Things to do / Travel Guide
Nevada is a state filled with history, rich terrain, variable weather, and nature reserves. Its nightlife is significant in its own right, housing Reno Las Vegas, the notorious “Sin City” itself. Families, singles and couples can all take advantage of what Nevada has to offer to them come winter time, with a multitude of ski areas to choose from. Fresh powder on the mountains, coat the trails for a highly enjoyable day on the slopes. Come on and see what the hype is all about.
Lodging and après ski events can be found in Curry Village at the beautiful vaulted wooden ceilings at the Ahwahnee Lodge with its gorgeous tall stone fireplaces with crackling fires.
Skiing in Los Padres National Forest
Nestled into the Los Padres National Forest is the Mount Pinos Nordic ski area. Amid the evergreen trees, boulder passes, and unusually cold weather the area receives, lies twenty-five ungroomed backcountry trails – a fresh track lovers paradise. Mount Pinos no longer maintains a ski lodge, so make sure to bring your own food and gear to sustain you through the day. This Nordic ski area is patrolled by the Mt. Pinos Nordic Ski patrol, a member of whom will meet you at the beginning and for a small fee (the only fee, actually, of your riding here) will provide you with a map of the area, including a layout of the trails so that you know where you're going. Mount Pinos is targeted at those with an adventurous, exploring personality who crave fresh powder and solitude in the mountains. Beautiful scenery rewards those who carve away the day here.
Mountain retreats are available in the form of rustic cabins, small motels, and campgrounds to rest up in after a full day's events. Frazier Park, the town in which Mount Pinos is located, contains delis, family owned restaurants, and supermarkets to replenish the energy levels after expending it all day on the slopes. Make sure to check out the local bars and restaurants for a taste of the nightlife.
Skiing in and around Lake Tahoe
Tahoe is always the first ski area people think of when asked to recommend resorts in Nevada. Lake Tahoe houses an amazing number of resorts around its lapping edges, all of which make up the “Tahoe” experience everyone thinks of.
Diamond Peak is one of the best kept secrets of Lake Tahoe. Locals actually try to keep a low profile here, so that while others are flocking to Squaw or Heavenly, their slopes at Diamond Peak remain relatively uncrowded, and the lift lines shorter, enabling more time to be spent on the slopes. It's no wonder, with the amount and variation of terrain to cover, why they would not spread the word. With over 655 acres of runs including canyons, glades, moguls, and bowls, not to mention their competitive rates, Diamond Peak is a steal of a deal!
Families flock to Soda Springs Ski Resort for the family atmosphere. Smaller elevations and fewer trails make this resort intimate and easy to navigate. This is especially an important factor for parents who have more than one small child to mind. A terrain park especially created for children features small jumps and banks for the air they crave, while parents can feel safe letting them give it a go. Planet Kids is an all inclusive monitored area with snow tubing, mini snowmobiles, a teaching center, and a party like atmosphere that kids and the young at heart are sure to relish.
Experienced skiers and snowboarders should be sure to head out to Mount Rose for an exhilarating run in “The Chutes,” which feature 40 -50 degree pitches into mogul or straight down runs into Mount Rose's naturally occurring bowls and canyons. All skill levels are accommodated here, but it's more appropriate for intermediate and advanced riders. Mount Rose is a haven and a showcase of Nevada's fresh winter powder.
Snowboarders and skiers with a freestyle preference will flock to Northstar at Tahoe to take advantage of the amazing array just made for them that includes six adventure parks, five terrain parks, a half pipe and a Superpipe. Sponsored by some of the major players in the sports worlds, Northstar at Tahoe is a terrific place to go no matter what level of rider you are. It offers up variable terrain that alternately cradles and challenges everyone just where and when they need it the most. Because of the great discounts for just about every walk of life, Northstar is a highly affordable and logical choice to visit this winter.
All Lake Tahoe resorts are serviced by Incline Village which offers numerous lodging options from small cabins and motels to luxurious hotels. There are restaurants to satisfy all cravings from small snack bars to Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and many more tastes so everyone's stomachs are satisfied. There's still plenty to do when the sun goes down, including trying your luck at the casinos, making smores sandwiches at the bonfires, catching a movie at the local movie theater, or knocking down pins at the bowling alley.
Skiing in Yosemite Park
Yosemite is known for its famous geysers but not for its skiing which could be a blessing in disguise for riders looking to bask in solitude and for a more personal touch to their ski vacation. Badger Pass is tucked away in the area of Yosemite Park, and welcomes cross-country skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoe enthusiasts alike. There are family style and all access terrain parks to grab air on, relaxing trails to traverse, and nature surrounding you as you stomp your way through snowshoeing paths. Kids are invited to become a “Badger Pup” with activities and learning made fun. Meanwhile the parents can enjoy the scenery on their equipment, knowing their little ones are safe and supervised. Scheduled backcountry tours with snow camping are optional and can be reserved for an extra fee at Badger Pass, making this a well rounded ski resort area to add to any winter vacation itinerary.
Skiing in Sequoia National Forest
Montecito Sequoia Ski Resort is ideally situated on a private lake that borders King Canyon in the pristine Sequoia National Forest. Offering guests the option to staying for an extended period or just for a day visit, Montecito Sequoia has well marked trails for cross-country riders. The national forest has natural bowls, hills, and various terrains for snowboarders to sink their edges into, as there are no official parks in the ski area. Groomed trails can be found near the lodge itself. Try the snow tubing, snowshoeing, dog-sledding tours, snow biking, and ice skating to round out your vacation while watching the sunset reflect off the lake, and make this trip memorable.
Montecito Sequoia is an all inclusive resort with cabins, and hotel rooms available for rent on site, and a classy restaurant which serves up delicious food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Later at night, you can stop into the Pine Box Bar for an evening of drinks. Planned activities include musical acts, crafts for the kids, or even nature walks, making Montecito Sequoia the perfect choice for a ski trip this winter.
Skiing in and around Mammoth Lakes
What is sacrificed in run length is compensated by a lack of lift lines at June Mountain, where riders may feel as though they have the entire mountain to themselves. Its summit soars at 10,090 feet, making June Mountain a must see on your next trip to Nevada. Test its steep chutes, open bowls, and rolling hills all blanketed with fresh white snow. Head into the halfpipe or Superpipe and soar to new heights you may never have dreamed possible before, or relax on the sprawling trails which come in all shapes, lengths, and level skills.
June Meadows Chalet offers cafeteria style dining, a sundeck with an outdoor grill, and the famous "Antler Bar" located inside for some nighttime action. The available lodging at June Lake Village, only four miles away, is a mixture of first class, resorts, spas, rustic cabins, and suites to dream the night away.
Cross-country skiers and riders will have a heyday at Royal Gorge. An astonishing 9,172 acres of trails, freshly cut and groomed to perfection each day, await the guests flocking to see why Royal Gorge has been ranked as the #1 cross-country ski area in North America. It's easy to see why they've achieved this status, but it may be quite hard to leave at the end of the day knowing you haven't conquered it all in one go, thereby making it a personal challenge to come back again and again.
Ice Lakes and Rainbow Lodges are waiting to turn down the sheets for you when your day is through, with charming rooms available for nightly rent or for longer stays. Both lodges offer a restaurant, snack bar, and drinks bar in which to grab your next meal or drink.
Dodge Ridge offers up an incredibly friendly atmosphere, so make this a stop on your next ski trip. Freestyle parks, rolling trails, steep chutes, deep bowls to plunge into, and off-piste terrain are all ready and waiting at Dodge Ridge. Beginners can feel at home with lolling runs, some coming in at just under 2 miles, while the intermediate and advanced riders will work up a burn in their thighs in between the moguls and tree runs as the 1600 foot vertical drop beckons to them. Whatever your style, mark Dodge Ridge down as a place to come play when the snow flies.
Over thirty motels and lodging options can be found less than forty-five minutes away in the surrounding towns of Sonora or Twain Harte. There are also many restaurants, pubs, eateries, and cafes to appeal to any taste palate. Sonora has a bustling nightlife, so be sure to check out the action while vacationing at Dodge Ridge.
Nevada ranks high on the list of places people look to vacation during all seasons, so why not see what the fuss is all about? Maybe you'll get lucky both on and off the slopes this winter.
Ski Resorts in Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yosemite, Sequoia, in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains
Skiing
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