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Alpine Meadows Stables
Category: Active Life Horseback Riding Horseback Riding [Edit]
355 Alpine Meadows RdTahoe City, CA 96145
(530) 583-3905
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
16 reviews for Alpine Meadows Stables
16 reviews in English
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Review from Yi-Bing Z.
Greenbrae, CA
9/5/2009
We had a fantastic time during our one hour ride. I called ahead of time for reservation as it was a Labor day weekend. We arrived on time and were greeted by our horses within minutes. The ride was along a nice quiet trail. My horse May was mild and had occasional urge to eat along the way. My initial fear went away quickly. There were both adults and children in our group. $30 for the one hour ride seemed very reasonable. Below are a few cautions I would suggest:
1. Wear proper clothing and shoes
2. It gets very dusty along the trail, be aware.
3. The horses eat and go to bathroom a lot, don't freak out! -
Review from Tom S.
Santa Barbara, CA
9/7/2011
This was a two hour trail ride over Labor Day Weekend with my wife. We went with another group of three. The scenery was beautiful, relaxing, and adventurous enough for our skill level.
The horses looked well cared for and were friendly. There was a little too much dust with six people on the trail we were on and I was blowing dirt out of my nose for the next two days.
Our trail guide was not overly talkative, which can be a good or bad thing. I per fer trail guides who talk too much. -
Review from Jen K.
7/11/2008
Our first few horseback riding experiences in the area were at the Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center. They were professional, but also expensive and crowded. We actually ended up here last year for the first time when we had trouble booking trail and pony rides for my sons at TDEC.
It was my then 8-yr olds first trail ride and it was wonderful experience. Unlike our previous experiences at other places, the horses were calm and the guide was personable. There were five riders with one guide on the 1-hour trail ride.
This year we decided to let my 6-yr old join his brother on the trail ride and it was another great experience. It was just our family with a guide so it couldn't have been any better. She even gave us her 'secret' locations for fishing spots in the area that my guys tried out during our stay.
What I like is that you go through a forested area, and cross a small stream, so you aren't baking in the sun. The horses are well behaved so even beginning riders can have an enjoyable experience. No helmets provided, so if that is a concern, you might want to bring yours along.
The 1-hour trail ride is $30 and rides begin at 9:00a and go every 1/2 hour (longer options are available too). Reservations are recommended and they are a cash only business. For little ones, they have a few ponies and a parent can lead the child in an open area close to the corral for only $5.Listed in: Tahoe Time
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Review from Ken and Yuri Q.
San Francisco, CA
6/30/2006
I went here for horseback riding about two years ago. I'm writing this now, because I recently visited another horseback riding establishment in Tahoe.
I like this one better for the following reasons:
1. The trail was further from civilization. You could not see any roads, ski resorts, or condos.
2. The ranch was more of a ranch, and less of a tourist horse back riding ranch.
I would highly recommend this if you are looking for horseback riding in the Tahoe summer. -
Review from Erika B.
Pleasanton, CA
7/8/2011
My kids & I were very happy with our 1hr horse back ride thru the mountains, trees & creeks. At 9yrs old, i It was their first time riding & I was a little worried they would be ok...but they were fine & loved it. All 3 of our horses were so well behaved. There were a couple behind us that had issues with their horses stopping to eat...but I think it may have had more to do with them not pulling up on their reins enough. I have had horses before that did this...and yes it is a pain but you need to be the boss & pull up their heads! Anyway, I think we just got lucky & got the most well behaved horses but it sure made it easy & fun. My fave part was crossing the numerous creeks...with the big snow melt going on right now I am guessing the creeks were higher than normal & it was really fun!
easy to find, nice guide, well trained horses, beautiful scenery. Couldn't beat it! -
Review from Anniessa S.
Coronado, CA
7/23/2011
Great trails, quality horses, people who care about their "rental fleet." It was a fun way to spend the morning; we did a 2-hour ride to the top of the ridge between Alpine Meadows and Olympic Valley.
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Review from Sabrina b.
Reno, NV
9/11/2009 1 photo
This place was just alright.
We went on Labor Day weekend (saturday) for a 1 hour ride beginning at 5. We were 15 minutes early as instructed. As soon as we paid, they put us in line and threw us on our horses.
Having substantial riding experience, this was fine for me.
My fiance was going for the VERY FIRST TIME. All they told her was the name of her horse. No info about how to stop him, how stubborn he was, not to be terrified.. NOTHING.
Threw us on and started going. The guide told us to lean forward and back depending on up hill or down hill riding and that was it. There were only 6 of us in the group so a bit more communication would have been easy. I was last in line and spent the whole time telling my fiance what to do and how to get comfortable.
Needless to say, by the end of the ride it was written in stone my fiance NEVER wanted to ride a horse again.
Good place for people w/ a reasonable amount of experience - HORRIBLE for a first time rider. -
Review from Claudine D.
Raleigh, NC
8/14/2010
If it weren't for our guide, Erin, I'd only give Alpine Meadows Stables a 3 star rating. Erin was great -- giving us a heads up on where we were going, what to do when going up and down hills, how to get your horse to catch up, made conversation with all six of us (ages 6-41) and kept engaging us throughout our one hour ride.
While mounted on our horses and before going out, we were instructed on how to hold the rein, which way to pull for direction, what our horses' names were and if they had a special demeanor, i.e., Reba liked to stop and eat along the way, Callie didn't like to be crowded, etc. All of the horses had a mild disposition, and pretty much were on auto-pilot while on the trail.
However, I was put on a horse that was a bit big for me. My feet didn't fit very well into the stirrups even after they adjusted them. About halfway through the ride, I pulled my feet out of the stirrups because it was more comfortable for me -- even though at times I felt I was going to fall off. The staff was great with the kids, and the kids really enjoyed their horses and ride.
Heads up on the following:
+ Cash only
+ Tipping is accepted: "If you liked your ride, then tip your guide."
+ Wear comfortable clothing -- preferably jeans and closed-toe shoes
+ Wear sunglasses, hat and sunscreen -- it was hot when we went
+ I'd recommend a bandana too -- it's super dusty on the trail (I was blowing out black boogies all day after)
+ Horses pee and shit along the way
All in all, I recommend Alpine Meadows Stables. If you can, ask for Erin for your guide. -
Review from Mike W.
Pleasant Hill, CA
10/22/2008 2 photos
My wife and I took a two-hour trail ride at these stables during a midweek vacation to north Lake Tahoe. The stables are along the road that leads to the Alpine Meadows ski area.
Two hours on a horse was the most I could handle. I've ridden horses maybe twice before in my lifetime and my legs and butt were sore after two hours.
It was a hot day so the fact that the ride was through the trees and mostly in the shade was a plus. You stop halfway for a brief break to stretch your legs and take a quick picture. Unfortunately you don't get high enough to see Lake Tahoe or any other significant views. There's also the highway 89 noise. It was pretty dusty in parts but that was partly we were at the back of the pack, behind five other horse kicking up dirt.
I was on a 20-year-old Kentucky thoroughbred named Bubba. According to our tour leader, his racing name was Wayward Son and he had won $180,000 in prize money. (But he was lazy on the trail and I had to regularly poke him with my heels to get him to pick up the pace.) My wife had a skittish Arabian named Paris who kept tailgating Bubba, and Bubba kept threatening Paris with half-kicks.
At $50 for a two-hour ride, the price seemed fair. I would definitely reserve a ride in the morning if the day is hot. All the trail leaders are young blond girls that are easy on the eyes. They keep maybe 30 horses at the stable. A couple of them are huge draft horses for heavier customers.
They don't take credit cards. (There's an ATM at the Squaw Valley 7-Eleven a mile to the north on Highway 89.) -
Review from Annie G.
Berkeley, CA
3/29/2011
This was really terrific for our family. Our 8 and 10 year olds had hardly been on horses before, and they were thrilled with their one hour ride. Their dad also enjoyed himself.
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Review from Cindy M.
Lafayette, CA
6/28/2010
Fabulous experience! I called to make a reservation for a one-hour ride, but I had missed the group going out at 2. I showed up at 2:15 and they let me go out with a guide, just the two of us. We had a leisurely one hour ride with interesting conversation on a retired racehorse who was responsive and gentle. I especially loved wading through streams on JJ. $30 was more than reasonable, and I can't wait to take my 6 year old next time. Highly recommended.
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Review from Gina C.
San Jose, CA
9/18/2009
EXCELLENT! My two-year-old niece saw Racing Stripes (a horse movie) and decided she wanted to ride a horse. I called about pony rides and was told we could get a 10 minute lead for $5 (even after season). We were very pleasantly surprised that we, the caregivers, could walk around through the wooded area and meadow (not really timed) with the horse. We stopped several times to take videos and photos. My niece was thrilled and the pony was very gentle and patient. The stable owners were also very friendly. What a great time for $5 plus tip!
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Review from Emily S.
Berkeley, CA
8/29/2010
Our small group had a great time on a 2-hour ride! We arrived and were greeted by the family owners, then were each helped onto our horses by a different staff member who gave us a quick individual lesson in neck reining, adjusted our stirrups, etc. Don't expect a lot of hand-holding at this stage as the focus is getting you out on the trail - your guide can provide more assistance.
Our guide, Matt, did an excellent job explaining the Western seat (where to place your weight and why). In fact, this was the best explanation I ever got whether on a trail ride or in riding lessons. He also told us more about our horses and made pleasant conversation.
We didn't trot as some of the group was riding for the first time, but this seemed to be possible on some parts of the trail as it is part of the route of an endurance race (other parts are very rocky). It was still very enjoyable to take the trail at a walk, given the steep uphills and downhills, stream crossing, beautiful scenery, and forest landscapes. There were even wildflowers (in August) due to the late snows this year.
I would have been interested more information about the ecosystem of the area, which was a mix of pine forest and meadows. I was also surprised when making the reservation that we weren't asked about our weights and experience levels, though as there were so many horses available for the staff to choose from, the horses we were assigned seemed to be good fits.
It was good to learn that the horses are out to pasture 2/3 of the year, and only "work" giving rides over the summer.
Overall, a great value at $60 for a full 2 hours of riding.
Tips:
+If you want a helmet, just ask!
+There is not a full restroom at the site, but the outhouse is a spacious, clean one.
+As another poster mentioned, a bandana is handy as the trail is dusty.
+There aren't any packs to put water bottles in, so drink before you go or figure out a way to put a small bottle in a pocket.
+Feel free to bring a camera and your guide can take your group's photo at a open space along the trail.
+A hot tub and/or hot shower after the ride helps the soreness go away. -
Review from gina c.
Newtown, PA
7/8/2011
What a great surprise! We are very beginner riders and Manda (and her family's staff) took excellent care to choose just the right horses for us (May, George, Didi, and Annie) for our one-hour ride (on July 1). My 12yr olds loved not being babied and we were all largely expected to be in control of our horses as we traveled through bogs, across creeks and on mountainside paths. It was a peaceful, wonderful ride and Manda was very informative about the horses and the Tahoe environment. My children even ranked Alpine Meadows riding above water skiing! Awesome!
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Review from jen b.
San Francisco, CA
6/8/2009
I typically feel a bit anxious about horseback riding and worry about the quality of life for the horses. Alpine Stables is extremely casual and the horses seem young, healthy and happy. They are pastured in the valley in the Winter and brought up to Tahoe in the summer. We visited the stables the day before our ride to check it out. We spoke to the head hauncho and reserved a 2-hour ride for the next day for $50 per person. It was just my friend and I and a guide. The trail was beautiful and did feel quite far from civilization for most of it. Our guide was chatty and very informative about the horses and horse culture in general. It was a very fun and exciting experience.
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Review from Karen H.
Marin, CA
8/25/2009
Disappointed. Called about a pony ride for my unexperienced child but wasn't told over the phone that she had to be 5 or younger. This also didn't appear on their brochure. Upon arrival, was told she couldn't ride a pony. Seemed sort of silly to turn away an easy $5-$10 and an excited little girl.
