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Winter Sports

Recreate Responsibly

  • Know Before You Go

    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!

  • Winter Safety

    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 Recreation Safety Tips

    Winter weather can change suddenly and dramatically. Be prepared by monitoring weather conditions before you set out for the day. 

  • Recreate Responsibly

    Join the movement and pledge to recreate responsibly! Learn how by visiting the Recreate Responsibly website.

  • Leave No Trace

    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

    "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

Weather

Ice skating on frozen lakes, ponds and rivers may be hazardous, is not recommended, and is at your own risk! For your own safety, we recommend visiting one of the official skating facilities listed below.

South Shore

North & West Shores

Skiing/Snowboarding

The Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas offer some of the most popular downhill ski and snowboard destinations in the nation. 

South Shore

  • Heavenly Mountain Resort
    California Lodge
    3860 Saddle Road
    South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
    775-586-7000
    Heavenly Village Gondola
    4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
    South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
    775-586-7000
  • 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

North Shore

West Shore

Truckee

Sledding/Tubing

The Lake Tahoe Basin 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.

North Shore

South Shore

West Shore

Truckee

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is permitted in many areas of the National Forest within the Lake Tahoe Basin, provided there is adequate snow cover on the ground to prevent resource damage.

Wilderness areas, certain roadless areas, small urban lots 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 

Nevada OHV Register Your OHV 

Safe and Responsible Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is a winter sport that has grown in popularity over the last few years. Residents and visitors can access many acres of National Forest lands around the Lake Tahoe 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.

  • If you are starting near a residential area, please show respect for homeowners by keeping "warm-up" time brief as noise and exhaust can be disturbing to residents.
  • Avoid riding close to homes!
  • Ride only during reasonable hours, early morning and late evening and night rides can cause considerable noise disturbances.
  • 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.

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

The Lake Tahoe Basin provides some of the most popular cross-country (XC) ski destinations and opportunities in the nation. There are many areas available for the beginner, intermediate, and expert and even extended ski camping excursions. 

South Shore

East Shore

North Shore & West Shore

Truckee


 

Search for Winter Sports Opportunities

Showing: 1 - 10 of 12 results

Adventure Mountain
Site Closed
Winter Sports
Located on the top of Echo Summit, Adventure Mountain offers 18 machine groomed tubing lanes for every level. The plowed parking area is located safely away from Highway 50 and the resort offers tube…

Camp Richardson Resort
Site Open
Biking Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Water Activities Winter Sports
A year-round destination, historic Camp Richardson Resort offers everything wonderful about outdoor recreation at Lake Tahoe in the spring, summer, winter and fall. Warm seasons include biking,…

Fallen Leaf Campground
Site Open
Biking Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Water Activities Winter Sports
Fallen Leaf Campground is located on the south end of beautiful Lake Tahoe, approximately one-quarter mile north of Fallen Leaf Lake off of Highway 89. The campground is typically open beginning in…

Genoa Peak Road 14N32
Site Open
Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Hiking Biking Outdoor Science and Learning Winter Sports
Genoa Peak Road (Forest Road 14N32) is located on national forest lands on the east shore of Lake Tahoe and is typically accessible beginning Memorial Day through Nov. 15, conditions and weather…

Lake Tahoe - East Shore
Scenic Drives Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Picnicking Water Activities Winter Sports Horse Riding and Camping Biking Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
The east shore of Lake Tahoe is located on the Nevada side along the west slope of the Carson Range. Access to this mostly undeveloped side of the lake is via Highways 50 and 28. Recreational…

Lake Tahoe - South Shore
Scenic Drives Picnicking Water Activities Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking Winter Sports Outdoor Science and Learning Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
The south shore of Lake Tahoe is located on the California side of the lake with the main access via Highways 50 and 89.  The south shore boasts a spectrum of commercial development intermixed with…

Round Hill Pines Beach Resort
Site Open
Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Picnicking Water Activities Winter Sports
Round Hill Pines Beach Resort is located on National Forest lands on the beautiful East Shore of Lake Tahoe near Stateline, Nevada and is managed by a private concessionaire under a special use…

Tallac Historic Site
Site Open
Hiking Biking Outdoor Science and Learning Picnicking Water Activities Winter Sports
A century ago, what is now the Tallac Historic Site held the title of "Grandest Resort in the World" and was the summer retreat for three of the San Francisco Bay Area's socially elite families.…

Taylor Creek Visitor Center
Site Open
Picnicking Outdoor Science and Learning Biking Hiking Water Activities Winter Sports
The Taylor Creek Visitor Center, operated in partnership with the Great Basin Institute, is located on the South Shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe approximately three miles northwest of the City of South…

Valhalla
Site Open
Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Winter Sports Water Activities
The Heller Estate, located east of the Pope and Baldwin estates, is known as Valhalla, which means Viking heaven. Valhalla is located on National Forest lands and is operated under a special use…

Last updated July 11th, 2025

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