Have you been to Tahoe lately?  It’s looking different up there, thanks to an abundance of white stuff that’s been missing in recent winters.  Here are three reasons to get up to the Sierra Mountains this season.

There’s Snow!

It’s snowing more this year, according to the latest snow survey conducted by the Department of Water Resources.  The February survey found a snow water equivalent of 25.4 inches, which is 130 percent of the February average of 19.5 inches at Phillips snow course since 1966.  Bottom line?  This region is getting the most snow they have seen in five years.  Ski resorts are happy as the latest storm dropped 28 inches of snow on their runs.  You don’t have to be a skier to savor the season.  Snow shoeing, sledding or just taking in the fantastic flurries are all a car ride away.

There’s history

Speaking of car rides; the mountain trek up Highway 50 is loaded with history lessons.  The tiny town of Strawberry was a popular resort town in the 1850’s and a place where weary travellers or miners searching for silver would stop for a rest.  The Strawberry Lodge  dates back to 1858 and was once a stop for the Pony Express.  Today you can break for a cheeseburger, or veggie burger (something they probably didn’t have in the late 1800’s) on your way up the mountain.

Beauty Abounds

Mother Nature is putting on a show in those mountains.  Rocky cliffs covered with snow, trees frosted white, quarter-sized snowflakes dancing through the crisp air.  It’s a snow globe come to life.  The Sierra Mountains, just a hop, skip and a jump from the Sacramento Valley, are yours for the taking.  And, again, there’s snow!