Winter in Truckee

Winter in Truckee is magical! To me, there are few things more beautiful than being in Truckee right after a snowstorm, when the sun comes back out, and the snow is still on all of the tree branches! The kids come out to play with their sleds, and dogs have fun running through the snow. Cross Country Skiers can be seen blazing a trail down the streets before the snow plows come through.

Skiers and Snowboarders flock to the Ski Resorts and the Terrain Parks, and you can usually find sledders out anywhere there is a hill. There are so many Truckee Winter Activities for the sports enthusiasts.

The view from the Ritz-Carlton Highland, Lake Tahoe - mid mountain at Northstar California
Photo Credit: Leigh, Owner of Truckee-Travel-Guide.com

*****

Fun Facts about Winter in Truckee

• The first day of Winter (when Fall ends), or the "Winter Solstice", is on December 21st, 2023 and is the shortest day of year, when the Sun reaches its most southern point in the sky at local noon. After this, the days start getting longer. Winter comes around again on December 21, 2024
• The last day of Winter is March 19, 2024
• SNOW...is the word of the Winter Season in Truckee!! There is lots of it!  In fact in Nov. 2013, The Weather Channel ranked Truckee as the #4 City on their list of the Top Six Snowiest Cities in America.

• Buzzfeed Travel on November 5, 2013 Ranked Lake Tahoe as the #1 Place on their list of 34 Places that are even better in the Winter! See the article here!
• Donner Lake sometimes freezes in the wintertime - and is so beautiful with the snow covered mountains surrounding it.
• On average, the coolest month of the year in Truckee is December.
• The most precipitation on average in Truckee occurs in February.
• The lowest recorded temperature in Truckee was -31.0 degrees in 1965. Brrr....the coldest I was in, in Truckee was -13.0 degrees.

Winter Weather in Truckee

Below, you can find the Truckee Weather Records and Averages for the winter months from The Weather Channel:

View the Truckee Weather Statistics for the rest of the year!

Donner Lake on 2-28-11, taken near one of the Public Piers
Photo Credit: Leigh, Owner of Truckee-Travel-Guide.com

Winter Holidays and Observances -
2024 Season

I'm planning an extensive "Holidays In Truckee" section with a page for each Holiday or Observance. (Pages will be linked up below when completed) Dates without a year, fall on the same day each year. Dates that are moveable, or different each year, will show the year after the date.

Winter Holidays include:

• First Day of Winter - December 21, 2023
• 2024 Holidays:
• New Years Day - January 1, 2024
• New Years Resolutions
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 15, 2024
• Groundhog Day - February 2
• Chinese New Year - February 10, 2024
• Super Bowl Sunday - February 11, 2024 - This is not a Holiday, but it is an annual event, where friends & family get together to watch the game!
• Valentines Day - February 14
• Presidents Day - February 15, 2024
• St. Patrick's Day - March 17
• Last Day of Winter - March 19, 2024
• First Day of Winter - December 21, 2024 
• Christmas - December 25
• New Years Eve - December 31
  
  

You can find thousands of Holidays and Observations, by checking out my Holiday Website! (link opens a new browser)

Snowboarders hiking up Shallenberger Ridge from Old Hwy 40 in Truckee, CA
Photo Credit: Leigh, Owner of Truckee-Travel-Guide.com

Fun Truckee Winter Events -
2024 Season

You can check out the Truckee Travel Guide's Event Calendar for more details, but here are some of the Winter Event highlights:

• Holidays at Squaw  
• Magical Memories - Holiday Events at the Resort At Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley 
• Skiing for Schools at the Ski Resorts - various days - See my Discounted Lift Tickets for more details!
• Heavenly Holidays at the Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe
  
• Christmas Pancake Breakfast and Skiing with Santa - December 25th at Tahoe Donner Downhill
• SnowGlobe Musical Festival in South Lake Tahoe - No longer be held!
  
• New Years Eve at Northstar - annual Fire & Ice New Year's Eve Celebration! There will be a DJ, live music, a spectacular Fireworks show, smores, drink specials, shopping, dining, ice skating and more!
• North Lake Tahoe SnowFest - February 29, 2024 - March 10, 2024

Lake Tahoe in Winter (taken in January 2010)

Additional Helpful Info. in Winter

• Driving In Truckee - can be difficult in the Winter!
• Emergency Preparedness - Living or visiting Truckee in Winter is when it is super crucial to be prepared for emergencies - be sure to always have a Car Emergency Kit and Warm Clothes in your car!
• Snow
• Truckee Seasons - An overview of all the four seasons in Truckee
• Truckee Weather - Be sure to find out what the weather forecast is predicting before you head out - the Truckee Weather can change rapidly in the winter!
• Truckee Weather Statistics
• Truckee Winter Activities - boredom is never an option in Truckee!!
• Winter Driving Tips - be sure to review these tips.
• Winter Weight Loss Tips - Tips from my sister Kerry, of Healthy Diet Habits (link opens to her website)