DANNY DAVIS
When it comes to navigating Truckee, there’s no better guide than professional snowboarder Danny Davis. The 29-yearold is a two-time Winter X Games gold medalist (in halfpipe), has lived in the snowboarding mecca for the past decade, and is widely respected in the snow sports community for his laidback style on and off the mountain.
Davis put the town — specifically his house, near Donner Summit — on the map last winter when he dropped a video of himself riding and performing tricks on top of and around his snow-covered home. “Snowed in,” he wrote in an Instagram post of the video. “I feel like such a kid walking around the yard building as many things as possible.”
A crash the last week of January in Mammoth led to Davis missing qualification for the 2018 Winter Olympics. He hopes to heal in time to get back to split boarding in the Sierra Nevada by spring. When he’s got down time, you can often find Davis with his dogs, Jerry and Layla, at some of his favorite hometown haunts.
— Mike Rogge
Peak experience: The 9,104-foot Castle Peak just outside town is where Davis likes to walk his dogs. Climbing is the sport of choice during the warmer months; in winter, it’s a popular destination for backcountry snowboarding and skiing. “Castle Peak is a straightforward zone with a lot of options for outdoor activities,” Davis says. Note: It is vitally important to get backcountry knowledge and gear before exploring the backcountry in the winter. www.all trails.com/ trail/us/ california/ castle-peak
Indoor-outdoor fun: Woodward Tahoe and Boreal Mountain Resort, located off Interstate 80 on Donner Summit, are a winning combination any time of year. Inside the 33,000-squarefoot Bunker are trampolines, foam pits and roller-ski/ snowboard options for anyone to dial in their new trick before taking it to snow. 19749 Boreal Ridge Road, Soda Springs. (530) 426-1114. www.campwoodward.com
Gear up: The Tahoe Sports Hub is where you’ll find quality used outdoor gear, which can save new skiers and snowboarders a ton of money. “They have a cool selection of snowboards — more surfy shapes than a typical snowboard shop,” Davis says. “I like it because you don’t have to blow the budget.” It’s also known around town for in-store events like gear classes, talks and movie premieres where the beer flows freely. 10095 W. River St. No. 2, Truckee. (530) 582-4510. www.tahoesportshub.com
Caffeinate, or not: The outdoor patio at CoffeeBar, with its custom steel furnishings, is where you may find Truckee’s creative types working on their next great projects. Summer offers the occasional live music show, and the shop changes into a wine bar in the evening. “They make really great lattes that don’t have caffeine, like the lavender latte,” Davis says. 10120 Jibboom St. Suite 201, Truckee. (530) 587-2000. www.coffeebar.com
Brewtopia: Alibi Ale Works-Truckee Public House uses Lake Tahoe water in its award-winning beers. Here you’ll find a comfortable setting with lots of seating, live music and an eclectic nacho menu with seven chip-and-cheese variations, like beer-braised pork, white queso and kimchi. 10069 Bridge St., Truckee. (530) 536-5029. www.alibialeworks.com