Best in Snow

Winter Getaway to Plumas County

01.18.2023

Plumas County is a northern Sierra Nevada dreamland year-round, with vast outdoor spaces, places, and races! In winter, snowshoe Lassen Volcanic National Park, downhill ski at charming Coppervale Resort, have a blast at the quirky Longboard Races, and warm up to winter with the uber-tasty Chilly Chili Cook-off festival—including music, s’mores by the fire, ice skating, and a crazy hat contest.

Winter in Lassen Volcanic National Park

winter adventure in Lassen

Mount Lassen in winter

Winter adventure in Lassen

See the forest for the trees in Plumas County! Add in peaks, lakes, and wowing Sierra Nevada views. Plumas National Forest and Lassen National Forest offer all kinds of snowshoe treks and cross-country glides—from beginner friendly and sweetly groomed, to more advanced backcountry adventures for the skilled adventurers. Check out Plumas County’s top cross-country and snowshoe hikes and trails.

It’s one of California’s less-traveled national parks, and in winter it’s a snowy wonderland. Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park for snowshoe and cross-country ski adventures. Head out on a snowshoe hike around Manzanita Lake or go on a ranger-guided snowshoe adventure amid the park’s majestic red fir forest. Check out Lassen’s Winter Activity Guide.

Find your perfect lodging in Plumas County

Blast from the Past!

winter longboard race

historic winter longboard

winter longboard race

Ever raced 88 miles per hour on two old-school pieces of wood? Plumas County’s infamous Longboard Races are good old-fashioned frivolous fun. Originally known as “Norway Skates” these unique long skis were used in the 1800s for faster travel in winter wilderness.

Today, speed demons strap onto longboards up to 15 feet long and made from Douglas fir, and race! The wild and quirky fun happens every third Sunday through March at Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl (also known as the Eureka Ski Bowl). This is where the western hemisphere’s first downhill skiing competition was held, in 1861. Or you can strap on downhill skis or a snowboard and take to the scenery and slopes at charming and quaint Coppervale Ski Hill.

BONUS: Advanced backcountry adventurers can check out the Eureka Peak route.

Bucks Lake offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and backcountry skiing. An easy three-mile ski gets you to Lakeshore Lodge with a view of Bucks Lake. If you’re seeking more backcountry adventure skiing or snowshoeing, head into the Bucks Lake Wilderness and adventure along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Find your perfect lodging in Plumas County

When It's Chilly, Chili!

Chili cook off

outdoor ice rink

I’m not chilly, I’m eating chili! Warm up to winter at Plumas County’s famous Chilly Chili Cook-off—President’s Day Weekend, February 18, at Chester Park. This isn’t just any chili event: It’s a full-on afternoon festival with music, ice carvings, s’mores by the fire, and—yep—a crazy hat (toque) contest! 15 tasty chilis will be served to sample and savor.

Good glidings: The Chilly Chili festival supports the brand-new outdoor Ice Rink at Chester Park.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View

  4. Roaring Good Time

    There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  2. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View
  3. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View