Tahoe Boating

Lake Tahoe represents the finest powerboating experience in the world. The water in Lake Tahoe is amazingly clear and clean, with stunning visibility exceeding 60 feet in many areas. Powerboating on Lake Tahoe has a long history, reaching back to the 1890s. Early adventurers sent back news of amazement with the region, and reports of Lake Tahoe’s beauty did not go unnoticed by the wealthy families of San Francisco. By the turn of the century, the lake had become a haven for the well-to-do. Popular hotels of the era included the Tallac House, Tahoe Tavern and the Glenbrook Inn.

This period marked the heyday of steamship transportation around the lake, with mail and supply delivery around the lake, and lavish transport for visitors. During the ’20s and ’30s, the roads through the mountains were paved, bringing in greater numbers of people and sparking growth of smaller, middle-class lodges. Many boats such as the Tahoe, Nevada, and Meteor provided weekly supply and transportation to the Lake’s year-round residents.

Development at Lake Tahoe began in earnest in the 1950s. Roads to the Basin began to be plowed year-round, enabling permanent residence. The 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley put Lake Tahoe firmly on the map as the skiing center of the western United States. Through the 1950s and 1960s, many Gold Cup racing events were held here.

Today, Lake Tahoe continues to offer visitors a small taste of many historic eras. While hotel/casinos and ski resorts draw millions of guests each year, the main attraction continues to be the quiet beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the timeless inspiration of the lake itself.

Please visit Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Information for more information on our extraordinary home, Lake Tahoe.