2Many Cars

+1 on Squaw Valley for skiing. If you are going in the summer beware of traffic problems around the lake on holiday weekends. Also, if you're flexible on the dates check out the vintage boat show which is the Pebble Beach of old wooden boats. The Reno air races are also a great event but your wife might not share that interest. If you live far away the best bet is usually to fly into Reno and make the short drive up to the Lake.