Sugar Bowl Ski Resort
Sitting on the slopes above and south of Donner Summit, the mountain includes 4 peaks and tons of snow. Sugar Bowl was founded by Walt Disney over 60 years ago and continues his tradition of superior customer service.
...location of the first chairlift in California and the first gondola in the Nation
Today: 7 quads (4 high speed express), 3 doubles, 1 surface lift, 1 gondola
DESCRIPTION:
The area is noted for its rich history and classic ambiance. It was the location of the first chairlift in California and the first gondola in the Nation. Since the early 1990s it has undergone a continuous modernizing with additional improvements.
| Parking Elevation: | 6883 feet | Base Elevation: | 6883 feet | Summit Elevation: | 8383 feet |
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| Description | Four mounain peaks, Mt Lincoln, Mt Disney, Crows Peak and Mt Judah form the backbone of the ski area. |
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| Snowfall | 500 inches | Season | Mid-November through April | ||
| Parking: | Ski Area Parking | Skiable Area | 1500 acres | Groomed | Yes | Terain Park | Yes |
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| Snowmaking | 25% of the mountain is covered by equipment including a fully automated system that adjusts to changing weather. Sugar Bowl has also installed a system that super cools the water to make higher quality snow in warmer conditions. 500 acres, 1/3 of the mountain is groomed. |
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| Runs | 84 | Beginner | 17% | Intermediate | 45% | Expert | 38% |
| Description | Vertical drop: 1500 feet. |
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| Lifts | 12 | Types | 7 quads (4 high speed express), 3 doubles, 1 surface lift, 1 gondola |
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| Contact(s) | Contact Phone: 530-426-9000 |
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| Website(s) | www.sugarbowl.com |
DIRECTIONS:
To Sugar Bowl Ski Resort
From San Francisco/Bay Area/Sacramento Valley: Take Interstate-80 east to the Norden/Soda Springs Exit. Follow the Donner Park Road (old Highway 40) east toward Donner Pass. There are two parking areas on the rightjust before reaching the summit.
From Reno, Nevada: Take Interstate-80 west to the Norden/Soda Springs Exit. Follow the Donner Park Road (old Highway 40) east toward Donner Pass. There are two parking areas on the right just before reaching the summit. Follow the signs.
ACTIVITIES:
Alpine Downhill Skiing (Rating: Best)
Four high-speed quad lifts carry skiers rapidly up to the top of any of four mountain peaks. With a routine 40 feet of snowfall every year, Mother Nature usually provides more than enough. For leaner years or getting earlier starts, 25% of the mountain is covered by snowmaking equipment including the fully automated system that adjusts to changing weather. Sugar Bowl has also installed a system that super cools the water to make higher quality snow in warmer conditions.
Snow Play (Rating: Best)
For beginners and children, Sugar Bowl has sculpted out a dedicated family park on Nob Hill within eyesight of the Village Lodge deck.
Snowboarding (Rating: Best)
With two major parks on the Golden Gate and Cold Stream runs, accessible in six minutes on the Mt. Judah Express chairlift skiers enjoy a wide variety of quarter and half pipes to hit plus tables, spines and hips in both parks. The superpipe is framed by spectacular backdrops of Sugar Bowl’s renowned Palisades. An intermediate, fun-for-all park on Buena Vista also offers an extensive array of terrain features.
Nordic Cross-country Skiing (Rating: Exceptional)
Although there are no cross-country trails set aside at Sugar Bowl, they have an agreement with their neighbor to the west, the Royal Gorge Cross-country Ski Resort. Cross-country skiers can park at Royal Gorge and follow several choices of connecting trails from Summit Station to the Sugar Bowl Café. For the return, skiers can choose other options to make a nice loop. Skiers can also take Sugar Bowl’s tram out to the parking lot and ride a courtesy bus back to the Royal Gorge Cross-country Ski Resort.
The arrangement does not permit parking at Sugar Bowl and skiing down to Royal Gorge.
