CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device
The late winter blizzards hitting the Sierra Nevada in recent weeks are keeping these mountain towns snowy, tempting Bay Area dwellers to trade in city life for small town vibes and outdoor fun. The laid-back town of Graeagle, roughly 45 miles north of Truckee, may specialize in the simple life, but it also offers guests the chance to enjoy good food, great drinks and plenty of ways to connect with nature and each other.
A recent weekend getaway brought us to Graeagle’s Chalet View Lodge, where the guest rooms offer picturesque views of falling snow and the outdoor hot tub is the perfect spot for stargazing, as snowflakes drift down. We borrowed a pair of snowshoes from the lodge’s rental desk — free for hotel guests — then headed for Plumas-Eureka State Park, a winter wonderland at this time of year, and hit the trails.
There’s good sledding everywhere here, too, including at nearby Johnsville, a tiny mining town with a population of 20. And, of course, the big Tahoe ski resorts are an hour’s drive away.
But after you’re done with the snow play, head for the Brewing Lair in Blairsden, just a few miles down the road. During the summer, it’s easy to see why guests gather on the outdoor patio to barbecue and enjoy brews. But the Brewing Lair has avid winter fans, too.
The brewery’s large garage-like door stands perpetually open, so you can enjoy the views from indoors, preferably while sipping samples of everything on tap. And the bravest tasters gather on the outdoor patio, throwing snowballs at each other and watching the snow fall on the surrounding pines.
Of course, it’s not the only spot for sipping suds. You’ll find the Eureka Peak Brewing Co. inside the Chalet View Lodge, a small bar that serves several beers on tap, as well as cocktails and casual fare, from brat bites ($9) and smoked wings ($12) to pulled pork sandwiches ($14). Play a round of pool, watch a sports match on TV or play classic games — chess, backgammon, shuffleboard — in the back room.
Go casual here or head for the intimate Cuccia’s, a romantic Italian spot that serves pasta, pizza and wine. The restaurant will reopen for the season on April 3, serving up delicious, garlicky family recipes passed down by the Cuccia family’s Sicilian ancestors. Specialty pizzas ($11-$28) are named for nearby landforms, including Gold Lake, Eureka Peak and Sierra Valley. And the fresh seafood and light pastas are irresistible. Think salmon fettucine ($21), brushed with basil pesto and served with a white wine sauce.
Meanwhile, there’s the Graeagle Restaurant, a homespun American diner that serves up omelets, pancake sandwiches and other breakfast fare ($10-$17) and burgers, sandwiches and salads at lunch ($9-$18). Hearty fare, in other words, before a day of snow play.
IF YOU GO
Chalet View Lodge: Rooms start at $120 at this dog-friendly resort ($25 extra for pets). 72056 Highway 70, Graeagle; ChaletViewLodge.com
Plumas-Eureka State Park: Open for day use during daylight hours, weather permitting. 310 Johnsville Road, Blairsden; www.parks.ca.gov
The Brewing Lair: Open from noon until darkish Friday through Monday until the end of March, daily April 1 through Oct. 31. 67007 Highway 70, Blairsden; www.thebrewinglair.com
Cuccia’s: Reopens April 3. 545 Mohawk Highway, www.ilovecuccias.com
Graeagle Restaurant: Open for breakfast and lunch daily at 7430 Highway 89.