Playing in the Snow
Ebbetts Pass Snow Play areas can be found up and down Highway 4. Young and old alike enjoy the sport of playing in the snow, whether it is careening in a saucer down a banked mountain course, making snow angles in fresh powder, or crafting a giant snowman. For many who have rented cabins above the snowline, the best place to frolic in the snow is right outside your back door. For those who drive up from below, however, finding a safe place for children to play can sometimes require a short drive.
We've got a few suggestions here - some places better known than others.
Try the Sno-Parks
There are three Sno-Parks on Highway 4, one at the Spicer Meadow Road turnoff, another at the end of the plowed highway near Lake Alpine, and a new one, Round Valley, off Highway 207 leading to the Bear Valley Ski Resort. Sno-Parks have two big advantages over other spots along the highway - toilets and parking.
The facilities at the Round Valley Sno-Park are the newest. Snowmobiling is not allowed at Round Valley. A nearby slope is popular for saucers, tubes, and similar sliding activities. The Sno-Park at the end of the road at lake Alpine has been recently upgraded.
Sno-Parks are parking areas maintained in the winter to allow people to park safely and pursue winter activities such as cross-county skiing or snowmobiling. They have pit toilets available. To use a Sno-Park you must have a permit. You can purchase a day permit for $15 or an annual pass (Nov. 1 - May 30) for $40. They are good at any California Sno-Park.
Passes can be purchased at Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods or
Sierra Nevada Adventure Co. in Arnold. At Camp Connell buy passes at Camp Connell General Store. In Bear Valley purchase your pass at Bear Valley Adventure Company. Permits may also be purchased online for an additional $1.95 at
Sno-Park Permits.
Sno-Park Permit Vendors
Round Valley, Lake Alpine and Spicer Sno-Parks
The new Round Valley Sno-Park has a small parking lot, new restrooms, and a nearby sliding hill. With no snowmobiles allowed there, it is a favorite for families who want to play in the snow and for cross-country skiers.
The Lake Alpine Sno-Park has been recently upgraded. Visitors will find new restrooms, an unloading zone for snowmobiles, and new parking areas. There are to play in the snow there.
Spicer has a parking lot and portable toilets and places to play in the snow.
Bear Valley Adventure Co. Children's Sliding Hill
2024-2025 Season
Small Sliding Hill
Bear Valley Adventure Co. has sledding and tubing hills near its cross country ski trails. The hills range from gentle to moderate and are available for anyone ages 3 and older. You will find the area directly across the highway from the entrance to Bear Valley Village.
Only equipment rented from Bear Valley Adventure Co. may be used on the hills. This has several advantages: 1) You don't need to haul bulky sleds in your car and blow up inner tubes. 2) Because only light weight sleds and tubes are rented there, no one will be plowing into you with an old-fashion, heavy, wooden toboggan.
Peak Day Prices: Dec. 21, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025; Jan. 18-20, 2025; Feb. 15-22, 2025
Sled and Tube Sessions: 2 hours
Sled Rental: $15 - $20 per person for a 2-hour session
Tube Rental: $25 - $35 per person for a 2-hour session
Non-Sledding Access to the Area: $5 - $10
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(209) 753-2834
Bear Valley Adventure Company
Find Your Own Snow Play Area
After roads have been plowed, many small turnouts become available that give access to some nice snow play areas. Be sure to park completely off the highway. Few of these places have restrooms nearby.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Sleds, toboggans, tubes, disks, and such are allowed Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The parks ask that you please use common sense and keep speeds slow for safety's sake. ($10 entrance fee)
Across from the Fire Station at Big Trees Village
This area draws lots of sledders because there is a long turnout there where you can park and a passable hill for sliding. Trees and other obstacles can make it a challenge. The nearest restrooms and food are at Camp Connell, 1 mile west.
Forest Road 6N58
To find this spot drive 2.8 miles east from Camp Connell (or 1 mile east of Meko Dr.) to an intersection with forest roads on either side of the highway. Park in a plowed out area on either side. The slope on the north side of the highway is very gradual but it may satisfy younger children. For a more exciting hill, walk up a 100 feet to a T intersection and turn left. One quarter mile down the road is a good hill.
Black Springs Road
Drive 7 miles east of Camp Connell to the Black Springs Road turnoff. There is a hill that curves down toward the highway. Farther up Black Springs Road are other places for snow play away from the highway.
Big Meadows
Big Meadows is a good place for snowball fights and snowmen, but it is hard to find a good sliding hill there.
Tamarack Lodge
Guests at Tamarack Lodge have access to a sledding hill.
Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods Snow Rentals
925 Highway 4, Arnold
(209) 795-1686
Open 6 Days a Week - Closed Mondays
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Tuesdays and Sundays)
Where Else to Purchase Snowplay Gear
Sierra Nevada Adventure Co.
2293 Highway 4, Arnold
Arnold Ace Home Center
981 Bladen, Arnold
Snow Play on Sonora Pass and Carson Pass
Sonora Pass
To the south on Sonora Pass is Leland High Sierra Snow-Play area, a developed sliding hill complete with a lodge, sliding equipment, and even lifts. All the information is on Sonora Pass Vacations.
Carson Pass
To the north on Carson Pass are four Sno-Parks and lots of little hills just right for sliding. Visit our sister website, Up and Over Carson Pass.