Go Play in the Snow! Great Places for Family Snow Play in Northern California
We should soon get some snow in the Sierra, so get ready for some wintertime fun! While we love the skiing and snowboarding at Lake Tahoe, we know that not everyone's a skier and sometimes families just want to go up and have some fun in the snow. While many of the Tahoe ski resorts like Northstar, Palisades Tahoe, and Heavenly have tubing parks, ice skating, and other winter non-skiing activities for the family, there are plenty of other places in the mountains where you can get your snow play fix without the ski resort hustle and bustle (and price tag).
Most of these snow play sites are within a few hours' drive from Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area. While some have tubes and sleds to rent, others, most notably the California State Sno-Parks, offer little more than a place to park your car so you can go play in the snow. For a list of Lake Tahoe ski resorts that offer both skiing and snow play activities, read our article here.
Prices and hours are correct to our knowledge at time of publication. Hours and availability depend on weather, snow conditions, and other factors, so make sure you check with resorts to confirm they'll be open before you head up to the mountains.
Northern California Snow Play Resorts
While not as numerous as ski resorts, you'll find a few snow play resorts throughout the Sierras. These places usually boast a lodge or clubhouse, dining, restrooms, and other activities. You'll probably have to rent a tube or sled while you're there, as many of these facilities don't allow outside equipment. Most open around mid-December, although opening dates are dependent on weather and snowfall. Make sure you call or check their website before you go.
Tahoe Donner, Truckee
The dedicated snow play area at Tahoe Donner offers a place for families to enjoy sledding, tubing, snowball fights, snowman building, and more winter fun. The TD Eats food truck is always on hand for donuts, cookies, hot chocolate, and other treats. Online reservations are highly recommended. Each snow play session lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. Opening day TBA. Location: 12790 Northwoods Boulevard, Truckee CA 96161. More info: www.tahoedonner.com or (530) 587-9437.
Granlibakken, Tahoe City
Granlibakken resor near Tahoe City offers a dedicated sledding hill and snow play area for family fun. Their sledding hill is scheduled to open Thanksgiving weekend. Sledding tickets cost $25 per person on weekdays and $35 on weekends, holidays, and select Saturday Night Sledding evenings and include saucer rental and and 90 minutes of sledding. Kids under 3 sled for free, and lodging guests get a 50% discount. Sledding tickets must be booked in advance online. Note: Granlibakken provides saucers; participants may not bring their own saucers and other sledding devices. Location: 725 Granlibakken Road, Tahoe City CA 96145. granlibakken.com
Soda Springs Mountain Adventure
While Soda Springs resort near Truckee offers skiing and snowboarding, there's a special focus on family snow play here, with tubing for everyone at Tube Town and plenty of snow play for the little ones at Planet Kids — a snow playground for ages 8 and under with tubing, snow hills to climb, ski and snowboard lessons, and more. On-site dining is available. Location: 10244 Soda Springs Road (off I-80 near Donner Summit), Soda Springs CA 95728. More info: www.skisodasprings.com or (530) 426-3901
Kingvale Resort
Kingvale Resort near Soda Springs offers groomed tubing and sledding runs and a snack bar. Bring your own tubes, sleds, and saucers! You can purchase an inexpensive ($26) sled or saucer at the resort. Opening day TBA. Open daily except for Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am–4 pm; parking lot opens at 9 am. All-day sledding tickets cost $25 per person and a 2-hour tubing session costs $40; parking fee $20. Children under 2 free. Location: Kingvale Exit (Exit 171) off I-80, Kingvale, 95728. More info: (916) 622-6654 or www.kingvaleresort.com
Nyack Snow Park
Located right off I-80 in Emigrant Gap, Nyack Snow Park offers snow play and hills to sled on. Snacks and supplies, including sleds and saucers, are available nearby at the Nyack General Store. $25 per car entry fee; do not park at the nearby Shell station unless you want your car to get towed. Location: 41965 Nyack Road, Emigrant Gap CA 95715. More info: www.nyacksnowpark.com or (530) 362-4855
Adventure Mountain, South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe's Adventure Mountain offers tubing and snow play as well as dining and a gift shop. Open Friday–Sunday, December 13–April 21, 10 am–3 pm on Fridays and 9 am–3:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Rates: $40 weekdays and $45 weekends per car entry fee; 2-hour tubing sessions cost $20 for adults and $15 for kids. Location: 21200 Highway 50 (at Echo Summit), South Lake Tahoe CA 96150. More info: adventuremountaintahoe.com or (530) 659-7217
Hansen's Snow Tube Resort, South Lake Tahoe
Hansen's Resort in South Lake Tahoe operates a snow tubing hill with a 400-foot run. Open Monday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm and Sunday from 11 am–3 pm. $40 per person per hour; 4 and under free with paying adult. Cash only. Rates include the use of a tube or saucer. Parking and restrooms available. Location: 1360 Ski Run Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe 96150. More info: www.hansensresort.com (530) 544-3361
TubeTahoe, South Lake Tahoe
TubeTahoe in South Lake Tahoe has 500 feet of groomed tubing lanes — some of the longest in the area! 2024/2025 opening day and hours TBA. Rates (for 90-minute sessions, tube rental included): $65 ages 13+, $55 ages 6–12, $35 ages 3–5 on adult's lap in tube, $15 spectators and snow play only. No personal sleds or tubes allowed. Location: 3021 US-50, South Lake Tahoe CA 96150. More info: tubetahoe.com or (530) 600-2304
Bear Valley Adventure Co.
The cross-country ski resort at the central Sierra's Bear Valley operates groomed sledding and tubing hills for families with children ages 3 and older. Opening day: Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving Day). Two-hour sessions cost $15 per person for sledding and $25 per person for tubing ($25 and $35 weekends and peak season days). There's $5 access fee per non-sledders/tubers ($10 peak season). No outside sleds or tubes allowed. Picnic tables, park benches, are available, and hot food and drinks are available nearby at the Meadow Cafe. No lifts: sledders must hike up the hill. Hours: 9 am–4 pm daily. Location: 1 Bear Valley Road, off Highway 4, Bear Valley CA 95223. More info: (209) 753-2834 or www.bvadventures.com.
Leland High Sierra Snow Play, Pinecrest
Located in Tuolumne Country east of the Gold Country town of Sonora, Leland Snow Play offers 12 acres of groomed runs and tow-up lifts for tubing and sledding. There's a kiddie hill for especially for little ones, mini snowmobiles for kids ages 5–12, and a 4,000-square-foot day lodge with snack bar and game room. All-day access $57; kiddie hill only $33 (under 44 inches tall). Location: 34033 Leland Meadow Road, Strawberry CA 95375. More info: www.snowplay.com or (209) 965-4719.
California Sno-Parks
Operated by the state's department of off-highway motor vehicle recreation, California Sno-Parks are no-frills places to park the car and get out and play in the snow. While many Sno-Parks cater to snowmobile enthusiasts, quite a few are perfect for sledding, snow play, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Keep in mind that Sno-Parks are pretty much just parking areas with access to places for winter recreation. Usually restrooms are provided, but that's about it. It's up to you to bring your own gear and find a hill for sledding or saucering, but that's part of the fun, isn't it?
The best part of Sno-Parks is the price: $15 for a day-use pass or $40 for a seasonal permit (November 1, 2024–May 30, 2025). Passes and permits are only available online and at select vendors; you cannot buy permits at the park. Buy your permit here. Make sure you do buy a permit, because it's a lot cheaper than the ticket you'll get (currently over $90). On our last visit to Echo Lake Sno-Park many visitors did not buy a permit and the CHP paid a visit to issue tickets. Parking at Sno-Parks is on a first-come, first-served basis, and some of the more popular locations can fill up early. Also, conditions can change and parks can close, so check the Sno-Parks website before you head up to the mountains for directions and more information.
Sno-Parks that are open for snow play and sledding include:
- Donner Summit (near Truckee off I-80)
- Blackwood Canyon (near Tahoe City off Highway 89)
- Carson Pass (off Highway 88)
- Echo Lake (off Highway 50)
- Iron Mountain (off Highway 88 near Kirkwood ski area)
- Lake Alpine (off Highway 4)
- Meiss Meadow (off Highway 88 near Carson Pass)
- Spicer (off Highway 4)
- Taylor Creek (off Highway 89 near Fallen Leaf Lake)
- Yuba Pass (off Highway 49)
