Please only plan a winter trip to Camp Connell/Dorrington if you have an adventurous spirit!
Winter can bring beautiful snow, but with it you can expect hours of shoveling, power outages, internet outages, phone outages, downed trees, fallen power lines, ski resort closures, icy roads and driveways, and hours-long road closures due to accidents and road hazards.
AWD or 4WD vehicles with appropriate tires are generally recommended when driving in Arnold in winter. It is a good practice to carry chains (which might be required), flashlights, a snow shovel, a windshield brush/scraper, extra blankets, food and water. Most importantly, drive slowly and keep extra distance between vehicles. Do not play in the snow alongside busy roads or in parking lots.
CalTrans’ Winter Driving Tips: https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips
California Road Conditions: https://roads.dot.ca.gov and 800-427-7623
CHP Incidents: https://cad.chp.ca.gov/traffic.aspx
(choose the Stockton Communication Station in the top left corner)
Chains are often recommended to ascend and descend driveways in snowy or icy conditions. Please be prepared to shovel around your vehicle and to get in and out of your vacation rental. Take care to return snow shovels to an area where they will not get buried in snow. Ice Melt is available to purchase at Ace Hardware / Ebbetts Pass Lumber (at 981 Blagen Road, right off of Highway 4 in Arnold), which can be sprinkled on patches of ice on decks, stairs and driveways, and where you are walking or driving. Please understand that the timing of both the County and private snow plowers is unpredictable, so prepare to be stuck at your vacation rental.
Please do not play under power lines or roof-lines. Snow can slide off the roof in huge sheets! Trees come down frequently when heavy with snow, so please watch and listen for signs of falling trees. Many people use Yaktrak to slip over their shoes for traction.
Power outages occur frequently during winter storms. Please know in advance the location of flashlights (with working batteries), and ask the owner of your vacation rental if you are unsure. Please also discuss how you will heat the vacation rental in the event of an outage. Storms often fully interrupt service of internet, TV and telephone. For this reason, we recommend keeping your cell phones fully charged (Verizon users typically have coverage, whereas AT&T users do not). If the power does go out during your visit, you can call PG&E's Outage Line at (800) 743-5002 for updates.