Travel Planner: Truckee-Tahoe, CA

Completely redesigned and refurbished in 2005, the rooms at this vast 650-acre resort-within-a-resort are done up in warm earth tones, with attractive wooden furnishings and rich fabrics. The resort has been converted into a condo hotel, and about half the units are fireplace suites with kitchens. The black-glass-and-concrete architecture may look more like Scottsdale than the Sierra, but the extensive facilities have all the amenities and services you could possibly want in the Tahoe area, making it good for large groups and families year-round. In winter the resort operates its own chairlift to the mountain. Pros:

every conceivable amenity; private chairlift.

very large; very pricey. www.squawcreek.com. 203 rooms, 200 suites. In-room: kitchen (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bar, golf course, pools, tennis courts, gym, spa, children's programs, parking. Credit cards accepted.

The area's most complete destination resort is perfect for families, thanks to its many sports activities—from golf and tennis to skiing and snowshoeing—and its concentration of restaurants, shops, recreation facilities, and accommodations (the Village Mall). Lodgings range from hotel rooms to condos to private houses, some with ski-in ski-out access. The list continues to grow: Northstar has been building lots of new condos, plus a new Ritz-Carlton. Lodging options often include free lift tickets, on-site shuttle transportation, and complimentary access to the Swim and Racquet Club's pools, outdoor hot tubs and fitness center. TC's Pub ($$-$$$, open winter only) serves contemporary American fare. Pros:

vast array of lodging types; on-site shuttle.

family accommodations are very pricey. www.northstarattahoe.com. 240 units. In-room: no a/c (some), kitchen (some), Internet (some). In-hotel: restaurants, golf course, pool, tennis courts, gym, children's programs, laundry facilities. Credit cards accepted.