It’s certainly true that planners can find a wellness element—a relaxing spa here, a nutritious farm-to-table meal there—in a vast array of meetings destinations. But a locale like Lake Tahoe, which boasts a top-to-bottom wellness experience beginning the moment attendees step into its fresh air, is rather special.
It’s a place planners can feel comfortable marketing a meeting, be it a corporate brainstorming session, an incentive gathering or board retreat, that is sure to inspire and rejuvenate attendees.
“Lake Tahoe is absolutely a ‘wellness’ destination in every sense of the word,” says Jason Neary, director of sales for the North Lake Tahoe CVB. “From the physical to the psychological and the spiritual, Tahoe offers an abundance of health and wellness opportunities for meeting attendees.”
Whether they’re convening in the northern or southern half of this sparkling lake, wonderful spas, yoga studios, meditation centers, four seasons of fitness opportunities in gorgeous surroundings and healthy restaurants are all available to promote the collective well-being of any visiting group.
North Lake Tahoe
Tahoe’s northern area, home of July’s four-day Wanderlust Squaw Valley, one of the largest yoga, meditation and music festivals in the country, has developed a reputation for delivering groups a mind-body connection.
“Even if you’re not able to attend the festival, it is very common for companies meeting in North Lake Tahoe to begin their day with a 30-minute yoga class to get your mind right for the busy day of meetings ahead,” Neary says.
From Tahoe Adventure Company, which offers a stand-up paddleboard yoga class that includes a scenic lake paddle followed by a paddleboard asana flow, and Tahoe Flow Arts Studio, which offers groups Zen-like activities such as “aerial fabrics and yoga,” to four seasons of other active options, attendees have ample opportunities to stretch their bodies before sharing ideas in a meeting room.
“Summer in Tahoe means endless wellness opportunities,” Neary says, citing kayaking and paddleboarding as popular group options. “Both are simple to master and nothing beats floating on Lake Tahoe and communing with nature and your coworkers.”
With autumn comes crisp, cool mornings and mild afternoons that are perfect for both mountain biking and hiking.
“Hiking is a very popular choice for groups as nearly everyone can participate and you don’t need any special equipment,” Neary says. “In many instances you can start the hike right from your hotel and be on gorgeous mountain trails in a matter of minutes.”
Picturesque area hikes include Shirley Canyon, which starts just outside the front doors of the Village at Squaw Valley, Squaw Valley Lodge and PlumpJack, and is just a short distance from the Resort at Squaw Creek; and the Tunnel Creek Trail, which is easily accessible from the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and provides access to the world-famous Flume Trail above Lake Tahoe.
And in winter, of course, attendees can’t wait to hit the slopes for downhill skiing and snowboarding.
“We often coordinate friendly ski races for groups as a way to get fit and see coworkers in an entirely different way than you do during your daily 9-to-5 at the office,” Neary says.
After burning some calories, groups will really enjoy a nice healthy meal at their host hotel.
“The most common request our hotels get is to customize their menus,” Neary says. “They happily provide vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and often offer a healthy breakfast buffet rather than the traditional eggs benedict and pancake option.”
The Cedar House Sport Hotel offers a five-day program that combines scenic day hikes, early evening cooking classes and multicourse wine dinners; Hyatt Regency offers Fishable Lake Tahoe, a fishing excursion that concludes with chef Rick Koplau discussing healthy preparation for the caught fish with attendees; and chef Mark Estee recently opened Reno Provisions, which is both a market for take-home restaurant staples and a private event venue.
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“Guests can shop in Reno and chef Estee will travel to the lake for private cooking demonstrations,” Neary says. “All items are locally made and produced, the butcher shop can customize for special orders, and the pasta, pastry and bread production is fantastic for large groups.”
And let’s not forget, Lake Tahoe is home to some of the West’s most amazing spas, mainly located on-site at its most popular meetings-friendly properties.
Stillwater Spa at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort currently offers a special Mountain Wellness package that places an emphasis on overall wellness, according to Erica Korpi, director of the spa.
“Visitors enjoy a special hot stone massage—the granite stones are actually shaped and smoothed here in the waters of Lake Tahoe—and a Hydrafacial, followed by a light lunch and mountain-inspired cocktail,” she says. “Then, depending on the guest’s mood or proclivities, they’re given the choice of a salon treatment or outdoor activity, like a stand-up paddleboard or yoga session. Our goal is to give our guests a holistic wellness experience that is both invigorating, indulgent and reflective of the area’s tranquil, natural environment.”
And according to Robin Penning, spokeswoman for The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Lake Tahoe, a variety of customized wellness options is available for groups, among them “juice bars, spa-themed breakout sessions, including chair massages and group stretches, and an interactive scrub bar to relax, refresh and rejuvenate attendees during their meeting schedule,” she says.
South Lake Tahoe
There are many spas along Tahoe’s southern shore as well, including MontBleu Resort Casino’s Onsen and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe’s Reflections.
At The Landing Spa at The Landing Resort, treatments such as the Emerald Bay Gemstone Facial are named after iconic Tahoe landmarks and available “to promote relaxation and recovery after a day of adventuring in our scenic landscapes,” says Laura Mate, spokeswoman for the property.
“We work closely with group leaders to inform them of treatment options and arrange for healthy snacks and drinks,” she adds. “Private yoga classes are also available for groups.”
At The Ridge Tahoe, according to Marlena Freitas, director of resort sales for The Ridge Resorts, there is a full-service spa as well as portable spa tables and massage chairs for groups to enjoy treatments wherever they’d like, be it outside or in a private meeting space.
“We can customize a package to include any wellness requests,” she says. “We feature healthy and sustainable menu items, such as a Build your own Cobb Salad Bar, and our executive retreat package features a one-hour complimentary guided group hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail.”
South Tahoe’s wellness offerings, from massages and healthy meals at meetings-friendly properties to getting active outside, are similar to its northern neighbor.
“Planners who stage meetings on the South Shore hit a home run with participants because of the incredible scenic beauty, the diversity of recreation and the relaxed vibe,” says Mike Frye, spokesman for Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
Four seasons of activities here include outings with Tahoe Fly Fishing, Kayak Tahoe and South Tahoe Standup Paddle; hiking and skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort; and snowshoeing cocktail races at Camp Richardson.
In addition to Camp Richardson, popular areas to “connect with nature, clear your head and focus,” according to Frye, include Zephyr Cove Resort and Emerald Bay, which he says is “by far the most iconic and photographed location around the lake.”
