I went from a full suspension mountain bike to a 29er hard tail. I want to get a full suspension again. Hard tails are just more work over the same trails, even with BIG wheels.
If you have plenty of money, and want a hard tail. Why not look at a full suspension with a rear lockout. That way when you go to Tahoe it will be much more fun on the downhill.
A hard tail isn't too bad, until you get spoiled with that rear end soaking up all the little roots and rocks!!!