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Sno-Parks provide safe family recreation including snow-cleared parking lots, sanitation facilities and access to popular cross-country ski trails, snowmobile routes and snow play areas.  So grab your warm weather gear, picnic lunch and a sled and enjoy the beautiful Sierra Nevada Sno-Parks. 

There are 2 parks within a 2 hour drive of Beale.  Yuba Gap Sno-Park is located on the south side of I-80 at the Yuba Gap exit in Nevada County where there is a snow play area and cross-county ski trails. There is no snowmobile activity permitted and no parking on the entry road.  Donner Summit Snow-Park is located on the south side of I-80 at the Castle Peak exit beyond Boreal Inn frontage road in Nevada County.  During the winter months families venture out in record numbers; it is not uncommon for these areas to reach capacity by mid morning. 

If you wish to visit one of California's 19 Sno-Parks, a permit is required. Permits are $5 per day or $25 for a season pass which lasts from November 1 through May 30.  Each vehicle that is parked at a Sno-Park site must display a non-refundable permit. The sale of these permits funds Sno-Park operations, including snow removal, sanitation and signing. Permits can be purchased from vendors throughout northern California or through the OHMVR (Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation) Division Headquarters.  REI in Roseville, 916-724-6750 and Wolf Creek Wilderness in Grass Valley, 477-2722 also sell Sno-Park passes. As of January 2009 passes are available at the Yuba Gap Sno-Park.  A complete list of permit vendors can be found at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. If you are visiting a location which is a trailhead only, and not part of a Sno-park system, no permit is required.

The Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC), on Beale, offers Snow Play and Tubing trips throughout the season.  They provide transportation, permit and some equipment.   Additional equipment is available for rent at the OAC. Call them at 634-2054 for information.

The OHMVR Division also operates a Sno-Pals program.  Free snowmobile operation classes are available for kids ages twelve to fifteen. These classes provide instruction in winter safety skills, equipment preparation procedures and snowmobile operating techniques to promote safe and responsible riding.  Classes take place every weekend in February on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30am and 12:30pm.  The OHMVR Division provides the snowmobiles and basic safety equipment including helmets, snow pants, gloves and jackets. 

If you would like to learn more about the Sno-Parks, Trailheads, Sno-Pals Program, or are interested in a brochure or any information on the winter recreation program, please call 916-324-4442 or log on at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov.