My buddies and I would like to take a weekend trip to the Sierras - somewhere very easily drivable from the Bay Area (Tahoe area?) - where we can rent a CHEAP cabin and either snowshoe or x-country ski.
Clair Tappan Lodge is on our radar - but honestly, seems a bit expensive for what it is.
I heard Royal Gorge is beautiful - but don’t know anywhere to stay near there.
Suggestions?
Also - some of us will have to rent the equipment - any local rental shops? Or, we can rent it back home at REI I suppose.
Royal Gorge is your place. There are condos/cabins and a hotel not far away at Sugarbowl, but if you want to walk out your door and strap on the planks I’m sure you can find something at Royal Gorge. I was up there a couple of weeks ago, Presidents Day weekend, and the place was empty. There are no shortage of places to rent.
Royal gorge is nice for track skiing but not for XC (backcountry). Tahoe Donner has some nice skiing too and both places rent snowshoes. If I were going up for just a weekend I would say go to RG. It’s a long haul out there but the views at the Devil’s Peak trail are super cool. I would rent equipment at Sierra Nordic. It’s next door to the restraunt at the sugar bowl exit. Very nice folks and their demo skis are really nice. Down in truckee is Paco’s Ski and Sport, but they are a bit more expensive last time I was in there. Taho Donner is a bit more folksy, their huts are rather spartan. At RG each hut has a kettle and burner. Bring your own tea bags/hot coco/ oatmeal and melt some snow in the kettle for a little break. Rental places are cheap this season in Tahoe Donner. Look for a house that will fit all of you. there are some sweet homes for rent on the hill overlooking the resort.
For snowshoeing, head up to Donner Summit. Buy a day pass for the snow park at the Donner Lodge. At the end of the road past the lodge is the snow park. Strap on your shoes and go wherever you want, it’s miles of open terrain. That side of the hill is steep in some places and you will need to be careful of avalanche a little if you trek too far to the South. The beauty of that side of the freeway is that there are no snowmobiles allowed over there. We take our dogs with us all the time so we like to go over there. When we hike up the hill to the top of Donner Ski area the snowboarders and skiiers are all surprised how dogs got all the way up there. the loop along the freeway and up to the ski resort, then back down to the car takes about 2.5 hours. If you don’t mind the jet ski’s on snow, the other side of the freeway is the trail up to the Peter Grub hut. It’s a good 1.5 hour hike up to get to it, more in heavy snow, but it’s pretty cool once you get there.
I’m over the hill in Walnut Creek. Would be happy to lend you two pairs of snowshoes for the week if you want to use them and save some cash. PM me if you are interested.
REI dont rent, at least my local in Concord doesn’t. I hit the Sports Chalet last time out and got skis, boots and poles for 3 days for $25. Pretty sweet deal.