Tahoe’s winters bring fresh powder, epic sledding, and unforgettable outdoor adventure. When the snow melts, a not-so-magical surprise emerges – bits of trash that were left behind and buried all winter. 

Unofficial winter recreation sites across the Lake Tahoe Basin can host the leftovers of those fun, snowy outings. Things like shattered plastic sleds, cigarette butts, food wrappers, and even an odd glove or sweatshirt are among the items that “bloom” from below the snow once spring arrives.  

In partnership with volunteers, businesses, and the community, the League to Save Lake Tahoe is tackling this issue from every angle – with cleanups, data science, advocacy, and long-term solutions. 

Here’s how winter litter is being fought year-round – and how you can be part of the solution. 

Below the Snow

Unlike summer when it’s easy to spot what’s dropped, winter litter is buried beneath the snow, staying out of sight and unfortunately out of mind until warming weather reveals what’s left behind. 

• Heavy snowfall years = more hidden litter that resurfaces in the spring melt. 
• Most litter accumulates at sled hills, ski areas, and parking lots, where anticipation for the fun ahead can be a distraction from good stewardship.
• Dog waste is an issue. Snowmelt carries nutrients and bacteria into Lake Tahoe, affecting the water’s clarity.

The solution isn’t just cleaning up trash, it’s preventing it. The League’s Tahoe Blue Crew volunteers are leading the charge. Litter doesn’t magically disappear when winter ends,but our dedicated volunteers make a real difference. 

Meet OngKar Khalsa: A Tahoe Blue Crew Leader Making an Impact 

OngKar Khalsa, one of the League’s most active Blue Crew leaders, has dedicated countless hours to tackling Tahoe’s litter problem. Leading cleanups in the Round Hill area, along highway shoulders, and beyond, OngKar has also worked with Keep Tahoe Blue leaders to find litter prevention solutions based on real cleanup data.

To raise awareness, OngKar created the Reverse Treasure Hunt Facebook group, where volunteers share the most surprising (and ridiculous) litter finds they clean up. By educating the public and mobilizing community action, Ongkar is part of a growing movement to Keep Tahoe Blue year-round. 

Since the program began in 2019, Tahoe Blue Crews have adopted a number of sled hills around the Basin, including: 

• Fallen Leaf sled hill 
• Lake Tahoe Airport sled hill 
• McIver sled hill 
• Mt. Rose sled hill 
• Ski Run sled hill 
• Spooner Summit sled hill 
• Stateline sled hill 
• Wildwood sled hill 

Want to make a difference like OngKar? Join a Tahoe Blue Crew or lead your own! 

Data-Driven Solutions: Tracking Tahoe’s Top Winter Litter 

The League’s Data Science team doesn’t just count bags of trash collected; we analyze what’s actually being left behind, so we can tackle the problem at its source. 

•  5,311 plastic sled pieces have been collected by Tahoe Blue Crews since 2019. 
• At League-hosted cleanups, 1,813 more sled pieces were removed. 
• Cigarette butts, miscellaneous plastic, and food wrappers are the top litter items found in winter. 
• Dog waste (everyone’s favorite) is also prevalent. 

With this data, the League pinpoints where trash originates and then advocates for real solutions – like better trash infrastructure, improved site management, or policy changes like bans on commmon litter items (more on that below).  

From Cleanups to Solutions: Spooner Sled Hill Success Story 

Spooner Summit was one of Tahoe’s most popular and most impacted winter recreation sites. In 2020-2021, volunteers removed 2,000 pounds of litter from the area. The League worked with local agencies to install dumpsters and restrooms, and the impact was immediate. Over the next three years, litter totals dropped to 250-300 pounds per winter, showing that solutions can be simple and low-cost. 

Advocacy for Lasting Change 

The data we collect is more than just a tally. It’s the science-based evidence that fuels our advocacy efforts to stop single-use plastics and other litter at the source.  

• Banning single-use plastics: The League helped pass South Lake Tahoe’s historic plastic water bottle ban, keeping litter out of the Lake. 
• Partnering for long-term solutions: The League co-chairs the Litter Prevention Action Team within the Destination Stewardship Council, working with local agencies to create coordinated strategies. 
• Educating future stewards: Youth groups like SOS Outreach have partnered with the League to walk to local businesses and educate the community about cutting litter at the source, like removing plastic tags from newly purchased winter gear before those items leave the store.

Here’s How You Can Help 

• 💙 Pack out what you pack in. If there are no trash bins, take it with you. 
• ♻️ Choose metal sleds or rubber inner tubes over fragile plastic sleds. 
• 🚫 Say no to single-use plastics. Pack your own Tahoe Go Bag with reusable water bottles, utensils, and tote bags. 
• 📢 Report litter hot spots. Help the League track problem areas through our Concerned Citizen form. 
• 🙋 Protect Lake Tahoe while you play by taking a few minutes using our Citizen Science Tahoe web app to report what you see around the Lake, whether it’s an algal bloom, cloudy water, invasive species, or litter on the beach. 

 Together, we can stop winter litter before it starts and Keep Tahoe Blue for all.