Mar. 1, 2011 (South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev.) – Recent indicators show tourism at Lake Tahoe South Shore (http://www.tahoesouth.com) is on the uptick. December occupancy was up three percent compared to last year (Smith Travel Research). The No. 1 ski destination in the U.S. (Rand McNally 2011; TripAdvisor 2010) has seen a rise of 1.7 percent through Reno-Tahoe International Airport since July; 14 percent more skiers and snowboarders on the slopes, increased bookings over holiday weekends, and advance reservations for summer.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is up 14 percent in skier visits year to date. “The spike in visitors can be partially attributed to the early season snow, which has led to great conditions and the earliest opening of all five of our parks and superpipe,” said Steve Hemphill, communications manager at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort. “With more snow in the forecast, February and March should hold strong.”

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa has seen a consistent 15 percent increase in year over year hotel occupancy and 50 percent increase in food & beverage, showroom and nightclub covers.

With President’s Day a week later this year, MontBleu realized an increase in bookings for both holiday weekends. Advance Easter bookings in late April are up as well.

“Dare we say a trend is developing? Absolutely,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “This season there’s a real energy both inside the casinos and on the slopes that makes us want to celebrate.”

Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa, a popular lakefront property, indicated Martin Luther King holiday this year was up over last year and President’s Day Weekend sold out Saturday and Sunday. The property has also noticed a significant number of advanced calls for summer bookings, a welcome trend of seasons past.

“We’re seeing solid indicators and positive momentum in the South Shore lodging community,” said Jerry Bindel, general manager Aston Lakeland Village Resort and member of South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association. “Not only is winter being reported above last year in many locations, there’s strong advance summer bookings. It’s a very encouraging sign that our tourism economy is rebounding. Recent snowfall has Lake Tahoe with the best conditions in the country, another positive sign.”

Lake Tahoe South Shore offers value-added lodging and world-class outdoor recreation options, accommodating a variety of budgets. The region’s three ski resorts, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood Mountain Resort boast spectacular views, mid-season snowfall already surpassing 2010 totals with more than 350 inches, moderate temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and what’s happening in South Lake Tahoe, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: www.twitter.com/SouthShoreTahoe, and YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA. For information about Lake Tahoe South Shore, call 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or visit