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.
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. Use by ATV’s and all other wheeled
vehicles is discouraged.
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.
SNOWMOBILE RENTALS
Snowmobile tours are provided by
Majors Outpost near Lake
Almanor(530-251-7512) and winter ATV tours
by
High Sierra ATV Tours near Frenchman's
Lake. No other snowmobile rental
services are available in Plumas County.
The nearest rental service is Eagle Ridge
Outfitters on Highway 89 about 30 minutes
north of Graeagle.
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:
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. Normally
the snowshoe hikes are offered at the
southwest entrance but due to construction
this season the hikes will be offered at
Manzanita Lake. Meet the ranger for
an approximate two-hour hike spanning one to
two miles at 7,000-feet elevation.
The walks will be offered twice daily on
Saturday and Sundays from December 22
through March 16. Meet the park ranger
at the Loomis Ranger Station at 10:30 a.m.
or 1:30 p.m. Participants will be provided with
snowshoes, but must wear boots, dress warmly
and be at least 8 years old. Donation is $1.
Call for details and reservations at
530-595-4444.
Winter Snowshoe Walks are offered to the
public on Fridays by the Almanor Ranger
District. The first walk is schedule
for Friday, January 11 and the second walk
will be Saturday (the only Saturday),
January 26. Pre-register for all walks. Reservations at (530)
258-2141.
DOWNHILL SKIING
Stover Mountain
is not open for the 2008 season. Stover Mountain Ski Area near Chester
offers eight runs ranging from advanced to
beginner, accessed by rope tow. Base
elevation is 5,100 feet, and the runs are
approximately 800 feet long. Open Saturdays
and Sundays, snowboarders welcome. Rates are
$10 per day for all ages. Ski and snowboard lessons
available upon request. Opening date varies.
Contact: 530–258-3987 or
stovermountain@aol.com.
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 18, Feb. 15and March 15, 2009,
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.9, Snowdrifters Poker Run, Bucks
Lake. 530-283-2262
Feb. 16, Lake Almanor Snowmobile Club
Annual Poker Run, Chester. 800-350-4838
Feb. 16, Winter Holiday Poker Run, Portola.
800-995-6057
Snowmobile
Sno X
Cancelled
Stover Mountain Ski area, Chester
Snowmobile Hill Climb
Cancelled
TBA
Stover Mountain Ski area, Chester
Snowmobile Drag Races
TBA Chester
SLED DOG RACES
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Lake Davis
Contact the Eastern Plumas Chamber of
Commerce, 800-995-6057.
Dates subject to change.
Feb. 9 & 10, 2008
Chester-Lake Almanor
Contact the Chester/Lake Almanor Chamber of
Commerce,
800-350-4838.
Dates subject to change.
