If you’ve been thinking of taking a trip to the snow this season, now is the perfect time to start planning!
Whether your family is filled with snow novices or experienced skiers, there is a vast selection of places to play in the snow within driving distance of Sacramento.
- Snow play locations
- Activities available
- Distance from Sacramento
- Tips for family snow trips
Sledding, Tubing, Skiing, and Snowboarding!
I’ve rounded up several family-friendly snow play sites that offer sledding, tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and areas to build a snowman and make snow angels!
If you’re looking for a safer sledding experience – especially for younger kids – then you may want to look at options such as Soda Springs and Boreal that include groomed tubing lanes which eliminate bumping into other sliders. If you want your kids to have a more old-fashioned experience or keep the spending to a minimum, you may want to try bringing your own snow toys to a California Sno-Park or Adventure Mountain.
Best Places to Play in the Snow
TAHOE
Soda Springs Mountain Resort
Planet Kids at Soda Springs is like a snow amusement park for kids 8 and under. It has 2 tube carousels, a volcano to climb, a mini tubing area, and coaches available for your little one that wants to try skiing or snowboarding. Soda Springs also has Tube Town, which offers snow tubing for kids and adults 42″ and over. It consists of eight groomed lanes and a “magic carpet” (moving sidewalk) to take you back up to the top. You’ll also find Mini Snowmobiles just for kids ages 6 to 12 to try out on a track for little drivers.
1 hour 30 minute drive from Sacramento
Adventure Mountain
To play on Adventure Mountain costs just $40/$45 per vehicle for parking. So if you B.Y.O.S.T. (bring your own snow toys!) like sleds, shovels, and buckets, this is an incredible deal. There are 16 groomed sledding runs for sleds, saucers, or tubes and tons of room for snow play. Downhill runs are divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced. There are also tubes available to rent.
1 hour 40 minute drive from Sacramento
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort
The whole family can tube together on Blizzard Mountain. The tube run is fairly mild and double tubes are available, which is fun for an adult and child to go down together. There are rope tows to haul sliders back up to the top of the hill. Outdoor fire pits and picnic tables are available for resting and eating. Sierra-at-Tahoe also has a great bunny slope for beginning skiers. It’s not too steep, has breathtaking views, and is easy to practice on.
1 hour 40 minute drive from Sacramento
Granlibakken Lodge
At the Granlibakken Lodge, kids and adults can rent sleds or saucers for 90 minute sessions. Their ski hill is perfect for beginner though intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Since this is a smaller snow park, it is less crowded and perfect for families with younger children.
2 hours 17 minutes from Sacramento
TRUCKEE
Boreal Mountain Resort
Playland Tubing at Boreal has 5 groomed lanes and a moving carpet to transport tubers back up the hill. This place is great for bigger kids since kids are required to ride their own tube, not in a lap. SKiing and snowboarding lift tickets are considered to be a good deal here and beinner snowboarders and skiers will like th small bunny slopes. Boreal’s Kids CLub offers half day and full day group lessons so kids can learn to ski with others their own age.
1 hour 30 minutes from Sacramento
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BEAR VALLEY
Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company
Next to Gold Country, this cross-country ski facility has groomed sledding and tubing hills for families with kids ages 3 and up. Sled and tube rentals are quite possibly the cheapest around. Bear VAlley has great cross country ski packages for kids and adults at their Ski School that include lessons, equipment rental and a trail pass.
2 hours 45 minutes from Sacramento
STRAWBERRY
Leland High Sierra Snow Play
Leland Snow Play is located east of the Gold Country town of Sonora and offers 12 acres of groomed runs and tow-up lifes for tubing and sledding. There’s a kiddie hill with sledding lanes for toddlers and preschoolers and a big hill to provide serious thrills for older kids and adults.
2 hours 30 minutes from Sacramento
THROUGHOUT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
California Sno-Parks are sites along the Sierra Nevada that accommodate self-guided activities such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and general snow play.
These are no-frills places to park the car and get out and play in the snow. It is just $15 for a day pass or $40 for a seasonal permit. Sno-Parks are open between November and May.
The Sno-Parks open for snow play and sledding/tubing are:
Donner Summit, Blackwood Canyon, Carson Pass, Echo Lake, Iron Mountain, Lake Alpine, Meiss Meadow, Spicer, Taylor Creek, and Yuba Pass.
A map, printable brochure of Sno-Park locations and details on how to get your pass are available on the website.
TIPS FOR FAMILY SNOW TRIPS
WHAT TO BRING: Snow boots, waterproof pants, jacket, hat and gloves, goggles or glasses, sunblock, and lip balm. In my experience, waterproof pants, goves and snow boots make ALL the difference in the overall snow experience. Without those, kids may end up crying after 10 minutes in the snow because they are wet and freezing.
SAVE MONEY: If you think you’ll spend lots of time in the snow, invest in a season pass to the Sno-Parks. Borrow snow gear and toys from friends. Shop thrift stores for snow clothes and boots since kids grow out of them in one season. Check Craigslist and Amazon for inexpensive sleds, saucers, and tubes.
BE SURE TO: First, check the weather report for current conditions beforehand and on the day of your outing. Second, check the road conditions to know whether snow chains will be required. Third, leave early to avoid traffic and crowds.
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For more fun things to do for the holidays in Sacramento, check out our 2022 Winter Guide
