Tips for a Successful Winter at Tahoe Donner

By Ali Dickson

This year has welcomed many new faces and families to the Tahoe Donner community. As soon as fire season takes a step back, snow season follows closely behind. We encourage you to become familiar with key resources to make your winter safe and enjoyable.

You don’t have to use a snow removal company, but mountain winters can be so intense that many do in Tahoe Donner. Shoveling multiple feet of snow out of your driveway can either be a welcome exercise routine or a backbreaking nightmare. For those looking for help, consider professional snow removal services.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT SNOWS?
The Town of Truckee provides snow clearing for your streets. If you have a snow removal contract for your driveway, you are responsible for clearing the snow when it snows less than four inches. A snow removal company will clear the snow from your driveway when it snows four or more inches. You will need to clear the snow that they can’t get to, which is usually a small amount at the garage door or around vehicles and on your exposed walkways, stairs, entries and decks

WHY DO SOME HOUSES HAVE MORE SNOW?
The location of your house plays a large factor in how much snow your yard and driveway receive. North-facing driveways typically see less sunlight and are prone to having snow longer than those situated on south-facing slopes. Ice melt and utility sand can help remove extra snow and ice that may stick around on your driveway.

HOW CAN YOU HELP PREPARE YOUR DRIVEWAY FOR SNOW REMOVAL
Three words: Keep It Clear.

Toys, house mats, timber, sleds and other objects may get covered in snow and not be visible to your snowplow operators. If something gets caught in a snowplow, time and money may need to be spent removing objects from the machines. A clear driveway is a happy driveway.

Additionally, parking your car in your garage or all the way up your driveway to one side allows the most snow to be removed.

HOW QUICKLY DOES YOUR STREET OR DRIVEWAY BECOME CLEAR?
Street Clearing:
The Town of Truckee clears major roads as their top priority, including Northwoods Boulevard, Hansel Avenue and Alder Creek Road. Secondary and tertiary roads are prioritized after, and it can take some time to get to all 60+ miles of roads within Tahoe Donner.

A few factors go into the timing of snow removal:

• Weather forecasts
• Snow accumulation timing
• Amount of snow
• Consistency of snow
• Your location on the route schedule
• Safety considerations

Driveway Clearing
Unless you have contracted for a premium twice-daily option, your snow removal provider will usually clear your driveway once per day between about 2AM and 2PM. They may return to clear your berm if they are still working in the field when the Town of Truckee clears your road.

For the safety of the operators, drivers and homeowners, most snow removal occurs at night. This prevents potential accidents that typically occur in snowy, low-visibility conditions.

HOW CAN YOU WINTERIZE YOUR CAR?
Make sure your wheels are spinning the right way this season. Winter tires offer a better grip on snowy or icy surfaces, which means your car is that much more likely to stay on the road. Additionally, make sure that your windshield wiper fluid is full and contains a de-icer fluid that doesn’t freeze. Keep these essentials in your car in the winter to ensure your safety:

NO STREET PARKING DURING WINTER
The Town of Truckee Public Works is responsible for clearing public streets during snow events. With safety and efficiency in mind, The Town of Truckee Police Department enforces a winter parking ban effective November 1 – April 30 of each year.

During this winter parking ban, it is prohibited to park on the Town roads and rights-of-way (including within Tahoe Donner). This allows maintenance crews unobstructed snow removal and ice control routes. More information about the Town’s snow removal operations can be found at townoftruckee.com.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR GUESTS?
If you are offering your home for family, friends or as a rental property, make sure your guests are aware of how to maximize their enjoyment and safety during the winter in Truckee. Tahoe Donner has prepared a guide for short-term guests to follow and includes winter driving tips, maps and basic community rules. Download today under “Documents + Tools” at tahoedonner.com/str.

10 TIPS FROM ELEMENTS TO IMPROVE YOUR GUESTS’ WINTER EXPERIENCE
If you do have guests staying at your Tahoe Donner property this winter, they may not be aware of how to safely live a mountain lifestyle in the snowy and blowy months. Before your guests arrive, be sure to share the following:

1. Always check the weather forecast and road conditions before you travel.
2. Rent a 4×4 or all-wheel-drive car – if you don’t have one – when you come to the Sierra in the winter.
3. Carry tire chains, a shovel, blankets, gloves, warm clothes, snacks and water in your car in case of an emergency.
4. Park your car in the garage if possible or pull your car into your driveway as far as possible and to the side to increase snow removal.
5. While your snow removal company provides the bulk of your driveway snow removal, shoveling is a fact of life in the winter.
6. Any vehicle parked on the road in the winter (November – April) will be towed.
7. Leave an interior light on to let your snow removal company know your house is occupied.
8. Make sure you have enough food if you become snowbound.
9. Keep firewood, toys and any other obstacles out of your driveway when it is snowing.
10. Daily start times for driveway snow removal vary and are dictated by snowfall accumulation timing.

For more information and helpful hints from Elements, go to elementsmtn.co/new-homeowners-guests-visitors.

WHERE CAN YOU GET UPDATES? 

You should know how to protect yourself and your loved ones in an emergency before one strikes. In case of a snowstorm, road closure or emergency of any season, be sure you know what resources are available to you. Local information outlets include: