Residents of western Nevada County have the benefit of living in proximity to one of the most diverse and high-quality winter recreational areas in North America. From sledding with children to adventurous overland snowmobiling treks through national forest land to accessing some of the most challenging downhill ski terrain on the North American continent, it’s all within an hour and a half drive. “It’s sweet,” said Elijah Herlitz, 19, a ski technician at Mountain Recreation, an outdoor recreation retail outlet in Grass Valley. “There are lots of really good resorts in the area. You can go night skiing at a …