The scenic resort of Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada, provides avid skiers and snowboarders with a host of sporting and socialising opportunities whilst on holiday.

Lake Tahoe is an inland, freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is one of the largest lakes in the United States at 35km long and 19km wide. There have been settlements around the lake since the 1800s and was founded as a resort community for Virginia City in 1864.

Attempts have been made to designate the whole area a national park, but the end of World War II saw extensive development around the lake’s shores, including the construction of gambling casinos in the Nevada third.

The permanent resident population is now more than 50,000 and the lake is surrounded by lively bars and restaurants. The resort is popular year round and the region is beautiful and green in the summer and sparse and brilliant white in the winter.

Thousands of skiers search flights and head for the slopes around Tahoe in the winter for a holiday, for both the dramatic views and some of the best downhill skiing terrain in the US in its forested granite peaks.

The largest ski area in Tahoe is Heavenly Valley near to Stateline, Nevada, and there are many smaller and medium-sized areas with good hotels. Squaw Valley, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, offers some excellent terrain for snowboarders, including a super-pipe, boardercross course and an array of rail.

The main ski resorts around Lake Tahoe offer everything, from gentle slopes for children and beginners to off piste action and steep runs for experts. Tuition is plentiful and well priced and there are numerous equipment hire outlets. For cross-country fans, Tahoe has an impressive 200 miles plus of scenic trails.

Other winter sports available around Lake Tahoe include sledding, snow tubing, snowmobile rides, cross-country skiing and snowshoe treks. The lake is a firm favourite with watersports fans and there are numerous hiking and mountain biking trails around it.

There are a number of cities, towns and resorts located around the lake, offering something for everyone, from party animals to families. Evening entertainment varies from place to place, with plenty of huge casinos on the Nevada side of the border.

Depending on where visitors choose to stay, Tahoe provides a dizzying array of eating opportunities, from fish restaurants and fine dining to huge buffets and fast food. Many restaurants have stunning views and an evening is well spent over dinner in one of the many excellent eateries.

Bars and nightclubs are plentiful and generally relaxed, while each resort has its own share of shops selling a range of goods for tourists. Most resorts have evening entertainment for families, as well as numerous live shows and music concerts throughout the year.

Accommodation varies in price from town to town, though Southshore offers good value year round, with plenty of cheap motels. Tahoe City is more expensive and livelier, with rooms in all manner of buildings, from chalets to casino hotels.

For those seeking thrills off piste, it is also possible to stay in gambling mecca Reno, Nevada, which is a short drive from the main ski resorts.