Will you have a rental car? If yes, make sure you are allowed to put on chains if needed.

"<i>we can drive in snow</i>" That isn't the issue - it is whether or not chains are required. rental cars and snow chains just don't mix. Unless you plan on renting a 4wd. And even then, sometimes the CHP screens cars to see if they are carrying chains -- which presumably you won't have. If you were out here today -- right now chains are required on all trans-Sierra highways.

But it is much too early to worry about that - the last week of March could be warm and dry over the summit.

I am the expert on Dodge Ridge! That should be a three hour drive on the weekend. You take 580 through Tracy which is where the traffic would bog down on a weekday but not on the weekend. There is so much snow up there right now (and tons falling as I type) so definitely there will still be some in March. The place others are thinking of for snow play is Long Barn, along 108. But please please please be aware that that is a HIGHWAY and there are cars whizzing by when you're unloading and loading. I see people so far into the roadway all the time there and it's just so dangerous. There is no tubing at Dodge, unfortunately.