Presented with a rare chance to check off a bucket-list adventure, a snowboarder and her crew travel by water to Lake Tahoe’s lone island, where they carve memories that will last a lifetime

For years I’ve nurtured a wild, almost impossible, dream: to snowboard down Fannette Island, that solitary speck of rugged land rising from Emerald Bay. The catch? Snow rarely lingers long enough on the island to make such an endeavor possible, creating a window of opportunity so narrow it borders on mythical. But not impossible.

In March 2024, after a heavy storm sealed off the road to Emerald Bay for over a week, I saw my chance. Fresh snow had transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland, draping everything in a thick blanket of white, including the short but playful pitches that fall away from the iconic tea house toward the lake. 

With Emerald Bay cut off from the world, inaccessible to all but the most determined, the time had finally come to turn a dream into reality. 

Icy Start

Due to the road closure, my crew and I knew we had to get creative if we wanted to reach Fannette Island. So we did what any self-respecting adventurers would do: We loaded up our kayaks and prepared for a 6-mile paddle across the open waters of Lake Tahoe.  

The adventure began not when we set foot on the island, but the moment we arrived at the frozen outlet of Tahoe Keys, where 2 inches of solid ice stood between us and the lake.

Fabian Hannemann breaks through a layer of ice in Tahoe Keys at the start of the journey to Emerald Bay

“Personally, I had doubts at that point that the day was going to work out,” admits photographer Anthony Cupaiuolo, who shared a two-person kayak with Fabian Hannemann, the third member of our group. “We had a long paddle ahead of us and were not anticipating a frozen start that was both time and energy consuming.”  

Indeed, the icy barrier demanded respect—and perseverance. 

For over an hour we fought to escape its grip, chipping away bit by bit until we finally broke free. It was a battle against nature that tested our resolve, but with each stroke of the paddle and chunk of ice shattered, we inched closer to our goal.

We set out across Lake Tahoe toward Emerald Bay, warming up with the rising sun as I paddled a kayak loaded to the brim with snowboard gear while Cupaiuolo and Hannemann pulled a paddleboard precariously stacked with camera equipment. 

The weight of our gear and the cold bite of the air only added to the intensity of the journey as the ethereal beauty of Emerald Bay grew closer. 

The Island

As we paddled into the quiet serenity of the bay, Fannette Island rose before us like a vision from a dream—otherworldly in its winter form, capped with a delicate layer of snow, seemingly untouched by the hustle and bustle of the modern world. 

We stashed our excess gear on the pier and made our final approach to the island’s shores. After unloading and tying off to a sturdy root, we made our way up the southeast slope to the tea house, where we took in the beauty of the bay and scouted lines.  

Claire Hewitt-Demeyer throws a backflip to cap a fun day of riding in the middle of Emerald Bay

As anticipated, the island’s runs weren’t long, but what they lacked in length, they more than made up for in sheer magic. Snowboarding Fannette Island, surrounded by the crystal-clear water of Emerald Bay, felt like unlocking a secret that few will ever know.  

Yet simply riding the island wasn’t enough. I wanted to push the limits, to make this experience truly unforgettable. So I set my sights on something more daring: a backflip. 

Finding a natural lip just large enough to launch from, I positioned myself mid-island, 40 feet above the icy waters of Lake Tahoe. It was a moment of nerve-wracking suspense—one mistake, and I could end up plunging into the lake below. But the thrill of the challenge outweighed the fear.

Time seemed to slow as I completed the rotation, my board connecting with the snow in a smooth landing that sent a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy.  

While the backflip was a triumphant climax, the adventure was far from over. An arduous paddle back to our starting point awaited us—a journey that would test our endurance and resolve. The lake, once an inviting expanse of water, now appeared as an immense obstacle between us and the warmth of home. 

Type 2 Fun

We set off for the mainland with exhausted bodies but elated spirits, the cold nipping at our fingers and toes as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the bay in a soft, golden light. The island, now a distant silhouette, stood as a testament to our adventure—a symbol of the power of dreams and the determination it takes to achieve them.  

With tired bodies but elated spirits, Hewitt-Demeyer and Hannemann begin the long journey back to the mainland

Then the winds picked up. Our calm waters suddenly became a churning challenge, with waves threatening to capsize the kayaks. 

The return trip was the epitome of Type 2 fun, the kind of experience that is challenging and even uncomfortable in the moment, but leaves you—when all is said and done—with a deep, lasting sense of fulfillment.  

“It’s these points in Type 2 missions that you’re just wanting it to wrap,” Cupaiuolo says. “Everything prior had worked out really well, and you know it’s going to be incredible to look back on, but in the moment of paddling back toward South Lake, it’s hard to think about it that way.”

By the time we reached the shore, stars were beginning to twinkle in the night sky. Tired but still exhilarated, we hauled our gear onto the beach, our muscles aching from the day’s exertions. Despite the fatigue, I couldn’t help but smile. We had done it, and in doing so created memories that will last a lifetime.  

Dream Achieved

This mission was more than just a personal achievement: It was a testament to the beauty and magic of Lake Tahoe, and to the spirit of adventure that drives us to explore the unknown. 

It was a journey that tested our limits, both physically and mentally, and rewarded us with a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to put into words. 

It’s a story worth sharing. Not just because of the thrill of snowboarding Fannette Island, but because it captures the essence of chasing a dream and experiencing pure joy in one of the most beautiful places on earth.  

Claire Hewitt-Demeyer is a professional snowboarder based in South Lake Tahoe. Always chasing the next big challenge through human-powered adventures, she likes to bring a spark of positivity to every journey, especially in those moments of Type 2 fun.