Our story began with a question – was the success of modern technology changing in a profound way how we as humans communicate and connect back to one another?

Technical connections differ from physical interaction.  Today’s technology has connected us globally, yet we have record levels of people feeling isolated and lonely. While we all love the conveniences that modern life brings forth, in some instances, it has disengaged us from what we crave most – an understanding of ourselves and others, as well as the natural world.

To address that, we created The Cedar House, a place where people from different walks in life can come together to bond, engage, plus reenergized by exploring the awe and beauty of the Lake Tahoe region.  The message of connections is felt throughout – from our architectural design, to our community dinners,  and to the heartfelt greetings and engagement from our staff.  We believe that balance to a world obscured by chatter and routine originates by spending and grounding oneself in the great outdoors.

Whether you visit us for one of our programs, on a company retreat or simply to relax and play here in Tahoe, we look forward to sharing our passion of the great outdoors with you.  We hope you leave refreshed and inspired, understanding that our greatest moments come when we are not static, but moving in places larger than ourselves.

Jeff and Patty Baird – Owners

Green building and sustainability are not just catch phrases; it is the way our society – today and in the future – will need to operate in times of resource scarcity and economic necessity.

Sue Duerksen – President  |  Sierra Green Building Association  |  Case Study 2008

Building Construction Type:
Stick frame construction with fiberglass insulation.

Site Use and &Protection Measures Before & During Construction (LEED Cat I):
One year before construction owner completed grading, drainage and construction of a retention pond in front of the structure; so all of the run-off water was retained on-site

Outdoor & Indoor Water Efficiency Measures in Project (LEED Cat II):
Water draining off green roof goes through gutters down a hanging chain to the landscaping below. The landscaping is sloped so that the runoff water helps water the landscaping due to the outward facing slope.

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Measures Used in Project (LEED Cat III):

• Wood–framed Low-E and solar tinted windows
• Every light fixture on the property is fluorescent or low voltage; no incandescent lights
• All lights have photo sensors and timers on them
• Cellulose insulation in the ceilings and blown-in fiberglass in the walls

Space & Water Heating Systems:
The buildings are designed so that everything happens from the center of each building. As a result there is no plumbing on exterior walls for saving energy and freeze protection.

The hotel uses a Rinnai tankless boiler system. Due to the design of the building there are very short footage runs from each hot water heater to each showerhead. Each building has 3 instantaneous hot water heaters for the potable water system and one Bideras instantaneous heater for the hydronic space heating system.

They were originally concerned when designing the system that the instantaneous hot water heaters may not keep up with customer hot water demand, especially due to the very cold water coming in from the street. So in order to help out the instantaneous domestic hot water heaters, the system was designed to come through a water jacket on the hydronic floor system holding tank before proceeding to the hot water heaters. This design allowed the temp of the incoming water to be heated up to a luke-warm temperature before entering the Rinnai instantaneous heaters, helping lessen the cold temperature extremes the heaters had to heat.

The Rinnai system allows each tankless water heater to “talk” to each other heater as the demand on them increases or decreases. This is an extremely energy efficient system which currently runs off natural gas, but at any time can be converted over to solar hydronic.

The hydronic in-floor heating system provides a minimum level of heating for both the hallways and each room. If a customer wants more heat in a room, a secondary ceiling mounted fan-powered hydronic system picks up the slack. Within moments of turning up the in-room thermostat, the secondary system has adjusted the room temperature to desired setting.

Green Materials & Green Measures Implemented in Project (LEED Cat IV):
Green Roof over reception/check-in area. All of the cedar exterior siding and logs came from a re-forestation project and was milled in Camptonville, CA by Moonshine Reforestation

Indoor Environmental Considerations Used in Project (LEED Cat V):
Everything used in all the interior spaces was installed and the doors of the building were left open for over a month to allow everything to outgas prior to occupation.

• Low VOC carpeting and draperies
• Richlite paper-based countertops
• Very nice plywood cabinets
• Wall mounted toilets and free floating cabinetry allow for quick and easy cleaning of the bathrooms without mold concerns.

Community Ties  |  The connection between the Cedar House Sport Hotel’s philanthropy and environment ethos is unmistakable.  The hotel’s primary beneficiaries do exceptional work in the region and possess a strong environmental stewardship ethos.

Adventure Risk Challenge
Adventure Risk Challenge seeks to improve literacy and life skills, expose youth to a range of wilderness experiences and inspire the confidence they need to envision and accomplish goals, succeed in high school and become engaged, empowered citizens.

Mountain Area Preservation Foundation
Active since 1987, MAPF is an advocate for smart-growth.  The foundation works to preserve, protect and enhance the region’s natural environment by ensuring new development is environmentally sensitive.

Pacific Crest Trail Association
The Pacific Crest Trail Association is a fraternity of trail lovers at its core, focusing on preserving, protecting and promoting the PCT.  From shore to shore, they champion the needs of the Pacific Crest Trail as a precious gift to future generations.

Sierra Business Council
Committed to pioneering innovative solutions throughout the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra Business Council fosters vibrant communities, fair and prosperous economies and thriving ecosystems.  Their motto is “When all three thrive, everyone wins.”

Tahoe Rim Trail Association
TRTA was started in 1981 to construct and maintain the Tahoe Rim Trail that loops around Lake Tahoe.  Did you know the 165-mile long, single-track Tahoe Rim Trail overlaps with fifty miles of the Pacific Crest Trail?

Truckee Donner Land Trust
The Land Trust works with diverse stakeholders to create win-win situations for private and public interests to preserve and protect areas with high natural resource value.

Truckee River Watershed Council
The Watershed council is committed to restoring , protecting and enhancing the Truckee River watershed.

Truckee Trails Foundation
Truckee Trails creates earthen and paved trails for walking, hiking, wheelchairs and bikes.  We are big advocates of the Foundation’s goal to connect people and places and the trail building and maintenance work they do.