Within the Tahoe National Forest, Plumas Eureka State Park, and the Donner Memorial State Historical Park the ski-able terrain blankets thousands of acres. Hundreds of miles of marked trails, skiable roads, inviting slopes and valleys with widely spaced trees covered with deep snow beckon to skiers of all experience levels.

In addition to the thousands of acres of public lands, commercial resorts offer upscale opportunities for skiing, lodging and dining. Royal Gorge, North America’s largest cross-country ski resort, occupies choice terrain just east of Donner Summit and only a few minutes off of Interstate – 80. Tahoe-Donner Ski Area near Truckee is a healthy second within our area. The Auburn Ski Club, open to day use, laying adjacent to the Boreal Mountain Resort has trained Nordic skiers in both cross-country and ski jumping who have competed in the Olympics. Northstar-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA offer areas for cross-country skiing as well as Alpine downhill skiing. Totally unique is the Sierra Club system of their Clair Tappaan Lodge that can optionally serve as the base for nightly rental and skiing or snowshoeing to four back-country huts located near the spine of the Sierra Crest in the Donner Pass area.

Mother Nature looks great in white. Favorite mountain peaks for summer enthusiasts become winter favorites too: Sierra Buttes, Mount Lola, Basin Peak, Castle Peak, Mount Anderson, and Eureka Peak as well as their brothers and sisters take on a whole new mystique. From afar they are inspiring. For the most avid winter enthusiasts they are a challenge that can only be experienced up close. Extremely close.

Winters can be hot in the Central Sierra Nevada. We’re not just talking about sipping a mug of hot chocolate in front of a crackling fire after a day of winter activities. Not even hot buttered rum. We’re talking snow – lots of it: Skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, snowmobiling-snow.

Near the crest, a Sierra Nevada winter averages over 34 feet of new snow each year. At any one time snow depths accumulate and hold at nearly eight feet. Some storms have dropped over 20 feet in a few days.

Ski-able public lands numbers in the hundreds of thousands of acres. Thousands more miles awaiting the adventurous skier beckon as they follow the unbroken snow of roads. Over half of California’s Sno-Parks that provide snow-cleared parking areas in the heart of the Sierra Nevada’s high country are here within the Central Sierra.

Public lands welcome all users and all forms of winter play: skis, boards, snowshoes, sleds or tubes, and snowmobiles. Many areas are managed for certain uses but exclude others in order to maximize the enjoyment of any group of users. Specific areas facilitate snowmobile use through the Green Sticker fees raised by the licensing of those vehicles. Other areas are dedicated to cross-country skiers; some prohibit the use of snowmobiles in that same area. Winter enthusiasts are responsible for knowing the rules for any one area. SierraOutdoorRecreation.com provides the maps and descriptions that will assist you.

First a few Details:

Over-the-snow Vehicle Closures: Dozens of specific locations are described in SierraOutdooRecreation.com. The winter recreation map show designated trails for cross-country skiers as well as snowmobiles. If an area is closed to “Over-the-Snow Vehicles” (OSV) or if there are seasonal restrictions, we’ve indicated that also.

California Sno-Parks: These are designated parking sites adjacent to skiable areas. Either Day or Season Permits are required for each vehicle using the facility. Funding from the permit sales provides plowed parking as well as sanitation facilities. Sno-Parks located adjacent to play areas are included with that description.

California Department of Parks and Recreations operates the Sno-Park system. A complete listing of locations can be found on their Website www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. Vendors for the permits are listed also. They maintain a hot line at (916) 324-1222 for current conditions and additional information.

Groomed Trails: On public lands, there are no groomed trails in this area specifically designated for cross-country skiers. Skiers are allowed to use snowmobile trails that are groomed but need to be alert for snowmobile traffic. Skiers are advised not to use some areas because of the heavy snowmobile traffic.

Several commercial ski areas offer groomed trails for cross-country skiing and often permit snowshoeing also.

Designated Trails: These trails are not groomed. Trails are normally snow-covered roads and can be followed by experienced individuals in good weather. Trails are marked with metal reflectors periodically along a route. Wide spacing, fresh snow in the trees, and poor visibility can contribute to markers being missed. Everyone is responsible for knowing his or her own skill level and matching the outing to the demands of any one trail. Carrying a good map and proper clothing and safety gear is a must.

Reservoirs with Skiing - Cross-country opportunities

Good

Trails with Skiing - Cross-country opportunities

Best

Winter with Skiing - Cross-country opportunities

Exceptional Best Good