Truckee has always been known as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors have been traveling to Truckee’s mountains seeking adventure and the opportunity to commune with nature for decades. With recent advances in equipment and avalanche predication the backcountry surrounding Truckee has opened itself up to a whole new audience. A unique industry centered around the backcountry experience has simultaneously sprung up in Truckee catering to backcountry enthusiasts.

Gear Junkies of the Sierra Nevada
The Sports Exchange and The Backcountry in Truckee, CA are havens for the light traveler. No need to lug all the snow gear on your next vacation when these outdoor stores have it all – offering ski/snowboard rentals for the backcountry or the slopes, snowshoe rentals, and climbing gym rentals at the Sports Exchange. Wanting to venture into the backcountry, stop in and talk to the locals to get the gear and the inside scoop of where to go. An alpine touring set up averages $55-85 a day including skis, skins, boots and beacon. For more information on the Sports Exchange call (530) 582-4510 or visit http://www.truckeesportsexchange.com or The Backcountry at (530) 582-0909 or visit http://www.thebackcountry.net.


Hut-to-Hut touring in the Sierra Nevada is as Adventurous as Ski Touring Gets
For the ski adventure enthusiast, Truckee is the ideal destination for an above-average weekend. Visitors can book an overnight backcountry hut through the Sierra Club to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the peaceful serenity of the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Club has four backcountry huts near Truckee; Peter Grubb Hut, Benson Hut, Bradley Hut, and Ludlow Hut. Each hut is a day's ski or snowshoe apart, or about a day’s journey from various trailheads. The cost for a night’s stay is $15 and reservations start as early as November 1. To learn more about the backcountry huts contact The Sierra Club (800) 679-6775 or visit http://www.sierraclub.com.

Embracing the Lost Feeling
The Lost Trail Lodge nestled in Coldstream Canyon outside of Truckee offers visitors the experience of the backcountry with the comforts of home. The year-round oasis is a short 3.9-mile ski or snowshoe from the trailhead. Just four miles from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the lodge has seen many PCT hikers who have enjoyed the hot tubs, large kitchen and warm, comfy beds. The lodge also serves as the perfect starting point to some of the best skiing and ice climbing in the Sierra. For more information about the Lost Trail Lodge, call (530) 320-9268 or visit http://www.losttraillodge.com.


Gliding through the Sierra
The Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner Ski Resort have 250 kilometers of groomed trails to offer the avid cross country skiers. With 360 degrees of remarkable views of the Sierra Nevada, it’s no wonder visitors keep coming back. A mid-week pass to these two resorts is $25-$29 without rentals and $25-34 for holidays and weekends. For more information about the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort call (530) 426-3871 or visit h ttp://www.royalgorge.com and for Tahoe Donner Ski Resort call (530) 587-9484 or visit http://www.tahoedonner.com.

Land Trust to Open Up 3,000 Acres of Donner Summit to Public
Three Thousand acres of land that has remained relatively unchanged since the ice age will open up for public recreational use. The Trust for Public Land and Truckee Donner Land Trust have reached an agreement to purchase a parcel including Royal Gorge ski area, the largest cross-country ski area in North America. The parcel contains numerous lakes, old-growth red fir forests, the 800-acre Van Norden Meadow, and is home to numerous species of wildlife. The purchase will be complete by the end of 2012, and will open for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy for years to come.


Ice Fishing is Not Just For Grumpy Old Men
Fishing isn’t just a summer sport in the Sierra Nevada. Adventurous anglers can head to Prosser, Boca or Stampede Reservoirs and create their very own fishing hole just minutes from downtown Truckee. Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee is home to some of savviest fisherman around who are ready to share their wisdom. The season begins anywhere from Thanksgiving to January, depending on conditions. For more information, or to view daily fishing reports throughout the year, go to www.mountainhardwareandsports.com or call (530) 587-4844.

The North American Ski Training Center Guides Guests Off the Groomed Runs
Whether you’re just dipping your toes in the backcountry snow or looking to further your knowledge and expertise, the North American Ski Training Center (NASTC) has an excursion for all ability levels. The group of American Mountain Guides Association-certified guides have been leading all-mountain free-skiing clinics all over the world for nearly two decades, and fortunately for Truckee-Tahoe visitors, they’re based right here in the Sierra Nevada. Courses and excursions range from all conditions/all terrain at area resorts; early season training; three-day intensive avalanche awareness seminars; and Backcountry Days, where guests venture beyond the boundaries of the resorts and learn the necessary skills to travel the backcountry safely and efficiently. For more information about the guides and this winter’s offerings, go to http://www.skinastc.com.

Go the Extra Mile with Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Courses
Founded more than 30 years ago, Alpine Skills International (ASI) leads excursions atop mountains around the world with some of the most experienced guides in America. Local offerings include introduction and technique seminars, backcountry ski tours, and overnight excursions to the charming Lost Trail Lodge in Coldstream Canyon. Skis and boards are just the tip of the iceberg for ASI. Aspiring mountaineers can also enroll in a three-day winter mountaineering course (complete with avalanche assessment, campsite selection and navigation) or try their hand at ice or snow climbing. For more information, go to http://www.alpineskills.com.

Sugar Bowl’s Backcountry Beckons
Sugar Bowl’s Backcountry Adventure Center may be located in their village chalet, but it opens the door to endless miles of terrain, undiscovered by many. The center partners with Alpine Skills International to lead a handful of excursions including the two-day Sugar Bowl to Squaw outing and the trek from Mt. Disney along Razorback Ridge to Ice La kes Lodge in Soda Springs. The one-day Sugar Bowl Backcountry Day is an ideal introduction to the backcountry, allowing skiers to practice procedures and techniques with the proper gear. The full-service center also offers educational seminars and avalanche safety courses, snowshoe tours, and full rental and retail services. For more information about outings, or a complete calendar of events, go to www.sugarbowl.com.

Sierra Avalanche Center
Safety comes first in the backcountry. Avalanche danger is a constant hazard in the Sierra Nevada, so much so that numerous resorts and businesses offer awareness programs and safety equipment. The Sierra Avalanche Center is a not-for-profit, one-stop information center for current snow conditions. The site, www.sierraavalanchecenter.org provides snow pack stability information and advisories, educational information, and listings of local avalanche awareness classes.

Truckee is just 40 miles from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento, and three hours from San Francisco with easy access off of Interstate-80. Contact the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce at (530) 587-2757 or visit www.truckee.com for more information.