Projects

California Sno-Parks have traditionally allowed for diverse groups across California to have inexpensive Winter access to public lands. Last year, the cost for a day pass tripled and the annual pass increased by almost double. This increase can be prohibitive for many families in being able to access Sno-Parks. To help counteract this, TBA purchased sno-park passes and provided them to libraries in El Dorado County to be checked out (for free). This program was incredibly successful with most and sometimes all passes checked out and we will be continuing the program in El Dorado County this Winter and expanding it to Nevada County for the 2024/25 Winter.

TBA is broadening our definition of the word access and expanding it to include helping kids, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, get a chance to experience winter recreation. Additionally, we recognize that we both live and recreate on historically Native American land. This season we’ve purchased snowshoes and cross-country skiing gear for about 30 kids in the Washoe Tribe of Northern California and Nevada. The gear will be given to the Tribe to use anytime they have the opportunity. TBA will also be coordinating 4 days where TBA Board Members, along with other non-profit partners, will work with the kids to showcase how to use the gear, learn about hydrology and leave-no-trace principles and, most importantly, just have fun on the snow!

In the fall of 2020, TBA and the Truckee Donner Land Trust collaborated on the development of a winter trailhead for legal parking access to the historic Lake Run along the west shore of Donner Lake. TBA received approval from the Truckee Donner Recreation and Parks Department to utilize their West End Beach parking facility for this purpose. The agreement to use the West End Beach parking area required TBA to pay for repaving of a portion of the parking area ($15,000, costs shared with Visit Truckee Tahoe) and provide signage and snow removal annually ($4,000/year).

TBA is fundraising for next year’s maintenance costs and ongoing community education and messaging surrounding the run.

View Lake Run entry/exit information

TBA is working with El Dorado County and the Forest Service to establish a legal year-round trailhead below Rubicon Peak. The Rubicon trailhead would provide access to amazing west shore Tahoe public lands and help mitigate congestion and illegal parking issues for homeowners in the adjacent neighborhoods. The estimated design and construction costs for the Rubicon trailhead exceed $250,000. Additional annual costs include maintenance and snow removal costs associated with the site.

TBA continues ongoing fundraising efforts to create a Rubicon Peak trailhead.

TBA installed trailhead counters at three locations along popular backcountry routes in winter 2020-2021: Castle Peak, Incline Peak, and Deep Creek. TBA has partnered with the Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol to maintain and operate these trailhead counters. TBA hopes to use the data gathered from these counters to inform land managers of growing backcountry usage and the need for increased winter access in the Tahoe basin.

Trailhead counters cost $750 each and TBA continues fundraising efforts for the purchase of additional counters and operational expenses.

Ward Canyon offers unique access to high altitude backcountry skiing zones along Grouse Ridge, Twin Peaks and Stanford Rock. Unfortunately, there currently is no legal backcountry user parking in the Ward Canyon area. TBA is working with Placer County to develop a legal trailhead which would provide parking for backcountry users year-round. The Trailhead construction and design cost estimates exceed $180,000 with maintenance and snow removal costs estimated to total $3,500 annually. TBA continues fundraising for this project.

Deep Creek parking currently consists of a pullout along Highway 89, plowed infrequently by CalTrans. There is no legally recognized trailhead parking for the Deep Creek trailhead. TBA is working with Placer County and the U.S. Forest Service to establish a permanent parking area and dedicated snow removal services along Highway 89. Costs for this project have yet to be estimated.

Pole Creek is one of the most popular trailheads along Highway 89 between Truckee and Tahoe City. The public lands–including the Sierra Club backcountry hut accessible from this trailhead–are vast. The parking area at Pole Creek is large and plowed on a regular basis, but often fills early in the day with backcountry users exceeding parking capacity. TBA is working with Placer County and the U.S. Forest Service to enlarge and improve the parking area at Pole Creek. Costs for this project have yet to be estimated.

TBA continues to impart the importance of leave-no-trace principles, parking in a safe and conscientious manner in our Backcountry Tips & Etiquette program. In addition to messaging on our website and social media platforms, we take this important messaging and create custom content for other forums including Backcountry Safety Awareness Week and other in-person and virtual events. Check out our guide to Backcountry Skiing Tips & Etiquette.

On hiatus for the 2024/25 Season – more info coming soon.