Two more feet of snow has blanketed the Tahoe area, but instead of heading to the crowded larger resorts, we're dreaming of backwoods trails away from the masses (and where no one can see us try out a split board). 

If you're itching to get into the snow-covered pine forests of Tahoe's backcountry but are intimidated by gear and cost, the nine-day Alpenglow Mountain Festival on the West Shore is the perfect introduction to this season's trendiest winter sports. This year’s event will be held February 20-28 and is geared toward beginner and intermediate winter enthusiasts who want to learn more about Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and splitboarding — a snowboard that can be separated and used to ascend slopes.

“The Mountain Festival was born out of our desire to share our beloved human-powered winter sports with others in our community,” said Brendan Madigan, owner of Alpenglow Sports and founder of the Alpenglow Mountain Festival. “We understand these sports can be intimidating and potentially cost prohibitive for just anyone to launch into, but everyone here is enthusiastic about helping aspiring adventurers bridge the gap between fear and passion.”

The festival will offer a wide range of activities including daily ski sessions, snowshoe and board tours, avalanche education, natural history tours, gear demos, daily sport-specific yoga classes, women’s classes, and a guided full-moon snowshoe tour. The majority of events are free, so space is limited and participants are encouraged to register online to secure spots.

Other highlights include:

• "Women, Wine and Wax" hosted by Tahoe Backcountry Women
• Exclusive Lake Tahoe screening of Jeremy Collin’s Drawn, the Art of Ascent
• 2nd annual Lake Tahoe Fat Bike Challenge
• Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival
• Classic skiing clinic with Olympian Glen Jobe

(Photo by River Ranch Lodge)

Where to Stay: 

If you decide to stay in Tahoe and enjoy the festival for a few days (or the entire nine), there are still plenty of cozy places with available rooms to stay and warm up in front of the fireplace.

The Cottage Inn
This inn, built in 1938, has a sitting room with a fireplace and mulled wine. perfect for relaxing after a day on the slopes. // Two weekend nights for around $500, thecottageinn.com

Sunnyside Lodge
With fantastic views of Lake Tahoe, Sunnyside offers rooms and suites right on the water. // $320 per night for two nights, sunnysideresort.com

River Ranch
Located right on the Truckee River, this intimate lodge has rooms with river views and an award winning restaurant. // Around $200 per night, riverranchlodge.com

Charming West Shore Cabin
Located near Ward Creek and Tahoe City, this cute Airbnb cabin can fit four guests. // $186 per night, airbnb.com

LakeView Home in Homewood
This Airbnb home has a balcony with a view of the West Shore, Tahoe decor, and several bedrooms to choose from. // $115 per night, airbnb.com