Best in Snow

Winter Getaway to Plumas County

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. Camp at Goose Lake in the Lakes Basin

    Duck, Duck, Goose!

    Try to get a first-come, first-served campsite at one of the Lakes Basin’s lakeside campgrounds. We love Goose Lake Campground, where there are just 13 sites and no motorized boats.

    View
  2. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  3. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Let's Go to Paso!

    Paso Robles is a good idea in all seasons, but one season brings a special bounty: harvest season! Road-trip ready and teeming with fall colors and fun events, Paso Robles is the ultimate destination for unique autumn experiences.

    View
  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

    View