Well, we’ve gotten more than a couple of feet of snow in the mountains over the last few days – I’d say it’s definitely winter! While we haven’t had a ton of snow the last few winters, I’ve figured out a few things that make the winter more enjoyable.
A warm blanket. Greyson got me this Nemo Puffin Blanket for my birthday and I love it. You can even button up the bottom for a cozy foot pocket.
A stylish beanie. Dry, cold winter air does not do the nicest things to my fine, straight hair – neither does stuffing my hair in a snowboard helmet for hours. A cute hat can cover up post-ride hair and keep your head warm. Krochet Kids has a bunchof cuteoptions.
Helmet and Goggles. Protecting your head and eyes is just as important in the winter as it is during the rest of the years. I like helmets that have vents so you can close them when it’s colder out and open them on warmer days. I have an older version of the Smith Sequel Helmet. I’m getting these Smith Squad Goggles with interchangeable lenses.
Dry Shampoo. My hair gets super flat in the winter, and I can’t always throw on a hat. For those times, I swear by dry shampoo. I’ve tried a bunch of different brands, and my favorite has to be ROCKAHOLIC dry shampoo. It makes my bangs not-greasy, adds volume, doesn’t leave nearly as much white residue as other brands, and I love the smell.
Down everything. There’s nothing better for cold, dry air than down. Patagonia now has 100% Traceable Down, so you know it is ethically collected. I have a Patagonia Down Sweater, a Marmot vest, and a hooded Marmot coat that are all great for different situations. Greyson even has down puffy pants that I occasionally borrow.
Warm Base Layers. The most important part of staying warm while outside in the cold is a good base layer. I like natural fibers for their wicking abilities and their odor prevention. Anything from Icebreaker is super high quality like this long sleeve top and these leggings. For a cheaper brand that I’ve had great luck with, I recommend Stoic’s Alpine Merino Line. I have two pairs of bottoms and a long sleeve top, and they’ve held up really well. I find them on sale on Steep and Cheap fairly often.
Coffee & Coffee Accessories. I drink coffee all year round, but there’s something special about a steaming hot cup of coffee when the temperature is below freezing. I’ve mentioned my love for the insulated Klean Kanteen before, which will keep your coffee hot for up to 6 hours! To make the best coffee, I like to use a pour over coffee maker or a French Press. Etsy also has a ton of adorable ceramic pour over coffee makers if you’re looking for something handmade. Last year, I splurged on this automatic Burr Mill for amazing, fresh ground beans.
A Super Nice Ice Scraper: At one point, I had a really nice long handled scraper with an attached broom, but I lent it out, never got it back, and now make do with a regular scraper and cold hands. I also wouldn’t say no to this ice scraper with mitt attached.
These essentials would make great gifts – for yourself or anyone who needs help staying warm this winter.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale as compensation – at no additional cost to you. I promise to only recommend products that I use and enjoy!
I am lucky enough to live in a beautiful tourist destination that I hope everyone has a chance to visit some day. And when you do, I hope you have an amazing time exploring the outdoor highlights I’ve featured on this blog. After a long day hiking/biking/skiing etc., there’s nothing better than a delicious meal (and a beer) to finish out the day.
When friends and family visit, these are the places I insist we go to. Hopefully this list will highlight some places you wouldn’t find via Yelp or by wandering the normal tourist locations.
Best Apres Ski/Ride:
The Himmel Haus:Located directly across from the parking lot of Heavenly’s California Base, this place can get pretty busy, but it’s worth the wait. This place is a mecca for German beer lovers, and they often have beers on tap that you can’t get anywhere else in the area. While you can order a smaller beer, I’d recommend ordering a liter to get the full German beer stein experience. My favorite thing to order is the Warsteiner Pilsner and the pretzel (mustard cheese is to die for), kase-spatzle (fancy macaroni and cheese) or anything that comes with a side of mashed potatoes. During the week, they have a whole host of activities – I’m often at trivia on Wednesdays, and the on the weekends they frequently have live bands and theme parties (like Wigs and Onsies or Bierfest).
My roommate Kelly enjoys the three liter boot we earned with a first place trivia finish.
To Watch the Game/For Pizza:
MacDuff’s Public House: MacDuff’s has, hands down, the best pizza in Tahoe. They also have a large beer menu, several big screen tvs, delicious fish and chips, and the spiciest wing sauce I’ve ever tried. It’s located just off the main road on Fremont Avenue, and has outdoor seating in the summer. After dinner, head to the bowling alley across the street for some cheap indoor fun.
Best Strip Mall Experience:
Artemis Mediterranean Grill: One thing you should know about South Lake Tahoe is that we have a lot of strip malls. This might not be something you’d notice if you stuck to the tourist/casino side of town. If you venture to where the locals hang out, you’ll definitely notice this. While strip mall after strip mall is not exactly the most aesthetically appealing form of city planning, there are some real gems to be found if you do some exploring. One of these gems: Artemis Mediterranean Grill for some seriously delicious Greek food. When my office was located near by, at least once a week someone went to pick up lunch there, and everyone in the office requested the same thing: Artemis Fries. They are thick cut fries topped with their secret seasoning blend and dipped in their seasoning sauce. I usually order the Super Veggie Pita. (Note: they now have another fancy marina location that’s just as delicious), but you’ll miss out on some of the local charm by avoiding the strip mall).
Best Dive Bar:
Turn 3: Located in the same strip mall as Artemis, calling Turn 3 one of my favorite places to eat is a stretch. It is my favorite dive bar, and it does have free peanuts and popcorn, so I say it counts. Turn 3 has a great 2 for 1 happy hour, good prices the rest of the time, free bingo (with prizes!) on Tuesdays, microbrews and cheap lagers, pool tables, and you can throw your peanut shells right on the floor. What more do you need?
Pool and peanuts at Turn 3.
Best Overall Menu/Brunch:
Getaway Cafe: This is a place where you could close your eyes, open the menu, point randomly and know that your meal is going to be delicious. Despite this, I almost always order the parmesan crusted grilled cheese sandwich. Come one, there’s two cheeses inside AND one on the outside? Can’t beat that. I even order it at breakfast! I have ordered a few other things, and I always make my dining companions share their food, and can vouch for the quality of nearly everything on the menu. Getaway Cafe is located about 6 miles outside of South Lake Tahoe in the adorable town of Meyers, a gateway to great back country adventure and on your way in or out via Sacramento.
Best Coffee:
Free Bird: As a Pacific Northwest native, I love good coffee, and Free Bird delivers. It’s a tiny, tiny space with standing room for maaaaybe three people (so all coffee is to go). The staff is friendly, the store supports tons of great local causes, and they totally embrace the hipster local organic free range fair trade bird aesthetic (you can buy “put a bird on it” stickers!). They also have amazing chai.
for my birthday and I love it. You can even button up the bottom for a cozy foot pocket.
options
.
. I’m getting these Smith Squad Goggles
with interchangeable lenses.
. It makes my bangs not-greasy, adds volume, doesn’t leave nearly as much white residue as other brands, and I love the smell.
, a Marmot vest
, and a hooded Marmot coat
that are all great for different situations. Greyson even has down puffy pants that I occasionally borrow.
and these leggings
. For a cheaper brand that I’ve had great luck with, I recommend Stoic’s Alpine Merino Line
. I have two pairs of bottoms and a long sleeve top, and they’ve held up really well. I find them on sale on Steep and Cheap fairly often.
before, which will keep your coffee hot for up to 6 hours! To make the best coffee, I like to use a pour over coffee maker
or a French Press
. Etsy also has a ton of adorable ceramic pour over coffee makers if you’re looking for something handmade. Last year, I splurged on this automatic Burr Mill
for amazing, fresh ground beans.
, but I lent it out, never got it back, and now make do with a regular scraper and cold hands. I also wouldn’t say no to this ice scraper with mitt
attached.
