By Wendy Lautner, tahoe.com
July 9, 2008

If 6,225 feet above sea level’s not quite as high as you’d like to get at Lake Tahoe this summer, we’ve got a couple (about 6) other suggestions that might pique your interest.

Balloon
Want to feel lighter than air at up to 10,000 feet above sea level? Lake Tahoe Balloons offers a truly unique, one-of-a-kind experience. Rise with the sun, launch from the “Tahoe Flyer,” the world’s only certified balloon launch and recovery vessel and float on gentle Sierra Nevada wind currents above Lake Tahoe for an hour before landing to a champagne celebration. You’ll wonder if you ever woke up or if you’re still dreaming. Flights are $250 per person. www.laketahoeballoons.com

Helicopter
From the minute the mini, red Raven lifts off the South Lake Tahoe Airport runway to the bird’s eye view you’ll catch cruising over Emerald Bay, taking a helicopter ride is a great way to go. What’s it like? Kind of like riding in an airborne Porsche. Helitahoe runs tours of Emerald Bay, the South Shore strip, Lake Tahoe and a special sunset tour. Rides start at $54 per person and are worth every single penny. www.helitahoe.com

Parasail
It’s fun for the whole family – toddlers can even travel tandem with Mom or Dad. It doesn’t take any skill and it sure is a breezy way to see Lake Tahoe for a little while – you don’t even have to get your feet wet! Six operations around Lake Tahoe offer parasailing trips, check them out here. Fly up to 1,800 feet above the lake on flights ranging from $45 - $90.

Sky Dive
If you’re not afraid of risking “death for any reason whatsoever,” sky diving’s not a bad way to get way up in the sky, fall really fast toward the Earth and emerge with a brand new perspective (considering you can keep your eyes open) And the trillion endorphins racing through your bloodstream - a.k.a “runner’s high” – probably isn’t a bad side effect either. Find out more about sky diving near Lake Tahoe here.

Freel Peak
Standing at 10,881 feet above sea level, Freel Peak is as high as you can get in the Lake Tahoe area with your own two feet. You’ll gain approximately 1,600 feet in elevation from the trailhead on this out-and-back adventure which follows the Tahoe Rim Trail for a good bit. There’s a couple of access points to start, but the most popular route is hiking from Armstrong Pass. Figure on hiking about 10 miles round-trip. Access from USFS 051 one mile south of Luther Pass off Highway 89; for your reference pick up USGS 7.5 Minute Freel Peak map.

Heavenly Flyer
Here’s a recipe for a rush: Start at 9,156 feet above sea level and strap in for a high speed ride on the Heavenly Flyer, a zip line dropping 525 vertical feet over the course of 3,100 feet. The nation’s longest zip line opened recently for the summer season. Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rides are $20 for Heavenly season pass holders and $30 for non-pass holders.