Autumn in Lake Tahoe is the perfect time to enjoy golden and shimmering aspen leaves, quaking atop stark, white trunks. Pull out your sweater and walk along Taylor Creek where salmon are running in the river near Camp Richardson. Put on your hiking boots and enjoy the multitude of colors that explode in gold and oranges against the verdant pines in Paige Meadows or along highway 267.
Fall in Lake Tahoe is truly a masterpiece of nature’s beauty.
This year, Lake Tahoe has many Bavarian inspired events to kick off the Autumn season. The word ‘alpine’ means high mountains and is most familiar in describing the Swiss Alps. People who visit Lake Tahoe notice the prevalence of Bavarian and Swiss architectural styles. They may not realize how Lake Tahoe was actually settled by ski luminaries from the European Alps.
Tahoe History
International ski champions from Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland came to Tahoe and brought a piece of their Alpine legacy with them. Ski legends like Hannes Schroll, Jo Marillac and Emile Allais built their homes in Lake Tahoe long before the 1960 Olympic Games were here.
Hardy Herger, who worked at Squaw Valley from 1968 to 2012, was born in Urnerboden, Switzerland in the Swiss Alps. He was the lead electrician on the Aerial Tram and implemented innovative ways to take the heat out of the ice rink at High Camp to use it to warm the swimming pool.
Austrian Luggi Foeger was an acclaimed international competitor and 10th Mountain Division veteran. He went on to head the ski schools at Badger Pass, Sugar Bowl and Alpine Meadows. Foeger also helped design Northstar California and Diamond Peak, where as general manager he installed the first naming system in the Sierra Nevada.
Fritz Buser was born in the small farming village of Hemmiken in the northern part of Switzerland. He originally promoted Henke boots prior to becoming an investor and principle owner of Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the onset of Autumn in Lake Tahoe – Bavarian Style.
How to Make a Bavarian Costume
To truly celebrate Lake Tahoe’s heritage and Bavarian events, you may want to dress the part. Lederhosen are the traditional costume for men, while women wear a long and wide skirt, laced band and a colorful apron. You can visit a thrift store or use items already in your closet. Here is what you will need:
Men: Lederhosen can be made using brown corduroy shorts or cutting long pants just below the knee. By adding 2 gold buttons to each side of the knee, you will have the basic costume and need only add suspenders. Take a white, button up shirt and add ornamentation along the button seam using an embroidered ribbon and a glue gun. Or glue embroidery panels just below the shoulders in the front. Finish your costume with high, white socks, brown loafers and a hat with a feather.
Women: Start with a low neck, white top, preferably ruffled around the collar. Find a plaid or printed wide skirt and cut a piece of black fabric into a corset style belt. Punch a few lace holes on each side of the belt and lace it up with string. Finish your costume with a colorful apron and last but not least, braid your hair! If your hair is short, you can wear a ribbon headband that matches your apron.
Now that you have the perfect look – it is time to join the festivities:
Bavarian Inspired Autumn Events at Lake Tahoe
Leaderhosen 5K Run September 21st 11am-1pm
Squaw Valley is hosting an Oktoberfest that begins with a Lederhosen 5K Trail Run. The course takes place on the Squaw Valley Trail. There will be a contest and awards for the best costume! After the awards and raffle enjoy the annual Oktoberfest at Squaw Valley. This event features local craft beers, live music, and delicious food in a festive fall celebration.
Tahoe City Annual Oktoberfest September 28 12pm-5pm
Tahoe City’s Annual Oktoberfest returns the following weekend Saturday, September 28, 2019. Located on the shores of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe City Oktoberfest is held at Commons Beach. Featuring craft beers from some of the region’s best microbreweries, delicious local food, Bavarian-themed games, a craft vendor village, live music, games, and more — you won’t want to miss this festive fall celebration!
Admission to the event is FREE and your $20 donation will get you a commemorative event glass with 2 drink tickets!
