Carson Valley has much to offer in the way of recreation, from tennis and golf to casino gaming and spectacular shows. The surrounding High Sierra is the place for summer camping, spring and fall hikes and plenty of skiing from late fall well into spring.

This list of things to do in and around the Valley will give you some idea of what is in store for you and your family.

Gaming:
Carson Valley Inn, 1627 Highway 395, Minden; Sharkey's, 1440 Highway 395, Gardnerville; Topaz Lodge and Casino and Topaz Nugget Casino, both on Highway 395 South near the California state line at Topaz Lake; major casinos and small clubs operate at south shore of Lake Tahoe.

Golf courses:
There are five courses in the county, four in the Valley and one at the Lake:

• Carson Valley Golf Course, Gardnerville Ranchos, 265-3181
• The Golf Club at Genoa Lakes, 1 mile north of Genoa on Jacks Valley Road, 782-GOLF
• Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch, 2901 Jacks Valley Road, north of Genoa, 782-7700
• Sunridge, North Valley, 1000 Long Dr., Indian Hills, 267-4448
• Edgewood Tahoe, Highway 50 at Lake Parkway, south shore of Lake Tahoe, 588-3566
  

Tennis:
Lampe Park in Gardnerville has two courts and Douglas High School has four courts, all six open to the public and maintained by the Douglas County parks and recreation division, 782-9828.

Hot Air Ballooning:
Hot air balloon rides take off from nearby Lampe Park; balloon companies can be found in the telephone book.

Soaring:
Minden Airport, 5 miles north of Minden, is the west coast capital for soaring. Off Highway 395, north of Minden; 782-9871.

Water Skiing:
Water skiing is abundant at Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake. You can launch your boat at Topaz Lake Park or at the Topaz Landing and RV Park, 266-3550 (also offers boat rental, fishing tackle, fishing licenses and RV spaces). The Cave Rock boat launch is found on Highway 50 near Stateline (see Parks listing).

Alpine/Cross Country Skiing:
The Lake Tahoe area is noted for fine cross country and Alpine skiing. For information, consult your telephone book.

Snowmobiling:
Group and individual tours are available at Lake Tahoe and in Hope Valley. For information, consult your telephone book.

Swimming:
The Carson Valley Swim Center (782-8841) is located on Highway 88 at the junction of Highway 395. The facility features two indoor, year-round swimming pools and two outdoor, seasonal pools, as well as handicapped facilities and a warm-water therapy pool.

Bicycling:
Long, flat roads and abundant off-road trails offer plenty of opportunities for bicycling and mountain biking.

Trap Shooting and Hunting:
Pheasant, chukar, dove, duck and geese hunting as well as trap, skeet and sporting clays shooting are available year-round at a number of sportsmen's clubs; consult your telephone book.

Fish Hatchery:
Lahontan National Fish Hatchery (265-2425) is located off Highway 395 five miles south of Gardnerville. Self-guided tours are available for groups and individuals.

Natural Hot Springs:
Grover's Hot Springs State Park, (530) 694-2248, four miles west of Markleeville, Calif. (see Parks listing).

Museums:
Gracing the middle of old Gardnerville is the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 1477 Highway 395, the restored Douglas County High School. It is operated by the Carson Valley Historical Society and is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., January and February) and is closed New Year's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The center offers historical exhibits, gift shop, Washoe Cultural Room, an arts and crafts room and public meeting room, which may be rented (782-2555). Housed in the center is the East Fork Artists Gallery.

The Genoa Courthouse Museum is also operated by the Carson Valley Historical Society (782-4325). Open in the summer season, it has Pony Express and Snowshoe Thompson displays, Native American basket collection and more.

The Mormon Station State Park Museum (782-2590) is located in Genoa and open May through October.

The Alpine County Historical Complex in Markleeville, Calif., offers a museum, the Old Webster School (built in 1882 and restored) and historic log jail (includes original iron cells built in 1864 in Silver Mountain City and moved to Markleeville in 1875) and an equipment shed housing an old fire engine, fire extinguisher and hose carts. Museum store has area history books. Open Thursday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through October (530) 694-2317.

Fishing:
Abundant fishing is available in the Carson River, at Topaz Lake and Lake Tahoe. Consult state and national park offices (see Parks listing) or area bait and tackle shops.

Theatres:
Consult the telephone book for listings.

Entertainment. Live entertainment and dancing are offered in casinos in Carson Valley, at Topaz Lake and at Lake Tahoe's south shore. Entertainment varies from small bands and comedy nights to elaborate shows and big-name stars.

Visitor's Information Center:
For detailed brochures and booklets on a number of the activities noted above, stop by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Authority office and Visitors Center, 1512 Highway 395 #1, Gardnerville (782-8144), open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information, call or stop by the Chamber office. http://www.carsonvalleynv.org