Winter Sports
Winter offers some truly spectacular opportunities for improving your health and filling your soul. To keep your adventure a positive experience do a little pre-planning and check out these great tips.
Recreate Responsibly
The beauty and peacefulness of the forest may make you feel carefree, but you must remain vigilant for potentially dangerous situations. Visit the Know Before You Go website for more information and always know before you go!
Most people are aware of winter's hazards. But it's easy to forget how wind, cold, snow, or whiteout can turn an outing into a tragedy. Knowledge of the area, weather, route, and the limitations of your body and equipment - plus a little common sense - can help ensure safe and enjoyable outings.
Winter weather can change suddenly and dramatically. Be prepared by monitoring weather conditions before you set out for the day.
Join the movement and pledge to recreate responsibly! Learn how by visiting the Recreate Responsibly website.
Leave No Trace is a philosophy that encourages responsible use of natural areas by minimizing human visitation and impact. The Leave No Trace mission is to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. Visit their website to learn more.
"Pack it in, pack it out" is one of the original Leave No Trace tenets for visiting natural areas. We all share a responsibility to be good stewards of the land. If you bring something in and use it (pack it in) is your responsibility to ensure it is removed when you are finished (pack it out). Visit the link above to learn more.
Road Conditions
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) webpage.
Weather
Ice skating on frozen lakes, ponds and rivers may be hazardous, is not recommended, and is at your own risk!
Skiing/Snowboarding
The Eldorado National Forest and surrounding areas offer some of the most popular downhill ski and snowboard destinations in the nation.
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort
1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive
Kirkwood, CA 95646
209-258-6000 - Sierra-at-Tahoe
1111 Sierra-at-Tahoe Road
Twin Bridges, CA 95735
530-659-7453
Sledding/Tubing
The Eldorado National Forest offers many forms of winter recreation. Sledding and tubing are among the most popular with children as well as adults. We recommend choosing official sledding areas instead of pulling off on the side of the road, which can be extremely dangerous. Official areas offer groomed sledding runs, parking, restrooms, and sled/tube rentals for safe, convenient family fun.
If choosing to visit unofficial areas, be sure to park only in safe, legal parking spots with all four tires on the inside of the white fog line, pay attention to and heed "No Parking" signs and avoid blocking gates.
We also recommend purchasing a sturdy, reusable sled instead of plastic which can easily break apart in cold temperatures. Please be sure to pack out all trash and everything brought in and used including broken sleds and plastic pieces.
- Adventure Mountain
21200 U.S. Hwy 50 (Nebelhorn)
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96155
530-659-7217
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is permitted in many areas of the National Forest within the Eldorado National forest, provided there is adequate snow cover on the ground to prevent resource damage.
Wilderness areas, certain roadless areas and developed ski areas are closed to all motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles. It's your responsibility to be aware of where you are at all times by carrying a map and knowing how to read it. Look for a snowmobile symbol at trailheads indicating snowmobile use is permitted in the area.
Snowmobile Registration Information
- California State Parks OHV Registration .
- Safe and Responsible Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is a winter sport that has grown in popularity over the last few years. Visitors can access many acres of National Forest lands around the Eldorado National Forest area via snowmobile. As with any recreational activity, conflicts can occur when users are close to homes and private lands. The following tips may be helpful when snowmobiling at Lake Tahoe.
- Be aware of private land and homeowner boundaries. You must obtain written permission from the landowner to access private land.
- There must be adequate snow cover on the ground to prevent resource damage.
- Be considerate of cross-country skiers, snowshoers and others who share many of the same routes. Slow down when encountering others!
- Avoid riding over small trees and brush, and avoid crossing streams as delicate stream banks can be easily damaged.
- Keep in mind, motorized vehicles are prohibited on National Forest urban lots.
Excessive noise, private land trespassing, snow coverage, urban lot closures and resource damage are enforceable by County, State and Federal regulations.
Groomed Snowmobile Trails
- Silver Bear Snowmobile System
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
The Eldorado National Forest provides several popular cross-country (XC) ski destinations and opportunities for the beginner, intermediate, and expert adventures.
- Kirkwood Cross-Country Center
Highway 88
Kirkwood, CA 95646
209-258-7248 - Loon Lake Winter Recreation area
Ice House Road at Loon Lake.
Parking Permits
- Visit CA SNO-PARKS for sno-park permits for parking in the winter.
XC (Cross-Country) Skiing Sharing Routes
In some areas of the forest, skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers share the same routes and trails. The following suggestions will provide safe routes for everyone.
- Operate snowmobiles at minimum speed near skiers or snowshoers. Maintain minimum speed until you are well beyond those on foot.
- Skiers and snowshoers should realize that snowmobile operators generally cannot hear approaching trail users.
- On steeper terrain, snowmobiles are generally limited to the developed trail surfaces.
- Use courtesy and respect so that all trail users can safely enjoy their winter travel and be sure to follow Leave No Trace's Seven Principles.
Dogs on the Trail
- All dogs should have a current license and identification in case they are separated from their owner. Be considerate of others using trails and clean up after your pet. For the sake of wildlife and fellow recreationists, please keep control of your dog. Check with county offices for leash ordinances.
- Snowmobilers, be aware of dogs on the trails. Reduce your speed and use caution when passing.
XC (Cross-Country) Skiing Etiquette
- Avoid snowshoeing or walking over cross-county ski tracks. It ruins the tracks for other cross-country skiers.
- Step out of the tracks when resting or adjusting gear. When skiing tracks, give the downhill skier the right of way.
- Keep pets on leash. Pets can ruin ski tracks and deep snow can be physically difficult on animals.
- Pack out all litter!
- Report any damaged or missing signs and/or trail markers to the Forest Service at sm.fs.paltbmu@usda.gov.
- Yield the right of way:
- Snowmobiles yield to all.
- Bikes, snowshoers yield to skiers.
- All users yield to grooming machines.
- Always stay on the right-hand side.
- Obey all signs and posted warnings.
- Maintain control of your speed and direction at all times. Be able to stop or avoid other people, objects or dogs.
- Pass on the left side when overtaking another skier on a downhill or narrow trail, and announce your presence by stating “On your left."
- When merging onto a trail or starting down a hill, look uphill and yield to others. In all other instances, stay to the right-hand side of the trail.
- Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible to others.
- Respect the classic tracks and skate lane. Please do not skate ski, snowshoe or walk on the classic set tracks. Please do not snowshoe, walk, or run on the skate lane.
- Use extreme caution at night - be visible and use bright lights.
Search for Winter Sports Opportunities
Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Loon Lake Chalet
Sierra At Tahoe