82 beachLIFE FEATURE THE AMERICAN ROAD TRIP
TAHOE
Let ’ s begin with a few fun facts . Lake Tahoe is two-million years old , making it one of the oldest lakes in the world . It ’ s also the second deepest in the United States at 1,665 feet , and its waters are some of the purest in the world ( 99.994 % pure ). The water never freezes , so visitors can ski or snowboard at any of the eleven area resorts in the morning and have dinner at a restaurant that evening with breathtaking views of the lake .
The area ’ s rich mining history dates back to the days of the California Gold Rush . Prospectors still come here hoping to strike it rich , panning for gold in the surrounding mountains . But the main attraction is
stops along the way
TAHOE
• Virginia City , Nevada
• Truckee , California
• Donner Party Museum
BIG SKY
• Yellowstone National Park
• Bozeman
• Jackson Hole , Wyoming
SUN VALLEY
• Sawtooth Mountains
• The Hemingway House
• Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness the alpine beauty and the year-round adventure it offers , including alpine and backcountry skiing and snowboarding . Of course , there are also a few casinos on the Nevada side of the lake .
BIG SKY
They say you ’ ll come for the winter and stay for the summer . And why not ? This is Norman MacLean country , a storied landscape where wild things are free to roam . Epic trout streams present extraordinary fly-fishing opportunities . Iconic wildlife that defines the American West call this realm home — from grizzly bear to bison , elk and moose . The Gallatin River runs fast during spring runoff , providing the perfect venue for a spirited whitewater rafting adventure . There is dog sledding , snowshoeing , and of course skiing and boarding , along with endless miles of hiking trails — many of which are accessible directly from homes offered by Natural Retreats .
In the summer months , trade the sleigh ride dinners for a chuckwagon barbeque . In recent years , Big Sky has developed into a luxury mountain destination with endless miles of wilderness right out your backdoor . As such , it serves as the perfect base camp to explore the geological wonders of Yellowstone National Park , which is a 45-minute drive away .