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Winter Destinations California – Style means you can have your cake and eat it too. 300+ days of sunshine. Warm Temps. And still plenty of snow to enjoy. How many places in the country have these options? We can tell you… not many.
Truckee
For those looking for an easy destination to fly into, look no further than the Historic Town Of Truckee. Only thirty minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, it’s the perfect basecamp for those wanting a winter getaway without the hassle. Spend a week or better yet a month experiencing what Truckee has to offer, and shop like a local with the Sustainable Truckee Gift Card! Build a snowman or go sledding in one of the snowplay areas around town. Go skiing at one of the seven world-class resorts within a 45-minute drive of town. Do your best Olympic Nordic skiing impressions at the LARGEST XC ski resort in North America, Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort. And then when you need to work, Truckee offers an assortment of options to help you work remotely.
Bear Valley
As the crow flies, halfway between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park you’ll find a quiet piece of the High Sierra. A destination that harkens back to a different era. – Bear Valley. Situated at an elevation around 7,000 feet, this slice of heaven receives upwards of 350 inches of snow annually. Within this cozy valley, you’ll find one of the hidden ski resorts in the High Sierra – Skyline Bear Valley Resort. Within its boundaries, you’ll find 75 trails and 1,700 skiable acres of terrain to ski or snowboard to your heart’s content. What this area is really known for is its cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Bear Valley Adventure Company offers groomed trails as well sledding and tubing hills. Along the way visit trailside huts, café, and even picnic tables across its 3,000 acres and 70+ kilometers of trails.
Arnold
Are you looking to combine a romantic winter getaway alongside some snowy fun? Just a few miles west of Bear Valley you’ll find the quaint hamlet of Arnold. Halfway between historic Gold Rush towns and the snow-filled fun of the High Sierra. Sample award-winning wines one day in Murphys. Then go for a snowshoe hike amongst the Sequoias in Arnold’s Big Trees State Park. It’s the epitome of everything you want to do at your fingertips. And then finish off the day with pampering time at Elements Day Spa in Murphys for a couples massage with a champagne spritz and time in their infra-red sauna.
Mammoth Lakes
When it comes to excitement in the snow, Mammoth Lakes is king. From opening day to New Years’ Night of Lights and the US Grand Prix, this mountain town sees winter as a time to celebrate. Alongside the “fireworks”, Mammoth Lakes is also a great place for solitude. Go for a stroll through the Hot Creek Geological Site. Take in some fresh mountain air via a pair of cross-country skis in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Or just embrace the scene with a hot cocoa or a cup of coffee at one of the many local coffee shops in town.
From working remotely to a family getaway, these Winter Destinations California – Style will have you embracing winter with sunshine and snow instead of negative wind-chills and steel grey skies.
Author: Alex Silgalis
Alex Silgalis is an outdoors travel writer who enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, or having a cold one from a local mountain brewery. See more of Alex’s work at https://localfreshies.com
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