Nestled at the foot of the snowcapped Eastern Sierra, winter in Carson Valley means access to premiere snow sports right up the mountain in South Lake Tahoe, fascinating raptor migrations and other unbeatable wildlife viewing, cozy Christmas celebrations promising a type of small-town charm you only see in the Hallmark movies, roaring distillery-side bonfires and full-hookups winter camping, delicious coffee and cocktails, flowing hot springs and in-room hot tubs, and far beyond. In other words, if you’re looking for a great wintry escape (especially to a place that’s said to expect another record year of Sierra snowfall) Carson Valley is it.
In-Room Hot Tubs and Bonfide-Side Mixology in Minden
Four words: in room hot tubs. There aren’t too many places that offer this hard-to-find luxury anymore, but Carson Valley Inn is one of them. Situated in the heart of downtown Minden, start by getting your spot on the reservation list in Minden’s largest (and fanciest!) casino resort property at CV Steak—one of the best steakhouses in Carson Valley with a long list of awards and an even longer list of local raves to prove it. Nothing says winter like cozying into tall leather booths with your loved ones, then showing your tastebuds what the Carson Valley dining experience is all about with decadent options like the juicy filet mignon, au gratin potatoes (our fave), and a specialty martini menu. Then, once you’ve dined yourself into submission, retreat to your room to slide into your own personal, bubbling hot tub. Locals love to make this a staycation, though we can say with certainty it’s the type of experience worth traveling for.
If you can pull yourself away from Carson Valley Inn’s too-good-to-be true comforts, the good news is you only have about a 5 minute walk to see what Minden Mill Distilling is all about. Formerly Bently Heritage Estate Distillery, this world-class distilling operation has once again opened its doors and better than ever. Transforming the historic, century-old Dangberg-made flour mills into one of the most elaborate gorgeous distilling operations you’ve ever seen (no seriously), tour the grounds to see how vodka, gin, whiskey, and other luxury spirits are made right here in Minden, NV, sip your way through the LEED Gold Certified tasting room, and cozy into roaring bonfire-side chairs outside for the best seat in the house. And for the non-drinker, there are mocktails to enjoy too. There’s no better way to raise a glass to winter in Carson Valley.
The King of Cozy Coffeehouses, Boisterous Dining Halls, and even Livelier Nevadans in Gardnerville
With an impressive lineup of hometown events happening all year long, the best antiquing and small town shopping for miles around, and uncomplicated histories at your fingertips, there’s a lot to keep you busy this winter in Gardnerville. And then? From coffee shops to it-feels-like-you-belong dining rooms, to celebrating Nevada’s unofficial state drink of choice, there’s an incredible food and drink scene sure to warm your spirits this season, too.
Carson Valley is the king of cute coffee shops, and you can’t go wrong with a cup at DST Coffee. Situated in the heart of downtown along Gardnerville’s most walkable stretch of locally owned businesses, warm up with locally roasted old world coffee, homemade ice cream, and freshly made pastries, then stroll the streets for your retail fix. Some of the Valley’s best local shopping scene is right here in Gardnerville, contained in a few short blocks, including Eddy Street Vintage Market (open for monthly, themed shopping extravaganzas), Fresh Ideas, Especially For You, Cheshire Antiques, and even Battle Born Wine to name a few among many. Once you’ve shopped ‘till you drop, head to the Overland Restaurant for lunch or even one of Gardnerville’s most beloved happy hours. Happening from 3:00 to 6:00 PM weekdays, cozy into this historic hundred-and-twenty-year-and-counting brick building and order up delicious pub burgers, smoked ribs or chicken wings, beer battered cheese curds, blistered shishito peppers, and of course flowing beer, wine, and other spirits.
And we wouldn’t be true Nevadans if we didn’t steer you towards sipping on Nevada’s unofficial state cocktail over at J.T. Basque. With a legendary Basque history that founded Carson Valley, big flavor in a lively dining room is the name of the game at this iconic Basque restaurant, and while being tucked in among Basques, multi-generation Nevadans, and other hungry locals and visitors along family-style dining room tables, if the fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks won’t warm you to your core, a cocktail that’s practically straight liquor should surely do the trick. Besides, did you really come to Carson Valley this winter without being part of its coziest cultural scene?
Legendary Charm and Unending Relaxation (Psssst… Hot Springs) in Historic Genoa, NV
When it comes to lasting historic charm that can’t be faked and unending natural hot springs, there’s no better spot than Genoa, NV. Strolling the historic streets where Nevada’s modern-day origin story all began is pretty great during any season, but particularly charming during the winter months when you can find your place next to a smoldering pot belly stove that’s been part of the Genoa Bar’s story since day 1. The bar is known for 170 years of legendary spirits and tall tales with perfectly pataina-ed, cobweb-covered relics just about everywhere you look. But make no mistake Genoa’s historic charm will unfold in the most unpretentious ways right in front of that stove with a bloody mary in hand. Whether or not you’re looking for a way to warm your spirits after strolling the Genoa Historic District or are making the Genoa Bar the destination, make sure you stop in to see what this historic haunt is all about with your own two eyes.
As if that’s not enough to send you all the way into vacation mode, Genoa offers more than a few ways to really hit the reset button the same way its patrons have for more than a hundred years at David Walley’s Resort. Just about as lived in as the Genoa Bar, David Walley’s Hot Springs is the most historic hot springs resort in Nevada borders. And while the hot water here has kept people coming back for many decades, you won’t have to say goodbye to any modern amenities in order to soak it all in. Do the backstroke in an enormous, hot springs-filled pool, or take your pick from three or four hot tub-style pools, each varying in temperature.
And, if you are into the latest and greatest wellness practices, Genoa offers plenty of those too over at the Genoa Wellness Spa downtown. As one of historic Genoa’s newest businesses, bask in traditional spa services here with a robust menu offering everything from a Swedish therapeutic massage, deep tissue, hot stone, prenatal, healing, CBD, body wraps, and even a craniosacral massage. Genoa Wellness Spa also offers a long list of facials (even a beautiful beard facial for that extra tough-to-shop-for family member), and wellness offerings that include yoga, reiki, and sound healing, too.
Winter Camping, Steakhouses With a View, and the Best Kept Fishing Scene Around at Topaz Lake
Winter camping, anyone? For those of us who have camping trailers with a blazing furnace inside, there aren’t any better thrills than full hookups and hardly anybody else around. Throw in full hookups, a truly spectacular alpine lake, millions of twinkling stars overhead, and some of the best winter fishing around and now we’re really talking. Basically, as one of Carson Valley’s best kept secrets, better make sure to find a way to get Topaz Lake on your winter agenda.
Situated a quick 45 minutes from downtown Minden and Gardnerville, a couple hundred people call Topaz Lake their home, and boy are they lucky. This state-straddling high desert lake straddles the California-Nevada border, with one of the region’s best recreation areas and lake-view steakhouses on the Nevada side. Take your pick from about 15 campsites that offer full hookups all year long, then see what Nevada’s high desert beauty is all about with all kinds of hiking trails, a boat launch ready to support your kayaking and fishing daydreams, and even a little island that offers up some of the best views this side of the Sierra.
Once you’ve staked out your spot, head five minutes down the road to the Topaz Lodge Resort Casino. Let us put it to you this way: the vibe other mountain lodges try to curate naturally exists at the Topaz Lodge and Casino, with a really great casino floor and bar, hotel rooms and RV sites, and one of the best restaurant views in all of Carson Valley. Grab a cocktail and try your luck on the casino floor, or head straight for the Steak House at Topaz Lodge, open Thursday through Saturday, for absolutely delicious dining overlooking Topaz Lake, with the glow of an unreal wintertime sunset as the cherry on top. Afterwards, head back to your campsite, stoke up that campfire and gaze away at the celestial show of a lifetime.
Ready for even more ways to celebrate the season in Carson Valley? Be sure to download our visitors guide and subscribe to our email list for even more trip-planning info and inspiration.