Posted in Northern California Attractions, Explore, Winter January 03, 2023 by

The Small Town In Northern California That Comes Alive During The Winter Season

People enjoy Lake Tahoe all year round, but the town of Truckee experiences a boom of tourists in the winter. Even if you don’t enjoy skiing, you’ll love this mountain town that comes alive during the winter season.

The picturesque town of Truckee is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range just 12 miles north of Lake Tahoe. Downtown Truckee has beautiful Gold Rush architecture and is surrounded by forests.
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At 5,980 feet, it receives a hefty blanket of snow in the winter months and that’s when the town really comes alive.
Skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers, and many people eager to experience all winter has to offer flock to Truckee in the winter months. January is the coldest month in Truckee and a great time to ski the many nearby slopes.
John Watson/Flickr
Truckee is located in Nevada County, about 40 minutes from Reno. It is a perfect starting point to explore the surrounding nature, ski resorts, and Lake Tahoe.
With an average of 42 feet of snow each year, this is the place to ski, snowboard, and snowshoe. Drive just 15-45 minutes outside of Truckee to reach one of seven world-renown ski resorts. Just a short drive from Truckee in Soda Springs is the largest cross-country ski resort in North America – Royal Gorge.
Doug Jones/Flickr
The beautiful alpine area is just steps away from Donner Memorial State Park and Tahoe National Forest. The stunning Lake Tahoe is just a short drive away.
End a day of adventure in downtown Truckee dining at one of the many cozy mountain restaurants. The chef at Restaurant Trokay was previously a chef at the award-winning Restaurant Daniel in New York City. There is also Alibi Ale Works, a rustic pub with home brewed beers.
albedo20/Flickr
Or just walk around downtown and check out the many other restaurants and pubs to see what appeals to you.
Truckee is located off of Interstate 80. You can also get there via Amtrak. A station is located right in downtown Truckee. The beautiful train ride through the mountains is a favorite route of train travelers.
Pam "Ramblin Pam"/Google Images
It travels past snow-covered peaks and forests. This is one ride where you won’t need to look down at your phone to pass the time!
Truckee’s population is just over 17,000. It might be considered more of a large town or a very small city. Either way, it retains its small town feel.
Truckee Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page
Yearly visitors to Truckee are more likely to rent a cabin than a hotel, which makes the town feel less commercialized. The population of Truckee has grown steadily over the past 20 years. And with remote employment becoming more popular, Truckee has seen a lot of Bay Area natives relocating to Truckee since 2020.

What are your favorite things to do in Truckee? Tell us in the comments.

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Address: Truckee, CA 96161, USA