The Museum of Truckee History working with the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District are bringing back the time-honored tradition of the Truckee Winter Carnival this year. This free family fun weekend of events celebrates the start of winter sports in the West which began here in Truckee.
History Behind the Winter Carnival
The Winter Carnival is not a new concept for Truckee. Being snowbound most of the winter with only the railroad making it across the mountains, Charles F. McGlashan, a prominent citizen of Truckee, decided in 1894 that for economic reasons they should get people off the train in the winter and stay in town.
He built a giant cone structure made of wood covered with wire netting that he sprayed with water when the temperatures plummeted forming a huge shimmering cone lit by an arc lamp. The ice cone dominated the Truckee skyline at the Rocking Stone and was visible from the train depot.
Ice palaces soon came to town. Truckee has had two ice palaces. In 1895 McGlashan built the first ice palace in the heart of Old Town. Constructed with a wooden frame covered by miles of wire netting, the palace covered more than half of main street. Water was sprayed on the walls producing a unique and beautiful effect. Inside was a ¼ mile ice skating rink and outside was a 150 foot long toboggan run which was attached to the ice palace.
The second ice palace was built in 1913 on the other side of the river. It was even more grand and bigger than the first one but it burned down in June 1915 and was never rebuilt.
Join us for the February 2-4 Winter Carnival (weather permitting)
The 2024 winter carnival won’t have an ice palace this year but there will be plenty of free family fun activities and events to participate in including:
Old Timer Themed group photo
Snow and Ice Sculpture contests
Historic presentations
Sled dog demonstrations
Ice hockey fun
Historic walking tours of downtown and early ski areas
Family-friendly games in the snow
Free ice skating at the Truckee rink
For more information, a complete schedule of events and activities, and any last-minute changes, please visit https://tdrpd.org/carnival. For specific questions please send to [email protected].
History Behind the Winter Carnival
The Winter Carnival is not a new concept for Truckee. Being snowbound most of the winter with only the railroad making it across the mountains, Charles F. McGlashan, a prominent citizen of Truckee, decided in 1894 that for economic reasons they should get people off the train in the winter and stay in town.
He built a giant cone structure made of wood covered with wire netting that he sprayed with water when the temperatures plummeted forming a huge shimmering cone lit by an arc lamp. The ice cone dominated the Truckee skyline at the Rocking Stone and was visible from the train depot.
Ice palaces soon came to town. Truckee has had two ice palaces. In 1895 McGlashan built the first ice palace in the heart of Old Town. Constructed with a wooden frame covered by miles of wire netting, the palace covered more than half of main street. Water was sprayed on the walls producing a unique and beautiful effect. Inside was a ¼ mile ice skating rink and outside was a 150 foot long toboggan run which was attached to the ice palace.
The second ice palace was built in 1913 on the other side of the river. It was even more grand and bigger than the first one but it burned down in June 1915 and was never rebuilt.
Join us for the February 2-4 Winter Carnival (weather permitting)
The 2024 winter carnival won’t have an ice palace this year but there will be plenty of free family fun activities and events to participate in including:
Old Timer Themed group photo
Snow and Ice Sculpture contests
Historic presentations
Sled dog demonstrations
Ice hockey fun
Historic walking tours of downtown and early ski areas
Family-friendly games in the snow
Free ice skating at the Truckee rink
For more information, a complete schedule of events and activities, and any last-minute changes, please visit https://tdrpd.org/carnival. For specific questions please send to [email protected].
