By Mark Winkler
ANDREW HECHT
MAKE TRACKS TO SKI AREAS
Sugar Bowl
G
REETINGS SNOW PLAY FANS! We
suggest you think Nevada County if
you want uncrowded venues, reasonable prices and that sweet, sweet High
Sierra snow. For skiers and snowboarders
visiting here there are six destination resorts
for downhill and four large, beautiful areas
that are groomed for cross-country and welcome snowshoeing. All are nearby and easy
to get to off Interstate 80, the first highway
to be plowed during and after any snow
storm. There may be ski resorts more
famous than some of these but with that
much notoriety, high prices and the crush of
the crowds follow. Our area also features
great snow play opportunities, with moving
carpets and lanes for tubers, great runs for
sledding and accommodations for any other
snow fun you can imagine, complete with a
less-hectic, family-friendly atmosphere.
Alpine skiers and boarders have some
tempting sites to choose from. If you want
night skiing and terrain parks, you might
pick the secret powder paradise of Boreal,
which also caters to beginners. Big-elevation
lovers would do well to choose Sugarbowl,
which has three large mountains and runs
of every level. This historic park opened in
1939, rarely ices up and has great views of
Donner Lake. Northstar-at-Tahoe is usually
the busiest park, but with 79 trails covering
RECREATION
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2,480 acres of downhill variety and a modern network of lifts, you can always get
yourself a “Club Vertical” wristband and get
away on Mount Pluto. Soda Springs is a
favorite for families and beginner-to-intermediate skiers and boarders. The Tube
Town and Planet Kids features make for
plenty of adventures to remember for the little ones in your group. Tahoe Donner
Downhill Ski