Winter Sports
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest provides ample opportunity for recreation users to enjoy winter sports. From alpine skiing to snowmobiling to cross-country skiing, users seeking to enjoy their forest lands in the winter can find opportunities on every ranger district and the Spring Mountains NRA.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is permitted across the national forest. Often, specific trails will be designated for horseback riding, so check with your local ranger district before you hit the trails.
Trail etiquette for multiple use trails calls for horses to have the right-of-way. Hikers should yield to horses. Bicyclists should yield to horses and hikers. Horse riders are responsible for the control of their horse at all times.
Weed seed free hay is required everywhere on National Forest lands
Skiing/Snowboarding
There are two ski areas located on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest that are under special use permits administered by the Forest Service. Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe just above Reno and Lee Canyon near Las Vegas.
Sledding/Tubing
Sledding and tubing opportunities can be found across the forest during winter. Popular locations for this activity include Tahoe Meadows outside Reno, Nevada and at the Foxtail Group Picnic Area at the Spring Mountains NRA (Las Vegas) which is managed as a snowplay area in the winter time.
Snowmobiling
All across the forest, one can find opportunities for snowmobile recreation ranging from groomed trails to challenging backcountry terrain. On the Bridgeport Ranger District in California, snowmobilers flock to the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area, which was designated by Congress in 2009, making it the first winter motorized recreation area in the nation. Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains, Tahoe Meadows near Reno, Nevada, and Hope Valley in Alpine County, California are other popular snowmobiling locations on the Forest.
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities can be found across the forest during the snowy season. Many recreation users seek out the same trails they hike in the summer to snowshoe or cross-country ski on in the winter. Popular locations include Tahoe Meadows (near Reno), the Bridgeport Winter Trail System near Buckeye Hot Springs, the Ward Mountain area near Ely, and Lamoille Canyon near Elko.
Search for Winter Sports Opportunities
Berry Creek Dispersed Campground
Big Bend Campground
Bonanza Trailhead
Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area
Centerville Flat Dispersed Campground
Fletcher Canyon Trailhead
Foxtail Group Picnic Area
Galena Creek Visitor Center
Hoge Road Trailhead
Hope Valley Sno-Park/Trailhead