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Leland High Sierra Snow Play
Groomed sledding lanes, tubes included and a warming hut with a fire — the easiest winter day out with small children anywhere near the cabins, about an hour and three quarters away on Highway 108.
First things first
First things first
Leland is a snow play area rather than a ski hill, and that is exactly why families love it. You pay for a session, they hand you a tube, and you slide down groomed lanes on a hill that has been shaped for it — no lift tickets, no lessons, no equipment to rent or fit. Between runs there is a warming hut, a fire and food, which is the difference between a good day and a cold one.
It sits high on the Highway 108 corridor above Strawberry, deep enough into the mountains that there is usually snow when the lower country has none. From Arnold it is about an hour and three quarters: down Highway 4, south through Sonora, then up 108.
Geography
Where Leland High Sierra Snow Play sits
The snow play area sits high on the western slope above Strawberry, on the stretch of Highway 108 that holds snow reliably from December into March.
It is forested, sheltered and shaped for sledding rather than skiing, at an elevation where storms arrive as snow rather than rain.
It is about 70 miles from Chalet Bruin and Koda Loft via Sonora and Highway 108 — roughly an hour and three quarters in good conditions.
- Region
- High central Sierra Nevada, Highway 108 corridor
- County
- Tuolumne County
- Elevation
- About 6,000 ft
- Nearest town
- Strawberry; Pinecrest is a few miles west
- Getting there
- Highway 108 east above Strawberry
What a session looks like
Sessions are timed and usually sold in blocks, with tube use included, and busy days sell out — this is a place to book ahead rather than turn up hopefully. Lanes are separated by size, so the smallest children are not sharing a run with teenagers, and staff manage the top of the hill.
Everything about a snow day is warmth: waterproof trousers, real gloves, a spare pair of socks in the car, and a change of clothes for the drive home. Bring more layers than you think and you will stay for the whole session instead of half of it.
Cross-country and snowshoeing nearby
The same corridor is good for quieter winter days. Groomed and marked trails in the area suit cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with meadows and forest roads that are gentle enough for a first attempt and long enough to make an afternoon of.
Trail grooming, parking and any snow-park permit requirements change through the season and between operators, so check the current conditions with the operator and the Stanislaus National Forest before setting out.
The drive and the season
Highway 108 is plowed but it is a mountain highway, and chain controls are normal during and after storms. Carry chains, leave a margin of daylight, and check Caltrans road conditions before you commit to the drive up.
The season runs on snow, not on the calendar. Mid-December through March is the reliable window, with January and February the surest bets. Opening and closing dates move every year — confirm the operator is open before you leave the cabin.
Where to stay for a snow day
Arnold sits right at the snow line, which is the useful place to be in winter: enough snow to feel like the mountains, not so much that you are digging out a driveway. Both cabins have full kitchens, heat and a hot tub, and Bear Valley and Dodge Ridge are within range of the same stay if the older kids want lifts.
Nearby
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How far is Leland Snow Play from Arnold?+
Roughly 70 miles by road via Highway 4, Highway 49 and Highway 108 — about an hour and three quarters each way in good conditions.
Do you need to bring your own sled?+
No. Tube use is included with a session, and outside sleds are generally not allowed on the groomed lanes. Check the operator's current rules when you book.
Should we book ahead?+
Yes. Sessions are timed and weekends and holidays sell out, so reserve rather than turning up.
Will we need chains?+
Often, yes. Highway 108 is chain-controlled during and after storms — carry chains in winter and check Caltrans conditions before you drive up.