North Lake Tahoe and Truckee transform into a winter wonderland each year, offering some of the best sledding and tubing spots in California. Whether you're looking for groomed tubing parks with lifts, hidden local hills for free sledding, or family-friendly snow play areas, we've got you covered.
This comprehensive guide includes paid and free sledding hills, insider tips, locations, and everything you need to plan your perfect snow day adventure.
Best Paid Sledding & Tubing Parks in North Lake Tahoe & Truckee
These locations offer groomed lanes, equipment rentals, and amenities like restrooms and food vendors, making them ideal for families, thrill-seekers, and those who want a hassle-free experience.
1. Tahoe Donner Snowplay (Best for Families with Young Kids)
📍 Truckee, CA | 🏷️ Paid Entry
✔️ Groomed sledding lanes – No unexpected bumps
✔️ Tube rentals included – No need to bring your own
✔️ Picnic area & restrooms – Great for spending the afternoon
💡 Local Tip: Arrive early on weekends—parking fills up fast!
2. Sugar Rush Tubing At Sugar Bowl (Best for Speed & Thrills)
📍 Truckee, CA | 🏷️ Paid Entry
✔️ Fast tubing lanes – A thrill ride for all ages
✔️ Conveyor lift – No hiking required
✔️ Great for teens & adults – Faster than most family-friendly hills
💡 Local Tip: After fresh snowfall, the runs get even faster and smoother—perfect for thrill-seekers!
3. Granlibakken Tahoe Sled Hill (A Local Favorite for Families)
📍 Tahoe City, CA | 🏷️ Paid Entry
✔️ Smaller, family-friendly sledding hill – Great for young kids
✔️ Sled rentals included with admission – No need to bring your own
✔️ On-site food & drinks available – Enjoy a warm meal after sledding
💡 Local Tip: Weekday visits are best for avoiding crowds—weekends can get busy!
4. Tahoe Tubing At Boreal (Most Convenient – Right Off I-80)
📍 Truckee, CA | 🏷️ Paid Entry
✔️ 3 to 8 groomed lanes – Conditions vary by snowfall
✔️ Conveyor lift – Saves you from hiking up
✔️ 90-minute sessions – Helps reduce crowding
💡 Local Tip: Book online ahead of time—weekend sessions sell out fast!
5. Palisades Tahoe Snow Tubing (Best for Evening Fun & Disco Tubing)
📍 Olympic Valley, CA | 🏷️ Paid Entry
✔️ 55-minute tubing sessions – Booked in advance
✔️ Disco Tubing option – With LED lights, lasers, and DJs
✔️ Limited capacity – Fewer crowds per session
💡 Local Tip: Disco Tubing is extremely popular—reserve your tickets early!
Best Free Sledding Hills in North Lake Tahoe & Truckee
If you prefer to bring your own sled and save money, these free local sledding hills offer some of the best snow play areas in the region.
1. Tahoe Meadows (Best Overall Free Sledding Spot)
📍 Mount Rose Highway (NV-431) | 🏷️ Free
✔️ Large open hills – Great for all ages
✔️ Soft powder – Ideal for softer landings
✔️ Easy access – Park along the highway
💡 Local Tip: Arrive before 10 AM on weekends to grab a parking spot!
2. Glacier Way Trailhead (Best Local Sledding Spot in Truckee)
📍 Truckee, CA | 🏷️ Free
✔️ Quiet, family-friendly sledding hill – A hidden gem for locals
✔️ Plowed parking area – No need to worry about road conditions
✔️ Less crowded than Tahoe Meadows – A great spot for a relaxed experience
💡 Local Tip: Pack out all trash—since this is a public area, let’s keep it clean for everyone!
3. Truckee River Regional Park (Best Easy-Access Sledding in Truckee)
📍 Truckee, CA | 🏷️ Free
✔️ Small sledding hill – Great for younger kids
✔️ Right in downtown Truckee – Easy to access
✔️ Picnic tables & open spaces – Nice spot for snow play
💡 Local Tip: Great for a quick sledding session before heading into downtown Truckee for hot cocoa!
4. North Tahoe Regional Park (Best Free Sledding in North Lake Tahoe)
📍 Tahoe Vista, CA | 🏷️ Free (small parking fee on weekends)
✔️ Multiple sled hills – Gentle and moderate slopes
✔️ Groomed trails for cross-country skiing
✔️ Picnic tables & restrooms – Great for families
💡 Local Tip: The Mellow Meadow Sled Hill is perfect for kids, but the steeper Sunny Slope is great for a fast ride!
Respect the Sledding Hills: Pack Out Your Trash!
🚨 One of the biggest problems in Tahoe during winter is the trash and broken sleds left behind at sledding spots.
✅ Take all trash with you (including broken sleds!)
✅ Use designated waste bins
✅ Respect the environment so future visitors can enjoy it too
💡 Local Tip: Avoid cheap plastic sleds—they break easily and become litter. Instead, invest in a durable sled that will last all season!
Where to Stay: Tahoe Truckee Vacation Properties
Make your Tahoe sledding trip unforgettable by staying at a cozy mountain rental from Tahoe Truckee Vacation Properties.
🏡 Charming cabins & ski-in/ski-out rentals
🔥 Fireplaces & hot tubs for après-sledding relaxation
⛷️ Close to sledding hills & ski resorts
👉 Find your perfect Tahoe rental here.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Sledding in Tahoe
Where can I go sledding in Truckee for free?
The Glacier Way Trailhead and Truckee River Regional Park are great free sledding hills with easy access.
What’s the best paid sledding park?
For families, Tahoe Donner Snowplay. For thrill-seekers, Sugar Rush Tubing at Sugar Bowl.
Do I need to bring my own sled?
If you're sledding at free hills, yes. Paid parks provide tubes and sleds.