Winter Prep Checklist for Incline Village & Crystal Bay Homes: A Local's Guide

To get an Incline Village or Crystal Bay home ready for winter, lock in your snow removal contract early, learn the Red Day and Green Day parking rules, test your heat tape, keep every exhaust vent clear of snow, keep vacant homes heated to at least 50 to 55 degrees, and store trash where bears can't reach it. Below is the full checklist our team works through every fall, plus a free printable version for your fridge, your garage, or your caretaker.

Download the free printable Local's Insider Guide (PDF)

Winter here is the reason many of us moved to Lake Tahoe. It is also the season that tests a house. Homes in Incline Village sit above 6,200 feet, the snow comes in heavy and fast, and a lot of homes are second homes that sit empty between visits. A generic winter checklist from a national website won't tell you about Red Days, the county plow berm, or why your garage is not a safe place for groceries. This one will.

WHY WINTER PREP IS DIFFERENT IN INCLINE VILLAGE

We have lived and sold homes through a lot of Sierra winters. Three things make prep here different from almost anywhere else:

·       Snow load and access. A single storm can drop feet of snow. Driveways are steep, plows leave a berm at the end of every driveway, and roofs, decks, and windows all carry real weight.

·       Part-time occupancy. Many homes are empty for weeks at a time. A frozen pipe in an empty house can run for days before anyone notices.

·       Wildlife. Black bears are part of life in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, and they remain active late into the fall looking for easy food before winter.

THE INCLINE VILLAGE WINTER PREP CHECKLIST

1. SNOW REMOVAL AND ACCESS

·       Lock in your seasonal snow removal contract now. The best local crews fill their routes early. Confirm what is covered: driveway, walkways, entries, decks, and the plow berm.

·       Service, fuel, and test-start your snow blower before you need it.

·       Stock shovels, ice melt, and sand for walkways and driveways.

·       Set snow stakes along driveway edges, boulders, landscaping, and utility boxes so crews can find them under a few feet of snow.

·       Clear pine needles and debris from decks, driveways, culverts, and drains before the first storm.

Local tip: Red Day or Green Day? Washoe County winter parking restrictions start October 1 in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. On Red Days, street parking is illegal so plows can clear the roads, and parking stays restricted until the ice is off the streets. Call the hotline at 775-833-5555 or check the county's map. Residents can also follow the plows in real time with the county's Where's My Plow tool.

 2. ROOF, GUTTERS, AND EXTERIOR

·       Test your heat tape before the first snow, especially where the roof overhangs walkways, driveways, or entries.

·       Keep gutters, downspouts, and slotted drains clear so snowmelt has somewhere to go.

·       Line up a roof snow removal pro now for big-snow years, and watch for ice dams along the eaves.

·       Keep snow shoveled away from windows and doors. Heavy, settling snow can break glass.

·       Knock icicles down from the side, never from underneath.

·       Seal cracks and drafts around windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping.

·       Store or secure deck furniture, grills, and hoses, and mark anything that will disappear under snow.

·       Keep the gas meter, propane tank, and every exhaust vent clear: furnace, water heater, and dryer. A buried vent can push carbon monoxide back into the house.

3. WATER AND PLUMBING

·       Drain and shut off irrigation, blow out the lines, and disconnect garden hoses and drip lines.

·       Insulate pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, garages, and basements.

·       Know where your main water shut-off is, and make sure your caretaker or a trusted neighbor knows too.

·       In a vacant home, keep the heat at 50 to 55 degrees or higher, and open sink cabinets on exterior walls.

·       Leaving for weeks? Consider draining the plumbing and adding RV antifreeze to toilets and drains.

·       Add smart leak and low-temperature sensors that alert your phone. For second-home owners, this is the best money you will spend this winter.

·       Hot tub: keep it running with a locked cover, or have it professionally winterized.

4. HEATING AND FIREPLACE

·       Schedule a professional furnace or boiler inspection, and replace filters.

·       Upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat you can check from anywhere.

·       Clean and inspect the fireplace and chimney, including the cap and spark arrestor.

·       Stack firewood under cover, off the ground, and away from the house.

·       Cool ashes in a lidded metal can, set well away from the house and deck.

·       Propane homes: confirm your delivery schedule so you never run low mid-storm.

5. SAFETY AND POWER OUTAGES

·       Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the batteries.

·       Build an outage kit: flashlights, lanterns, batteries, phone power banks, blankets, water, non-perishable food, and any medications.

·       Plan for backup heat, such as a generator or propane heater. Never run a generator in the garage or near windows.

·       Post a list of emergency contacts, including utilities, your snow removal company, and a friendly neighbor.

·       Check that locks, doors, and windows are secure before winter travel.

·       Away for the season? Arrange a home watch or caretaker service to check in after every storm.

6. YOUR VEHICLE

·       Switch to winter tires by late October or early November. In Nevada, studded tires are legal from October 1 through April 30.

·       Carry chains, and practice putting them on in your dry driveway, not on the side of the Mt. Rose Highway.

·       Keep a snow brush, ice scraper, small shovel, and gloves in the car.

·       Pack warm layers, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a phone charger in case of travel delays.

·       Keep the tank at least half full.

·       Check chain controls and closures on NVRoads.com or by dialing 511 before you head over the summit.

7. WILDLIFE AND BEARS

·       Seal openings, crawl space vents, and gaps under decks where animals look for winter shelter.

·       Never leave trash, pet food, or groceries in the garage or car.

·       Use a bear box or an animal-resistant cart, and put trash curbside only on collection day.

Local tip: bear-smart trash. IVGID's trash rules in Incline Village and Crystal Bay are some of the strictest around, and curbside spills can lead to violations. A locking metal bear box is the best option. Animal-resistant carts are available to rent through Waste Management at 775-831-2971. To report bear activity that is not an emergency, call the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 775-688-BEAR. Save 911 for situations where someone is in immediate danger.

8. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

·       Help keep fire hydrants and mail cluster boxes near your home shoveled out.

·       Check in on neighbors, especially older and part-time residents, during storms and outages.

·       Review county and HOA rules on snow storage, parking, and property upkeep.

·       Stay informed with National Weather Service Reno forecasts, NVRoads, Nextdoor, and the Inside Incline newsletter.

THE SECOND-HOME OWNER'S SHORT LIST

If you split your time between Incline Village and somewhere else, these five steps prevent most of the winter calls we hear about:

1.     A snow removal contract that includes the walkways and entries, not just the driveway.

2.     A smart thermostat set to at least 50 to 55 degrees, with alerts if the temperature drops.

3.     Water leak sensors, and a caretaker who knows where the main shut-off is.

4.     A home watch service that checks the house after every major storm.

5.     Trash that never stays in the garage between visits.

KEEP THESE NUMBERS HANDY

·       Emergency: 911

·       Red Day and Green Day parking hotline: 775-833-5555

·       Washoe County services and Where's My Plow: 311

·       Road conditions and chain controls: 511 or NVRoads.com

·       Waste Management (bear-resistant carts): 775-831-2971

·       Nevada Department of Wildlife bear line: 775-688-BEAR

·       BEAR League, 24 hours: 530-525-PAWS

·       Casa Tua, Sabrina Belleci: 775.354.9745

Get the printable checklist with space to write in your own snow removal, caretaker, and neighbor contacts (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

When should I prepare my Incline Village home for winter?

Start in September and finish by early November. Snow removal contracts, irrigation blowouts, furnace service, and chimney cleaning all book up quickly once the first storm is in the forecast. Winter parking restrictions in Incline Village and Crystal Bay begin October 1.

What are Red Days and Green Days in Incline Village?

They are Washoe County's winter parking rules for Incline Village and Crystal Bay. On Red Days, parking on the street is illegal so plows can clear the roads. On Green Days, normal parking resumes. Call 775-833-5555 or check the county's online map for the current status.

How warm should I keep a vacant Lake Tahoe home in winter?

Keep the heat at 50 to 55 degrees or higher. Add a smart thermostat and low-temperature sensors so you get an alert if the heat fails, and make sure someone local knows where the main water shut-off is.

Do I need snow tires to live in Incline Village?

Most locals run dedicated winter tires from late October or early November through spring and carry chains for chain controls. In Nevada, studded tires are legal from October 1 through April 30. Check NVRoads.com or dial 511 before driving the Mt. Rose Highway in a storm.

How do I keep bears out of my trash in Incline Village?

Use a locking metal bear box or rent an animal-resistant cart from Waste Management at 775-831-2971. Put trash out only on collection day, and never store trash, pet food, or groceries in your garage or car.

Why do I need to keep vents clear of snow?

Furnace, water heater, and dryer vents need open air to exhaust safely. When snow buries them, exhaust, including carbon monoxide, can back up into the house. Clear them after every storm and test your carbon monoxide detectors.

Can Casa Tua recommend local snow removal or home watch services?

Yes. Our team keeps a list of trusted local pros for snow removal, roof shoveling, heat tape, chimney sweeping, HVAC, and home watch. Call or text Sabrina Belleci at 775.354.9745.

NEED A REFERRAL? WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU.

We live here, we work here, and we have been through a lot of Tahoe winters. Our team knows the ins and outs of every season in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, and we keep a list of local pros we trust. Whether you need a snow removal crew, a roof shoveler, a chimney sweep, or someone to check on the house while you are away, call or text us. You don't need to be buying or selling. We're here to help.

Sabrina Belleci | License #B.1001929 | [email protected] | 775.354.9745

Sabrina Belleci Team | Inside Incline | Casa Tua

www.insideincline.com | @insideinclinevillage

Casa Tua, meaning "your home," is Incline Village's boutique luxury brokerage, curated by Founder Sabrina Belleci, formerly of RE/MAX North Lake. Same trusted team, with a brand built for how our clients live: intentional, design driven, and deeply connected to place. We don't just sell homes. We help our clients build legacies at Lake Tahoe.