Alta Vista -- Frequently Asked Questions --

Snow Removal

Alta Vista Chalet is located on a road which is subject to snow removal by the Town of Truckee. There are many houses on this loop-road, and the town of Truckee makes every effort possible to keep us mobile. Typically, when Donner Pass is open on Interstate 80, we are open. Even during the extreme winter season of 2016-2017, when we received more snow than was ever measured in any one season during the preceding 100+ years, we were never completely snowed in for longer than about 24 hours.

Our driveway is cleared by a private contractor: Larson Maintenance, 530-550-8083. They clear up to approximately 2 feet before the garage doors -- for the rest we have shovels ... :). Our contract states that they will come once per day if there is more than 4" of new snow.  They will typically come shortly after the snow plow of the Town of Truckee has cleared the main access road.

Derek is extremely helpful and willing to make a special trip when needed. If you call him to come more often or at a special time, he may bill us for that, and we will pass the cost for that on to you. 

Please remove cars so as not to obstruct or delay the snow removal service. Larson Maintenance may not be able to come back to remove snow because of obstructions until the next snow service day, and you may incur an extra charge to have them come back to clear a second time.  It is their responsibility to avoid any visible objects in driveways, but any buried objects (including cars) may be invisible to their drivers and must be marked with snow poles. If they hit ANY unmarked, buried object in a driveway, including your car or other personal property left in the driveway, such as a snow shovel,  then you are responsible for all damages, including damages to Larson's snow removal equipment.

Use common sense!  Coming to a vacation home high up in snow country may sometimes not be without adventure!  You may encounter snow -- perhaps more snow than you think is possible!   It can happen that snow removal may not have occurred the way you might want it, and you may have to resort to the good old snow shovel before your vehicles are inside the garages.  And when you do, please, be mindful that a shovel can hit the wrong items, such as window panes, and create significant damage.  We must hold you accountable for all such damages, including breaking the shovels themselves ...