Snowglobe Music Festival Travel Guide
There are plenty of events surrounding New Years Eve, but none quit compare to EMD themed Snowglobe Music Festival, held in South Lake Tahoe. Being held outdoors in the mountains mid winter means everyone has to dance that much more to stay warm. Speaking of dancing the festival line up features a great variety of music to dance too. The focus of the festival is on electronic music however there is plenty of variety from deep house to hip-hop. This past year the festival featured Kaskade, Tiesto, Cut Copy and even Snoop Dogg.
What to do
While it’s known for its skiing and snowboarding, South Lake offers plenty of entertainment on and off the slopes. Heavenly Ski Resort’s village is right in the middle of town offering restaurants, shops, lodging and even a movie theater. There is also the benefit of half of the town being in Nevada, which means there are plenty of casinos that offer lodging, food, and of course gambling. During Snowglobe they host the after parties, which are the place to be when the festival ends for the night.
Lodging
Since the festival occurs over a holiday lodging can be expensive and sell out rather quickly so it is best to book early to get the best deals. The casinos such as Harvey’s and Harrah’s have the most rooms available, but not necessarily the best quality. The Park Tahoe Inn is smaller but offers great amenities and is right in the middle of town. There are also plenty of houses and condo’s for rent in the Tahoe area that can be reasonable if you are planning for a large group.
Food
The best selection of food is inside the festival with vendors offering everything from the simple burger to thai food and plenty of vegetarian options. If you’re looking to warm up there are heated beer tents that are sponsored by Sierra Nevada that also have a full bar. Outside of the festival there are also plenty of options. If you’re looking for something simple go to Blue Dog Pizza and if you want something more expensive go to Edgewood which offers a lake view and an exquisite menu.
Getting There
The fastest way to get to South Lake is to fly into Reno and either take a shuttle or rent a car to make the hour and a half drive into the mountains. Once you’re in South Lake there are shuttles that can get you to and from the venue that is about a mile and a half away from the downtown area. A shuttle pass costs extra, but is well worth it. Most of the shops and restaurants are within walking distance, but there are also buses and taxi’s to get around town. Parking near the venue is limited so if you are driving it is best to park at one of the casinos (they offer free parking) and take a shuttle.
What to bring
You’ll need to pack more than usual since the weather in Tahoe is cold in the winter, but can be mild during the day. Obviously if you plan on skiing or snowboarding then pack equipment or there are plenty of places to rent skis/boards. After a long day of skiing and night of partying it’s great to have a bathing suit as most of the hotels have hot tubs or heated pools to relax in.
Snowglobe allows you to start the New Year in a different way. You’ll be able to enjoy all the winter fun Tahoe has to offer, and amazing views all while attending one of the best winter festivals. Whether you plan a week long ski trip around the festival or just go for New Years Eve it is sure to be a memorable experience.
By Chris Rozzo FestPop Staff Writer