members and even to our visitors and guests.
Beyond the positive relationships that underpin our community, several other programs and commitments define us as Bobcats and are the key qualities of an LTS education. In addition to our strong academics, among the most compelling characteristics of the education we offer is our dedication to providing a myriad of opportunities and challenges to all of our students – opportunities in terms of offerings, and challenges that ask our students to explore the world beyond themselves and stretch their own experiences to try new and different things.
Enrichment Classes – Topping our list of opportunities and challenges for our students are the enrichment classes available to all students. In an era where more schools are cutting similar programs, LTS stands by our commitment to the broadest possible education by requiring our students from PreK to 8th Grade to take courses in Spanish, Physical Education, Art, Music, Makerspace, and in the Lower School, Science. In addition, as more school libraries morph into computer centers or disappear altogether, LTS has students from all grades regularly visiting our thriving, reading-focused library every week.
Outdoor Education – Beginning as early as PreK with field trips and walks around our campus, LTS offers our students a comprehensive approach to learning about the outdoors surrounding them. From our three outdoor classrooms to walks to the Lake, and trips next door to UC Davis’s TERC labs on the UNR Tahoe campus, our students learn to understand and appreciate the environment around us. Second grade marks the beginning of our overnight experiences with a campus sleepover, and later, Lower School grades participate in overnight opportunities, including rafting trips, visits to the California Coast, and the Gold Country, all with the intention of enhancing classroom learning through experiential activities. By the time our students reach Middle School, they are well-prepared for the challenges of extended trips locally as well as to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Washington D.C, and Costa Rica. With a focus on history, environmental awareness, and sustainability, spliced with an emphasis on teamwork and cooperation, students are challenged far beyond the classroom walls.
Drama – Over the past several years, we have witnessed a “dramatic” – pun intended – expansion of our drama experiences. With the Doyle Family Stage as a centerpiece and under the excellent direction of Ms. Amory and crew, more students are acting, singing, and dancing than ever before. Although not a required activity, the joy of seeing our students jump in and perform live for the first time in front of their friends and family is always a highlight for both them and the audience.
Competitive Athletics – With a participation rate of nearly 95% among students in grades 5-8, competitive athletics are thriving at LTS. Much like the drama program – both are non-required elective opportunities – our students are encouraged and often choose to participate in a sport for the first time. Supplemented by our commitment to fitness in our PE classes, our athletes are supported by a caring and supportive coaching staff. Throw in our Ski Program each season, and students have a wide variety of opportunities to participate and excel in the sport of their choice.
When our trimester-based after-school Activities – including our highly successful Chess Team – and Middle School elective courses such as Coding, Photography, and others are added to the mix, threads of student opportunities and challenges run through the entire Lake Tahoe School educational experience. Opportunities abound for all – young students or older, new to LTS or grizzled “veteran” – to experiment and try new things, strengthen previously learned principles, and have fun while doing so.
Tying each of these essential threads together are supportive teachers and staff that care – from the front desk to the classroom to the stage, playing field, or court, and beyond. All of which are supported in kind by the ongoing vision of our founders, the preeminence of our mission, and the positive partnership of the entire school community. Thanks for being with us.
As the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) enters a new chapter, we pause to honor the dedicated individuals who have built the district’s strong foundation. For decades, these local heroes have not only answered the call during emergencies but have also shaped our community’s safety, education, and outreach efforts. As several key members retire, we take a moment to thank them for their lasting impact.
One of the most impactful figures in the district’s history is Tia Rancourt, retiring after nearly 30 years of service. Tia began as a volunteer firefighter, later becoming the district’s first Public Information Officer (PIO) in 2000. She revolutionized public outreach and community engagement, most notably through the creation of the 4th of July Community Pancake Breakfast, a tradition that has brought local heroes and residents together for years. Tia’s leadership in connecting the district with the community leaves a lasting legacy that will endure long after her retirement.
In addition to Tia, Captain Scott Woodcock and Captain Monte Santos have dedicated many years to the NLTFPD. Captain Santos retired on March 31, 2025, after 16 years with the district. He started his career with the Slide Mountain Hand Crew in 1999 before joining the NLTFPD full-time in 2009. Promoted to Captain in 2016, Monte’s unwavering dedication and hard work have left a significant mark on the district and community.
Captain Scott Woodcock’s career began in 1994 as a part-time Auxiliary Firefighter, and he was hired full-time in 2001. Over the years, Scott has become a trusted leader in the department, earning a promotion to Captain in 2016. After 31 years of service, Scott will retire in 2025. His commitment, including commuting from Arizona for over two decades, has demonstrated a level of sacrifice and dedication that will be remembered by all who worked alongside him.
Looking ahead, the future of the NLTFPD remains strong. At the helm is Fire Chief Ryan Sommers, a native of Incline Village who joined the department in 1995 and became Fire Chief in 2016. Chief Sommers’ steady leadership has guided the district through significant growth and change, ensuring it remains ready to respond to any emergency. His leadership, alongside Assistant Fire Chief Russ Barnum, Fuels Division Chief Isaac Powning, Fire Marshal John James, and Chief Financial/People Officer Jackie Signorelli, ensures the district remains at the forefront of fire safety, emergency response, and community protection.
With this dedicated team, the district is well-positioned to meet future challenges. The focus on innovation, training, and community partnerships will continue to drive the district’s mission forward, ensuring it remains a trusted resource for fire protection, emergency response, and public education.
As we honor the legacies of Tia, Scott, Monte, and all those who have served, we extend our deepest gratitude to them. Their contributions have had a profound impact on the district and the community. As they transition to the next phase of their lives, we are reminded of the incredible dedication they have shown.
Please join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks to these local heroes for their years of hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to the North Lake Tahoe community.
In The News – High Fives Foundation is making waves, literally
September 30, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/30/2025, Written by Petra Molina
The sun lit up Lake Tahoe’s blue waters as a MasterCraft boat rumbled across the lake. Onboard, athletes slipped into wetsuits, tightened life jackets and prepared to ride their wakesurf boards. Each one was different — customized with seatbelts or foot straps — and each athlete brought their own style, some balancing from a seated position, others steering with their hips.
When the waves rolled in, athletes carved across the water with speed and style.
The High Fives Foundation has brought a new kind of inclusivity to Tahoe’s waters. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to preventing life-changing injuries and offering resources and hope if they happen, hosted a series of adaptive wakesurf clinics across the summer and fall, totaling 20 weeks of programming.
In The News – Ribbon cutting ceremony marks transformational advancement in animal care
September 30, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/30/2025, Staff Report
Pet Network Lake Tahoe is proud to announce the unveiling of its newly revitalized Medical Treatment Areas and Surgical Suite, marking a transformational leap forward in animal care for the Tahoe Basin. Made possible through the generosity of donors, as well as community partners and foundations, this extensive remodel establishes Pet Network as a national leader in shelter and community medicine.
On September 18, Pet Network’s most dedicated champions gathered for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate this milestone. Guests toured the state-of-the-art facility, which now houses advanced diagnostic and treatment tools including a CT scanner, ultrasound, endoscope, ventilator and a new ICU unit. Each addition expands Pet Network’s ability to diagnose complex conditions, perform lifesaving surgeries, and provide critical care to injured or ill animals for community and shelter pets alike.
In The News – Tahoe Forest Health System presents the 33rd Annual Winter Illness & Injury Symposium
September 29, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/29/2025, Staff Report
Tahoe Forest Health System is proud to host the 33rd Annual Winter Illness & Injury Symposium on Thursday, December 5, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort in Incline Village, NV.
This annual event brings together EMTs, ski patrol, paramedics, nurses, and other medical professionals for a day of education, collaboration, and community.
