Immersing oneself in the stillness of the woods with only the sound of skis gliding atop the snow or the soft stepping of snowshoes is a magical experience.
Read our annual Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Guide
Cross-country skiing has always been popular in the region, with some of the best cross-country resorts in the nation (and the most in one region), but off-piste cross-country skiing, or skiing off the trails, has been gaining in popularity, particularly during the pandemic.
Exploring trails that are off the beaten path is a breathtaking experience, especially after a fresh snowfall, and offers the chance to explore less populated areas in the Tahoe Sierra.
Numerous areas offer groomed and ungroomed trails that offer free access to skiers and snowshoers throughout the region.
South Lake Tahoe’s Felix Brosch, a Forest Bathing guide, says that he finds peace snowshoeing in places like Grover Hot Springs State Park and the Fallen Leaf Lake area and often takes to the shore of Lake Tahoe.
Other great spots to look for adventures from Hope Valley to the Lost Sierra include Ward Creek, Blackwood Canyon and Page Meadows along the West Shore. Heading north toward Sierraville, there are several places to ski and snowshoe off Highway 89. Turn onto Hobart Mills Road, and ski or snowshoe the Emigrant Trail. If you drive down Hobart Mills Road, there are places in and around the meadow that are gorgeous to ski. It’s sunny and can be warm even on a cold day.
Trails to explore
East Shore
Sand Harbor State Park
Spooner Lake State Park
North Shore
North Tahoe Regional Park
Tahoe City Winter Sports Park
South Lake Tahoe & beyond
Angora Lake
Grover Hot Springs State Park
Fallen Leaf Lake
Hope Valley
Winnemucca Lake (read the feature in this edition)
Truckee & beyond
Coldstream Canyon
Donner Memorial State Park
Plumas-Eureka State Park
Russell Valley
Stampede Reservoir
West Shore
Blackwood Canyon
Page Meadows
Sugar Pine Point State Park
Ward Creek State Park
I recently went out for a cross-country ski with Alyssa Ganong, Art Director for Tahoe Weekly. We parked across the street from Hobart Mills Road of Highway 89 and skied along Prosser Creek. It was a stunning adventure and not without some small hills and ravines. The woods and babbling creek were a beautiful backdrop for this exhilarating outing.
Sagehen Field Creek Station is another area to explore on skis or snowshoe with miles of lovely wooded areas that are both groomed and ungroomed off Highway 89. The Prosser campground area also had groomed trails that lead to the reservoir and there’s is a beautiful 4-mile loop. It’s good to get there early as there tend to be more people around on the weekends, but the further you travel, the fewer people there are.
Many state parks also offer trails for cross-country skiing (groomed and ungroomed) and snowshoeing cross-country for only a parking fee. There are 12 miles of marked off-piste ski trails at Sugar Pine State Park. Donner Memorial State Park grooms a nice easy trail that accommodates skate skiing and classic skiing. And if you head through the park, there are off-piste areas to enjoy. You can also ski up into the Coldstream Canyon area. And like many trails, the further out you’re willing to go, the fewer people there are. The Castle Peak area is a haven for intermediate cross-country skiing.
Several golf courses also offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter including the Incline Village Championship Golf Course and the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park at the Tahoe City Golf Course.
Off-piste gear
If you are interested in skiing off-piste, purchase skis with scales and metal edges. Skis vary in size. Some fit in the tracks or there are wider skis available. I purchased a pair of Fischer S-bound 98s, a wider ski, and Rossingnal back-country boots for this season. I spent time looking for a ski that would enable me to play in the woods, take me off the trail and off the groomers. I reached out to Jared Manninen, an avid cross-country skier from South Lake Tahoe, who helped me choose the right skis. Manninen hosts a cross-country ski vlog on his website, tahoetrailguide.com. Both the vlog and website offer great cross-country ski and snowshoe tips and information.
Be prepared
Be aware of conditions, weather and terrain before heading out on your own. Always check avalanche conditions at Sierra Avalanche Center, as well.
If you are going out alone, make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Make sure you have appropriate clothing and gear. Layers work best. Wear waterproof boots for snowshoeing with warm wool socks. Don’t forget to bring gloves. Bring a backpack with water for hydration and snacks. When parking, do not block traffic or U.S. Forest Service gates. And, please don’t litter. Remember to pack out all trash, including doggie bags.
