Even among the state’s many famous landmarks, Tahoe is beloved and revered. The 2-million-year-old lake, famed for its deep blue color, sits in a basin encircled by steep forests.

Like any alpine destination, Tahoe winters hinge on the slopes. January and February are peak months, luring an influx of visitors and sporting diehards to towns encircling the lake. Save for last ...

the alpine lake became a place of leisure, “a fabulous example of the idea of the natural landscape being restorative,” Raymond said. “Lake Tahoe became one of the places in California ...