Sometimes, going to the snow is just going to the snow. It's awesome, sure, but it's just a trip. The snow along the road is dark and dirty from plowing and cars, and everywhere you stop there are signs of other people. Footsteps, ski tracks, tire treads... it's clear this snow isn't you're snow.
This was NOT one of those trips.
This trip was a rare one, a trip into a winter wonderland. Google "snow paradise", or something similar, and you'll be met with pictures of fresh, untouched powder surrounded by snow capped trees and beautiful skies. Your mind will imaging silence and peacefulness, separate from humanity and civilization if only for a brief afternoon. And this "Google perfect" experience was exactly what we were treated to on this trip.
We had planned to spend the weekend in Tahoe, but snow conditions made the shortest routes impassable, and the alternative routes hazardous or surely traffic-ridden. No thank you. But we knew there was snow, feet and feet of fresh powder up there in the mountains, and we couldn't scrap the trip all together. So we settled to make a day trip up to a family's cabin and at least play around for an afternoon. We were excited knowing how much it had snowed, but were could never have hoped for what we got into.
The drive up wasn't bad, considering how much it had snowed. We expected "chains mandatory" areas and a decent amount of traffic in spots, but were pleasantly greeted with neither. Our 4x4 was up to the minor power on the roads as we got close to our destination, though 2WD cars would have needed the chains, confirmed by the larger van we saw nearly spin off the road. Luckily he pulled over soon after, I assume to get some chains on (let's hope).
But from our car, the snow was fine, since it meant we had just entered into this...
Heaven? Maybe. SR 4 in California, yes. We probably weren't even at 4000ft yet, and the snow had already begun to encapsulate the world around us. A light dusting of powder and ice on the road was our only barrier to snow capped trees and feet upon feet of fresh powder. It was like driving through a Christmas card, and we were all giddy with awe and excitement. I think Kenga was excited too, but he is always loud in the car, so you never really know...
Not long after we had entered the snowy altitudes, and shortly before reaching our final destination, we pull over at a shopping center. We needed lunch, and coffee, (you always need more coffee), and the dogs probably needed to go potty. Plus we were now out of cell service, and we needed wifi to double check plans with the cabin's owners. Coffee and wifi were up first, so we went to a small local coffee shop with free internet (Bistro Espresso, it's a great place if you're ever in the area) and confirmed plans (we got to borrow cross country skis for free if we shoveled some parking spots when we got to the cabin). Colette went in to grab sandwiches while I dealt with the pups. They were so ready to get into the snow they nearly pulled my over on the icy parking lot pavement. In short time we were back on the road, and not long after that we arrived at our destination.
Now Colette and I have never lived in the snow; we haven't even stayed very long in the snow, certainly not anywhere you would consider remote. Shoveling snow, therefore, isn't our natural state of being. That was abundantly clear as the morning progressed. I'll keep the specifics here short, but there was a LOT of powder, and a lot of ice, and I may have thought my 4x4 would make for a good snow plow. Pro tip - do NOT use your Land Rover as a snow plow if you don't have snow tires or chains on and don't know how to drive very well in snow - you will spend the next 30-45 mins getting your car unstuck. Also, use good form or your back will hurt.
While Colette and I were learning why everyone should own a small gas snow plow/blower doodad for their cabin, the dogs were having a grand ol' time playing in the powder. Nali made some excellent digging progress, but sadly none of it was where we actually needed to remove snow...
Eventually we had room for some cars, and decided to eat, (2 hours of snow removal had put us close to lunch time anyways), before heading out for some skiing with the dogs. Kenga and Nali were, naturally, very interested in our sandwiches.
Hi Dad may I have some sandwich?
I would like some sandwich too hooman!
This, my friends, is a nice view for lunch
And then? It was time. Time to throw on some snow clothes and skis and venture into the untouched beauty of some service road next to the cabin. Sure, "some service road" might not sound amazing, but let me tell you, with this much snow around you, carving down the slopes of a dump would be a treat. Despite the larger footprint of our skis, we still were sinking in 8-12 inches with every step. The dogs could barely keep their heads above the powder! It was perfect. Not fast, not easy to move, but beautiful. We were happy (other than being sore already from all the shoveling), the dogs were super happy, and there was no one around. No sounds besides us and the occasional snow falling from a tree. You could go anywhere, fall anywhere, and take pictures anywhere. Any random tree or rock formation had been transformed into a picturesque landscape worthy of a picture to savor.
We skied into the wilderness for a while, stopped for some pictures, and continued on for another short time. The effort of simply moving forward in the thick deep powder meant we didn't plan to be out for long, but we wanted to enjoy as much of this rare experience as we could. We got to the top of a hill and decided it was break time. Colette took off her skis somewhat normally, whereas I simply fell sideways into the snow. We got us and the dogs some water, and then just laid down and stared. Up, around, and all over - anywhere you looked was a beautiful view of a snow covered landscape, and may of the views now had adorable tired huskies to boot. It was surreal, and I didnt want to leave. But reality always has a grasp on you, and we knew we couldn't be out here forever if we were to get home at a decent time. So we snapped some more pictures, got some puppy kissed while we were down at their level, and then started heading back.
The quick trip back to the car and cabin wasn't quite as amazing as a trek out, now that the new was littered with ours and the dogs tracks through the snow, but that was a small price to pay for any additional time with that view and that snow. We had packed the powder enough in a few spots on the way out that the dogs even got to pull us part of the way back. Nali, of course, pulled full speed and almost ran me right into the back of Colette, per usual. We made quick work through our tracks back and were shortly at the trail head. We visited with family for a bit, thanked them for the skis and regaled them with our heroic snow shoveling tales, then packed up and headed home.
Next time you have snow like this nearby, please go. Find somewhere close to you, with safe roads to drive, and go. The snow isn't always for everyone, and although I am always up for it, I understand cold and wet and bored are words that other people would be more likely to use to describe it. But this, this is something I think everyone should experience. Not just dusted, but thickly snow capped trees, fresh clean flat powdered fields, and bright blue skies make for a hell of a sight. They make for an incredible surrounding. And if you can, bring some dogs - they always make things better.