Royal Gorge Cross-country Ski Resort
Royal Gorge is the largest cross-country ski resort in North America and it grooms more miles of trail than any other resort in North America. It has been ranked as “number one” by Snow Country Magazine and the reasons are obvious.
There are two full scale and romantic trailside lodges, plus...
Skiable Terrain: 9172 acres. Yes, over 9000! Including 10 warming huts and 4 trailside cafes.
DESCRIPTION:
This is a place to spend a day or a week so you can enjoy several of the trailside lodges. There are two full scale and romantic trailside lodges, plus a convenient day lodge, as well as 10 trailside warming huts and four trailside cafes.
| Parking Elevation: | 7000 feet | Base Elevation: | 7000 feet | Summit Elevation: | 7400 feet |
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| Description | There are two parking areas: Lake Van Norden and the Summit Station |
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| Snowfall | 600 inches | Season | Late November - April | ||
| Parking: | Plowed with no fees | Skiable Area | 9172 acres | Groomed | Yes | Terain Park | No |
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| Snowmaking | Snowmaking covers 15 kilometers of trail. |
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| Runs | 90 Trails | Beginner | 31% | Intermediate | 49% | Expert | 20% |
| Description | Novice trails: 28 |
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| Lifts | 4 | Types | The four surface lifts operate only on weekends and holidays. |
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| Contact(s) | 1-800-500-3871 or |
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| Website(s) | www.royalgorge.com |
DIRECTIONS:
To Royal Gorge Cross-country Ski Resort
From San Francisco/Bay Area/Sacramento Valley: Drive east on Interstate 80 (1 ½ hours from Sacramento) to the Soda Springs/Norden exit. Turn south and follow the Donner Lake Road (old Highway 40) to Summit Station and the flashing traffic light. Turn right and follow for ¾ mile.
From Reno: Drive west on Interstate 80 for 45 minutes to the Soda Springs/Norden exit. Turn south and follow the Donner Lake Road (old Highway 40) to Summit Station and the flashing traffic light. Turn right and follow for ¾ mile.
ACTIVITIES:
Nordic Cross-country Skiing (Rating: Exceptional)
The largest cross-country ski resort in America also has the world's largest cross-country grooming fleet, 4 surface lifts, 15 kilometers of snowmaking, ten warming huts, 4 trailside cafes, two inns, and a first class daylodge. Then add 600 inches of snow a year plus spectacular scenery. What else needs to be said?
For one…there’s Royal Gorge’s added perk of groomed trail links to its neighbor, the Sugar Bowl Ski Area. Several trails connect from Summit Station to the Sugar Bowl Café and skiers can select other trails for returning loop options that match their skill levels. On weekends and holidays, skiers can ride the Sugar Bowl tram out to the parking lot and catch the shuttle bus back to Royal Gorge.
