As one of the most popular wintertime destinations for Bay Area residents, Lake Tahoe can get pretty crowded this time of year. 

State of play: To make the most out of your stay, here's a quick guide on what to expect, where to stay and tips on how to save money on winter sports gear if you're heading for the slopes.

🌨️ Weather and road conditions

• Be prepared for slick, icy or snow-covered roads. If you're driving in these conditions make sure you have the right chain controls for your tires.
• Check for weather updates frequently. The National Weather Service expects there to be gusty winds, rain and snow in Tahoe and the surrounding region this week. 
• Plan for potential travel delays if weather conditions cause road or highway disruptions. California Highway Patrol Truckee provides road and traffic updates along the I-80 corridor on X (@CHP_Truckee) and on Instagram (@chp_truckee).

🏨 Lodgings

• Palisades Tahoe
• Heavenly 
• Northstar 
• Diamond Peak Ski Resort

🎿 Saving on winter gear

From clothes and equipment to lift passes, costs for winter sports can escalate quickly. Here are some tips:

• Rent gear. If you can't afford a set of boots and skis (or board), get a season-long rental package at your local retailer off the mountain. It's more cost-efficient and typically comes with free tuning and waxes. Tahoe Dave's and Tahoe Powder House are two local options. 
• Plan. The most expensive lift passes are at the resort office, so plan ahead and look for deals online or at local retailers to avoid a markup.
• Pack a snack. The cost of food at ski resorts can be exorbitant. Instead of a $25 cheeseburger, pack a pocket sandwich or snacks to keep you fueled.
• Pro tip: Consider the Plates for Powder program. California and Nevada residents who buy a new Tahoe license plate or renew their old one through April 1 can get a free ticket to one of eleven Tahoe resorts.

The bottom line: Tahoe travel can be stressful, but it doesn't need to be if you plan ahead. 

More savings tips

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For some, beating the winter blues means chasing adrenaline down a steep, snowy slope. For others, it means a day at the spa.

No matter what you're looking for this season — a staycation to splurge on or an out-of-state getaway with outdoor recreation — you're sure to find a few throughout the West.

Here are some of the best luxury resorts:

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Truckee, California

This is the only resort in the area with exclusive ski-in, ski-out access and mountain concierge service. Room accommodations are also stellar: floor-to-ceiling windows, mountain-inspired decor and gas fireplaces.

Sun Mountain Lodge

Winthrop, Washington

Situated on 1,500 acres of forest land next to the North Cascades National Park, this resort provides easy access to all kinds of recreation, including snowshoeing, ice fishing and backcountry skiing.

FivePine Lodge

Sisters, Oregon

Just 25 minutes north of Bend — not far from Hoodoo Ski Area — you'll find three dozen rustic cabins surrounded by towering pine trees and wooded trails in the heart of the Deschutes National Forest.

Three more

Five new members are joining the San Francisco Board of Supervisors next year. Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be introducing you to them. 

Zoom in: Danny Sauter, who will be representing District 3, is a longtime community organizer and former nonprofit executive.

• We asked him what his top priorities are, what he loves most about his area and what constituents might not know about him.
• Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Top priorities: Downtown recovery, resolving the budget crisis and increasing tourism.

What he's saying: "The best way to solve all of these is to restore confidence in San Francisco. Everything we do, small and large, should be lined up with this goal," he told Axios via email. 

🚶One thing to love about District 3: Walkability. 

• "We embody a bustling village where you can get nearly any service, product, or experience within a short walk or MUNI ride. Because of this, tourists and locals alike flock to District 3 and we have the chance to be the face of San Francisco to the world." 

🍽️ Favorite neighborhood spots: 

• ☕ Coffee: Beacon Coffee & Pastry
• 🦀 Restaurant: Scoma's
• 🍷 Bar: Waystone 

🏘️ Most important issue: Cleaner and safer streets. 

• "My constituents want clean and safe streets to walk their dogs, take their children to school and to travel to support small businesses. This is a basic requirement of city government and I intend to pull all stakeholders together to deliver this for San Francisco."  

📚Interesting fact: He's learning Cantonese. 

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The most popular Christmas cookies of 2024 are a mix of classic and festive varieties, according to Google Trends data.

Why it matters: Baking or buying Christmas cookies is a longstanding holiday tradition for many families with some also leaving a plate for Santa.

• 79% of consumers are buying food for Christmas and 61% are baking or cooking for the holiday, according to a Numerator survey of nearly 5,400 people.

Driving the news: Google released its annual map of "uniquely searched" holiday cookies by state based on searches between Dec. 10-17.

• "Italian Christmas Cookies were the dominant cookies for seven states, a decrease from 13 last year," Jenny Lee, Google Trends lead data analyst, told Axios.

The intrigue: Buche de Noël, a traditional holiday staple from France, was California's top choice.

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