Sugar Bowl

Big snow and a car-free village on Donner Summit.

Founded in 1939 and still independent, Sugar Bowl sits on Donner Summit and catches Pacific storms first, averaging about 500 inches. Four peaks, real steeps and a slopeside village you reach only by gondola, with a new Village Gondola this season. Royal Gorge’s groomed cross-country trails are part of the resort.

The mountain

Vertical drop

1,500 ft

Summit

8,383 ft

Skiable terrain

1,650 acres

Trails

105

Lifts

12

Average snowfall

500″ a year

Longest run

3 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 14%
• Intermediate 42%
• Advanced 44%

What’s here besides skiing

• Terrain park
• Snow tubing
• Cross-country
• Snowshoeing
• Spa
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• EventOct 31–Nov 1

  Tube-or-Treat

  Halloween tubing on machine-made snow with a DJ, trick-or-treating and a costume contest.

• Opening dayNov 27

  Opening Day

  Targeted start of the season, conditions permitting.

• Pond skimLate April (annual)Usually

  Pond Skim

  Costumed skim across a pond in the Village, then music on the Village deck.

Where to stay

• ski-in/ski-outThe Village Lodge at Sugar Bowl

  Historic 27-room lodge in a car-free village you reach by gondola. Walt Disney was a regular.

  Slopeside$239 / night · Smallest rooms; most rooms $269–449
• lodgeLoch Leven Lodge

  Small lakeside lodge on Donner Lake.

  15 min drive
• condoSugar Bowl vacation rentals

  Homes and condos in and around the Village, booked through the resort.

  Slopeside
• b&bDonner Lake Inn

  Small B&B near Donner Lake with breakfast and a hot tub.

  15 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Royal Gorge Cross Country · 5 min drive

  More than 100 km of groomed skate and classic trails, plus snowshoe routes.

• Sugar Rush Tubing · On site

  Ten tubing lanes with a covered carpet, plus a snow play area for small kids.

• Sporthaus yoga and massage · In the Village

  Yoga classes and massage open to all guests in the Village.

• Yarrow · In the Village

  Seasonal California cooking in the Village Lodge. Check it has reopened after the lodge renovation.

• Backcountry gates · On mountain

  Gated access to Sierra backcountry for skiers with the gear and training.

Après and nightlife

• Judah Bar

  Sun-deck bar outside the Main Lodge.

• Palisades Smoke Kitchen + Bar

  Barbecue downstairs and a bar upstairs at the Mid Mountain Lodge.

• The Belt Room

  Historic Village Lodge bar, reopening after the lodge renovation.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) · about 50 min drive
• Sacramento · about 1.5 hr
• San Francisco · about 3 hr

Directions in Google Maps