STATELINE, Nev. – Oftentimes, and especially during Halloween month, there are two kinds of people – one who gets dragged to a haunted house despite their hatred for being scared and the person doing the dragging who craves that adrenaline rush. Whichever way you fall, Tahoe Terror aims to bring a new kind of thrill to Stateline. 

If there’s anyone who knows how to scare people it’s Chris Setser, who has been in the scare business for 15 years as a scare actor and now, Tahoe Terror’s general manager. 

After working at The Final Hour Haunted House in Reno, a massive 25,000 square-foot, family-owned haunted house attraction with raving reviews, Setser was asked by owner Kyle Walters if he’d be interested in designing and operating his own haunted house in Tahoe. 

“Every haunted house has its own personality,” Setser said. “My haunted house isn’t going to be the same as The Final Hour.” 

While there’s ghost tours throughout the basin, fall festivals and the annual Freaker’s Ball at Bally’s, it’s been quite some time since Tahoe was home to a legendary haunted house attraction. 

“I think people are going to come out crying, hopefully,” Setser said with a smile. “My goal is to scare people. I love scaring people, and I don’t do it for the money. I do it because I love Halloween, I love fall and I love October.” 

Setser’s goal is to convey his love for the scare while making a name for himself through his creation of Tahoe Terror, the Final Hour’s sister haunt up the hill. Although, the work to curate a full-blown haunted house attraction is no easy feat, and Sester noted it can often take several weeks.

“It takes a lot of behind-the-scenes effort, but I’m not doing this alone. I’ve got a whole team behind me,” he said.

Because this October marks the attraction’s first year and Setser’s first time running the show, he has hopes of making it a huge success, signaling an invitation to return next year.

“This can’t be a success without Tahoe residents,” Setser added. “I just want them to give me a chance.”

It’s no secret that Tahoe lore runs as deep as its ancient glacial waters, and Setser’s creative juices are leading him to conjure up future themes related to the lakes supposed Mafia connections, the Lady in White folktale and of course, a mysterious lake creature who is said to slither through the depths of Tahoe’s waters.

“The lake is my second home. I grew up on that lake, from the time I was a baby until now,” Setser said. “To get this opportunity to do something that I love and do it where I was born brings so much excitement to me.”

Tahoe Terror kicks off starting October 2 and is open Friday and Saturday nights throughout the month of October from 8 p.m. to midnight. Halloween night, Tahoe Terror will stay open until 3 a.m., allowing folks to swing by after the 47th annual Freaker’s Ball. 

In addition to general admission tickets which start at $25 online and $35 at the door, Setser is also offering business deals, so if businesses or groups are interested and buying a bundle, tickets can be sold at discounted rates. To inquire about business rates, email tahoeterror@gmail.com.

To learn more about Tahoe Terror or to purchase tickets, visit TahoeTerrorHauntedHouse. 

Bally’s Lake Tahoe is located at 55 U.S. Highway 50 in Stateline, Nev.