This story is part of our January 2026 issue. To read the print version, click here.



The familiar ritual for ski season begins as skis and snowboards
clatter against one another as they’re packed into the car. The
cold nips tiny noses and the kids take their seats, with no time
to change out of their PJs. Backpacks are fully loaded with
snacks, beanies and mittens. We double-check the chains, cue up
the playlist and head east on Interstate 80 toward the snow.

From Sacramento, the drive to ski country is not long but not
exactly short, especially when you’re trying to beat both the
crowds and the weather. Our family usually aims for that sweet
spot of “early but not miserable.” While we pack plenty of
protein shakes, potty breaks and food are a necessity (especially
with small children) if we are all going to have a good time.

That’s where Auburn comes in.

Signs attempt to lure Tahoe-bound drivers to the Gold Rush
attractions of Auburn. (Shutterstock photo)

Perched in the foothills, Auburn has the same kind of Gold Rush
nostalgia you’ll find in other small towns surrounding
Sacramento, but this one sits conveniently right off the freeway,
about 45 minutes outside of the city. We don’t always have time
for a sit-down breakfast, but when we do, our favorite treat is
to catch the bacon flight at Awful Annie’s.

Yes, you read that correctly.

On this famed flight, each strip of bacon comes with its own
personality. One is glistening with cinnamon sugar crumbles that
fall away with the first bite. Another, “Sweet Thai,” is coated
in a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce with chili flakes gently
sprinkled in, making you question everything you ever knew about
bacon. Then there’s one with a spicy jalapeño rub, which is just
hot enough to wake up your taste buds. And despite sitting in
rank with such interesting contenders, their classic “Smoked
Cherry” rubbed bacon strip holds its own.

Awful Annie’s is the kind of place where regulars have their
names written across the backs of their bar chairs. Cozy
blue-checkered tablecloths cover the tables. The walls are lined
with trophies, plaques and signs proudly touting their many
awards, especially for that bacon flight. The bar menu reads like
a love letter to small-town comfort: Bloody Marys piled high with
garnish, pomegranate mimosas and Irish coffee that warms you up
from the inside out.

Between bites of bacon and sips of coffee (or a brunch cocktail
if you’re not the one driving), the whole day starts to feel
different. The kids settle in with strawberry waffles, the adults
get properly caffeinated, and the frantic energy of the early
morning smooths out.

Of course, not every ski morning calls for a full sit-down
breakfast. Sometimes you’ve timed the weather just right, or
you’re running a little behind, and the idea of table service is
just too much. On those days, we find our way to Baked & Brewed.

Baked & Brewed is located in Auburn’s “New Town” across from the
historic State Theater.

Baked & Brewed sits right at the bottom of what locals call “New
Town,” a play on the more newly developed downtown that is right
up yonder from the kitsch mining architecture of “Old Town.” Old
Town, once a cameo in John Travolta’s 1990 cult classic,
“Phenomenon,” has a vibe all to its own. Baked & Brewed sits at
the corner of Lincoln Way and High Street. It’s a small spot
across the street from Auburn State Theater.

At this stop, you’ll usually find the smell of fresh bagels
filling the air and some of the heartiest bagel sandwiches you
can find. Our favorite sausage-and-egg sandwich is “The Miner,”
with a hot jack bagel — the perfect on-the-go food to eat in the
car or in the parking lot at the ski resort.

So what’s our ski destination of choice? While many Tahoe-bound
travelers aim straight for the resorts off Highway 50, there’s a
slightly lesser-known gem tucked off I-80: Sugar Bowl. It’s
typically a little more affordable than some of the larger, more
famous resorts and often feels less crowded, especially on
non-holiday weekends (if you get there early) or during the week.

Writer Melissa LuVisi rides the ski lift with her husband, Dr.
Stephen Sosnicki, at Sugar Bowl Resort. (Photo by Melissa LuVisi)

Sugar Bowl has two great lodges. One overlooks the mountains,
with sweeping views that make even non-skiers happy to hang out
by the windows. Inside, you’ll find a lively bar and plenty of
cozy corners to warm up between runs. The terrain offers
something for everyone, from confident kids and new skiers to
those who live for powder stashes and tree runs. It all adds up
to a mountain that feels approachable for a day trip, rather than
a production you need a full weekend to justify.

Put it all together, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect
winter ritual. By the time you pull into the parking lot, you’re
warm, fed and ready to clip into your bindings.

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