Tahoe Trail Guide

Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe

Menu
  • Summer
    • Trails Overview
    • • Best Day Hikes of Tahoe
    • North Tahoe Hiking
    • South Tahoe Hiking
    • • Short South Tahoe Hikes
    • East Tahoe Hiking
    • West Tahoe Hiking
  • Winter
    • Trails Overview
    • Jared Manninen’s Cross-Country Skiing VLOG
    • North Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • South Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • East Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • West Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
  • Skills
    • Trip Planning
    • • Backcountry Travel Considerations
    • Trip Documenting
    • XC Skiing Explained
    • • Buying XC Skis
    • • Classic XC Skiing
    • • Backcountry XC Skiing
    • • Waxing Waxless XC Skis
    • Snowshoeing Basics
  • History
    • Natural History
    • Local History
  • Store
    • Wilderness Activity Books
    • Tahoe Swag (external link)

Category: Backcountry Skills

Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis: Introduction

October 1, 2021
| 15 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

Recreational cross-country skiers rejoiced many years ago thanks to the introduction of “waxless” cross-country skis. No more sticky kick wax to deal with, particularly of the klister variety! And, no more trial and error to achieve the ideal grip for diagonal striding! These waxless cross-country skis featured a fish scale-looking pattern in the grip zone/wax…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance, waxing waxless xc skis 15 Comments

FAQs about Classic Cross-Country Ski Gear

May 1, 2021
| 19 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Snow covered mountains with evergreen trees

This article featuring frequently asked questions about classic cross-country ski gear is a “greatest hits” list I’ve compiled about classic xc ski gear. I’ve been asked these questions (and more) frequently enough to warrant collecting them in one convenient article. Please note, however, that the answers I provide are succinct and abridged. Like any art,…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged backcountry xc skiing, buying xc skis, cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance 19 Comments

5 Reasons to Love Snowshoeing

December 6, 2020
| No Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails

Snowshoeing isn’t necessarily as dynamic as cross-country skiing or other winter snow sports. But that doesn’t make snowshoeing any less enjoyable. Snowshoes simply provide a different type of fun! They also provide a wide range of benefits that other modes of winter travel and snow play don’t. In this article, I highlight the five reasons…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged snowshoeing basics

Snowshoeing Basics: Overview of Modern Snowshoes

December 4, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2019 Jared Manninen

Snowshoes, or some version of them, have been around for thousands of years. For most people today, however, their use is less about survival and more for recreation. Although the technology used to make contemporary snowshoes is superior to those of antiquity, the goal is the same. They are designed to enable a person to…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged gear maintenance, snowshoeing basics 2 Comments

Cross-Country Skiing in Challenging Conditions

November 15, 2020
| 4 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

The mountaineering adage of “there’s no bad weather, only bad gear” holds true in many ways in cross-country skiing. But you could take that statement even further. Not only does choosing the correct cross country gear to run in challenging conditions help. But, modifying your attitude and technique will surely contribute toward having a quality…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Tagged advanced, backcountry travel considerations, backcountry xc skiing, beginner, cross-country skiing explained, intermediate, ski tour, trip planning 4 Comments

Considerations for Winter Adventure in Lake Tahoe’s Backcountry

October 23, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2016 Jared Manninen

Traveling through Lake Tahoe’s backcountry is always rewarding. The experience never fails to offer stunning views and plenty of character building opportunities. However, winter adventuring in the Lake Tahoe region presents additional obstacles you must overcome in order to return home safely. And, these obstacles come in the literal and figurative variety. The following considerations…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, backcountry travel considerations, backcountry xc skiing, beginner, cross-country skiing explained, intermediate, ski tour, snowshoeing basics, trip planning 2 Comments

Cross-Country Skiing Technique: Using the Side-Step and Herringbone Techniques in the Backcountry

July 20, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Backcountry Cross-Country Skiing Technique: Side-Step and Herringbone Technique

Safety is paramount when traveling in the backcountry no matter your mode of winter adventure. This is especially true for cross-country skiing in mountainous landscapes. Due to their long and lightweight design, cross-country skis are ideal for flat and rolling terrain. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to control when it comes to dealing with the…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged backcountry xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained 2 Comments

Cultivating Adventure in Your Daily Life

May 17, 2020
| 4 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Mountains with snow and shrubs in the foreground

Many people equate “adventure” with adrenaline-producing activities involving high risk and steep terrain. Or, they believe adventure can only be found through extended world travel and exposure to exotic locales. This is simply not true. It’s like saying that the cosmos is more expansive than the subatomic level of life. As above, so below ……

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged trip documenting, trip planning 4 Comments

Share Your Story: Tips for Documenting and Sharing Your Backcountry Experience (Introduction)

March 5, 2020
| No Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Pileated Woodpecker flying out of a tree

In a time where “it didn’t happen if you didn’t get a picture,” there’s pressure to constantly be documenting. We’ve all seen that yahoo stuck behind their camera or device trying desperately to capture an experience at its zenith. But, in their mania, they wind up missing the actual moment. They were either too busy…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged trip documenting

Share Your Story: Is the Creation or Capture of a Perfect Image a Worthwhile Pursuit?

February 12, 2020
| No Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

All artists struggle with definitively completing a piece of art, whether it be a written work, movie, sculpture, painting, or photograph. The challenge stems from not knowing when to stop working or editing the piece in question. We all believe that if we just added a few more highlights or brushstrokes over here or cut…

Read More »

Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged trip documenting
  • 3 of 5
  • « Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next »

Support Tahoe Trail Guide with a Financial Contribution via PayPal (once) or Patreon (reoccurring)

Support Tahoe Trail Guide
Become a Patron!

Subscribe to Tahoe Trail Guide

The mission of Tahoe Trail Guide is to provide information, education, and inspiration to all people seeking to recreate outdoors.

  • All Summer Tahoe Trails
    • Trails Overview
    • North Lake Tahoe Hiking
    • South Lake Tahoe Hiking
      • Short South Tahoe Hikes
    • East Lake Tahoe Hiking
    • West Lake Tahoe Hiking

Jared Manninen (Tahoe Trail Guide) Wins Sierra Nevada Alliance’s 2020 Frank Wells Last Best Place Award

2020 Frank Wells Last Best Place Award - Jared Manninen

In Recognition For Your Exhibited Stewardship As An Individual On Behalf Of The Sierra!

ORDER JARED MANNINEN’S “COLOR THE TAHOE RIM TRAIL” COLORING BOOK

  • All Winter Tahoe Trails
    • Trails Overview
    • North Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • South Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • East Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • West Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing

Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

FAQs about Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis
Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis: Introduction
XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
XC Skiing Explained (Part 5): Classic Cross-Country Ski Boots
Discussing the Goal of Becoming a Better Cross-Country Skier and Embracing Backcountry and Groomed Terrain in Pursuit of that Goal
Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 1): Intention, Types of XC Skis, and Whether to Buy New or Used
XC Skiing Explained (Part 3): Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis
Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 4): Can I Use One Set of XC Ski Boots for All of My Cross-Country Skiing Needs?

Backcountry Skills Articles

  • All Backcountry Skills Articles
    • Trip Planninng
    • Trip Documenting
    • XC Skiing Explained
    • Snowshoeing Basics
    • Gear Maintenance
  • History
    • Natural History
    • Local History
  • All Tahoe Trail Guide Articles (published chronologically)

Order a “Hike Lake Tahoe” Sticker ($3.00+$.99 shipping, 5×3.3 inches)

Recent Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • The Cross-Country Skiing Experience: Immersing Yourself in Winter
  • Discussing the Goal of Becoming a Better Cross-Country Skier and Embracing Backcountry and Groomed Terrain in Pursuit of that Goal
  • Considerations for Cross-Country Skiing During the Fall and Early Winter
  • Donner Party History: Series Introduction
  • Hiking Emerald Point (via north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
The next storm is starting to roll in ❄️😍❄️
.
.
YouTube.com/@JaredManninen
.
TahoeTrailGuide.com
.
Patreon.com/JaredManninen
.
PayPal.me/JaredManninen
.
#tahoe #tahoelife #laketahoe #tahoenorth #tahome #crosscountryski #dailyadventure #discovertahoe #outdooradventure #exploretahoe #mountainliving #exploretahoedonner #landscapephotography #naturephotography #tdxc #nordicskiing #crosscountryskiing #xcskiing #xcski #optoutside #lovewhereyoulive #activelifestyle #wildernessadventure #truckeelove #adventurelife #outdoorculture
A light dusting today to freshen things up ❄️😍❄️
.
.
YouTube.com/@JaredManninen
.
TahoeTrailGuide.com
.
Patreon.com/JaredManninen
.
PayPal.me/JaredManninen
.
#tahoe #tahoelife #laketahoe #tahoenorth #tahome #crosscountryski #dailyadventure #discovertahoe #outdooradventure #exploretahoe #mountainliving #exploretahoedonner #landscapephotography #naturephotography #tdxc #nordicskiing #crosscountryskiing #xcskiing #xcski #optoutside #lovewhereyoulive #activelifestyle #wildernessadventure #truckeelove #adventurelife #outdoorculture
Slow going, but it's worth the effort 😊 . . Wat Slow going, but it's worth the effort 😊
.
.
Watch my latest XC Ski VLOG (43) to see more of today's beautiful scenery on YouTube.com/@JaredManninen
.
TahoeTrailGuide.com
.
Patreon.com/JaredManninen
.
PayPal.me/JaredManninen
.
Venmo.com/u/TahoeTrailGuide
.
#tahoe #tahoelife #tahome #visitlaketahoe #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #mybackyard #mountainliving #playoutside #optoutside #adventurelife #outdoorculture #outdooradventure #mountainculture #findmeoutside #southlaketahoe #laketahoe #exploretahoe #lovewhereyoulive #adventurelifestyle #livelifeoutside #backcountryskiing #dailyadventure #mountainlife #xcskiing #xcski #nordicskier #nordicskiing #crosscountryskiing
Another stunner today ❄️😍❄️ . . YouTube Another stunner today ❄️😍❄️
.
.
YouTube.com/@JaredManninen
.
TahoeTrailGuide.com
.
Patreon.com/JaredManninen
.
PayPal.me/JaredManninen
.
#tahoe #tahoelife #laketahoe #tahoenorth #tahome #crosscountryski #dailyadventure #discovertahoe #outdooradventure #exploretahoe #mountainliving #exploretahoedonner #landscapephotography #naturephotography #tdxc #nordicskiing #crosscountryskiing #xcskiing #xcski #optoutside #lovewhereyoulive #activelifestyle #wildernessadventure #truckeelove #adventurelife #outdoorculture
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Order Prints of Jared Manninen’s “Faux Vintage Map of Lake Tahoe”

Fun Vintage Lake Tahoe Map
Self-portrait of Jared Manninen
Jared Manninen has been a Tahoe local since 2005. He began building Tahoe Trail Guide (c. 2017) in order to inspire people to embrace the outdoors as a place in which to learn and play.

Popular Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • The Cross-Country Skiing Experience: Immersing Yourself in Winter
  • Discussing the Goal of Becoming a Better Cross-Country Skier and Embracing Backcountry and Groomed Terrain in Pursuit of that Goal
  • Considerations for Cross-Country Skiing During the Fall and Early Winter
  • Donner Party History: Series Introduction
  • Hiking Emerald Point (via north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
  • Considerations and Reasons for Doing a Big Year
  • Behind-the-Scenes Action Photos of Tom Cruise Filming Top Gun: Maverick (aka Top Gun 2) in South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Trails

  • Tahoe Trails Overview
  • All Summer Tahoe Trails
    • North Lake Tahoe Hiking
    • South Lake Tahoe Hiking
      • Short South Tahoe Hikes
    • East Lake Tahoe Hiking
    • West Lake Tahoe Hiking
  • All Winter Tahoe Trails
    • North Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • South Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • East Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • West Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing

Tahoe Trail Guide Info

  • Home
  • Backcountry Skills
  • History
    • Natural History
    • Local History
  • Store
    • Wilderness Activity Books
    • Tahoe Swag (external link)
  • Randomly Asked Questions
  • About Jared Manninen
  • JaredManninen.com (external link)
  • Contact Tahoe Trail Guide

Although I encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility. Tahoe Trail Guide copyright © 2016-2023 by Jared Manninen. All rights reserved.  This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Per the Associates Program Operating Agreement I must disclose the following statement: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases” when you buy something via an Amazon.com advertisement.