#31 in Best Ski Resorts in the USA
As one of the oldest resorts in the state, Sugar Bowl served as a pioneer in the California ski industry, opening the state’s first chair lift and the west coast’s first gondola.
Spread across four peaks and 1,500 acres, Sugar Bowl accommodates the beginning level skier to those seeking more of a challenge. And, with 500 inches of snow dumping onto the mountain per season, you can expect some great powder.
Whether you are just starting to ski and you need one-on-one help, or you prefer to learn in a group setting, Sugar Bowl Ski School provides lessons that fit every need. If you are traveling with children, the ski school will teach those as young as 4 years old.
Sugar Bowl Resort opens around the end of December and closes for the season around mid-April. But, these times are subject to change depending on weather and snowfall. You will find the least amount of snowfall during the months of December and April and then you will catch the most snowfall of the season from January-February.
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Where to staySkip the commute and book a room at the ski-in/ski-out hotel, The Hotel at Sugar Bowl . Just a gondola ride away from the slopes, this alpine lodge oozes old-world European charm. Aside from slope-side convenience, the hotel is ideal for relaxation with a steamy hot tub and sauna. Just minutes from the resort, Clair Tappaan Lodge , nestled in the rustic woods on Donner Pass, offers affordable rates and year-round recreational activities such as volleyball and cross-country skiing. Located in the mountain town of Truckee, just 25 minutes from Sugar Bowl Resort, you will find Cedar House Sport Hotel , a luxurious mountain retreat that offers a fine dining restaurant and free yoga classes.
Where to eatSugar Bowl Resort houses a variety of on-mountain dining choices . At the Sugar Bowl Village, you will find the Dining Room at Village Lodge serving fresh, healthy options like seared salmon and kale salad. You can enjoy salads, burgers, and bread bowls at Nob Hill Cafe, and grilled sandwiches at Nob Hill BBQ on the Deck, which is only open on weekends and holidays. Make your way over to the Mid-Mountain area for further dining options like Mid-Mountain BBQ, on the deck of the Mid-Mountain Lodge or Judah Deck BBQ at Judah Lodge, where you can also enjoy breakfast burritos and pizza at Sierra Vista Bar & Grill, or locally crafted sausages at Summit Haus.
How to get thereReno International Airport is about an hour away from Sugar Bowl, while Sacramento International Airport is about two hours away. There is no shuttle service in the area, so you will need to rent a car at the airport to get to and around Sugar Bowl Ski Resort.
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| Donner Ski Ranch | Boreal Mountain | Soda Springs | Tahoe Donner |
Palisades Tahoe
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical Drop (ft) | 750 | 500 | 550 | 600 | 2,850 |
| Skiable Area (ac) | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| Number of Trails | 52 | 41 | 15 | 17 | 170 |
| READ MORE | READ MORE | READ MORE | READ MORE | READ MORE |
