Driving distance and time between high and low altitudes:
From Kingsbury Meadows
(to Gardnerville) rte 207 east 15 miles to Gardnerville
(...from Gardnerville to Reno) north on US 395 42 miles
(to the Placerville/Sacramento area) west on rte 207 4 miles to US 50. West on US 50 41 miles
to Placerville
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Closest major airport:
Reno International Airport (approx 60 minutes from Kingsbury Meadows)
Advantages of this location
Kingsbury Meadows is located on the south east corner of the lake, near Stateline, NV and the Heavenly Valley ski area. The Lake Tahoe area is probably the most picturesque area of the sites listed. The towns of Stateline and South Lake Tahoe, at 6,300ft, offer plenty of flat roads and parks for easy training. The Kingsbury Meadow area is located a short 4 miles from the lake at an elevation of 7,850ft. There are numerous comfortable condos in the area (in fact, there are only condos), which are used primarially for the ski season (the condos are at the Stagecoach lift area of Heavenly Valley Ski Area). Very easy to find accomodations during the summer and fall. Very short drive to 4,300ft for up-tempo runs. Only 45 miles to near sea level in the Sacramento area. The casinos a short drive away offer cheap meals, and the town of South Lake Tahoe has every modern convienence.
Disadvantages of this location
The condo areas in Kingsbury Meadows are located in very hilly areas. To do anything more than a 30 min easy run requires a short drive (i.e. few days of walking out the front door and starting a run). Some athletes will not like driving (even a few miles) daily for workouts. Weather in Lake Tahoe can be unpredictable (freak Memorial Day snow showers have been known to happen, and even in the summer, night time lows can reach freezing). Groceries in South Lake Tahoe are more expensive than "normal" (California taxes - buy your groceries and gas on the Nevada side in Gardnerville or Reno).
Training sites at low altitude:
Gardnerville and its sister city of Minden are located in a flat valley, with numerous quiet streets and dirt trails. Douglas County H.S. has the closest (cinder) track at low altitude. The closest all-weather track is at Carson City H.S., about 15 min north of Gardnerville. In Reno, both the Univ of Nevada-Reno and Reed H.S. in Sparks have all weather tracks. Galena H.S. is the southernmost H.S. in Reno (i.e. closest to Kingsbury meadows) and is brand new (probably all-weather track). The entire Washoe Valley area (from Reno on the northern end to Gardnerville on the southern end) has numerous trails and paved roads for training. In the Sacramento area, Placerville and Folsom have numerous high school tracks, and several trails are located on the banks of the American River. American River College has a beautiful all weather track (where Golden West is run), and Sacramento State's track will be hosting the 2000 Olympic Trials.
Links to general pages about the area
IMPORTANT NOTE: when talking to rental agencies about condos, make sure the condo is located in the Kingsbury Meadow area, near the Heavenly Stagecoach lift. There are numerous condos in this area at an appropriately high altitude, however many Lake Tahoe condos are at a much lower and less ideal altitude.
There are SEVERAL agencies that rent condos in the Lake Tahoe area - here are a few:
Lake Tahoe Accommodations
Toll Free: (800) 544-3234 - or - Phone: (916) 544-3234
Fax: (916) 542-1860
For more information on where to live and where to train in the Lake Tahoe / Northern Nevada / Sacramento area, e-mail chapmar@wpmail.phscare.org