Snow Play Areas Close to Reno and Around Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Meadows Snow Play Area - Tahoe Meadows has separate areas for snowmobiling and non-motorized snow recreation. The area is along both sides of Nevada 431 (Mt. Rose Highway), about 15 miles from Reno and the intersection of 431 and US 395. It's mostly public land within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. You go past Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and you'll see Tahoe Meadows just to the west of the Mt. Rose Summit. When I've been there, the shoulders on both side have been plowed, making for plenty of parking. It's right along the highway, though, so be careful unloading and loading your car. The snowmobile area is on the north side of the highway. I've got a gallery of Tahoe Meadows pictures so you can check out this excellent snow play area.Spooner Summit - Located at the corner of Highway 50 and Highway 28 near Lake Tahoe (9 miles south of Incline Village), this area provides slopes for sledding and snow tubing. While you are here, check out Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area.
Incline Village Snow Play Area - This snow play hill is on Fairway Blvd. in Incline Village, on the Chateau golf course driving range.
North Tahoe Regional Park Snow Play Area - North Tahoe Regional Park is in Tahoe Vista, CA, on Lake Tahoe's north shore. For information, call North Tahoe Winter Adventures at (530) 546-0405.
Sierra Adventures - For those who want some assistance with their snow trip, Sierra Adventures in Reno provides guided trips and tours to several Reno and Lake Tahoe area snow play and snow tubing areas.
Snow Play Areas at Ski and Winter Resorts - Sledding and Tubing
Almost all of Lake Tahoe's ski and winter resorts have snow play areas with a variety of activities such as snow tubing and sledding. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the areas are open and to inquire about any fees involved.- Tahoe Donner Snow Play Area - (530) 587-9437 - Alder Creek Road in Truckee
- Squaw Valley USA - (530) 583-6985 - south of Truckee on Highway 89
- Soda Springs Snow Park - (530) 426-3901 - I80 at Soda Springs exit
- Sugar Bowl Sledding and Snow Play - (530) 426-7692 - I80 at Soda Springs exit
- Northstar at Tahoe - (530) 562-2013 - south of Truckee on Highway 267
- Adventure Peak at Heavenly Lake Tahoe - (775) 586-7000 - South Lake Tahoe
- Boreal's Tubing Park - (530) 426–3666 - I80 at Donner Summit
- Hansen's Resort - (530) 544-3361 - South Lake Tahoe
- Camp Richardson Resort - (800) 544-1801 - South Lake Tahoe
- Granlibakken's Sledhill - (800) 543-3221 - Tahoe City, west shore Lake Tahoe
- Kingvale Tubing and Sledding Park - (530) 426-1941 - I80 at Kingvale exit
California Sno-Parks
California operates 19 Sno-Park areas, several of which are within striking distance of Reno. These areas provide plowed parking lots, sanitation facilities, and access to snow play areas. Some also feature cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Sno-Parks permits are required to use these areas from November 1 to the following May 30. The daily fee is $5, or you can get a season pass for $25. If you get caught parked at one of these places without a permit, the fine is $87. For more information, call the Sno-Park Hotline at (916) 324-1222.- Interactive Sno-Parks Site Map
- Printable Brochure and Map of California Sno-Park Locations
- List of Sno-Park Permit Vendors
M & T Garage
208 Gentry Way, Reno, NV
(775) 827-4734
Reno Cycles & Gear
3445 Kietzke Lane, Reno, NV
(775) 355-8810
REI
2225 Harvard Way, Reno, NV
(775) 828-9233
Season permits can be purchased by mail. The fee is $25 plus $1 for mailing. Make checks or money orders payable to CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation. The mailing address is:
SNO-PARK Permit Sales
California Dept. of Parks & Recreation
1725 23rd Street #200, Sacramento, CA 95816-7100
