Where to Play on a Snow Day

Winter in El Dorado County means snow…in some cases, lots of it. If you’re looking for places to build snowmen, sled in fresh snow, or have a snowball fight, you’re in luck. There are numerous locations throughout the region which are set up specifically for that.

Echo Lake

North side of Highway 50 at Echo Lake Road half mile west of Echo Summit. Popular cross-country ski area with limited snow play. No snowmobiles. No parking on entry road. Call Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit at (530) 644-2324

California SNO-PARKs

There are 19 SNO-PARK sites throughout the Sierra Nevada. Each has a distinctive brown highway sign identifying its location. At each SNOPARK, visitors have access to snow-cleared parking lots and sanitation facilities and are open seasonally between November 1 and May 30. The sites can accommodate self-guided activities such as snowmobiling, crosscountry skiing, and general snow play. Day use permits may be purchased for $5.00 or a season permit for $25.00 from various vendors throughout California and Nevada. More information: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1233 or call the OHMVR Division at (916) 324-4442

Taylor Creek

Taylor Creek Parking Lot. West side of Highway 89, just north of Camp Richardson in El Dorado County. Cross-country skiing to Fallen Leaf Lake. Limited snowmobiling and snow play. Call USFS at 530-543-2600.

Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain Parking Lot. North side of Highway 88, at the MormonEmigrant Trail Road, 40 miles east of Jackson in El Dorado County. Extensive snowmobile trails. Cross-country trails and snow play areas. Call USFS at 209-295-4251.

Carson Pass

Ranger Station Carson Pass. South side of Highway 88 at Carson Pass 60 miles east of Jackson in Alpine County. Very popular cross-country ski area with limited snow play. No snowmobiles. Call USFS at 209-295-4251

Hope Valley

Hope Valley Parking Lot. South side of Highway 88 at Blue Lakes Road 5 miles east of Carson Pass and 2 miles west of Picketts Junction (Hwy. 88 and 89) in Alpine County. Snowmobile trails, cross country skiing, dog sledding and limited snow play. No overnight parking allowed. Call USFS at (775) 882-2766

Tube Tahoe

Tube Tahoe is the home of winter fun for the whole family. At over 500 feet in length, their machine groomed tubing lanes are some of the longest in the area. They’re located in Meyers, next to the Holiday Market. https://tubetahoe.com/

Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe

This privately owned snow play area features groomed and managed sledding hills, restrooms, and parking. User fees are $35 - $40 per vehicle, and there’s an extra parking fee for larger vehicles such as motor homes and vehicles with trailers. Currently, there are no season passes and no overnight parking. Adventure Mountain is not part of the SNO-PARK system; therefore, they do not accept SNO-PARK tickets. http://adventuremountaintahoe.com/ Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am to 4 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, from late November to April, weather and snow permitting.

Please help us keep these special places open for years to come. Pack out your trash, including broken sleds. Park in designated areas. Thank You!