Visitor's Guide to Winter Weekend Traffic and Ski Area Parking Reservations

We love weekends as much as anyone else, but weekend traffic can sure put a damper on a winter trip to Truckee-Tahoe. If you're visiting during the holidays or winter peak periods (typically Dec-Feb), this guide will help you plan ahead, avoid crowds, and have a great time while you're here.

Make Your Ski Resort Parking Reservation EARLY!

Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California have reservations-based parking programs for the 2024/25 winter season. This winter it's important to plan ahead and make reservations WELL IN ADVANCE. Both resorts offer a mix of paid and free reservations, with incentives for carpooling. Palisades Tahoe will release free reservations every Tuesday at noon and 7pm for the following weekend/holiday period. Northstar will offer free parking at the Castle Peak lot every day, no reservations required.

Learn more: Palisades Tahoe Parking Reservations

Learn more: Northstar California Parking Reservations

Tips for a Successful Ski Day

Visit Midweek for an Uncrowded Experience

If you have flexibility in your travel schedule, visit midweek (Sunday night - Thursday night) to avoid weekend traffic. You’ll get to experience Truckee-Tahoe like a local while enjoying uncrowded slopes, and you won't have to worry about making parking reservations which are required on weekends and holidays at Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California.

The Early Bird Gets Breakfast on the Hill and a Parking Spot

It’s no secret that getting an early start can give you a leg up on weekend traffic and help ensure you find a parking spot. Change up your AM routine so that you can get out and on the road before the crowds. Wouldn’t you rather spend that extra time siting in a cafe with a hot latte instead of sitting in traffic?!

Here are some breakfast spots to try when you’re ready to hack your AM ski commute:

VOUS at Northstar California
Wildflour Baking Company at Palisades Tahoe (Olympic Valley)
MOGROG Cafe at Palisades Tahoe (Alpine Meadows)
Rocker Breakfast/Brunch at Palisades Tahoe (Olympic Valley)
Nob Hill Cafe at Sugar Bowl Resort

Have a Lazy Morning and Enjoy Afternoon Laps

Not a morning person? We get it. At Palisades Tahoe, you don't need to make a reservation after 1pm. Good news is that most folks don’t shred bell to bell, so heading to the ski resort in the afternoon can be a good strategy to score parking as skiers and riders are heading home after their morning turns. Plus, catching last chair can sometimes surprise you with empty slopes and gorgeous waning light. Be sure to check maps and ski area apps for real-time highway traffic and parking availability.

Carpool! It’s Fun, Better for the Environment & You’ll Score Premium Parking

Grab your buddies, throw on a playlist, and turn your ride to the mountain into a good time. Carpooling helps reduce the number of cars on the road, and lower vehicle trips means lower emissions. Heck ya. If you’re carpooling to Palisades Tahoe, you can snag parking close to the lifts in carpool dedicated areas (3+ people per car) and you still need to make a reservation. And at Northstar California, carpoolers can score FREE parking reservations for the Village View lot (4+ people per car).

When all Else Fails, Have a Plan B

Sometimes, no matter how early you get on the road, or how meticulously you plan, your Plan A just might not work out. On those days, know when to turn around and resort to your Plan B. There are so many fun winter activities in Truckee! Go cross country skiing or snowshoeing, explore Downtown Truckee, check out Donner Memorial State Park, stroll along the scenic Truckee River Legacy Trail, or if you want really uncrowded slopes, consider hire a local guide and spend your day backcountry skiing in Truckee-Tahoe.

Come for the Skiing/Riding, Stay for the Après

Once the lifts close you head to your car and drive home… right? Nope! On busy weekends, it’s a good idea to avoid the 4pm rush, and our favorite way to wait out the crowds is après. Après ski is a french term that literally translates to “after ski”, but what it really means is tapping into the food and drink scene after the lifts stop spinning. Instead of beelining it to your car, pop into an on-mountain dining spot to order some apps and listen to live music. At Palisades Tahoe, hang at the Plaza Bar Apres DJ Series.

Truckee-Tahoe Free Transportation

Getting Around Truckee: Free Shuttle (TART Connect)

Like a “Mountain Uber” but FREE! Truckee’s TART Connect offers on-demand, curb-to-curb service within Truckee service zones. Use the app to order a ride and leave your car behind. Shuttle operates 6:30 am to 10pm from Sept 3- Dec 11, 2024, Download the App on Android or Apple.

Getting to Ski Areas: Free TART Buses (Fixed Route)

Get from Truckee to your favorite ski areas using free TART daily transit. Use TART Connect to get to and from bus stops. Free, convenient transportation to Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California. Learn more.

FREE Weekend Park & Ride Program - Palisades Tahoe

TART's Winter Park and Ride is operating on weekends to Palisades Tahoe this winter. On weekends, you can take advantage of this FREE service and get dropped at the front door of your favorite resort! Park and ride at any of the locations below.

Dates: Saturday & Sunday through March 31, 2025

Park here:

Truckee Address: 11611 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

Tahoe City Address: 180 W Lake BlvdTahoe City, CA 96145

Learn More

Getting Around Palisades Tahoe: Mountaineer Shuttle

The Mountaineer is an on-demand shuttle service in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, with evening service between valleys. Download the app, request a ride, and get free, door-to-door transportation with 7-minute average wait times.

More Info

Palisades Tahoe Expanded Shuttle Service for 2024/25 Season

Palisades Tahoe Express Shuttle: This season, the Palisades Tahoe Express Shuttle will provide earlier rides to the resort, allowing you to arrive in time for first chair by 9am.
Sherwood Shuttle: Free resort access will continue to be provided via the Sherwood Shuttle from the West Shore to Alpine when conditions permit.

Getting Around Northstar California: Shuttle Service

Once you’re at Northstar California, use the Northstar Village Transit app to request a ride and get on-demand service throughout The Village.

Truckee-Tahoe Live Traffic Cams and Maps

Our Weather, Roads & Cams page is a hub of information to help you plan your drive to the ski resort or around the Truckee-Tahoe region. Bookmark the page so that you can easily access links to Caltrans maps, highway conditions, live highway cams, ski area cams, weather forecasts, and more.

Social Media Accounts for Highway Traffic Updates

Ski Area Apps and Social Media Accounts for Mountain Updates

Northstar Operations Team Twitter for real-time updates on mountain operations, traffic, and special events.
Download the Epic Pass App and check the alerts to get the latest real-time updates on the mountain.
Download the Palisades Tahoe App for real-time mountain information, live parking lot status, and more.
Palisades Tahoe Mtn Ops Twitter for lift, trail, and snow updates from operations teams at Palisades Tahoe.
Sugar Bowl Resort Twitter for daily operation updates, including lift status, parking updates & more.

For more information on Truckee-Tahoe ski areas, see our skiing/riding page.

More Resources

A Guide to Busy Weekends at Palisades Tahoe: Parking, Traffic, Safety, and More, Palisades Tahoe
‍Five Ways to Avoid Crowds in Tahoe, Sugar Bowl Resort