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.

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 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.

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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