Best place to maximize skiing, while gambling at night in Reno?

Question

I'm going to Reno with a group of two or three thirty-something couples in March 08. Our goal is extreme convenience for skiiing (ski-in/out) with nice gambling options for nightlife. (onsite or close via cab).

I know nothing about Reno, so please advise as to hotel/condo options that may suit our needs. (We'd opt for a 2 or 3 bedroom condo if it fits the above requirements.)

Thanks so much!

Richard

Answer 1

What's more important, the quality of the ski experience or the quality of the gambling/nightlife experience???

You have two options here. If skiing is your first priority, ski in Tahoe and gamble in Reno. For this, your best option is the north Tahoe resorts, Squaw and Alpine. Northstar too, is an option. Without snow and road closures (which happen frequently, at least once a week during the snowy season) which means the road can be closed for an hour to most of a day. This certainly is the cheapest option as hotels in Reno are quite inexpensive. I did this and paid less than $50/day for Circus Circus in downtown Reno.

If gambling/nightlife is the priority, then stay in South Tahoe, or Stateline, near Heavenly Valley. (Ever wonder why they call a ski area a "Valley"?) Hotel prices are much higher here but the hassle of not having to commute and the possibility of road closures is not there. The casinos have been upgraded and are not as seedy as in the past.

I've done both and both have advantages and disadvantages. I'm not much of a gambler so I prefer Squaw and Alpine to Heavenly any day, but sometimes driving is a hassle.

Good luck.

Bob

Answer 2

You are not going to ski in/ski out in Reno.

Try Stateline, in Nevada (lots of casinos) or South Lake Tahoe in California (no casinos but a nicer environment). The towns straddle the border at the south end of the lake. Still not ski in/ski out, but there is a gondola up to Heavenly from South Lake Tahoe.