Wintertime in Plumas County is serene and
beautiful, as snow covers the landscape and
things relax. This tranquil season offers a
terrific way to view nature’s landscapes
while getting great exercise and having some
inexpensive winter fun.
It's a great time to explore Plumas County.
Miles of roads and trails offer excellent
cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Frozen ponds and lakes and snowy hillsides
invite opportunities for ice skating, ice
fishing and sledding.
Check the weather forecast at
(530)221-5613 and call (800)427-7623 for
road conditions. You may also refer to the
Caltrans
website for current traffic and road
conditions. Remember to drive more slowly
during during the winter and allow plenty of
time.
SNOWMOBILING
December to April. Depending on snow,
trails and snow-parks are open and available
at Bucks Lake, La Porte, Lake Davis, the
Lakes Basin Recreation Area, and the Lake
Almanor Basin near Chester.
Hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile
routes are maintained throughout the winter
season. Grooming efforts sponsored through
California State Off Highway Vehicle funds.
These trails are maintained for snowmobile
use only.
Bucks Lake has three staging areas open
during the season – Big Creek, Bucks Lake
Summit, and Four Trees. La Porte has a
staging area with a warming hut and
restrooms and four trailside warming huts.
The Chester-Lake Almanor area boasts five
staging areas – Chester-Lake Almanor
Snowmobile Park, Swain Mountain, Morgan
Summit, Jonesville and Fredonyer. The Lakes
Basin Recreation Area south of Graeagle has
the Gold Lake Staging Area five miles south
of Highway 89 on Gold Lake Highway. Free
snowmobile maps available at Plumas County
Visitors Bureau, (800) 326-2247.
GUIDED SNOWMOBILE TOURS
Guided snowmobile tours are offered by
Explore! Sierra Touring Company in
Eastern Plumas, leaving from Chalet View
Lodge. ATV winter tours are offered by
High Sierra ATV Tours near Frenchman
Lake.
CROSS-COUNTRY
SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING
December to April. Groomed trails in
Johnsville, Bucks Lake, La Porte, Child's
Meadow and Lassen Volcanic National Park,
outside of Chester. Literally hundreds of
miles of ungroomed trails also for
backcountry skiing within the Plumas and
Lassen National Forests. For guides and
maps, contact Plumas County Visitors Bureau,
(800) 326-2247 or the Plumas National
Forest, 530-283-2050, Lassen National
Forest, 530-258-2141, and Tahoe National
Forest, 530-994-3401.
Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals
available:
Lost Sierra Adventures in Graeagle, (530) 836-1708
Mountain Hardware in Blairsden, (skis only)
530-836-2589
Sports Nut in Chester (skis only),
530-258-3327
Bodfish Bicycles in Chester, 530-258-2338
Child’s Meadow Resort (skis only),
530-595-3383
Guided
Snowshoe Hikes led by rangers are
held each Saturday from early January to
early April in Lassen Park.
Details are posted at the
Lassen
Volcanic National Park website or (530) 595-4444.
Guided snowshoe hikes are also offered at
Plumas Eureka State Park. Call
(530) 836-2380 for updates and details.
Winter Snowshoe Walks are offered to the
public by the Almanor Ranger
District starting January. Call (530)
258-2141 for dates and times, and to
pre-register for walks.
DOWNHILL SKIING
Coppervale Ski Hill is easily accessed a
short distance south of Hwy. 36 between
Susanville and Westwood. A Poma lift and a
rope tow are available to carry skiers and
snowboarders up 800 vertical feet. A box
ramp was added last summer with rails of all
shapes and sizes. Ski and snowboard classes
are offered. A lodge is located at the base
of the slope with a snack bar. Adult full
day tickets are $15, ages 6 and under are
free with a paying adults. (530) 257-0065.
ICE FISHING
There are several lakes in the immediate
vicinity for the less strenuous but just as
exciting sport of ice fishing. Just check
with the forest service or any fisherman.
HUNTING
Winter is also waterfowl hunting season.
The Indian Valley area is renowned for the
number of waterfowl that winter there. The
Key Brand Angus Pheasant Club offers
pheasant hunting from September 1 to May 1.
Contact them at (530) 284-6944.
WINTER EVENTS
HISTORIC
LONGBOARD REVIVAL SERIES
Jan 17, Feb. 21 and March 21, 2010,
Johnsville. (Please call to confirm dates)
A celebration commemorating the 1855 origin
of downhill ski racing in the old mining
settlement of Johnsville. Skiers on 11 to
13-foot longboard skis attempt to race down
the oldest recorded ski racing slopes in the
nation at Eureka Bowl located within
Plumas-Eureka State Park.
Decked out in historic costumes, the racers
use a single wooden pole between their legs
to stop, creating a snowy rooster –tail.
Homemade ski wax (also known as "dope")
placed on the wooden longboard skis provides
an authentic touch and is required for
speed. The races are open to both
participants and spectators, and include
food, drink, music, and prizes. Racers pay a
small fee for use of longboard skis, but
races are free to spectators. Contact the
Plumas County Visitors Bureau, 800-326-2247.
SNOWMOBILE POKER RUNS
Feb. TBA, Harold Schmidt Memorial Poker
Run, La Porte. 530-283-3402
Feb.6, Snowdrifters Poker Run, Bucks
Lake. 530-283-2262
Feb. 13, Lake Almanor Snowmobile Club
Annual Poker Run, Chester. 800-350-4838
Feb. 13, Winter Holiday Poker Run, Lake
Davis.
800-995-6057
SNOWMOBILE DRAG RACES
Feb. 14, Chester-Lake Almanor. 800-350-4838
SLED DOG RACES
February 26-28, 2010
Lake Davis -- 530-218-6896
Dates subject to change.
Feb.20-21, 2010
Chester-Lake Almanor
Contact the Chester/Lake Almanor Chamber of
Commerce,
800-350-4838.
Dates subject to change.
Plumas
County roads are generally well-maintained
and passable during the winter. Chain
requirements are far less frequent than
other mountain destinations due to the lower
elevations. If it's snowing we advise
traveling via the Feather River Canyon on
State Route 70. This lower elevation route
offers a safe alternative to travel to and
from Plumas County even when Interstate 80
or other routes are closed. You're less
likely to ever need chains if you have
four-wheel drive or snow tires. For all
other vehicles, it's a good idea to carry
chains, especially when traveling via I-80. 