Leave the Car Behind This Winter (Op-Ed)

Fri | Jan 24, 2025

Leave the Car Behind This Winter (Op-Ed)

Sara Van Siclen

Published in Moonshine Ink on December 12, 2024 >

As the snow begins to fall, many of us are eagerly planning our winter trips to the ski resorts. For years, the routine has been the same for residents and visitors alike: load up the car, drive to the resort, and look for parking for a day of skiing or snowboarding. But with the introduction of parking reservations at Northstar California Resort and Palisades Tahoe starting last winter, it’s time to consider an alternative: taking fare-free transit to the slopes.

This season presents the perfect opportunity to explore transit options. Not only do these services provide an environmentally-friendly, free, and convenient solution when resort parking is full, but they also offer a chance to connect with fellow skiers and enjoy a more relaxed, community-focused experience.

Last winter, the parking reservation programs at Northstar and Palisades helped stagger arrival times, easing congestion on weekends and reducing traffic on Highways 89 and 267. Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) has been supporting this change, offering fare-free and convenient transportation alternatives. By utilizing the TART Park & Ride program, TART’s mainline bus service, and TART Connect, skiers and snowboarders can leave their cars behind and take free transit to the resorts.

For visitors heading to Palisades, TART and Palisades Tahoe have teamed up to offer a free weekend Park & Ride program again this season at two locations: Truckee High School and the Tahoe City Transit Center. From there, passengers can catch a free shuttle to the resort. New for this season, the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program, which reinvests revenue into the community, will be funding additional shuttles that will add service and reduce headways to every 20 minutes when traffic is flowing smoothly.

Palisades Tahoe skiers and riders are encouraged to use Mountaineer, the free, on-demand transportation service providing rides within Olympic Valley, Alpine Meadows, and between the valleys. For more details, visit mountaineertransit.org.

Northstar also offers a convenient Park & Ride service on weekends. Parking is available at Lift Workspace near the Truckee Tahoe Airport with free hourly TART service to Northstar. Additionally, supplemental shuttle services will operate on holiday weekends to accommodate the larger crowds expected on those dates.

Sugar Bowl and Donner Ski Ranch are joining the transit trend this winter with shuttle service between Truckee and Donner Summit. Starting this season, there will be free daily shuttle service from the Coldstream transit stop in Truckee to these resorts. Employees, visitors, and residents can catch a TART bus to the Coldstream bus stop or get an on-demand ride from TART Connect, then transfer to a shuttle that will take them directly to Sugar Bowl or Donner Ski Ranch. This new service offers a hassle-free alternative to driving up Old 40 or I-80.

In addition to Park & Ride options, TART Connect provides on-demand microtransit to help skiers make that first and last mile connection. TART Connect allows riders within a designated service area to request a fare-free ride from their home or rental property to the nearest shuttle stop. Simply download the app, schedule a pickup, and you’ll be on your way shortly. This added layer of convenience makes it easier than ever to leave your car at home.

These transit options are made possible through the collaboration of local organizations, including Placer County, the Town of Truckee, Tahoe Forest Hospital, Visit Truckee-Tahoe, Palisades Tahoe, Northstar, Sugar Bowl Resort, and North Tahoe Community Alliance.

By ditching your car and enjoying a more relaxed journey to your favorite ski resorts this season, you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the ride and connect with others on the way to the slopes. You might just find that the journey to the resort is as fun as the skiing and riding itself.

All schedules and route details are available at tahoetruckeetransit.com.


Photo: Moonshine Ink

Sara Van Siclen is the executive director of the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering public-private partnerships and resources for advocacy and promoting innovative solutions to the unique transportation challenges of the Tahoe/Truckee Resort Triangle. Sara lives in Truckee with her husband, son, and dog, Jax.

The TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program is powered by the North Tahoe business community. Thank you to the business owners who created the Tourism Business Improvement District.