In recent weeks, the seasonal El Niño storm has brought plenty of snow to the mountains of Northern California. The Sierra Nevada mountains are a prime example, with 15 percent more ground snow than normal, according to USA Today.
El Niño’s snowfall provides City College students timely new opportunities for mountain-based activities like skiing and snowboarding.
According to An Dao, vice president of the City College Outdoors Club, the club’s officers and advisers are already planning a snow day Feb. 20 near the snow play park Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe, atop Echo Summit in South Lake Tahoe.
“This one is different from our usual trip,” Dao says. “We’re just accepting forms in person so they can text or email officers to meet up with them on campus to submit their forms.”
One student going on this trip is Aaron Phu, frequent Outdoors Club visitor and chemical engineering major, who has been snowboarding since he was 8 years old.
But Phu has a lot of general advice for students who are considering taking up snow sports. He talks about his favorite resort to go to, Boreal, which is located in Soda Springs. According to Phu, it’s a good place to start for those new to snowboarding.
“Start off with the bunny slopes,” Phu says. “They’re not too complicated.”
Phu says he doesn’t recommend that people rent gear at the resort itself. He names Sports Authority and Sports Chalet as places where students can rent their equipment at more affordable prices.
Sports Authority’s website states that a snowboard, boots and bindings cost $25 per day used, while the same equipment can be purchased at Sports Chalet for $32 for a three-day period, according to that store’s website.
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Phu has some advice for students unsure of how to approach snow trips with unpredictable weather conditions. He suggests going a few days after a storm to take advantage of extra snow.
“[The] last week before we came to school it was snowing. I was snowboarding right after the storm and it was pretty nice,” Phu says. “The snow was so fresh, it was like powder. You don’t even feel it when you hit the ground.”
For students who prefer hiking to snow-based activities, Outdoors Club member and hiking enthusiast Jacob Fakhreddine, biology major, also suggests that storms cannot be disregarded when making travel decisions. He says that rocky trails like the Stevenson Trail in Colfax should be avoided during or shortly after rain.
“Rocks get kind of smooth and slippery in the rain,” Fakhreddine says.
While waiting for dryer and warmer weather, Fakhreddine suggests Hidden Falls and South Fork American River, both near Auburn, as beginner trails students can warm up with before hitting the big mountains. But according to him, proper precautions must be taken during outdoor activity anywhere in the winter, especially post-El Niño.
“Bundle up, always wear three to four layers at least. If you go with a T-shirt, you’re going to freeze,” Fakhreddine says. “[And] even though it’s cold and may be raining, still drink a lot of water.”
Whether City College students prefer to hike, ski or snowboard, they may still sign up for the Outdoors Club’s trip to South Lake Tahoe, according to Dao. They have until Feb. 2, when the first general meeting about the trip will be held at noon in BUS-143.
For more information about the Outdoors Club snow trip, contact club president Arturo Navarro at (916) 793-5452.
