SierraOutdoorRecreation.com knows several great areas for family fun.

In addition to locations on public lands, several commercial resorts provide not only dedicated snow play areas but some even offer rope tows or designed tracks. Riding up and sliding down is a great recipe for family fun. Boreal Mountain Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe, and Soda Springs Ski Area each offer this special mix of family fun.

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. The Parks offer restrooms and most have hills adjacent to the parking that are perfect for snow play. Yuba Pass and Yuba Gap have premier snow play areas. Donner Pass is a good area, but parking is at a premium and play area is scarce without some walking. Donner Lake Snow-Park is available for snow play but the area is too flat to be very attractive. Parking at any of California’s Snow-Parks requires a permit fee.

Big Bend and the Lock Leven Trailhead parking area a quarter-mile east of the Forest Service Visitor Center (closed in winter) is a great area with a variety of terrain. Little Truckee Summit off Highway 89 offers a couple of nice slopes, but stay away from the heavy snowmobile traffic. Parking at both sites is free, but there are no restrooms.

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 and exclude others in order to maximize the enjoyment of any one 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 and also welcome snowshoers or snow players; some prohibit the use of snowmobiles in the same area. Winter enthusiasts are responsible for knowing the rules for any one area. SierraOutdoorRecreation.com provides descriptions that will assist you and winter recreation area maps are available to subscribers.

California Sno-Parks: These are designated parking sites adjacent to inviting 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 the play areas discussed for individual locations are included with that description.

California Department of Parks and Recreations operates the Sno-Park system. A complete list 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.

Winter with Snow Play opportunities

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