If you're not there in the middle of a snowstorm, you should be able to drive from North Shore (Tahoe City/Squaw Valley/Northstar) along the east shore over to South Lake Tahoe in less than an hour. The west shore is closed in the winter.

"Where" you want to stay depends on what you want to do. If you're going skiing, South Lake Tahoe puts you close to Heavenly Valley. Tahoe City on the North Shore is closer to Alpine, Squaw, and some smaller resorts (Homewood has gorgeous lake views from up top). Over at Incline Village you have more resorts, and Northstar is off of 267 not far from Tahoe City or Truckee.

If you're not a big skier, I'd probably stay on the South Shore where you have Harrahs, Harveys, Horizon, and Mont Blue as the major resort/casinos, as well as Lake Tahoe.

Reno? Plenty of hotel/casinos there, too, and you could use it as a gateway to the Mt. Rose ski resort. Carson City? There's nothing there except the state capitol buildings. Probably a great place to live, but not a place to base yourself for touring.

I have Tahoe/Reno photos linked below in the USA folder.