Planning for the Perfect Winter

By Ali Dickson

With the snow falling since early October this year, our minds have quickly drifted to the upcoming winter season and its necessary preparations. This means tuning up the snowblower, stacking cords of wood, dusting off the snow boots or waxing skis. The change in seasons also means a change in operations around Tahoe Donner and the Town of Truckee.

Below are important tips and tricks to know when parking, skiing, sledding and playing with your favorite furry friend outdoors.

WINTER STREET PARKING 

In most of Truckee, including Tahoe Donner, residents and visitors are prohibited from parking on roadways from Nov. 1 to April 30. Those parked on road shoulders—other than approved ski area street parking—are subject to citation and may be towed. This includes the streets adjacent to winter trailheads and operations, such as Glacier Way along Skislope Way.

To make snowplowing easier and to keep the roadways clear for traffic and emergency vehicles, the Town of Truckee often plows large turnaround areas. Please be mindful to park only in designated vehicle lots.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

If you’re new to Tahoe Donner, you may not know that most of the summer trails located around the Alder Creek Adventure Center become our network of world-class Nordic ski trails! This area requires either a day pass or a season pass and includes all of the trails from the Adventure Center down into Euer Valley and up to Drifter Hut and Hawk’s Peak.

Dogs are allowed on a limited number of designated trails but require qualification and the purchase of a season pass. To see if your dog qualifies and purchase a pass, visit tahoedonner.com/dog-trails.

BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS

Those wanting to backcountry ski, snowboard, hike or snowshoe on Tahoe Donner property must be sure they are traveling on areas that do not require a ski pass. Any access that utilizes cross country trails—including the trails to get to Hawk’s Peak, Euer Valley, Drifter Hut and Frog Lake—requires the purchase of a pass.

Skiing or snowboarding in the popular Sunrise Bowl area is permitted as long as travel is not within the Cross Country Ski Center boundaries. Parking is limited in the Glacier Way parking lot, so plan an early arrival and do not park on the street.

SLEDDING and TUBING 

If you’re looking to sled or tube on Tahoe Donner’s common spaces, look no further than Snowplay, located at the Trout Creek Recreation Center. The summer golf driving range converts to a groomed winter playground and provides everything you’ll need for a fun day of snow play. Sledding and tubing are prohibited at trailheads, the Downhill Ski Resort, the Cross Country Ski Center and the golf course.

To best protect the greens at the golf course, we kindly ask that you keep off this area. Dogs are not allowed on the golf course in any season.

BEST WALKING and DOG TRAILS

The Town of Truckee maintains certain Class 1 paved trails year-round, including the Trout Creek Trail off Northwoods Boulevard. This trail connects Tahoe Donner to downtown Truckee on a gentle paved path, complete with dog waste bags and trash service all winter long. For another plowed path, check out the Legacy Trail between downtown Truckee and Glenshire.

Bermgarten Trailhead and Glacier Way Trailhead are Tahoe Donner’s best locations for non-fee winter recreation. Both trailhead parking lots are plowed and provide dog waste bags and trash service. Note: Limited winter staffing means that trash service and plowing at these trailheads may also be limited. If the trash cans are buried in snow, please take your waste with you.

Non-fee winter recreation areas can be very popular, and parking lots may be full. Those parked on road shoulders are subject to citation and may be towed.