Adventurers around the world are facing a pent-up demand for travel. After two years of staying home, travelers are ready to get out and create some more memories in 2022. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada just 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe and an hour from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Carson Valley, Nevada, brings big destination bucket-list worthy experiences for travelers seeking an escape that are easily within reach.
Soaring
Glider enthusiasts travel from around the world to experience a flight from Minden, and for good reason. Ideal air stream conditions mix with spectacular scenery to give riders the thrill of a lifetime. Carson Valley’s Soaring NV takes guests on a flight high above both Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe by tow cable, before cutting them loose to soar the skies. Because gliders are engineless, there is no motor noise, giving passengers a rare, bird-like experience. There is no better place than Carson Valley to complete this bucket list experience.
Skydiving
If floating in a glider is too safe, adrenaline junkies can check out Skydive Lake Tahoe, also based at the Minden-Tahoe Airport. A common bucket-list item for thrill seekers around the world, Carson Valley’s skydiving offers what many others cannot – views of the gorgeous Lake Tahoe while free falling. There’s nothing quite like seeing the Sierra cradling the Lake Tahoe Basin, and the dramatic face of the mountains over the Carson Valley.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Another common bucket list item, but with a Carson Valley twist – hot air ballooning. Balloon Nevada offers balloon rides with expert pilots guiding their crafts high enough to peek over the Lake Tahoe Basin to capture photos of Lake Tahoe, one of America’s most photographed lakes, from a completely unique vantage point. This is the perfect activity for those looking for just a little less heart thumping, though the views are no less thrilling.
Golf-Ski Challenge – Ice Tee as Locals Call It
There are only a few places in the county where you can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. Lovers of outdoor recreation may think they need to choose between a ski day or a golf day, but in Carson Valley that’s not the case. Due to its proximity to Lake Tahoe, it’s quite possible to hit the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort in the morning, then hit the links at one of Carson Valley’s four golf courses in the afternoon.
Bike All Day and Fuel Up at Nevada’s Oldest Thirst Parlor
There’s no better bucket list item than a challenging mountain bike trail in the Sierra Nevada. Better yet, end the day at a historic saloon. With hundreds of miles of trails in the region, downhill thrill seekers can feel the rush of the descent and end their adventure in Genoa. Here, history buffs enjoy the thrill of walking in the footsteps of those from the past. Do just this at Genoa Bar, Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor. Built in 1853, it’s seen the likes of Mark Twain, Clark Gable, Red Skelton, Willie Nelson, Presidents Roosevelt and Grant, Johnny Cash and more. Pull up a stool and transport back to the wild west at this iconic watering hole.
Reconnect with Wild West Roots
Carson Valley was home to the first non-native settlement in Nevada, making it a perfect place to reconnect with the wild west and pioneer culture. Always wanted to feel like a legendary old west cowboy? Take a wild horse tour with a local guide and get up close and personal with these majestic wild creatures. Or take a photography tour to capture amazing birds of prey as they dive, swoop and capture their prey across the valley.
After the adventure, there’s plenty of fine dining, relaxing and fun to be had in Carson Valley. Stop by Bently Heritage Estate Distillery for a tour and cocktail tasting from one of the country’s few estate distilleries. Then check out some of Carson Valley’s unique dining options, including an authentic, family-style Basque meal at JT Bar and Dining Room. To end the day, relax in natural hot springs at David Walley’s Resort where the five pools are filled with natural hot spring waters. Whatever the desire for adventure and thrill, Carson Valley delivers.
Carson Valley, nestled at the base of the Sierra begs visitors to not just drive through it, but to it. Located 45 miles south of Reno-Tahoe International Airport and 12 miles east of South Lake Tahoe, the region’s natural beauty is legendary: wide-open farms, ranches, bands of wild horses and birds of prey dot the landscape. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts follow all points of the compass with more than 50+ miles of hiking, mountain biking or walking trails along with world class road biking. The valley’s museums, arts, antiquing, Basque dining, historic watering holes and more add to the destination's authentic culture. The region includes the communities of Minden, Gardnerville, Topaz Lake and Genoa, Nevada’s first settlement dating back to 1851. Explore the land of everyday legends at VisitCarsonValley.org.
