With peak winter weekends bringing heavy traffic to the Lake Tahoe region, transportation solutions are more important than ever. Fortunately, new data shows that skiers are increasingly choosing public transit and carpooling to reach the slopes, helping to reduce congestion on Tahoe’s roadways.
According to the Destination Stewardship Council, public transportation use has surged this ski season. From season opening through the holiday period, public transit rides from Tahoe City and Truckee to Palisades Tahoe increased by an impressive 194% compared to last year. South Lake Tahoe also saw a 40% jump in ridership on the Tahoe Transportation District’s routes, with 40,003 rides logged in November and December.
“Simply put, if you’re in traffic, you are part of the traffic,” said Nettie Pardue, executive director of the Destination Stewardship Council. She encourages visitors and locals alike to take advantage of shared transportation options, such as TART Connect, Lake Link, and resort shuttles, to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road.
With significant snowfall in the forecast, traffic delays could return as more skiers flock to the mountains. If you’re heading to Tahoe, consider using public transit or carpooling to help keep traffic moving while enjoying the winter wonderland.
For a full list of Tahoe’s public transportation options:
North Lake Tahoe to Palisades Tahoe
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, 2025, park at the Tahoe City Transit Center and take a free shuttle to and from Palisades Tahoe. Shuttles are offered hourly starting at 6:30 a.m. in Tahoe City with a $10 food and beverage voucher incentive.
TART Connect: Daily on-demand winter service operates through April 6, 2026 throughout North Lake Tahoe (from Incline Village to the West Shore, plus Northstar and Olympic Valley). All zones in California operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and provide easy connections from home to the Park & Ride as well as all TART fixed route bus services. Incline Village and Crystal Bay on the Nevada side operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Mountaineer: Free, on-demand winter transportation is offered daily in Olympic Valley from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Service is offered Thursday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Alpine Meadows (plus Feb. 18-19), and daily between the two valleys from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. through April 20, 2025.
Truckee to Palisades Tahoe
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, 2025, park at the Truckee High School fields/TTUSD parking lot and take a free shuttle to and from Palisades Tahoe. Shuttles are offered hourly starting at 7:42 a.m. in Truckee with a $10 food and beverage voucher incentive.
Truckee to Northstar
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, 2025, free shuttle service is offered to and from Northstar from the Lift Workspace parking lot in Truckee starting just after 7 a.m. Additional service will be offered Feb. 22-23.
TART Connect: In Truckee, daily on-demand winter service is offered through April 6, 2025 from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, and can connect to the Park & Ride.
North Lake Tahoe to Northstar
TART Connect: Daily on-demand winter service operates through April 6, 2026 throughout North Lake Tahoe (from Incline Village to the West Shore, plus Northstar and Olympic Valley). All zones in California operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and provide easy connections from home to the Park & Ride as well as all TART fixed route bus services. Incline Village and Crystal Bay on the Nevada side operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Truckee to Sugar Bowl/Donner Summit
Free daily service is offered between Truckee and Donner Summit through April 20, 2025 when Old 40 is open starting just after 7 a.m.
South Lake Tahoe to Heavenly
Lake Link: Free, on-demand transportation is offered daily in South Lake Tahoe from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Public Transportation: Offered by the Tahoe Transportation District, and funded in part by Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority, fixed route bus service offered on the South and East shores of Lake Tahoe includes:
- 30-minute service is available along Hwy 50 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Hourly fixed route services along Hwy 50 and into some neighborhoods from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hourly local service between Stateline and Daggett Summit along Kingsbury Grade
- Regional commuter service between South Lake Tahoe and Minden/Gardnerville and Carson City via SR-207
Heavenly Resort Shuttles: With routes that start as early as 6 a.m. depending on direction, accessing Heavenly’s four base areas (two in California and two in Nevada) is easy from a variety of lodging properties and businesses in South Lake Tahoe. Heavenly Resort added seven new shuttle times this season, a new Lodging Route, and doubled frequency for the Kingsbury route. As a result of implementing parking reservations, carpool numbers are up to 63% of drivers.
