The big chill

It feels a little weird writing this for the winter guide when there’s no snow on the ground here in Reno—but all I have to do is look out the window, and I can see it capping the peaks of the mountains. It makes it hard to concentrate when all I want to do is drive up to Tahoe, visit my favorite little coffee shop, and walk along the lakeside. This is my 10th winter in Northern Nevada, and it’s still the highlight of my year when the snow settles, blanketing the streets with white.

In this year’s guide, we included a little bit of everything you need to know this time of year, including suggestions on winter gear to keep you warm and in touch, and homemade remedies to keep your skin in good shape against the cold, dry wind. We also have a roundup of great—and some free—places to go sledding or tubing, and we chatted with some locals whose passions for winter sports lasts throughout the whole year.

Dec. 21 is the winter solstice—and also, supposedly, the end of the world, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the season. Despite the chill, this time of year is meant to be spent outdoors.

Cheers,

Ashley Hennefer, RN&R special projects editor

In this issue:

Snow patrol:Winter gear, by Matthew Craggs

Skin deep: Homemade winter skin care remedies, by Stephanie Self

Ski resort directory

Slide on by: Local hotspots for sledding and tubing, by Tim Hauserman

Dog days: The Laughtons raise sled dogs, by Ashley Hennefer

Speed racers: UNR’s Winter Sports Club creates friendships on the slopes, by Ashley Hennefer