By air: Reno-Tahoe International Airport has more than 100 nonstop flights a day from various parts of the country. Allegiant Air has non-stop service between Bellingham, WA and Reno-Tahoe for introductory each-way fares of $59. Fares will increase to $79 after their intro bargains.The airport is 55 miles from South Lake Tahoe. The Lake Tahoe Airport, near South Lake Tahoe, has limited service from California. Buses and hotel shuttles take skiers to the resorts from both airports. Tahoe Casino Express (800-446-6128) runs 18 times daily between the Reno airport and South Shore.

By boat: The Tahoe Queen, an authentic Mississippi sternwheeler, double-decked and heated, takes South Shore skiers and snowboarders across Lake Tahoe to Squaw Valley (buses take skiers from the dock to the ski areas). Another paddlewheeler, the M.S. Dixie II, based at Zephyr Cove in Nevada, does daily cruises of Emerald Bay for adults and children, and Saturday night dinner cruises for adults during the winter. For fares and schedules, call Lake Tahoe Cruises at (530) 541-3364 or (800) 238-2463.

By bus: Shuttles run from almost every major hotel to the resorts. Check for schedules when you arrive. Most of the shuttles are free.

By car: Driving time from Reno to Heavenly is about 70 minutes. San Francisco is about four hours away on Hwy. 50. Sierra-at-Tahoe is 12 miles south of the lake on Hwy. 50. During storms, the California Highway Patrol doesn't let drivers come up the mountains without chains or a four-wheel-drive vehicle, so bring chains or be sure the car rental agency provides them. Or take the shuttle on snowy days. Here's a detailed map.

Getting around: Bring a car if you intend to move frequently between the south and the north shores; otherwise, a car is optional. We'd say have one if you like to roam far afield at night. If not, you can walk to restaurants and nightspots near your hotel and use the ski shuttles during the day. Part of the redevelopment of South Tahoe also includes public transportation. BlueGo is a bi-state streamlined shuttle system intended to eliminate the need for private vehicles.