From my perspective, this winter feels pretty standard for the Sierra. Every few years, the range holds back its seasonal reward just long enough to make the ski world sweat. Storms get teased. Forecasts overpromise. Opening dates get circled, erased, and quietly re-circled again. Locals watch patiently while travelers refresh snow reports and hope for … Read more
Snow has finally arrived across the Sierra Nevada, and holiday travelers are heading for the mountains. In this festive Sierra Rec Now update, Charlie Pankey shares his favorite non-ski winter adventures—from snowshoeing and sledding to quiet meadow walks and family-friendly snow play. This episode is perfect for travelers visiting Lake Tahoe, Alpine County, and the … Read more
Snow has finally arrived across the Sierra Nevada—and for many holiday travelers, that first fresh storm brings both excitement and questions. What if the ski resorts are crowded?What if you don’t ski at all?Where can families go to enjoy the snow without the chaos? In today’s Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey shares decades … Read more
As Christmas week arrives, winter is settling in across the Sierra in a meaningful way. After a slow and uneven start to the season, multiple storm systems are now delivering the kind of consistent snowfall resorts need to open terrain, spread skiers out, and build a more complete holiday experience. In the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth … Read more
Naturalist John Muir once called the Sierra Nevada Mountains “The Range of Light,” deftly capturing their iconic beauty and stunning majesty. Yet to the ghosts of the Sierra, the region might very well be the range of shadows. Haunted History of the Sierra Nevada “Among the Sierra Nevada, California,” by Albert Bierstadt, 1868 – Public … Read more
Clean Up the Lake is launching a bold new effort to clean Lake Tahoe’s deepest zones, and in this episode of Sierra Rec Now, we go underwater to understand why it matters. Host Charlie Pankey talks with Jenny Uvira, Programs Manager at Clean Up the Lake, about cold-water diving, toxic debris, historic artifacts, invasive species … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Lake Tahoe is often described as impossibly clear, impossibly blue, and impossibly pristine. But beneath the surface — far beyond what swimmers, paddlers, and boaters ever see — another story is unfolding. In the latest episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast , I sat down with Jenny … Read more
A Practical Guide for Cold-Weather Trips in the Sierra Nevada Winter camping in the Sierra Nevada demands more preparation than any other season. Cold temperatures, variable snowpack, wind exposure, and limited daylight all raise the stakes. Whether you’re camping near Scott’s Lake off Highway 88, setting up a low-elevation basecamp in the Eastern Sierra, or … Read more
I’ve never chased winter camping. I don’t sleep well cold. I never have. And no amount of romantic language about “embracing the elements” changes the reality of a long night when the temperature drops and sleep comes in short, restless stretches. But winter still holds something I keep returning to. Some of my earliest outdoor … Read more
Nearly every piece of gear in this guide earned its place in the Sierra Nevada. High-elevation trails. Dry air. Big mileage days. Cold nights that drop fast after sunset. Long approaches, granite underfoot, and camps set just far enough off the beaten path to feel earned. This was Sierra testing in its truest form—gear used … Read more
Getting outside with a newborn can feel intimidating — especially in the mountains — but the right gear can turn those first outings into meaningful, confidence-building adventures. For our family, introducing our baby to the Sierra Nevada wasn’t about pushing limits or chasing miles; it was about sharing a place that already held deep meaning … Read more
By Charlie Pankey After 18 years of exploring the Sierra Nevada, I’ve come to see winter not as a limitation—but as the season that teaches the clearest lessons. Snow strips away shortcuts. Weather dictates decisions. Familiar landscapes demand new respect. As an active snowshoer, I don’t let winter shorten my adventure calendar—but I’ve learned to … Read more
Celebrations kick off Dec. 20 with a headlining DJ set with Foster the People SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire / — Heavenly Mountain Resort turns 70 this winter, and with skiing and riding now underway, the party is just getting started. The resort officially kicks off celebrations with a 70th Anniversary Party headlined by Foster the People … Read more
Clean Up The Lake sets out on their second lap of Lake Tahoe – “The 72 Mile Deep Clean” Tahoe City, CA (December 11, 2025) – Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) , the Tahoe nonprofit known for its environmental dive team, SCUBA cleanups, and completing the 72-mile cleanup of Lake Tahoe at depths of 0–25 feet … Read more
Discovering New Adventures in Washington’s North Cascades | Sierra Rec Now After nearly two decades of Sierra Nevada adventures, my family has officially moved north — to Mount Vernon, Washington. In this week’s episode, I’m reflecting on what it’s like trading Tahoe blue for glacial green, sunny granite trails for fern-covered rainforest slopes, and snowshoe … Read more
Sierra Rec Now Podcast — Episode Feature By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine A New Mountain Home — But the Same Spirit of Adventure After 18 years beneath the peaks of Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra, my family has officially begun a new chapter in Washington State. We now call Mount Vernon home … Read more
Zeds Dead, Porter Robinson, Alison Wonderland, DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), LSDREAM x CloZee, San Holo, Jessica Audiffred, and More to Headline December 12–14 Olympic Valley, Calif [Dec. 8th, 2025] – Tahoe Live returns to Palisades Tahoe this December 12–14 with its largest and most ambitious edition to date. Now expanding to three days, the 2025 festival will bring world-class … Read more
Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation Gains Ownership of Critical Watershed Lands Near Yosemite Behind Yosemite’s iconic waterfalls and granite monoliths lies a quieter force shaping life in the Sierra — water. And in the southern gateway to the park, Henness Ridge plays a critical role in delivering that water to the Wild & Scenic South Fork … Read more
When winter blankets the Sierra in snow, the right gear can turn cold, wet days into your best outdoor memories. One piece of gear I found myself wearing nearly every winter adventure last season—whether on the trail or around the cabin—was the Outdoor Master Merino Wool Ski Socks. These socks deliver what matters most in … Read more
