Lake Tahoe—169,000 square acres of lapis lazuli water waiting to be sliced apart by you on a sailboard. Don’t know how? A certified instructor from Germany, Alvina Patterson has been windsurfing for 25 years and winning races and contests for most of them. A lesson with Patterson begins on a simulator, to learn the basics on dry ground. In the water, with her as your personal tutor, you’re likely to be cruising Tahoe in no time. No pressure, though: she’s so sweet and enthusiastic that even if you don’t get up and flying, you’ll still have a great time.

After a day of clinging to your sail, you’ll be ready to relax in Patterson’s six lakefront suites. One of the few places on Tahoe where dogs are allowed, her Holiday House offers guests private kitchens, decks, and free wireless Internet access. You won’t need Yelp to find a good meal within walking distance of the house, though. The Old Range Steakhouse is right up the road.

Having a great time! “Alvina is amazing. She was in complete command of the board, which was about three times her size,” says Johannes Royset of Los Gatos. “My wife and I had windsurfed twice before and always found it difficult to get up, but with Alvina, it was much easier.”

-Matt Bloom

LESSONS COST $40 AND ARE AVAILABLE JULY-SEPT. EQUIPMENT RENTAL IS $30 FOR THE FIRST HOUR, $10 THEREAFTER. A ONE-BEDROOM SUITE COSTS $125–205 AND A TWO-BEDROOM SUITE $135–215, WITH A DOG FEE OF $30 FOR THREE DAYS, $10 PER DAY THEREAFTER. PATTERSON'S HOLIDAY HOUSE: 800-294-6378, TAHOEHOLIDAYHOUSE.COM.