Winter placed Tahoe in the world's spotlight back in the 1960s when the Winter Olympics were held at Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe). Tahoe is renown for the epic Sierra Nevada mountains primed with some of the best powdery snow conditions in an awe-inspiring setting that centers around a cobalt blue pristine lake.

The snow conditions are closely tied to temperatures, so be sure to check out current atmospheric conditions as well as our changing winters page to see how those temperatures will affect the kind of snow to expect. Knowing this information can better prepare you for the skiing by helping your to pick out the wax for your board or skis or knowing which board or skis to pick from your quiver. If it seems like a wet day or a day that's just too cold, be sure to stop by the Tahoe Science Center. Our educators are ready to tell you more about how changing winters tie with our Save Our Snow campaign which encourages individuals to reduce person carbon emissions by one ton per year which will contribute to the national effort to minimize warming to under 2 degrees Celsius.

How to be prepared for Tahoe in winter:

Winter driving conditions in Tahoe can be a slippery slope for those unaccustomed to driving on icy roads and unprepared for being caught in a storm. Here are some tips to be better prepared for driving in the mountains.

• Check road conditions before your come (https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ or https://nvroads.com/icx/pages/IncidentList.aspx?listType=Restrictions). The I-80 is the common way to enter the Tahoe Basin and it is also most prone to chain control and closures. The best way to make it through chain control is with a AWD or 4WD vehicle that is equipped with snow tires. Always keep chains in your car just in case. If you ever feel nervous about driving, it's easiest to wait a day, storms usually don't last too long in our area, and in 24 hours you can be driving in clear roads on a bluebird day!
• Other things to keep in your car:
  • Water (in case you get stuck, you want to stay hydrated)
  • Shovel (digging yourself out a snow bank happens more often than you think)
  • Sleeping bag (you may need to hunker down until you get towed out)
  • Follow @UCDavisTahoe for season tips

Other things/events to look forward to in winter:

• Tahoe Film Fest
• Snowfest
• Skiing and Snowboarding at:
  • Palisades Tahoe
  • Northstar at Lake Tahoe
  • Diamond Peak
  • Homewood
  • Mt. Rose
  • Donner Ski Ranch
  • Boreal
  • Granlibakken
• Cross Country Skiing
  • Sugar Pine
  • Tahoe City
  • Tahoe Meadows
• Snowshoe
• Snowmobile tours
• Hot signature cocktails at the local watering holes
• Rock climbing at High Altitude Fitness
• Donner Memorial State Park
• Apres ski
• Ice skating