~ MK Reviews Granlibakken Tahoe~Family Travel - Plan for the Unplanned

When I was given the chance to head to Granlibakken Tahoe it was not a question of if but of when. We LOVE to travel and where better to go than Tahoe for snow fun? {Joke was on me since it started snowing, IN LAS VEGAS, the day we returned from our trip. But I digress.} I have traveled as a family with older kids, on my own with young kids, and as a couple with a baby. We travel by train, plane, and car. We plan our routes, pack extra clothes, travel games, battery packs and chargers. Yet the one thing I can almost always count on when traveling is that things DO NOT GO AS PLANNED! 

After weeks of planning, gathering snow clothes, and anticipating a weekend of snow fun we arrived in Reno. We had a late flight and I was nervous about driving in the snow after a night of travel so we had arranged for the North Lake Tahoe Express to drive us to Granlibakken Tahoe. The resort is about an hour drive from the airport. So far everything was going as planned and we arrived at the resort just after 1 am. 

Our driver unloaded our luggage, including the stroller, at the bottom of the stairs leading to the lobby, in the snow, and left. 

SOLUTION 1 - Granlibakken's staff is phenomenal. While I was calling the driver to come back and The Husband was following the map to our Lodge room a member of the night staff arrived from picking up other guests. He packed us up into the shuttle, drove us to our room, AND helped walk our belongings up to our room. He reminded us that breakfast was served in the Granhall, showed us the map for the best path, and wished us a good night. He was so friendly and cheerful. With a smile, pleasant conversation and helping hand he put our trip right back on track. Our Lodge Room featured two beds, a desk, microwave AND fridge, mud area, vanity and restroom with tub. It was great for our weekend adventure. 

As promised a tasty breakfast was ready in the Granhall. Eggs, bacon, hot coffee, juice, cereal and fresh fruit were just some of the things served at the buffet style breakfast. The setting is cozy with gorgeous views all around. We enjoyed catching up with friends and headed up to our room to get ready to play in the snow. 

Our room in The Lodge was located near the back of the property. Activities were in the Granhall located in the middle of the property and the Snow Play Area is located in the front of the property. This means walking back and forth between activities. 

SOLUTION 2 - If you are traveling with little ones - bring your carrier. For older kids - snow boots. The paths are maintained but do consist of snowy areas and stairs. Every time we headed out of the room we would bundle up, strap Gummie Bear into the carrier, and remind the kids to hold the rails on the stairs. The Lodge Rooms have spacious "mud room" areas complete with a bench to sit on when removing snowy boots and jackets. This meant we were not dripping all over the living space of the room. 

PRO TIP - Walk through the Main Lodge to the Snow Play Area. The paths lead directly to each location and by walking through the Main Lodge you can get a nice warm short cut. 

We arrived at the Snow Play Area ready for fun in the snow. Granlibakken offers a sledding hill, skiing, snowboarding and fire pits. When the weather allows there is also a Treetop Adventure Park, outdoor pool and hot tub, tennis courts, and par course. Equipment is available for rent adjacent to the Ski Hut at the entrance to the Snow Play Area. 

 Limited availability of rental equipment. By the time we were bundled and down the hill we had missed prime time for rentals. We later learned that priority is given to skiers and snowboarders who have booked lessons. 

SOLUTION 3 -  Once again the Granlibakken staff stepped up to help. We each rented a board and boots. I even received a few tips for a beginner snowboarder. Check out the snow when we got to the top of the bunny hill! For future reference I will definitely book a lesson.  There is an area for instruction before getting on to the hill and the instructors go with the students up the hill giving tips the entire time. Equipment rental is included in the cost of the lesson and rentals are good for 24 hours. 

While the big kids and I reveled in the falling snow and braved the bunny slope The Husband grabbed us a spot in the Ski Hut. Tables are set up with community style seating and food is served straight from a kitchen window. Options include loaded nachos, quesadillas, burritos and tacos. Beverage options include soda, beer and juice. Visitors can also purchase s'mores packs to make in the fire pits just outside the hut. The nachos were the perfect after-attempting-to-snowboard snack. 

When Flamingo and I completed a run, or mostly slide, down the hill we tagged The Husband in to continue on the slope with Monkey. The determination of that child is unmatched. He struggled getting up on the ski lift but he was right back in line as soon as he had made it to the bottom. While I sat in the warmth of the Ski Hut with Gummie Bear and enjoyed the nachos and conversation with other visitors The Husband spent quality time teaching Monkey the techniques he needed to come down the hill on his board. By the end of their time on the hill Monkey was snowboarding all the way down. It was amazing to see the progress, dedication, and memories being created right in front of us. Granlibakken prides itself on allowing people to connect and the experiences in the Snow Play Area embodied that connection. 

We enjoyed the rest of the evening as planned enjoying dinner with our Macaroni Kid friends watching movies, playing games and telling stories. The Bay ballroom was an excellent fit for our group. Large windows across the side gave us a magnificent view of the mountain and falling snow. 

Since the evening went as planned it meant the morning would not. 

We woke up to CARS COVERED in snow. While we were cozy in our room the snow storm began and poured enough snow to bury cars and make the pathways nearly disappear. Roads were closed with no known reopening. 

SOLUTION 4 - While we enjoyed our breakfast in the Granhall we tried to make plans for traveling to the airport. The only problem with that much snow is that it makes everything uncertain. No one knew exactly when the roads would be open, if there would be shuttles or taxis available, or even if planes would fly out of Reno-Tahoe airport. Luckily, rescheduling our Southwest flights was not an issue. I was able to reach a live customer service person right from the app and reschedule to later that night at no additional charge. Finding transportation TO the airport was a bit trickier. Again the Granlibakken staff was so helpful - they gave us the phone numbers to cab services and had the road information available at the front desk to help visitors figure out there travel plans. 

We were able to book a ride with Anytime Taxi. This is THE taxi service to use when in Tahoe. The cab driver was knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and made the three hour drive feel like it was just the hour that it normally would be. 

PROTIP - When checking road conditions from Tahoe to Reno you can check on the CHP and NHP websites for updates. 

After all the rearranging of plans we arrived at the airport five hours before our flight. This meant we couldn't check our bags and go through security to patiently wait at the gate.

SOLUTION 5 - Be flexible! We decided to grab a meal from the airport restaurant. By the time we finished it was time to check in our bags. Once we were checked in we walked the airport looking at displays, purchasing our customary magnet souvenir, and grabbing a coffee. Once we sat at the gate we played games (Monkey always has travel sized games in his backpack), listened to audio books, watched the planes, and looked at our pictured from the weekend.

While not everything went according to plan that is a huge part of the fun. The best memories are made during the journey and unexpected twists of a trip. We cannot wait to visit Granlibakken in the spring. We were told the lake is gorgeous at that time of the year. Maybe for our next trip we will drive there. 

Macaroni Kid Summerlin-NW Las Vegas received a discounted room rate and complimentary rental equipment for the purposes of this review. All opinions are our own.