Winter is a defining season in the Tahoe-Truckee area. When the snow starts flying, there seems to be a mixture of excitement and anger in the town of Truckee. This interesting divide can be explained by differences in interests and privileges throughout our community.

Walking into Truckee High School on a snowy morning, students often encounter at least one of their peers saying, “today should have been a snow day,” even if there was only a dusting of snow overnight.

Many Truckee teenagers enjoy the aesthetic of the snow and envision drinking mugs of hot chocolate and having movie nights, both of which are warm indoor activities. However, for many this is not the reality on a typical stormy day. 

“I dislike [snow] very much when it is more than ten feet,” senior Isaac Medina explains. This makes sense because on snow days, he shovels out three cars as well as his balcony. Snow, especially in immense amounts, can be a lot of work for many because trying to get anywhere becomes quite difficult. Even once snow removal is complete, driving in the snow can be quite sketchy.

Some students, like senior Kaya Hainsworth, love to drive in the snow. After a big storm, stories of drifting, donuts and close calls in slick conditions often fill the high school halls. Even when school is cancelled because of transportation concerns, many people still get out on the roads, namely to go skiing.

The Town of Truckee’s economy thrives due to tourism, and in the winter, visitors typically come to ski at resorts like Palisades Tahoe, Northstar and Sugar Bowl. According to a Ski California infographic, in the 2023/24 season their 36 member resorts in California and Nevada had 7.6 million visits, the highest since 2011. This contributed to the half a million trips that were made to Truckee in 2023, a 3.5% decrease from previous years (Visit Truckee Tahoe).

The ability to ski or snowboard is something that seems to greatly impact one’s affinity (or lack thereof) for snow. Medina is one Truckee teen who does not know how to ski or board, but claims that if he knew how, he would probably do it occasionally.

Hainsworth is someone on the winter-loving side of the spectrum. “I love living in Truckee because there’s so many outdoor activities,” she says. She believes that when local kids are not provided with opportunities or if their parents do not participate in snowsports, it is unlikely they will enjoy winter as much as the people who love outdoor activities that rely on the accumulation of snow. Many people in resort towns like Truckee, are taught to ski or snowboard at very young ages meaning those who do not learn are often left behind. A divide forms between those who have the resources to ski and those who do not. 

Another Ski California statistic shows 29% of guests at participating resorts identified with a racial or ethnic minority. The infographic claims this is the highest in the United States, but is still a devastatingly low number. That divide that accessibility to winter sports creates has a significant impact on if people in the community enjoy the snow. 

There are also people who would much rather live in an urban area or at the beach than in a mountain town where inclement weather is common. Truckee High senior, Zidanee Dimas says, “I’m not a mountain person.”He is not a skier so when it snows, he likes building snowmen, making snow angels, or cozying up inside to watch a movie. However, Dimas prefers summertime weather.

Snow plays a big role in our lives in Truckee, but is it a positive or negative one? It depends on who you ask. For some, a blizzard means a powder day and for others it is just a lot of snow removal. There are those who love playing in the snow like skiing, sledding, or and those who would much rather stay inside and be warm.