When most people think of Lake Tahoe, Nev., skiing comes to mind.

But summer on the South Shore offers a different kind of entertainment, including rides on the Heavenly Gondola, Harveys Outdoor Summer Concert Series, the American Century Championship and nightly entertainment along Blue Avenue.

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CASINO VACATIONS Where to gamble in the South  Not quite a win-win situation at new Strip hotel  Reno is betting on a river of changes to lure fresh audience  Concerts, festivals fill the summer at Lake Tahoe  Familiar sights, pastimes still in the cards  A jackpot in the desert         More specialty destinations

Here's what's coming up, courtesy of the the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority:

• The Heavenly Gondola takes sightseers 3,000 feet above the lake for panoramic views. The shops and eateries inside the Heavenly Village and adjacent Village Center and Cecil's Fountain Plaza will be open for visitors all summer.

• Along Blue Avenue, you'll find nightlife, nightclubs, gaming, dining, shopping, entertainment and special events, including dancing at Altitude Nightclub inside Harrah's and Club Nero inside Caesars Tahoe.

• Headliners at the Harveys Outdoor Summer Concert Series include Loggins & Messina, Journey, the Eagles, Sammy Hagar, John Mellencamp with John Fogerty, and Toby Keith.

• At Harrah's and Caesars casinos, entertainment will include concerts by Los Lobos, the Tubes, Widespread Panic, Tears for Fears, Wayne Newton, Rick Springfield and the Wallflowers. Bill's Back Door Blues Club features live music Fridays and Saturdays.

• If you hurry, you can catch the American Century Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe, Tuesday through July 17. The tournament draws from the sports world such stars as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, John Elway, Mark McGwire and Jerry Rice. This summer, Donald Trump is expected to play, as well as BMX rider Dave Mirra, actor Mark Wahlberg and comedian Kevin Nealon.

• Events at Heavenly Village include the Wine and Fine Art Festival, July 23-24, and a weekend concert series.

• The 2005 Valhalla Arts & Music Festival runs through Aug. 27. Highlights include family DJ dance parties, a reggae festival and performances of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" and Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

• The Labor Day Fireworks Celebration lights up the lake Sept. 4.

Information

• Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, 1-800-288-2463, http://www.bluelaketahoe.com.

— Amanda J. Miller