NOAA Tahoe City averages about 179 inches of snow a seasonFreeze-thaw Tahoe City averages about 171 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataChain controls Caltrans posts R1, R2 and R3 chain controls on I-80 and U.S. 50Lake Tahoe Caltrans uses brine, salt and low-fines sand in the basin under a lake clarity planEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itNOAA Tahoe City averages about 179 inches of snow a seasonFreeze-thaw Tahoe City averages about 171 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataChain controls Caltrans posts R1, R2 and R3 chain controls on I-80 and U.S. 50Lake Tahoe Caltrans uses brine, salt and low-fines sand in the basin under a lake clarity planEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

Plow trucks and a loader working a snowy mountain-town street at dusk, lodges and tall pines on both sides
Chains, tires, shovels & ice melt · Truckee & Tahoe

Chains on, walks clear, cabin ready before the next storm.

Tire chains, shovels, roof rakes and ice melt for cabin owners, plus bulk and lake-safe deicers for resorts, HOAs, lodging and property managers in Truckee, Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Olympic Valley and Northstar.

  • Store firstChains, tires, shovels and ice melt
  • Lake-safe optionsLower-chloride products near the water
  • Bulk for resortsDelivered loads for big lots and HOAs
Urgent salt request

How much, where, and when?

When do you need it?

No obligation. Availability and pricing are confirmed on your quote. Planning a whole season instead?

Cabin owner store

Gear up before the chain controls go up

Contractor-picked tire chains, snow socks, shovels, roof rakes and ice melt on Amazon. Check your owner's manual before buying chains.

Tire chains & socksChains, cables and snow socks for cars, trucks and SUVs. Check your manual for fitment.Shovels & pushersPushers, scoops and deck shovels for heavy Sierra snow.Roof rakesPull snow off eaves and decks from the ground.Ice melt by the bagPet- and plant-friendlier melts for steps, decks and entrances.Snow blowersTwo-stage machines for deep, heavy snow.Emergency kitsCar kits and power for storm closures.

Open the store

Lake-safe deicing

Protecting Tahoe blue

ProductChlorideNotes
Rock saltHighCheapest, but chloride and fines reach the lake. Use sparingly.
BrineLower total usePre-treating cuts how much salt you need.
CMA (calcium magnesium acetate)NoneChloride-free; slower and costlier. Good near water.
Potassium acetateNoneLiquid, chloride-free; used on sensitive surfaces.
Low-fines sandNoneTraction only; fine particles affect clarity, so sweep it up.

General information. Check Truckee, Placer County, TRPA and South Lake Tahoe rules for your site.

Sierra winters

Huge snow, more freeze-thaw than anywhere we cover

Truckee and North Tahoe get massive storms and cross freezing nearly every day of the season.

Loader and plow truck working blue treated salt on a snowy mountain road through tall pines and granite peaks

~179 inches

Tahoe City averages about 179 inches of snow a season.

~171 freeze-thaw days

Tahoe City averages about 171 days a year that cross freezing in our count of NOAA records.

Lake clarity rules

Caltrans uses brine, salt and low-fines sand in the basin under a pollutant-load plan.

Permits in South Lake

South Lake Tahoe requires a permit before applying abrasives or deicers on city streets.

Summarized from Caltrans/State Water Board documents, TRPA, the City of South Lake Tahoe code, Town of Truckee and NOAA data. General information, not legal advice.

Chains, shovels, ice melt and bulk deicer for Truckee, North Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. Tell us the tons and the date, and we'll confirm availability and price on your quote.

Ice control is safety work. A timely, documented program protects people and shows reasonable care. Colored treated salt makes every application visible.

Bulk salt, treated salt, brine and pallets

Everything a snow and ice crew, property manager or city crew puts down, sold by the ton, the gallon or the pallet.

Bulk rock salt

Bulk rock salt

Plain sodium chloride by the ton. The workhorse for lots and roads above about 15°F.

More →
Custom treated & colored rock salt

Custom treated & colored rock salt

Rock salt coated with liquid deicer and dye. Works colder, bounces less, and shows where it went.

More →
Liquid deicer & brine

Liquid deicer & brine

Anti-icing before the storm and pre-wetting at the spreader. By the gallon or tanker.

More →
Bagged salt & ice melt

Bagged salt & ice melt

Bagged rock salt, ice melt blends, mag and calcium chloride and pet-safe melt, by the pallet or the bag.

More →

California Snow & Ice Guide Snow & ice equipment, tires & chains

Yellow wheel loader scooping blue treated salt from a big pile below snowy mountains
Bulk for resorts and HOAs

Big lots need bulk

Resorts, HOAs, lodging and property managers can get bulk material delivered, plus lake-safe options for sites near the water.

  • Plow before you salt, every pass
  • Treat ramps, entrances and shaded drives first
  • Brine ahead of the storm so the first push comes up clean

Ice control is safety work

Every lot, sidewalk and loading dock you treat is somebody's walk to work, a delivery driver's path, a patient's ride to the clinic door. Ice control protects people first and property second. It's also how contractors and owners show they took reasonable care when a slip-and-fall claim shows up months later.

People

Ice on walks, steps and entrances is where falls happen. Getting material down before the freeze and keeping it working through the storm is the whole job.

Liability and claims

A documented, timely application program is one of the strongest positions a contractor or property owner can be in when a claim is filed. Colored treated salt helps: you can see it was applied, and so can a photo.

Property

The right material at the right rate protects concrete, landscaping, vehicles and buildings. Over-applying wastes money and does damage. Under-applying leaves ice.

Crew clearing snow from a city sidewalk in winter

This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Ask your insurer and attorney what records they want you to keep.

Deicer chemistry

Salt, mag, calcium or potassium?

Four chlorides do almost all the work on California pavement. The right one depends on pavement temperature, the surface and what's growing next to it.

NaClSodium chlorideRock salt. Lowest cost; slows sharply below about 15°F pavement.
MgCl₂Magnesium chlorideWorks colder, commonly cited to about −5°F to −10°F; often gentler on plants.
CaCl₂Calcium chlorideThe cold specialist, commonly cited to about −20°F to −25°F. Fastest; follow label rates.
KClPotassium chlorideWeak in real cold (best above about 20°F–25°F); gentler on plants.

Treated salt is rock salt pre-coated with one of these liquids so it works colder, starts faster and bounces less. Dyed or colored material doesn't melt better; it proves where you applied, which matters when a liability claim arrives.

Full deicer comparison table

Wheel loader filling a truck with bulk material inside a large covered storage building

2 a.m. loading on big storm nights

Storms don't keep office hours. When a major event is forecast, loading hours stretch so contractors can refill spreaders and V-boxes at 2 a.m. instead of waiting until morning, when the lots are already glazed.

Seasonal contract customers get first place in line when supplies get tight. Ask about storm loading in your quote.

See pre-buy and seasonal contracts

Treated and colored rock salt, our featured product

Plain rock salt, coated with liquid deicer and dye. The liquid gets it working colder and faster and keeps it from bouncing off the pavement. The dye shows exactly where it went, so your crew stops over-applying, your client can see the lot was done, and a dated photo backs up your records if a slip-and-fall claim shows up months later.

How it's made and why

Large salt stockpile and conveyor at a bulk salt yard
Storm-priority list

Get in line before the storm, not during it

When a big event is on the radar, the people already on our list hear from us first: material availability, loading hours, and a heads-up text before the storm. Free, no contract, and you can drop off anytime.

Specialty de-icing

Signature blends for California lots

Beyond plain rock salt: treated, colored and specialty materials made for the conditions California crews actually face. Each one is built for a job, from cold-snap lots to clinic entrances.

Signature

Glacier Blue

Treated & colored rock salt

Base
Plain rock salt (sodium chloride)
Treatment
Magnesium chloride liquid, sprayed and blended at the yard
Color
Blue dye, so you can see coverage
Working range
Keeps working below the ~15°F point where plain rock salt stalls. How far depends on the blend
Application
Start at your quote/label rate and calibrate. Treated salt usually lets crews cut back from plain-salt rates
Best for
Commercial lots, medical and retail walks: anywhere proof of service matters
Sold as
Bulk by the ton, delivered or loaded
Signature

Evergreen

Ag-blend treated rock salt

Base
Plain rock salt
Treatment
Agricultural (beet-juice style) liquid blend
Color
Green tint
Working range
Colder and faster than plain rock salt; less bounce and scatter
Application
Calibrate to what you see on the pavement
Best for
Routine events on lots and drives where you want less waste
Sold as
Bulk by the ton
Cold specialist

Arctic Cal

Calcium chloride

Chemistry
Calcium chloride pellets or flake
Working range
Commonly cited to around −20°F to −25°F
Speed
Fastest of the common deicers; gives off heat as it dissolves
Application
Follow the label rate. Overuse can leave a slick residue
Best for
The coldest days, steps and entrances
Sold as
50 lb bags, by the pallet or the bag
Blend

Polar Mag

Magnesium chloride

Chemistry
Magnesium chloride flake or liquid
Working range
Commonly cited to around −5°F to −10°F
Plants and concrete
Generally gentler on plants than rock salt at normal rates
Application
Follow the label rate
Best for
Walks near landscaping, cold snaps, salt treatment
Sold as
Bags by the pallet; liquid by the gallon or tote
Liquid

Clearline Brine

Salt brine & liquid deicer

Chemistry
Sodium chloride brine; blended liquids on request
Use
Anti-icing before the storm, pre-wetting at the spreader, direct liquid on light events
Working range
Brine works best on warmer pavement. Blends with mag or calcium chloride go colder
Application
Calibrate sprayers to the job; don't apply ahead of rain that will wash it off
Best for
Big lots and routes, and keeping snow from bonding
Sold as
By the gallon, tote or tanker
Walks

Walk-Safe

Pet-safe & blended ice melt

Chemistry
Blended and pet-safe ice melts (varies by product; check the label)
Use
Walks, steps, entrances, apartments, clinics
Application
Hand spreader or walk-behind at the label rate
Best for
High-foot-traffic doors and anywhere dogs walk
Sold as
Bags, by the pallet or the bag

Signature names are our product lines. Exact liquids, dyes and pack sizes depend on season and supply; your written quote lists the blend. Temperature ranges are commonly cited practical ranges, not guarantees. Follow product labels.

How we treat and color salt Choosing a deicer by temperature

Public works

Backup salt for public works

Mountain towns and districts buy material through public contracts. When supply runs low mid-season, ask for bulk or lake-safe products by quote.

Public works resupply Request a quote

Large white salt stockpiles at a bulk salt facility
Big operations

Fleets, city yards and multi-site contracts

Running a city yard, a multi-site contract or a lineup of plow trucks and loaders across Truckee and Lake Tahoe? Lock in your season's tons before the first storm. We quote bulk rock salt and treated salt by the load or by the season, and confirm availability and price on your quote.

Loader at a blue salt pile in falling snow
Loader working a blue salt pile under snowy peaks on a clear morning

Plan a season pre-buy Public works resupply

Images are illustrative.

More than a salt yard

Learn it, gear up, watch the radar

Learn

California Snow & Ice Guide

Pavement vs. air temps, eutectic points, rates per 1,000 sq ft, brine, pre-wet, refreeze and liability records, with a tonnage calculator.

Open the guide → Gear up

Snow & ice store

Contractor picks for spreaders, sprayers, pushers, tires and chains, ice choppers, heaters, safety and warm gear, plus wholesale pricing on commercial gear.

Shop contractor picks → Watch

Storm Center

Live NWS radar, 7-day forecasts for Truckee, Tahoe City, South Lake Tahoe, California winter alerts and NOAA's winter outlook.

Check the radar →

No salt barn? No problem.

Most snow contractors don't have covered storage. So they buy a few tons at a time, burn hours driving to the yard between pushes, and run short right when the storm peaks.

Bulk delivery fixes it. Material gets dropped at your shop, your lot or the customer's site in loads sized to the season. Pair it with storm-night loading for top-offs, and your trucks spend the night spreading instead of waiting in line.

  • Drops sized to your space: a few tons on a pad, a tarp-covered pile or a full semi load
  • Scheduled refills through the season, so you're never chasing material
  • Extended loading hours during major snow events
  • Bagged pallets delivered with the bulk for walks and entrances
Dump truck driving down a snow-covered rural road in winter
Software & tools

Snow software, sorted by what it's best at

Snow software is good at different things. We grouped the tools by strength, so you can pick the one that fits how you run.

Estimating & biddingSatellite takeoffs and fast proposals.Crew & time trackingGPS clock-ins and who's where.Subcontractor managementRoutes, subs and service proof in one system.All-in-onePlan, dispatch, prove and bill.

Compare snow software Read our Yeti overview

Who we supply

Snow and ice contractors

Bulk and treated salt by the ton, brine for pre-treating, and pallets for walks. Delivered or loaded, with fall pre-buy pricing. Pre-buy →

Property managers and HOAs

Material for in-house crews, pallets for entrances and a steady supply plan for the season, so your walks never go untreated.

Cities, counties and schools

Emergency resupply when your supply runs short mid-season, plus seasonal contracts. Public works →

Delivery area

Truckee and North Lake Tahoe first, South Lake Tahoe by quote.

TruckeeNorth Lake TahoeTahoe CityKings BeachOlympic ValleyNorthstarSouth Lake TahoeAll delivery areas →

Straight answers

Do I need my own salt storage to buy bulk?

No. That's the point of delivery. Bulk salt can be dropped in loads sized to your season and your site, so you aren't buying a barn or making a run every storm. Tell us your tons per season and where you plow, and the quote will spell out drop sizes and timing.

Can I load out during a storm, at night?

Storm-night loading is part of the service. When a big event is coming, loading hours are extended so contractors can top off trucks and spreaders when they actually need material. Ask about storm loading when you request your quote.

What is the minimum order?

It depends on the product and whether it's pickup or delivery. Pickup can be as small as a spreader load. Delivered bulk usually has a minimum. Your written quote will list it.

What do R1, R2 and R3 chain controls mean?

Caltrans chain controls: R1 means chains or snow tires are required (chains carried); R2 means chains are required except on 4WD/AWD with snow tires (chains carried); R3 means chains are required on all vehicles. Check Caltrans QuickMap before you drive.

Are studded tires legal in California?

Yes, seasonally, generally November 1 through April 30 (Vehicle Code 27454). Check current rules.

What's lake-safe deicing?

Near Lake Tahoe, agencies limit salt and fine sand because both affect lake clarity. Lower-chloride products such as CMA or potassium acetate, used at the right rate, are common alternatives. Ask us for options.

Do you work with cities, counties and school districts?

Yes. Public works crews can request a quote for emergency resupply when their own supply runs short mid-season, or for a seasonal contract. See the public works resupply page.

Why do the prices on this site say estimate?

Because they are. The ranges come from public bid results and published price lists. Your price depends on product, tons, delivery distance and timing. Only a written quote is a price.

Does ice control really cut slip-and-fall risk?

Timely, documented ice control is one of the main things a property owner or contractor can do to keep people from getting hurt and to show they took reasonable care. It doesn't replace good judgment, inspection or your insurance advice, but it is the job.

California Deicing Supply badge

Safe roads to Tahoe; may the lake stay clear and blue.

Proudly serving California

Built for California winters

Bulk salt, treated salt, brine and gear for the snow crews, property managers and public works who keep Truckee and Lake Tahoe moving all winter.

Get a quote See where we deliver

Coming soon: California Deicing Supply Gear. Caps, hoodies, tees and beanies with this badge. See it in the store →

Talk to real snow people

Get a wholesale quote

Talk to people who've run plows at 3 a.m. We know what it's like when the shed is empty, the radar is lit up and your clients expect dry walks by 7. Tell us what you need, and you'll get a straight answer and a written quote, not a sales pitch.

  • Fast delivery. Bulk dropped at your site, sized to your season, so you don't need a salt barn.
  • Storm-night loading. Extended loading hours when a big event hits.
  • Storm-priority list. Get in line for resupply before the storm, not during it.
  • See it first. Ask for a yard visit and see the treated salt in person.
  • Fall pre-buy and seasonal contracts. Lock in tons before the first flake.

Quotes are answered by a wholesale supplier serving Truckee, North Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. Final prices, minimums and delivery area are on your written quote.

Contractor quote

Wholesale bulk de-icing material. Takes about a minute.

Products
Delivery or pickup
Make it easy on yourself
Thanks. Your request was sent. Expect a written quote soon.

No obligation. Your details are used only to answer this request.

Share this page TextFacebook XLinkedIn Email
Need salt now? Get a quote