Winter at Lassen Volcanic National PArk
February 4, 2017 by: Sharon Roberts
Planning your Winter Visit to Lassen Park
Ranger-led Snowshoe Walks
Every Saturdays and Sundays between Jan. 7- April 2nd, 2017
Lassen Park Ranger lead groups of up to 40 guests for and interpretive snow shoe walk. Meet at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Walks are from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
The Ranger-led snowshoe walks are an excellent way to learn basic snowshoeing techniques and to learn about Lassen Park in the winter. Depending on snow and weather conditions the route and distance will vary week to week.
The walk will begin with the Ranger demonstrating best way to put on snowshoes, and how to maneuver once you have your snowshoes on. Great thing about these walks is that the Park provides the snowshoes for a $1 donation to cover maintenance cost of the snowshoes.
Snowshoeing is becoming a very popular winter activity, space is limited to 40 guests. Tickets must be obtained at the visitor center day of event. The walks have been filling up on a regular basis. Plan to get to the visitor center early to obtain your tickets.
Some things to do between getting your tickets and the guided snowshoe walk; take in the 20 minute video on Lassen Park, enjoy the displays in the visitor center, check-out the "sand-box" which teaches you about watersheds, or go out and play in the snow.
If you have a group of more than 10 please contact the park service in advance and schedule a ranger-led snowshoe walk outside of these regularly scheduled walks. If you are bringing a group between 10 and 20 guests to the park make sure to check-out our special group pricing for lodging at St. Bernard Lodge.
For safety reasons the walks are limited to children eight year of age and older, children in carriers are not allowed.
Lassen Park website for more details
Ski Celebration at Lassen Park
A fairly new event if s winter Ski Celebration at Lassen Park in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. At one time the park actually had a ski hill with chairlift. Many have fond memories of learning to ski at Lassen Park. This is a great time to hear and share stories of Lassen skiing in the past around the outdoor fire pit.
Ski films will be shown in the auditorium. This year the "Unrideables: Alaska Range (45 minutes) will be showing at 10:30 and 1:00 pm.
This ski celebration coincides with President's Day and park entrance is free. Lassen has a couple of great sledding hills for the kids close to the visitor center parking area.
Back country Skiing at Lassen Park
Lassen Park has ski back country ski routes ranging from 3 miles to 30 miles with ascents and descents ranging from 2,000 feet to 5,300 feet.
Lassen Park even has a very active Backcountry Ski Patrol. The Lassen Volcanic Backcountry Ski Patrol produce a great 13 minute video of skiing the backcountry of Lassen.
The outdoor project has a great website with detailed descriptions of many of the ski routes in Lassen. Visit their website for details on, Pilot Pinnacle, Ridge Lakes, Mount Diller, and 3 routes off of Lassen Peak - Dirty Martini Chute, North Ride Shoulder and the Southeast Chute.
To enjoy many of these routes it is best to snow camp for part of your trip. St. Bernard Lodge is a great place to spend the night before or after embarking on an extended backcountry trip. The lodge is 20 mintues from SW parking lot and visitor center so it is a great choice when making day trips into the park. Breakfast is included with all over night stays and dinner can be arranged.
For current snow conditions please feel free to call the lodge at 530-258-3382.
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