Winter Recreation in Northern California

Outdoor Recreation

There’s no better place for playing in the snow than Placer County.

From snowshoeing to downhill skiing, gliding across fresh white blankets of snow you can enjoy some of the worlds most impressive winter visitors.

Today, internationally celebrated athletes continue to thrive on Placer Count ski slopes while families enjoy cross-country skiing, snowboarding, or simply tubing. Whatever your level or interest, it’s here.

The winter months bring bountiful snowfall and snow fun to the higher elevations of Placer County. Winter activities include snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating, sleigh rides, sledding, tobogganing, snow play and of course downhill, telemark and cross-country skiing.

Fourteen miles east of Foresthill, China Wall is a no-cost recreation site operated by the U.S. Forest Service that features plenty of area for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and family snow play. There are a number of areas along Interstate 80 that are easily accessible for snow recreation, a Sno-Park permit is the best way to access them.

Tip

The Sno-Park program is a safe, low cost way for the entire family to enjoy Placer County’s great winter wonderland. The program, operated through California Department of Parks and Recreation, offers snow-cleared parking lots providing winter recreationalists direct access to snow play areas, cross-country ski trails, and snowmobile regions.

For a copy of the “Guide to Sno-Park and Trailhead Areas” or to purchase a Sno-Park pass, call the California Welcome Center Auburn at (530) 887-2111

Sno-Parks in Placer County

There are two along the I-80 corridor leading to Lake Tahoe and another on Highway 89 three miles south of Tahoe City. Many others statewide are listed in the California Sno-Parks brochure on the California Department of Parks and Recreation website.

Ski Sites

Alpine Meadows 2600 Alpine Meadows Road Tahoe City, CA 530 683-4232 www.skialpine.com	An unobstructed view of Lake Tahoe is part of the charm of this resort which offers downhill skiing and snowboarding on its 2400 acre site.
Boreal Mountain Resort PO Box 39 Truckee, CA 95160 530 426-3666 www.rideboreal.com	Easy access from Interstate 80 and nighttime skiing are two features of this resort which offers downhill skiing and snowboarding. Special packages are available for children and there is a tubing area where tubes are provided.
Donner Ski Ranch PO Box 66 19320 Donner Pass Road Norden, CA 530 426-3635 www.donnerskiranch.com	A family-owned ski resort with its first rope tow built in 1937 this site has enjoyed continuous upgrades. It is easily accessible off Old Highway 40 and offers downhill skiing and snowboarding. There are ski instructors on site.
Full Throttle Tahoe 8445 North Lake Tahoe Blvd. Kings Beach, CA 530 546-8774 www.fullthrottletahoe.com	Full Throttle provides snowmobile rentals for self-guided tours of the Tahoe area. The snowmobiles are equipped with GPS navigational devices and radios are available as well. Trailers are available to take snowmobiles to outlying areas.
Granlibakken Conference Center And Resort PO Box 6320 Granlibakken Road Tahoe City, CA 877 552-6301 www.granlibakken.com	Tahoe’s oldest established ski resort offers an intimate hill perfect for beginners and intermediate downhill skiers. Snow play area is available for children. There is a rental shop and ski school on site also.
High Sierra Snowmobiling 400 Brassie Avenue Kings Beach, CA 96143 530 546-9909	Snowmobile rentals. Ride on a track at the historic Old Brockway Golf Course in North LakeTahoe. Two persons may ride a snowmobile together.
Homewood Mountain Resort 5145 Westlake Boulevard Homewood, CA 530 525-2992 www.skihomewood.com	One of Lake Tahoe’s oldest winter recreation sites, Homewood offers both downhill skiing and snowboarding. Activities for children, a snowboard school, and both rental and repair shops are available on site. Skiers have an unobstructed view of Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours Brockway Summit, Highway 267 Kings Beach, CA 530 546-4280 www.laketahoesnowmobilingtours.com	Since 1985 professional guides have been taking visitors on snowmobile tours in the National Forest. They can access over 100 miles of groomed trails with superb views of Lake Tahoe, neighboring ski resorts and Lake Watson. Appropriate clothing can be rented and reservations are recommended.
Northstar at Tahoe Resort PO Box 129 100 Northstar Drive Truckee, CA 95161 www.northstarattahoe.com	There is something for everyone at Northstar: downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, ice skating, snow shoeing. A tubing center, a shopping village, and a child care center are all available at this resort easily accessible off Highway 267 just east of Truckee.
Resort at Squaw Creek Squaw Valley, CA 530 583-6300 www.squawcreek.com	Situated in the Olympic Valley off Highway 89 south of Tahoe City this resort offers a Nordic Ski Center and snowshoe trails. There is also a spa on site.
Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort PO Box 1100 Soda Springs, CA 95728 800 500-3871 or 800 666-3871 in CA www.royalgorge.com	North America’s largest cross country ski resort with 90 trails on a 9000 acre site with surface lifts and warming huts. A day lodge on site offers a family center. There are also weekend dog trails.,
Soda Springs PO Box 39 Truckee, CA 95160 530 426-3901 www.skisodasprings.com	Soda Springs bills itself as the Best Snow Park for Kids. They offer a variety of fun-filled activities including a 350’ long moving carpet for the under 8 year old set. Of course, downhill skiing, rentals and snowboarding are available for adults and older children.
Squaw Valley USA Highway 89 Olympic Valley, CA 530 583-5985 www.squaw.com	Site of the 1960 Winter Olympics this 4000 acre ski area offers runs for downhill skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. The aerial cable car takes skiers,snowboarders and sightseers to the top of the mountain where there are restaurants, an ice skating pavilion and Olympic Museum. Snow tubing, dog sled rides and a rock climbing wall are all available at the bottom of the mountain.
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort PO Box 5 629 Sugar Bowl Road Norden, CA 95724 530 426-9000 www.sugarbowl.com	Take the Soda Springs, Highway 174 exit off Highway 80 or take Donner Pass Road past Donner Lake to Sugar Bowl on old scenic Highway 40. Downhill skiing and snowboarding at this resort. Age appropriate activities available for children.. Rental and lessons for all ages.
Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area 3 miles from Tahoe City on North Shore www.tahoexc.org	Located 2 miles north of Tahoe City this area offers cross country skiers over 65 kilometers of pristine grooming with 19 individual trails, two warming huts, a dog lane and unbeatable views of Lake Tahoe.
Truckee Ice Skating Rink Regional Park, Highway 267 Truckee, CA www.tdrpd.com	The Truckee rink features ice skating with skate rentals, a snack bar, group and private lessons for all age groups taught by experienced instructors, broomball leagues and more.
Wilderness Adventures 530 550-8133 www.dogsledadventures.com	This group offers husky-driven dogsled tours out of Sugar Bowl and Squaw Valley.