Morning

Fresh Start: Begin your day in a healthy way at Café Blue where you can choose from among fresh pressed juices, signature house-made paninis and pastries, and slow-roasted coffees. You’re in for an active day, so make sure your body is well-fueled.

Trail Time: Just down the hill from the hotel, meet the Sawmill Lake hiking trail, a 2.3-mile round trip of moderate difficulty. For a longer trek, ride the scenic chairlift from nearby Northstar California to pick up trails of varying challenge and miles of tracks and loops. Or check in with the mountain concierge, who will arrange a guided hike or make recommendations.

Midday

Lunch, Alfresco: Arrange a picnic lunch for your hike in advance through Café Blue, or hitch a ride on the inter-mountain gondola to The Village at Northstar, a bustling community with stylish boutiques, specialty retailers, cafés, restaurants and a year-round skating rink. 

Afternoon

Set Sail: The quiet beauty of Lake Tahoe’s waters and a consistent afternoon breeze are a perfect sailing environment. Experience the lake in a natural, eco-friendly way aboard the Tahoe Cruz, a 50-foot monohull boat. Daily sailings from Tahoe City are offered all summer — call ahead to book, and ask about private charters.  

Evening

Culinary California: For dinner, Gar Woods Grill & Pier is a sublime place to watch the sun set over the West Shore of Lake Tahoe while sipping on their signature cocktail, the Wet Woody, and enjoying healthy California cuisine, fresh Pacific seafood and hand-cut steaks. 

Fireside Pleasures: Relive your day of adventure and plan your next with a favorite beverage in The Living Room. The relaxing ambiance and warm glow of the stone fireplace will help soothe any sore muscles.

Family Fun: If you have little ones along, ask about the Indoor Campout package, part of the Ritz Kids program. Designed for children ages 4 to 8, the package brings the thrill of camping to the comfort of your room by providing a small tent, a featherbed, an activity book and crayons, a camp light, a teddy bear and a s’mores kit.

Morning

Kick-Start Your Day. Work out in the fitness center, where each cardio machine is equipped with a private entertainment system and you can join a group fitness class such as activate stretch, core activation and yoga sculpt.

Trail Time. Go for a short hike on the Sunset Trail, accessed from the top of the Tahoe Zephyr chairlift. The trail crosses the west ridge of Mount Pluto and affords spectacular views of the Pacific Crest and the backside of Northstar.

Kids Camp. For youngsters not ready for longer outdoor treks, look into the fun activities they can enjoy during the day with Ritz Kids — adventure hikes, crafts, scavenger hunts and lawn games.

Midday

Join the Club. Head to Lake Club, an exclusive amenity for resort guests that features an elegant, multi-level dining and bar facility with panoramic views of the lake. Set on an expansive waterfront lawn, Lake Club provides guests with direct beach access and a private boat pier offering a myriad of summer recreational activities and water sports.

Go Deep. Drive to the UC Davis Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, Nevada, to learn about the area’s ecological challenges and view an award-winning 3-D movie, “Lake Tahoe in Depth.” Kids will like the cool factor of interactive exhibits, including a virtual reality trip through the lake.

Afternoon

Spa and Ahh. Take care of yourself by escaping to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Lake Tahoe. Relax by the warmth of a fireplace in your private restoration lounge, detoxify in the dry-heat lodge, or mentally recharge in the uplifting eucalyptus steam room.

Evening

Rugged Luxury. Dine at the Manzanita restaurant where the finest in-season ingredients are combined to create diverse flavor profiles. The restaurant’s design — natural materials, an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows — is in exquisite harmony with the mountain environs.

Ooey Gooey Treats. Cozy up next to the Fire Pit and enjoy house-made s’mores while the resident Marshmologist fills you in on the history of the marshmallow and the traditional s’mores ingredients.

Healing Heat. Soothe your tired muscles and get ready for a good night of sleep with a well-deserved dip in one of the two oversized jetted hot tubs.

Morning

Take a Dip. Begin your morning with an invigorating swim in the spa lap pool overlooking the mountain slope. You’ve had an active couple of days, so your body will welcome doing something a little more low-impact.

Town and Country. Take a little time to explore historic Truckee, California, a small town with a family-friendly atmosphere full of charming shops, art galleries and cafes.

Midday

Mountain Biking Galore. You’re in a mountain biking hub, with options for riders of any skill level. Ride along the Truckee River Legacy Trail or the world-famous Flume Trail, or opt for a more leisurely outing along the Truckee River Bike Path. Professional guides can offer a wealth of information on local history. Snacks and a deli lunch are included.

Afternoon

Beach Bliss. Lake Tahoe has a number of fabulous beaches suitable for swimming, picnicking or just contemplating the beauty of nature. Sand Harbor, on the East Shore, boasts 55 acres of long sandy beaches, rocky coves, shaded forest and stunning lake views.

Game Time. Challenge your friends and family to a game of bocce ball, giant Jenga or other lawn games in our mountainside backyard.

Evening

BBQ and More. After three days of action, you’ll have a mountain-sized appetite, and the Backyard Bar & BBQ is ready to serve. The menu has traditional barbecue favorites such as St. Louis smoked ribs, and wood-fired oven-baked pizzas and burgers.

Family Fun. Visit Family Night in the Arcade located on the property’s lower lobby on Friday evenings, or venture over to the 9,000-square-foot permanent ice skating rink at The Village at Northstar.

Morning

Warm and Healthy. The Café Blue serves up healthy dishes to supercharge your day on the snow. Choose from warm breakfast paninis and pastries, along with fresh pressed juices and coffee.

Ski Time. Hit the slopes at Northstar California resort, boasting more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, 20 chairlifts and 100 trails, most of them intermediate level. The mountain concierge at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is expert at recommending the most scenic trails and untouched terrain for the day.

Midday

A Hearty Lunch. Skiing works up a powerful hunger, and The Backyard Bar & BBQ offers ski-in/ski-out outdoor dining and a menu of smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, word-fired oven-baked pizzas, burgers and bratwurst. Or stop at Northstar’s iconic Zephyr Lodge to enjoy its floor-to-ceiling views and large, luxurious family-style room.

Afternoon

A Toast to Remember. Cozy up to the resort’s fire pit and indulge in the Après-Ski Experience, featuring Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial and a raw bar of delectable chef favorites, such as chilled shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell and ceviche.

Rest and Relax. Escape to the slope-side spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Relax by the warmth of a fireplace in your private restoration lounge, detoxify in the dry-heat lodge, or mentally recharge in the uplifting eucalyptus steam room.

Evening

Take to the Skies. Step into the Highlands Gondola and ride to The Village at Northstar where your dinner options include everything from pub fare and family-friendly dining to refined California cuisine.

Morning

Morning Workout. Energize your body for the day ahead with a visit to the spa’s fitness center where you’ll find treadmills, arc trainers, elliptical machines, and recumbent and upright stationary bikes, each with a personal entertainment system. The Winter Conditioning group fitness class is sure to boost your performance on the slopes.

Slope Style. Before heading out, stop by True North to ramp up your winter wardrobe. The on-site ski retail and rental shop offers premier ski and fashion apparel, footwear, eyewear and accessories for all of your outdoor winter adventures.

Hit the Town. Take the 10-minute drive to Truckee, California, and discover authentic small-town character and myriad possibilities for outdoor fun. For something different, explore the surrounding Sierra Nevada on a dog sled adventure or snow shoe excursion.

Midday

Lunch Downtown. Visit Truckee’s historical downtown area and its charming shops, art galleries and food options.

Afternoon

Let it Snow. Hop on a snowmobile for a ride on groomed trails through the Tahoe National Forest, and enjoy majestic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling leads group and private tours; call ahead to make reservations.

Evening

Gather Around the Fire Pit. Indulge in what may be the ultimate wintertime culinary activity: Making s’mores at the fire pit, where a Marshmologist fills you in on the history of the marshmallow and the traditional s’mores ingredients.

Cozy, Winter Fun. Take time to reflect on your adventures by the warm glow of the stone fireplace in the Living Room. For children, finding The Ritz-Carlton Bear in a game of hide-and-seek means a prize from the concierge desk.

Late-Night Adventure. If you still want to experience more winter wonders before calling it a day, on select nights you can journey under starry skies on a snowshoe tour with star guide and poet Tony Berendsen. The adventure includes state-of-the-art telescopes.

Morning

Warm Waters. Plunge into the spa’s heated lap pool for a refreshing morning swim and a perfect low-impact complement to all the vigorous activity you’ve been enjoying. Don’t forget to look up at the stunning mountain views.

School Time. Ready to take your skills on the slopes to the next level? Sign up for lessons from Northstar’s world-class instructors or consider going with a tailored, private experience through the Adventure, Guiding & Learning Center.

Just for the Little Ones. Check out the unique Ritz Kids winter programming, with educational activities created by Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society for children ages 5 to 12. The program includes adventure activities, arts and crafts, and culinary creations.

Midday

Simple Pleasures. Tubing is a frolicking good time for everyone. Northstar’s 200-yard tubing hill is located mid-mountain and accessed by tow lift, making for an exhilarating ride and a memorable way to finish up on the mountain.

Take Care of Yourself. Alternatively, take a soothing break from winter’s dry air and cold winds with the spa’s Après Recovery treatment, which restores tight, aching muscles to peak condition and includes a take home soothing balm for joints and muscles.

Afternoon

Get Creative. Explore the Village at Northstar, a thriving community with stylish boutiques, cafés and restaurants as well as a year-round skating rink. Take a break from the great outdoors and try your hand at candle-making and pottery painting at the Villager Candle Shop.

Evening

Dinner With a View. Dine at Manzanita, where the culinary masters combine classical techniques with modern twists to create artistically inspired cuisine. The restaurant’s design uses natural materials, an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows to integrate perfectly with the surrounding mountain environs.

Lasting Memories. In The Village at Northstar, glide a few laps on the 9,000-square-foot ice skating rink and sip a mug of hot chocolate as you bask in the warmth of the fire pits and the glow of three unforgettable days.