Tahoe Guide’s next chapter

Reflecting on the past, embracing the future

Since I announced the end of the print edition of Tahoe Guide, I have been reflecting on my 18 years at Tahoe Guide (11 years as its owner), on the work we have done, on the feedback from our amazing readers and on what the future has in store for Tahoe Guide.

I’ve received a lot of support from many of you and I thank everyone who took our survey. Your feedback helped to shape this month’s newsletter and our website content. The top requests for coverage were: recreation, events and festivals, arts and entertainment, and environmental coverage.

Now as the sole staff member of Tahoe Guide, I’ll do my best to fulfill those requests and this month’s newsletter is chocked full as the holiday season approaches.

Most of you also said that you’d be willing to pay $25 a year to support Tahoe Guide. While we have advertising in this newsletter and on our website, it is really the readers – You – who can make the most difference.

Thank You if you have already signed up, particularly to those that did so for more than $25 a year. If $25 is too much, I ask that you contribute what you can. There are multiple options and everything helps.

So, how much does it cost to run the website, newsletter and social media pages?

Factor in time for basic reporting and writing; posting to the website and social media; operational costs like security and support for those pesky bot attacks; accessibility plug ins on the website; hosting and domain fees; fees for phone, internet and email; newsletter costs; software systems for managing our subscribers and client databases; insurance and other miscellaneous costs and we’re looking at around $5,000 a month minimum.

Most of our readers have asked us to continue reporting on environmental, public access, trash, traffic and related issues. That takes significantly more time and resources. That would add in at least another $2,500 a month.

See how it quickly adds up?

For now, I’ll be focusing our content on local events, arts & culture, winter recreation and exploring Tahoe and Truckee to share first-person experiences. I have some other projects for Tahoe Guide in the works, as well, so stayed tuned for more news in the next few months.

If you’re not a subscriber yet, I ask that you please join for only $25 a year. The newsletter and all content will remain free for now, but that will change later in 2025.

You can also read all our content at YourTahoeGuide.com.

Follow us @The Tahoe Guide or @TahoeGuide.

With Gratitude,

Katherine E. Hill
Owner & Publisher
publisher@yourtahoeguide.com