Best Places for Hot Chocolate with Kids in Tahoe

At Alpine Meadows, the ski school really makes it fun for little kids. Along with lessons, there is lunch with hot chocolate, movies and a playroom. For bigger kids there is the Junior Mountaineer program, skiing and snowboarding. Programs include ski equipment and lift tickets.

Outdoor Cabana Bars located around the rink at NorthStar (tented seating areas around the ice rink.) While all of the seating is in full view of the ice rink (which is great for keeping an eye on your skating kiddos), the most desirable seats are around the fire pits. While the bar sells a high priced smore kit (which gives you enough to satisfy the sweet cravings of six friends), the Northstar Village Market Place, which is a short walk from the Cabana, will sell you enough materials to outfit yourself and your pals multiple times over as well the scads of new friends you'll make.

Imagine a slow, easy ski along the shores of Lake Tahoe with a stop for a cup of hot chocolate with the kids before building a quick snowman peeking between the trees. The views are spectacular and the trails are groomed and marked for the beginner to the expert. Full cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available from the Mountain Sports Center.

Diamond Peak is known as "Your Tahoe Place for Kids". They serve some of the best hot chocolate in town at the Base Lodge. They also have a nationally recognized Child Ski Center that teaches kids 3-7 years old the sport of skiing. They offer private and group lessons. It's a fun safe environment for the children.

All resort guests can enjoy breakfast each day as part of their lodging. Granlibakken is known for its hearty, hot breakfast buffet featuring hot chocolate and whip cream for the kids. In addition to offering lodging, Granlibakken also has a small downhill skiing and snowboarding area, cross country skiing, and a snowplay area when you can slide downhill on a saucer.

Tamarack Lodge - Located at the top of Heavenly Gondola, Tamarack Lodge is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a yummy cup of hot chocolate, including free refills. The 14,720-square-foot restaurant and lodge offers guests 484 indoor seats, 250 outdoor patio seats, and panoramic views of both the Nevada and California slopes of Heavenly in Lake Tahoe. • Heavenly Village, located off Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, is filled with restaurants, shops, galleries and an ice rink. From the Village, you can take Heavenly Gondola up to the mid-station observation deck for a unique view of Lake Tahoe or on up to Tamarack Lodge and the slopes. • Ripperoo Parades - January 7-March 24 - Each Saturday, until March 24, Ripperoo, Heavenly's loveable mascot, will give children the chance to star in their own parade, as they play music, sing songs, and march through Heavenly Village. The Ripperoo Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the base of the Gondola and will end with hot chocolate and photos with Ripperoo. • Ski/Play Program - The Heavenly Ski/Play program is perfect for kids ages 3-4 who are ready for an introduction to skiing. Children participate in a one-hour ski clinic at the "Enchanted Forest," where they will be put into groups of four led by a professional instructor. The remainder of the day will be spent partaking in indoor and outdoor play activities at the day care center. Advance reservations can save you up to $25 off the walk-in price and are encouraged as space is limited. Logon to skiheavenly.com or call 1.800.Heavenly to make a reservation.

Grab the kids for a Family Afternoon Snowshoe Tour taking place at Northstar California this winter season. These tours are a wonderful way to introduce your little ones to the great outdoors in a fun, unintimidating, and friendly atmosphere. The tours are open to all ages and will be an easy snowshoe for the whole family. Tours will begin at the Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center at 1:00 p.m. and will last approximately 3 hours, including rest breaks. Your guide will lead you on a snowshoe adventure along some easy trails through scenic forests and alpine meadows. Tours will then return to the Cross Country Center for hot chocolate, cookies, and snow play. • For children who may get tired, our Chariot Carrier sleds will be provided for the group's use free of charge. • All tours will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will depart from the Cross Country Ski, Telemark & Snowshoe Center. Tours last approximately 3 hours. • February 22 • April 5

Ice skating - Glide around the resort's outdoor exhibition rink, with its background of the Sierra Nevada range, then warm up with a mug of hot chocolate. They rent figure and hockey skates, as well as helmets. (Opens late December.) Other activities include • Snowshoeing - Enjoy the beautiful meadow at Squaw Creek or head into the backcountry of Squaw Valley. The Nordic Center offers snowshoe and boot rentals, as well as guided snowshoe tours. • Sledding - Grab the family and enjoy a day of sledding on their designated hill just beyond the Squaw Creek chairlift. You can rent sleds and snow boots at the Nordic Center. • Snowmobiling - Zip across snowmobile trails through a private backcountry preserve. Contact the Squaw Valley Recreation Department to make your reservations. • Broomball - For exhilarating family fun, arrange a tournament on their ice-skating rink, played in a similar fashion to hockey. Players wear boots and hit a small ball around the ice with a stick called a "broom." All equipment is provided (Opens late December.) • Swimming - Dash outdoors to the resort's year-round pool complex for swimming in a 25-meter heated pool or soaking in whirlpool tubs. • Mountain Buddies - Designed for children ages 4 to 12, this supervised program offers a variety of fun activities such as sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, Nordic skiing and snow play.

The Squeeze In of Truckee, California has been pleasing kids since 1974. Their hot cocoa always wows and is served with a mountain of whipped cream and sprinkles. It's a winner every time, along with their signature Teddy Bear Pancake! Kids get toy baskets, get to write on the walls, and have a special menu. They’ve even been known to throw Princess Parties where kids get to meet Sleeping Beauty, Belle and even Cinderella.

Everything is made onsite - the ham/cheese croissants are recommended by locals. Don't be discouraged if there is a line, it moves really fast. There’s a great fireplace/sitting area for families. They even have toys, crayons and coloring books. Kids can run around and no one freaks out. :)