Click on the photo below for real-time conditions.
Winter driving is like most of the stuff we do – with practice, patience, and common sense, you can do it! Here are a few things you can do to get up to your favorite mountain safely:
- Check road conditions before you leave home.
- Carry chains – and know which tires they go on. And how to put them on. There are also professionals to install if preferred.
- Give plenty of following distance.
- Drive slowly, and avoid sudden actions like braking, acceleration, or turns.
- Do not slam on brakes. Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped (anti-lock braking system) vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles. If the vehicle begins to skid, steer in direction of slide and slowly remove foot from the accelerator.
- Remove snow and ice from all vehicle windows, mirrors, lights, turn signals and license plates.
- Turn on headlights to see and be seen.
- Do not rely solely on GPS to find alternate routes, as it could lead to unmaintained roadways or hazardous areas.
- Watch carefully for snow removal equipment. Do not pass without good distance and sight clearance.
- More winter driving tips from Caltrans and Nevada Department of Transportation.
- Safe Driving to Tahoe in Winter
- Weathering the storm brochure PDF
- Winter Driving Tips video
- National Weather Service
For the most up-to-date information on snowfall, mountain base depths and road conditions in South Lake Tahoe, check area ski resort websites and cams or call snow phones:
- Heavenly Web Cams – 775-586-7000; follow @HVconditions on Twitter
- Kirkwood Web Cams – 209-258-3000; follow @KWconditions on Twitter
- Sierra-at-Tahoe Web Cams – 530-659-7475
- Heavenly Village Web Cams
- Lake Tahoe Web Cams
Heavenly Mountain Resort’s new weekend/holiday/peak time reserve and ski parking reservations
Lake Link, South Shore’s on-demand shuttle service
For the latest road conditions:
- Caltrans has current California road conditions at www.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-ROAD (7623) or 916-445-7623.00. Quick map
- For road conditions in Nevada, contact the Nevada Department of Transportation at http://nvroads.com or 877-687-6237
- Let us do the driving. Here’s how to have a carless winter vacation, and make sure to download the app to access free micro transit with Lake Link.
RESOURCES
News
Lake Tahoe Visitors Center
- Explore Tahoe Visitor Center in the Heavenly Village, 4114 Lake Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA.
- Email info@visitlaketahoe.com
- Phone (775) 588-4591, available daily, 10 am – 5 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Misc.
- Take Care Tahoe Lake-wide effort encourages the following tips to keep all healthy and safe while traveling.
- Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan
- Rules to Lake By
