Any hints? Friendly suggestions? Where to go? Where to stay?

I'm planning on next weekend. How far in advance would you need to reserve a room? I'd imagine most of the popular areas are sold out but there must be some places you can get last minute. I hope.

Regarding snow chains... When do they become mandatory? As in they will not allow you to go any further without them? I lived in northern NY for 4 years and never needed them. I've heard that they shut down roads to cars without chains around here. Maybe it's a mountain thing?

Any further advice? I would like to make my first time less hectic and more enjoyable.

 

if you have awd and all at least m+s rated tires then they will close the roads before you are required to put chains on your car. however, you are required by law to carry chains/cables in your vehicle. but they don't ever really check that.

 

Buy a cheap set of chains if you plan on a lot if trips up there. Otherwise, a quick glance at the weather should let you know if you'll need to carry chains at all. Are you going to N. Lake or S. Lake, or Reno?

 

That's what I had heard about having AWD and them closing the roads before you need to put chains on.

I'm not sure where I'm going. I just want to play in the snow. That's part of my question. Where would be the best, least crowded place to go? I'm not exactly looking for one of the big ski resorts. Just somewhere to have some fun.

 

Stay in reno and go to mt rose. it's a little further than the other Cali resorts but not crowded and has a very homey feeling.

 

Make sure you keep a set of leather gloves in the car in case you have to install chains, the puffy snow gloves don't work well because you can't feel much, but they are better than bare hands. I'll never forget the miserable experience of trying to put them on bare handed, I'd put one on then have to sit in the car for 5 minutes with my hands in front of the heater, and my hands still hurt for the few days.

Cable chains are only $35 at kragen, it's a worth while investment. To be safe if they are mandatory on other cars and you don't know how to drive in the snow put them on anyhow. I lived in CT for 8 years and can drive in the snow pretty well, especially with a good set of snow studs on, but I still put chains on the rex when they are required for 2wd cars. It's better to be safe than think you are the god rally master and end up killing yourself, or worse killing someone else.

As far as good places to go, stay in reno, the hotels are MUCH cheaper. I'm staying for 10 days at Atlantis, then another 5 in my timeshare in pollock pines. It averaged out to about $125 a night through hotels.com for the dolphin mini suite(you can get deals for as little as $25 a night for places like circus circus), the 24th and 25 were about 2x the other nights though. For a comparable room at lake tahoe expect to be paying about $200-$300 a night. You can get to north shore Tahoe in 20-30 minutes from reno, and there are several close ski resorts. Squaw is about 45 minutes, Mt. Rose is real close right off of 431 about 15 minutes south of reno, northstar is pretty close. Diamond Peak is pretty tiny but it's usually not too crowded.

 

ya what he said.. last time i drove 80 past truckee there was hella construction and the roads were all f'ed up.. ..

you should be fine past the chain patrol guys.. i got past them with S-03's on my car.. they actually arent half bad in the snow until you try to stop ahaha..

if you are bringing a girl and want to see some nice views or if you are 420 friendly this spot is nice.. (its really a nice spot no matter what). go down the east side of the lake.. i BELIEVE you take 28. not completely sure.. but either way theres a bunch of spots to pull off the road and you can climb onto the rocks on the lake. if the weather isnt horrible you should go there.. careful for the orange rocks they are slippery

 

Are Nevada police as bad as Cali ones? I guess that's a stupid question. Thanks for the skinny. Is there any spots on 28 where you can take out your snow shoes and hike around and do you need a wilderness pass like in Cali?

 

u go to jail for possession in nevada.. at least thats what i HERD

 

by next weekend you mean this coming sat & sun, right?
if so, almost all the north tahoe resorts have a deal for snowsports n00bs on the 4th & 5th! check out THIS "STEAL" for $20!!!

follow the others' suggestions & go to mt. rose, or even diamond peak or homewood since they will be the least crowded. rose & d-peak are closest when staying in reno, while da' wood is on the west shore o' the lake...but i have no suggestions on where to stay since my only overnight there was a few years ago in a cabin w/ a group of my bro's friends & co-workers.

looks like the other folks have covered all ya need to know about winter driving out here!

my helpful hints to keep things mellow:
1 - give yourself plenty of time (and following distance) when driving!
2 - get to the resort early! it takes some time to get your gear dialed in. luckily resort rentals usually open @8:30, while the morning board/ski lessons typically start @10 sharp!

hope this helps. happy sliding!

 

I like staying in S Tahoe and going to Kirkwood. There is nothing to do around Kirkwood. S Tahoe to Kirkwood is about 45 mins.