Posted By:

Katie Young aka "K2"

A Spoonful of Sugar

So you’re coming to Sugar Bowl Resort and planning to take your first ski or snowboard lesson, how exciting! Taking a ski/snowboard class as a beginner is a great way to learn basic on-the-slope skills and give you more confidence with things like loading on and off the chairlift, how to put your skis or snowboard on, and more. Here are a few tips to prepare for your first day of dipping your toes into the world of skiing/snowboarding.

Before You Show Up

Make sure you show up ready to go! There are a few things you’ll need to do to make sure you’re all set up for your lesson.

1. Reserve your lesson at least 48 hours prior to arrival. All lessons can be booked online or you can also call us for availability at (530) 426-9000. Try to plan at least 2 weeks in advance for weekends, as our lessons do sell out. 

2. Give yourself ample time to get your rental gear and get to your lesson meeting spot. Look for the big white tent near Judah Lodge, that is the Ski Board School Tent.

We recommend at least an hour and a half. Another gentle reminder that the rental shop on weekends is likely to be busy.  Giving yourself plenty of time means you’ll be able to show up to your lesson on time and ready to go.

3. Make sure you’ve got all the clothing you need. Sugar Bowl does not provide any of these with our lesson packages, so you’ll want to pack accordingly. 

• Warm Jacket & Waterproof Pants
• Waterproof Gloves
• Sunglasses or Goggles
• Warm Hat or Beanie
• Good Socks (not cotton, wool is best)

Rentals are available for helmets. Dress in layers, as this helps, so you can add more layers for warmth or remove clothing if you are getting too warm. We also highly recommend wearing and packing some high SPF sunscreen. 

4. Lunch and snacks! Especially if you’re doing a full-day lesson, you’ll want to make sure you have fuel to get you through. Decide ahead of time if you’ll be eating in one of our establishments or if you’d like to pack your own lunch. Our cafes (Judah, Nob Hill and Mid Mountain) offer hearty meals or grab-and-go items that are quick and easy.

What Can You Expect To Learn

Sugar Bowl Resort’s instructors are some of the best around. They are going to make sure that you learn the necessary basic skills to get going on the slopes with a smile on your face. Some of the things you’ll learn:

• Loading onto and off the chairlift safely.
  • Instructors will give demonstrations and have the chairlift slowed down for you.
• How to make turns. What way to point your body, best tactics for staying on your feet and going the speed you’re comfortable with.
• How to stop, which may be the most essential skill!

A lesson is a perfect way to ease into the big world of skiing or snowboarding! Don’t forget to take a few moments during your day to soak in the spectacular view at Sugar Bowl Resort and enjoy your surroundings. It’s not every day you get to frolic on the slopes. We look forward to hosting you and your loved ones during your trip to Tahoe.

Posted By:

Katie Young aka "K2"

What’s in a name? A lot, actually. For many who visit Sugar Bowl, they know the rich ski history that lives here. From famous figures to historical references, founding members and local families, Sugar Bowl’s runs have a lot of meaning behind them. 

This one is a bit of a longer read but honestly so worth the time. Imagine the next chair lift ride up with your buddies, you’ll be the most Sugar Bowl-savvy person on the lift! So let’s take a ski down memory lane and learn the backstory of more than 20 runs at Sugar Bowl Resort.  

[this list was compiled and written by Ken Bergmann with edits by Katie Young]

Bacon’s Gully

Named after the Bacon family, former Sugar Bowl homeowners. The Bacon house has since changed hands a couple times and was just recently resold. No, the new owner doesn’t get the run renamed after them, though it would be an interesting marketing strategy.

Carl’s Nose

Was named for Carl Goldman, the first Professional ski patroller at Sugar Bowl. Carl had a prominent nose, thus the name. Carl was the first of many distinguished patrol directors, a number of whom went on to become resort managers and in a few cases, CEO’s. Other names that followed similar footsteps, Rich Bailey and Rob Kautz. 

Chick’s Challenge

Named for Sherman Chickering, one of the founding board members of Sugar Bowl. Chickering and the Henderson’s (see Henderson’s Bowl) often visited Donner Summit on Southern Pacific’s “Snowball Specials”, a train specifically designated for visiting the winter wonderland of the summit. At the time, there was no Sugar Bowl. The young skiers would ski Soda Springs and stay at the Clair Tappan lodge. Chickering is now the owner of the actual springs for which Soda Springs is named. These springs are located in the American River drainage near the Cedars.

Mt. Disney

Mickey Mouse, Anaheim, Orlando, Epcot Center, Snow White, 101 Dalmatians, Sunday nights at seven, The Wonderful World Of… Founding member of Sugar Bowl. Used to have a house there. You know… the mouse guy.

Donald Duck

A famous animated character created by Walt Disney. His last feature role was as Noah’s assistant in Disney’s Fantasia 2000. Unlike his creator, Donald is still alive and lives a secluded life with his manager/wife Daisy in Laurel Canyon, California. He has three nephews, Huey, Duey and Louie, all of who snowboard and have been frequent visitors of the terrain parks.

Fuller’s Folly

Is named for John Fuller Sr., one of several founding stockholders of the resort. John Fuller Jr. can still be found skiing the run named for his father.

Graydon’s Glades

Chuck Graydon was the authority on the locations of the emigrant trails through the Sierra. He is the author of “First Wagons Over the Sierra” and assisted Sugar Bowl in determining the exact location of the emigrant trails on Judah. He made his career in the U.S. Army and spent the last 20 years researching the history and location of our early pioneers. Mr. Graydon passed away a few years ago.

Harriet’s Hollow

This one is named after Harriet Henderson, wife of Wellington Henderson. (See Henderson’s Bowl). Harriet and Wellington were instrumental in the founding of Sugar Bowl Resort and helped in getting in the first chair lift in California built. Harriet had a love of the outdoors and she was active in environmental causes, actively supporting the Alpine Winter Foundation and the Tahoe Rim Trail among many other causes.

Hellman’s

Named for Sugar Bowl’s lead investor Warren Hellman. Mr. Hellman was a long-time stockholder and a highly respected investment banker in San Francisco. He was known as a very nice guy and a strong supporter of the SBSP.

Henderson’s Bowl

Named for the Henderson Family, original founders and longtime Sugar Bowl residents. Sugar Bowl has seen a number of Hendersons on the slopes. Wellington and Harriet Henderson were early ski pioneers on Donner Summit. They would often visit prior to Sugar Bowl’s inception and take lessons from Bill Klein through the Sierra Club at Clair Tappaan Lodge. The Henderson family has a long and respected relationship with Sugar Bowl and the many people who reside there.

Jerome Hill

Is named for Jerome E. Hill, heir to James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railroad. Independently wealthy, Jerome was the epitome of the Renaissance man. He spoke fluent French, German, Italian and conversational Chinese and Russian. An artist and photographer, his work has been displayed at the Berryhill Gallery in New York and the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. His black and white photographs hung on the walls of Sugar Bowl for many years and he designed the original Sugar Bowl Logo. Jerome is best known for building the Magic Carpet Gondola in 1953. He was the sole owner and charged the public $0.75 for a one-way passage. He owned the Magic Carpet until his death in the mid 1970’s when he willed it to the Alpine Winter Foundation, who later sold it to Sugar Bowl.

Mt. Judah

Was named for Theodore Judah, the engineer who surveyed the original route through the Sierra for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He was known as “Crazy Judah” reflecting the local population’s opinion of his proposed route. Judah lived long enough to get the “Big Four”, Leland Stanford, C.P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker to underwrite the construction costs, but soon became disenchanted with their management. While on a trip to New York to look for new investors, he contracted malaria during the Panama crossing and died. He never witnessed the completion of his dream.

Judah’s original route consists of the abandoned tunnels next to the Judah entrance. The tunnel closest to the Judah Portal is tunnel #6, the longest of all the tunnels blasted by the Chinese laborers. In addition to digging from each end, the crews also blasted a shaft down the middle and worked towards the ends. The crews worked through the winter to complete the project. In the last few decades a new route was blasted straight through Mt. Judah, this tunnel begins around the midpoint of the gondola. From the top of Mt. Judah you can see the trains enter and exit each end of the new tunnel.

Ken’s Couloir

This is named for Ken Kirshemann, Patrol Director in the late 70’s, who had the first descent. A native Alaskan, Ken left patrolling for his homeland and a career as a commercial fisherman. 

Bill Klein’s Schuss

Named for Bill Klein who started a ski school on Donner Summit with his brother Fred in 1936, three years before Sugar Bowl was founded. He eventually opened a ski shop at Sugar Bowl and continued to remain active in the Ski School. The Village Rental Shop was once Klein’s Ski Shop. Bill Klein has had a long and highly respected partnership with Sugar Bowl.

Lonesome Pine

Used to have a single large pine tree bisecting the run. The tree was home to one of several field phones used to call the top lift shack for patrol assistance. Prior to the field phones, the patrol would station a patroller at the top of Disney’s nose with a signal flag who relayed messages from the hotel deck to the top lift shack; primitive but effective. The run’s name has outlasted the lone pine, which died in the 60’s. The stump was removed in the 70’s when Lonesome Pine was widened.

MacTavish

Named by Don Schwartz, general manager in the 60’s. No apparent reason behind the name. Once thought to be the name of a Sugar Bowl family but there is no such name on record. The tradition of naming runs after the founders didn’t start until the late 70’s; a decade after the run gained its moniker.

Mad Dog

Another run named by former Sugar Bowl manager Don Schwartz. Cut in the 70’s, he thought since it was a twisted, off fall-line trail, people would ski it like a “mad dog.”

Market Street and Montgomery

These trails were named for the famous intersection in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district and the employment hub for many of Sugar Bowl’s founders. Odd that the two runs never intersect.

Nancy’s Couloir

Is named for Nancy Hellman Bechtle, former Chairman of the Board of Sugar Bowl Ski Corp. Nancy was a long time supporter of the Sugar Bowl Ski Team and was a key figure in the group’s continued success. She passed away recently just 2021 and her energetic presence is missed by all, but her legacy will always live on at Sugar Bowl.

Otterson’s Scar

Named for Chuck Otterson, Sugar Bowl’s mountain manager circa 1974. Chuck Otterson offered former Sugar Bowl president Rob Kautz his first job. The “scar” was created when Chuck removed the trees with a chainsaw. No EIR’s. no EPA, no NFS, just Chuck and his Chainsaw… ah the good ol’ days.

 ’58

Is named for a four day storm in March of 1958 that deposited 11 feet of snow on the Summit. The snow released along the entire 58 ridgeline, ripping out the trees and thus cutting the run. The avalanche continued down the Silver Belt Gully, tearing out two of the Lincoln lift towers, smashing through the bottom terminal and into the motor room, bending the bull wheel.

Perko’s

Was named in the 70’s by a patrolman named Don Heapes. Don is responsible for naming all the little runs west of Staircase: Hidden Gully, Resolution, Pastoral, etc.

If you’re interested in more about the history of Sugar Bowl, check out the link below!

Posted By:

Katie Young aka "K2"

Meet our new Director of Food and Beverage, Steve Anderson. He has already brought about a number of changes to Sugar Bowl this season, so we sat down with him to learn a little bit about what our taste buds can expect. From a gorgeous new bar at our Mid Mountain Cafe and Bar, to a tantalizing new fine dining menu at The Dining Room, there’s a lot of new tastes to seek out at Sugar Bowl this year. Meet Steve Anderson, the man making it all happen.

How did you end up in the food and beverage industry?

I’ve been in the food and beverage industry since 1989, for 33 years. I had never thought about food as a career but got a job as a dishwasher at this fine dining spot in Pittsburg. Seeing what they were doing in there, the chaos and everything, it really captivated me. I worked there for a few months as a dishwasher and then started helping out with food prepping. Then of course, as often happens in restaurants, a few cooks left and I moved up into that position. 

After that I started working in French, German, Southwestern, fine dining and casual. I got my first kitchen under me in 1995 at the age of 22. I’ve been running high volume restaurants for about 27 years now.

I originally came out to California because my wife is a Class V raft guide. She wanted to come out here to boat and I was a snowboarder so we decided on the Sierra Nevada as a place to move. She said, “Look, I’ll take the summer work while you figure out what you’re going to do.” I actually was food and beverage director for her raft company for a while and also ran an Italian restaurant in Kernville. Then I started working at Northstar during the winters and that’s how I wound up in Tahoe.

What new menu item are you most excited about?

Super excited for Raclette Friday. It’s this melty gooey cheese that we scrape off onto a selection of meats, veggies and warm bread. The venison and the scallops in The Dining Room are also to kill for, hands down. We’ve got a lot going on this year and with some of our other outlets, we really want to up the culinary game.

Over at Judah, there’s a brand new pho and poke station. We will also be doing street tacos out of the Cantina on the sundeck.  The menu has been revamped at Mid Mountain, plus two new full bars up there. The inside and outside deck bars are gorgeous, and I highly recommend stopping there for an afternoon ski break.

Lots of big things are happening at Sugar Bowl this year, what changes are you most looking forward to for F&B department?

Looking forward to all of it, we’ve got a new team of people so we are really moving forward, trying new things and seeing what sticks.  We are actually doing a really cool Nordic Bonfire event for the Villagers which should be fun [unfortunately canceled due to weather]. It’s a four stop food and beverage pair. We want to push the envelope on some events like that and create some epic food and beverage events that really propel food and beverage forward.

Say you have friends or family visiting for a Sugar Bowl ski weekend. You want to treat them to a great home cooked meal after a phenomenal day on the slopes, what are you making? 

We do tons of Asian and Southwest food at home. We love fresh seafood too. That’s kind of our wheelhouse. I love Mexican flavors, Southwestern and a lot of Asian flavors. I mean, there are so many good things you can do with those, it’s what we cook the most of.

Are there any future goals you have for the Food and Beverage Department at Sugar Bowl?

I’d love to open a restaurant at the top of the mountain. It would be amazing to have a flagship, glassed-in dining room up there. That would be a long way out, but I like to dream big.

Posted By:

Jon aka "Flanimal"

Each season we collaborate with Coal Headwear to create a limited edition passholder beanie. This year’s design by Destiny Marquez, who was selected as the people’s favorite during the Head Designer Contest. The winning design features President Lincoln (Mt. Lincoln, get it) on the crown of the colorful headwear. These coveted beanies are given out randomly as a thank you to our most loyal guests. Not everyone will get one, but those who do can show the world their love for our proudly independent resort.

How do I get my hands on one of these beanies?
We do our best to many sure everyone has a chance to get a passholder beanie, so we give them out in several different ways, including:

• Beanie Drops: Announced via email, social and text, we let passholders know what day we are doing a Beanie Drop. Then we send a text message to our Beanie list on the day of the drop, letting you know the location and time. Want on the list? Text PASSHOLDER to 855-835-5599. (Receipt of text alone does not qualify for a beanie. You must be present at the drop and show your valid Sugar Bowl season pass).
  • Beanie Drops are first come, first serve and beanies will be in limited supply at each drop. Once we run out of beanies for that day, we will not give out any more until the next drop.
  • Didn’t get a beanie at the last drop? Don’t worry, we do many throughout the season… midweek, weekends, holidays, morning, afternoon, and après. We mix it up to spread the love evenly.
• Email Vouchers: My sure you are signed up for our emails and keep an eye on the inbox. Each month we randomly select hundreds of passholders to receive a voucher for a beanie. This voucher can be taken to the Village Retail Shop to get your free beanie (and perhaps do some shopping along the way). Join our email list here.
• Just come skiing: We randomly give away beanies out on the mountain on occasions we think are unique, such as events, powder days, first chairs, après and more. You just never know when a beanie might come your way.

Posted By:

Katie Young aka "K2"

Many people may roll out of bed in the morning and immediately check their social media or grab the news paper. But for folks whose hearts beat a little faster at the words ‘fresh powder’ or ‘bluebird day’, you’re immediately pulling up the conditions report for the local resort. Our Snow Reporters know how important this information is to our visitors. They’re up before dawn so you can have the most up-to-date information to plan your visit to The ‘Bowl. 

Meet our new 2022/23 Sugar Bowl Snow Reporters! We are excited to have them on the team and know you’ll see their names throughout the season. So let’s get to know a little bit about them.

Meet Suzanne (aka Suzie Q). She grew up in Granada Hills, California and recently moved to Tahoe from Breckenridge, CO. Suzanne is a ray of sunshine who is always super eager to get some turns in.

You are skiing down pristine slopes of fresh snow, laughing with every turn. All your friends are with you and it’s been the best day. You feel like you’re in a movie, what song is playing as you’re skiing down?

Levitating, Dua Lipa

What is your favorite fact about winter? 

I love that every snowflake is unique – how can that be!

How did you get to be a snow reporter?

I LOVE to ski and have an extensive background in sales and marketing.

What are you most looking forward to while working at Sugar Bowl?

Skinning up Lincoln!

Do any of your previous jobs have connections to snow reporting or the ski industry? 

My last job was at Summit Daily News in Summit County CO.

Meet Jen (aka Jen the Ripper)! Jen grew up in the nearby town of Arnold, CA, and lives with two snow-loving border collies. She is an environmental scientist so moonlighting as a snow reporter for a couple of days a week was a great way to score a free season pass. We look forward to having someone with her experience be a part of our awesome snow reporting crew!

Do you have a favorite fun fact about winter?

While we’re out playing in the snow, many species of wildlife–including bears, ladybugs, frogs, snakes, and chipmunks–have hit the “pause” button until we get warmer temps. I’m sure most folks are familiar with the term “hibernation,” but did you know it’s not just a long nap? During hibernation, an animal’s body temperature will drop (sometimes to just above air temp) and it will slow down its metabolism, heart rate, and respiratory rate to essentially enter a state of suspended animation. Bats take this quite seriously and will drop their heart rates from approximately 300 beats per minute to just ten beats per minute and may only breathe once an hour while hibernating!

What brought you to this snow reporting position?

Well, if I’m being perfectly honest, the very first thing that drew me to this job was the awesome team–I’m so stoked to work with this crew. As for the role itself, the scientist in me is super excited to gather up arguably the most fun kind of data and share them with y’all.

Do any of your previous jobs have connections to snow reporting or the ski industry?

Tangentially, yes! I’m an environmental scientist by day, so data collection and reporting are right in my wheelhouse. I’ve also been known to hop behind the bar and serve up a beer or two when not doing the science (gotta keep that aprés game strong).

Imagine it’s a bluebird, gorgeous day. You’re out on the slopes with your friends and having the most perfect day with all-time runs down the mountain. What song is playing in your head or in your earphones?

Pump It Up”–Elvis Costello

What are you most looking forward to in this job?

The combination of being first on the scene after a big storm and getting to share that stoke…and also the summit sunrises!

Posted By:

Katie Young aka "K2"

After a bit of a hiatus, we are excited that The Village Dining Room is reopening. This dining destination offers visitors iconic views of Mt. Disney and Nob Hill. Diners can watch chairlifts spin as they enjoy their meal or take in the sunset while sipping a glass of wine. The Sugar Bowl team has been looking forward to welcoming guests back and dreaming up new changes to roll out to continue uplifting the Village dining experience. One of these team members is our new sommelier, Clay Reynolds. He is passionate not only about wine but about Sugar Bowl itself and the community he is joining up on The Summit. 

We sat down to chat with him about all things wine, his life experiences, and how he landed here. Meet Clay Reynolds, the new sommelier for Sugar Bowl. 

Alright, so let’s start with the basics; tell us about yourself and how you got into wine!

I’ve lived in San Franciso for about 22 years and have been in the restaurant business here, focused on beverage and wine. Over the course of that time, I have worked at various restaurants in the city, and many of the people who frequent Sugar Bowl have been customers of mine, so I’ve gotten to know some of the homeowners. I have always loved the place, so I was super excited to be able to try and help out with the wine and beverage program.

I’m from Louisville, Kentucky originally. I graduated college with a finance degree and a math minor and ended up working in corporate finance right out of school but absolutely hated it. I was at a Fortune 500 healthcare company, and it wasn’t my cup of tea. I started working at a really great restaurant in Louisville that I had no business working at. I thought I would just be there temporarily figuring out my next steps, but while I was there, I just fell in love with hospitality, the business, and wine.

I remember watching a guy come in one night by himself and order a $100 bottle of wine. I was thinking to myself, “what the heck could possibly be in this bottle” and he just sat there and enjoyed himself and his meal. I was so intrigued by wine and what it could do, and the pleasure it brought this person. I just dove into it. 

The other factor was that I didn’t know anything, so I didn’t want to be embarrassed on a nightly basis, so I started reading books and looking things up. This was right as the internet was coming around, so I had to seek out actual reading material on the topic. Later on, I decided to move somewhere else with a bit more going on in regard to culinary and hospitality businesses. At that time, I was still a little intimated by New York, so I came to San Francisco. And in terms of wine, this is a great place to be. It’s been an adventure and a great place to be ever since then. 

An impressive background! I think you may have touched on it, but what brought you to Sugar Bowl?

Essentially it was connections with homeowners and others heavily involved in Sugar Bowl. Some of the families were customers of ours at a couple of different restaurants that we had. So it kind of organically happened. I had a conversation with one of them brainstorming about food and beverage, and the next thing you know, they’re asking me if I have any spare time [laughs]. So here I am. And now we have put something together that is really cool. 

Sounds like it. So what is your favorite part of being a sommelier?

I like to focus on the point, which is the customer. I do so many wine classes, trainings, and things where the goal seems to be to amass more knowledge, not to be able to help the guest have a better experience with wine. And that’s the part I like, that’s what I like about the business. I fell in love with watching people have these experiences with wine. So I talk about wine in a unique way. I don’t like to talk about it in subjective terms. What am I tasting… what am I smelling… that’s all subjective. 

It’s like art, if you think it’s beautiful and I think it’s ugly, we are both right. It’s our opinion. But for some reason, we are not allowed that experience with wine. We are either afraid to mention what we smell and taste, or we are tricked into smelling and tasting things because we are told that’s what’s there. 

My favorite moments are when I can change someone’s mind about an aspect of wine or beverage. When a customer comes in and says, “I don’t like chardonnay” or “I don’t drink riesling, it’s too sweet,” to be able to have them try something they might not otherwise try and see the light bulb go off, those are the experiences that I really cherish. I love being able to take care of people in that way. 

I love that. I’ll never forget the first time someone took the time to show me a good pinot noir after I said I didn’t drink pinot. Now I drink them often!

Ok time for an interesting question, if you were to pair Sugar Bowl with a wine, what would you pair it with?

Oh! [laughs] I would say that Sugar Bowl most reminds me of a mature Bordeaux. It has plenty to offer upfront, for the first-timer, but it also is full of nuance and continues to change and evolve as you keep coming back to it. 

Before the next question, do you ski or snowboard?

I ski! 

Perfect, so in the same mindset of fun questions, imagine you just had a beautiful day of skiing with friends it was a bluebird day, and now you’re heading to rest your legs and après, what do you order to drink?

It would definitely be champagne. It’s always stocked at our house. My wife loves champagne. It’s got nuance. For me, not only is champagne celebratory, but it is also refreshing, so it’s nice after skiing, and I mean, it’s just delicious! It goes with everything. Especially fried chicken. Fried chicken and Blanc de Blancs. I cannot recommend it enough.

I have never heard of that combo! I’ll have to put it on my list of things to try. Alright, one final question before I let you go, are there any wine myths you would like to bust?

Oh, I mean there are many! But one in particular? I think that you are supposed to have red wine with meat and white wine with fish. Really you should just drink what you like. If you enjoy a certain combo, just embrace it, don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong. It’s an old-school myth that needs to be broken. 

The Dining Room is now open for dinner Friday and Saturday nights, 5-9pm. They will be open for breakfast 7:30am- 10am and dinner 5-9pm starting December 17th through December 30th. Come experience for yourself the wine Clay has put together. No better way to end a ski day in style than by sipping a drink amongst friends with a beautiful vista of Sugar Bowl’s slopes.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Interview by Maggie aka “The Turninator,” edited by Katie aka “K2.”

The votes are in and we have a winner! Abe Lincoln is once again a head above the rest – he is the star of our crowd favorite beanie design in the second annual Sugar Bowl passholder design contest! We hopped on a zoom call with Lincoln beanie designer Destiny to discuss. 

Destiny grew up in South Lake Tahoe and is a passionate designer – she wears many hats, from her own freelance work, to commissions for a local design company, and working as a barista in a local coffee shop. Full disclosure, we spent the first eight minutes of our interview talking about our shared experience working as a barista. We chose to exclude that dialogue here but if anyone wants to chat about coffee or design, Destiny is your gal!

Can you tell us how you came up with your design? 

President Lincoln is iconic and there’s a reason there is a mountain named after him. He was an inspirational leader. I think that if he were around today, I could see him going skiing or snowboarding at Sugar Bowl with a big pair of goggles on. 

I love that you could envision Lincoln out enjoying Sugar Bowl! Do you imagine that he is a snowboarder or a skier?

I think he would be a skier. Even though I love to snowboard, I really feel like I could picture him up there with his ski poles. [chuckles]

[laughing] I have to agree, with that scruffy, big beard, maybe he’s even a tele skier! So you’re a snowboarder but it sounds like you haven’t gotten to come up and ride Sugar Bowl yet. Will you come up to ride with us this winter?

I definitely will! I plan on going up to Tahoe during the winter and hopefully, we have some good snow this season. The first run that I’m going to go on will be something off Mount Lincoln. 

For sure! We’d love to have you come check out Sugar Bowl. Okay, let’s get into a little bit more about your design background. Can you tell us how you got started?

I would play around with Photoshop a lot when I was in high school. It still had fancy features back then but not like it is now! I first learned how to do all of my designing on Photoshop and I didn’t start using Illustrator until about six or seven years ago and that was a whole game changer.

Now, I’ve been running my own business for graphic design, Design by Destiny which I started six years ago. I also work for an awesome company based out of Tahoe called Hatchback Creative and they contract me out whenever they need designs done.

Sounds like you’re wearing a lot of hats (pun intended) between all the different projects you have going on! Had you entered a design competition before?

Nope, this was my first contest ever!

Wow, you have a 100% success rate!

I do, yeah. My friends and family always send me contests and things like this. I never went for it before because until recently, I didn’t feel super confident in my own work. It wasn’t that I didn’t think I did good work, I know I do. But sometimes you’re just so close to what you’re doing, you are your own worst critic. Doing this contest showed me that, wow it’s not just my friends and family that think my work is great. Seeing my design get voted to the top was really affirming to me.

When you are designing something, what is your creative process like?

There were a lot of ideas that I tossed around in my head at first. One of the methods that I learned early on is, write down the first three to five ideas that come to mind and then don’t use any of those ideas. Those are typically going to be the ideas that everyone else comes up with or they can sometimes be a little generic. It forces you to think outside the box. You cross out those first ideas, and it’s like okay, how can I make this better or more personal? So that’s how I ended up looking at the trail maps and found Mount Lincoln. 

In case anyone is out there, scratching their head because they don’t understand the connection, can you lay it out play-by-play?

At Sugar Bowl Resort, one of the four main peaks is called Mount Lincoln, and I decided to base the beanie design on it.

We’ve ordered thousands of your beanies. When our shipment arrives, we’re going to send you a big stack of beanies to share. Who are you most excited to share them with?

There are definitely a couple of coworkers who I would like to give a beanie because–  I actually recently moved away from Tahoe and when I moved, I only really knew my boyfriend. I didn’t even know my roommates. To have the support of my new coworkers voting for my design and totally believing in me and following up with me. They kept asking me, “did you win? Have you found anything out?” That was so special to me and so I definitely want to give a couple of them the beanies that they voted for.

Sounds like you’ve got some great folks to give them to. Outside of your close friends and family, who in the world would you most like to see rocking your beanie?

You know, it would be so cool if Johnny Depp was wearing my beanie. [laughing] I don’t really know if it would go with his style but he seems like he might like the quirkiness of my design.

I’m sure he’s gotten weirder stuff in the mail than a Sugar Bowl passholder beanie. Let’s send him one!

No doubt about that. But you know, I would really love to send a couple to this design company in Tahoe called Rise Designs. The owners’ Mike and Marly are the coolest guys ever. They are actually the ones who got me started with Illustrator. 

I got in contact with them and they sacrificed their time and sat down with me to show me the basics of Illustrator. Thanks to them I was able to not only do this contest, but I was able to start working at Hatchback, and I’ve been able to grow my design world. Those guys are on the top of the list of people I’d like to see wearing my beanie. 

When you look forward to this winter, besides being stoked to wear your winning design, is there anything else you are excited about?

I’m really looking forward to quality time with my family, especially since I don’t live in Tahoe anymore. When I am up there I really want to soak in every minute that we can talk together, eat together, and adventure together. We had a pretty big shift and a family emergency at the beginning of the year and it’s actually bonded us closer together as we’ve all processed through it. I don’t regret moving but I look forward even more to being able to visit and get in as much time with them as possible.

So if we get some really good snowfall, maybe I can go up to Sugar Bowl with my brother and my boyfriend to just get out and enjoy Tahoe together.

Please do come up and see us. Getting out and skiing with family, those are such special memories. Please bring your crew to Sugar Bowl this season and we’ll make sure everyone gets out there. We can’t wait to see everyone together wearing your beanies.

I’ll probably lose my mind seeing everyone wearing it. Like OH MY GOD, that’s my beanie! 

We can’t wait to see that happen. Destiny, thanks again for taking the time!

If anyone is reading along, keep an eye on our socials for how you can get yourself a Passholder Beanie.

Interview by Maggie aka “The Turninator,” edited by Katie aka “K2.”

Posted By:

Katie Young aka "K2"

With snow flying and season passes sold out, the Royal Gorge 22/23 season is quickly approaching so we wanted to share some updates about the upcoming season!

Throughout the summer, our crews have meticulously cleared debris and deadfall from both Royal Gorge and Sugar Bowl. Not only does this reduce fire danger in the summer but it ensures our trail’s snow surfaces are as pristine as possible. Along with keeping Royal Gorge’s trails maintained, our team completed building a new bridge at Sheep’s Pen. Van Norden Meadow Restoration is in full swing and this bridge will keep North/South connectivity at Sheep’s Pen. This will improve grooming and keep the trails skiable longer into the spring, Mother Nature willing.

We also have some exciting news from our rental department, Royal Gorge will have a whole new rental fleet this 22/23 season. This will include Atomic Redster Skis and Boots for both Classic and Skate. We are looking forward to seeing everyone rocking some new gear on the trails. 

This season we will also be offering day-of purchases and rentals. Previous COVID restrictions have been lifted so this season you will be able to arrive and purchase a trail pass, rentals, and lessons. We hope this opens up opportunities for Royal Gorge passholders to bring along friends and family to experience a day of cross-country magic with them.

As far as lodge improvements go, Summit Station bathrooms are in the final stages of being completed. While new bathrooms aren’t quite as thrilling as opening day news, we still are excited about this improvement to Royal Gorge’s facilities and know it will make the overall experience better for our guests.

All this early-season snow has us eagerly awaiting opening day. This year is extra special too because Royal Gorge turns 50! We look forward to beautiful days of crisp corduroy, fresh cookies, and big smiles with you all. Opening day is just around the corner, get ready to celebrate.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

We have big news — and the dusting of snow across the mountain tops is the perfect backdrop for an exciting announcement. Change is the air, and we’re not just referring to the snowflakes. We have a new President and CEO at Sugar Bowl, Bridget Legnavsky. 

Bridget hails from New Zealand, where she was the Chief Experience Officer for RealNZ, a tourism company that manages multiple outdoor adventure operations. Two operations under RealNZ are Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Resort, where Bridget has been General Manager since 2014. 

Bridget has recently relocated to Sugar Bowl along with her husband (Peter) and two kids (Gustav, 17 and Zora, 12). As a family, they are all about snowsports; Peter is an Olympic ski coach for their son Gustav, an Olympic freeskier in the halfpipe. Their daughter, Zora, is focused on ski racing and will attend the Sugar Bowl Academy this winter. 

Are you as excited to get to know Bridget as we are? You’re in luck, because we recently sat down with Bridget for a one-on-one. Check out the interview to get a sense of Bridget’s enthusiasm to lead team Sugar Bowl.  

Q: How is your family feeling about moving to the United States? 

“The kids are super excited. Zora especially. She thinks it’s going to be an adventure. This kind of thing can be really hard— We’ve been in Wanaka for 30 years and we have lots of connections here, but the way we look at it, this is a great opportunity to go on a family adventure and do something really different, so we don’t end up doing the same thing our whole lives.”

Q: What is something that is different about skiing and riding in New Zealand that people, like myself, who have only ever skied in North America, might not know? 

“One of the things that’s unique to Cardrona, is the number of Olympic athletes that congregate there during September. It’s quite an environment. That’s how New Zealand become well-known, due to its results on the world stage in ski racing and park. 

The most interesting thing, if you’ve never been to New Zealand, is that you don’t live in the snow. Every day you drive from the town, which is literally always green. In the evenings after skiing, you play golf, go mountain biking, and sometimes in the springtime, you water ski, similar to what it would be like living around Tahoe in the summer. 

Since we don’t live in the snow, when you want to go to the mountain, you drive for about 45 minutes up a dirt road. Oftentimes you’ll put on chains, since the roads can be quite difficult. Truckee would be similar to Wanaka, but imagine it always being as green as summertime and then you drive up to Sugar Bowl to come skiing. In New Zealand, we don’t have the same kind of full immersion snow experience as you do in California during winter.” 

Q: Is there any jargon that gets used in New Zealand ski culture that we don’t use in North America? 

“I don’t know but I’m going to find out really soon. I will probably say something, and people will look at me like, “what is she talking about?” That’s when I’ll start to work out if there is or isn’t jargon. 

I notice in ski culture, especially around brand voice, that it’s a lot to do with generation. There’s a lot of words out there like “froth” and all the words that young people are using. One thing that I’ve found is that if you try too hard, you come across like a dork.” 

Q: I heard a rumor that you speak Maori, so I was wondering how you say, “Do you want to go skiing tomorrow” in Maori? 

“Kei te pirangi koe, ki te haere retireti apopo?”

And how do I say yes, I’ll go skiing with you tomorrow?

You just go, “Hoake.”

Q: Are you a skier or snowboarder? 

“I’m a skier, long time skier. I did snowboard a bit back when I was about 20 and working in Japan. It was back in the day when snowboarding was banned from certain areas, so we were only allowed to snowboard on the beginner slopes. I had Sorels that I put my ski boot liners in because that’s how we started snowboarding.” 

Q: Can you describe your best powder day of all time? 

“I think I’m about to have it at Sugar Bowl this winter!” 

Good answer [laughing] 

“Yeah, it was on my birthday, and we went heli skiing with my family. The four of us went together but we can only just keep up with the kids now. We spent the whole day heli skiing in the Harris Mountains and that was pretty special. It’s not always just about the powder. It’s more around the environment that you’re in and the people that you’re with that make it really special.”

Q: What is it that inspires you to come to Sugar Bowl and lead the team? 

“It was a little bit of stars aligning. Someone contacted me and told me about it. After COVID, the idea of coming over to an American resort to have a look around was really attractive. I was like, “Oh hell yeah, I’m going for a trip.” When I got here, what inspired me the most was the people and the place. People and place, that’s always what inspires me. 

I’m blown away by the commitment and resilience of the executive team. Their absolute love for Sugar Bowl —  I’ve seen that before — I know you need that. You just can’t run a ski resort like Sugar Bowl without it. It’s never a one-person game, you have to have a talented and experienced team around you and I see that here. 

Then, of course, I’m attracted to the style of resort as independent, small, capable of moving fast, and with quite a lot of autonomy. I love what the Sugar Bowl Academy stands for and I love what the villagers stand for.” 

Q: What would you say is your approach to building a strong team?  

“Getting the right people into the right jobs is really important. You bring together the right skill sets and the talent, and it’s about how you slot together to build the strongest pillar that you possibly can. I’m a strong believer that when people are in a space where they are happy and positive, they are more open and willing to learn, and have the opportunity to be playful, creative and innovative — that’s when the magic happens.  

Sometimes we forget what’s important. Make sure you go out for a ski every day. Make sure you go out for a ride. Do something, no matter how busy you are. Get out and remind yourself why you’re here. Stay passionate.” 

Q: At Sugar Bowl, is there anything that you are excited to create? 

“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. I’m going to start by listening to what’s going on and react. The resort has to keep moving forward so people want to keep coming back. That will be in the kind of experience they have on the hill, the way our staff treat people, the type of events we run, the food and beverage, the music — everything that makes them want to come back. I don’t think there’s anything mind-blowing there, but I think making sure we maintain relevancy by keeping Sugar Bowl cool is what we’re all about.” 

Q: What do you think your biggest challenge will be coming into your new role? 

“Well, my challenge is definitely going to be cultural since I come from a different country. I’ve run ski resorts for a long time in New Zealand but I’m going to walk into a completely different culture and different legislation system in a different community. So, as you can imagine, over my time in New Zealand I’ve built up a strong network of people that support me in my staff and the community. Now at Sugar Bowl I’m going to be relying on the team around me to jump in and help. Also, obviously legislation will be completely different in the US than it was in New Zealand, so those are some of my biggest challenges. I’m going to rely deeply on the team around me to help get through those ones.” 

Q: Outside of skiing and riding, what would you say that you’re most passionate about? 

“It kind of surprises people until they really get to know me — because I can come across as quite resilient and quite strong because I, you know, have grown up in a world of ski area operations — But I love fashion. 

And if you saw the number of boxes that I was boxing out now with clothes, it’s absolutely ridiculous. I was sitting there with my daughter before going, thinking — I can’t leave all these here because I just need to be able to wear them. I have got a lot of clothes and I absolutely love fashion. I started up a retail chain in New Zealand and had a few stores in my off time — I just love it.” 

Q: That is such a fun fact! I can’t wait to see what fun outfits you wear this winter. 

[laughing] “I’m just trying to decide whether to box my gold moon boots or pack them and carry them with me because I don’t know how desperate I would be for them when I arrive.” 

Q: Should the community at Sugar Bowl expect any changes this season when you begin your role? 

“Absolutely not straight away because the team’s doing a wonderful job. I think where I’d like to start is hearing from the community. We will be reaching out and listening. I will be out and about — they will see a lot of me because I love to ski and I love to eat. So I’ll be around. 

I can’t wait to meet everyone and hear what they think. I will definitely be looking at opportunities around environmental sustainability because it’s a real passion for me. I’ll be interested in the resort taking on a stronger position around climate. The team is already moving on that — I think it’s great. 

But first and foremost, to get there, we must deliver incredible guest experiences. In order to focus on the guest, we must focus on the frontline staff. I’m a real believer in focusing on how the frontline staff feel about themselves in order to deliver amazing experiences to our guests.” 

Q: Last question, and this one involves a little bit of imagination — We’re all eager for opening day, what do you picture opening day at Sugar Bowl looking like? 

“I imagine standing at the first lift that opens with champagne, saying hello to everyone, high fiving everyone. The piece that I love the most is watching people’s faces as they get their skis on. You can see it — It’s the feeling that you get under your feet when you ski. So when you watch people go and do their first runs of the season, it’s just so good. I’m looking forward to watching our team lift to it and also to going and doing some runs myself!” 

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

If you are a recreational skier/rider, this is your season to become a leader. Start teaching skiing and riding at the Ski & Board School. Being an instructor is a rewarding and fun way to get involved at Sugar Bowl. We have a variety of positions available, so you can find the one that fits you best. Check out these 10 Reasons to be an instructor at Sugar Bowl.

1. You can keep your day job (if you want to!)

As a Ski & Board Instructor, you’ll have a somewhat flexible schedule. If your bread and butter is already coming from a 9-5 job elsewhere, being a ski instructor can be an engaging way to pick up 1 or 2 shifts on the weekends. If you’re hoping to really dive in, we also have full-time roles available.

2. If you’re an average human, you’ll spend 30% of your life at work. 

Basically, you spend a ton of time at work, so you better pick a cool job. Working in the ski & ride industry is a great way to pursue a line of work where your passion can turn into a career. As a Sugar Bowl instructor, you should expect to work hard, but you’ll also have plenty of fun in our mountain playground.

3. Get paid to improve your skiing & riding

You may not have realized it at first, but being an instructor will make you a better skier/rider. Think about it… you’ll spend tons of time on the snow, working through different skills. While you’re helping others progress, you’ll be fine-tuning your own skills. For example, helping a skier improve their stance by increasing forward pressure in their boots will make you even more aware of your posture. All season long, while you’re helping your clients level up their skiing and riding, you’ll be improving your skiing and riding simultaneously.

4. Insider access to clinics and resources

One of our instructors’ favorite perks is that they gain access to frequent and engaging on-the-job training opportunities with professional instructors. If you are wondering what a “clinic” entails, think of it as a bite-sized lesson taught by a senior instructor to a group of instructors. Clinics are usually hyper-focused on one skill at a time and you can expect to learn some cool tricks to integrate the skill into your skiing or riding. On-snow instructors and office staff have access to ski & ride clinics.

5. The tips don’t hurt

While tipping is not mandatory, it’s not uncommon to receive gratuity from an appreciative client as thanks for a well-taught lesson. If you are teaching multiple group or private lessons a day, that can really add up!

6. Learning is fun. Turns out, so is teaching. 

Who knew weekend fun on the slopes could be so impactful? If you’re already spending most weekends skiing and riding, why not channel your passion for the sport into teaching? You’ll get to spend the whole day on the slopes, meet lots of new people who are excited about snow sports, and get paid at the same time.

7. Become part of a community of passionate skiers & riders

When you sign on as an instructor at Sugar Bowl, you become part of our team. Ski & Board School is a close-knit crew with great respect and appreciation for our fellow team members and coworkers. You’re probably hoping for a positive workplace environment, but here you’ll get more– we pride ourselves on building a strong community.

8. Earn a ski pass for yourself and your qualified dependents

Employees score a free Unrestricted season pass. Plus, you can earn passes for your qualified dependents by working at least 16-hours a week.

– If you have a spouse: that could be a savings of about $2k, depending on your pass types.

– If you have a spouse and 2 kids: that could be a savings of about $3k, depending on your pass types.

9. Pass the torch on to the next generation

You’ve probably spent years (or even decades!) developing your own ski/board skills. Share that knowledge with the next generation of skiers and riders as an instructor. Your guidance can make all the difference to a new skier or rider. On any given day at work, you will help your clients gain confidence, unlock a tricky skill they’ve been struggling with, or simply make sure they have a fun and safe experience on the slopes. Not to mention, you’ll also be saving them the frustration of trying to figure it out on their own. As instructors, we gain a special sense of fulfillment in helping others reach their goals. 

10. Learn the art of teaching

We often hear that new instructor candidates feel intimidated that their teaching skills or their ski/board skills may not be good enough to become an instructor. Don’t let that stop you. We welcome intermediate & up skiers and riders to become instructors in our Ski & Board School. If you know how to ski/ride, we’ll teach you how to teach! We’ll help you fine-tune your communication skills and train you in our instruction methods and systems. Come learn the art of teaching with us.

Whew… there you have it! The top ten reasons to become an instructor at Sugar Bowl. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to step it up and apply for a position today. Whether you’re looking for a part-time winter gig or a long-term role, join our team this winter and we’ll show you what our Ski & Board School community is all about. 

Available Positions:

– Ski Instructors

– Snowboard Instructors

– Outdoor Supervisor

– Sales & Customer Service

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

You traveled all this way to get here, so why not stay? Leave your stress, worries, and car behind. You’ll be whisked away by a historic gondola ride and dropped into a ski weekend experience like no other.

Getting Here

Once you’ve traveled along i80 and hopped off at the Soda Springs exit, pull into our covered garage at the Village gondola. After our staff loads your gear into a gondola cabin, expect a 10-minute gondola ride across the Van Norden Meadow. You’ll arrive at our snowbound village at the base of the mountain, the only one of its kind in America. Our insider tip is to arrive in the afternoon just before sunset, so you’ll be gliding across the meadow at dusk while the setting sun glows behind the peaks in the distance. 

The Lodge

The gondola will drop you at our historic Village Lodge, a Tyrolean-inspired building with a hint of Austrian flair. While there have been numerous updates through the years, The Hotel remains completely original, and has been operating since 1939. At check-in, you’ll be directed to one of our comfortable slopeside rooms, which are only steps from the lifts. Opt for a mountain-view room for a stunning view of Mount Disney and Mount Lincoln.

Comfortable Amenities Deep in the Mountains

Once you’ve settled in, you can spend your evening cozying up to the grand fireplace in the lounge or enjoying the spa and fitness center at the Sport Haus. When you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to the lively Belt Room for a bite or opt for an elegant dinner in The Hotel Dining Room, reopening this season on December 9. 

Winter Adventure Access

The following morning, when you’re ready to get after your winter adventure of choice, you’ll be steps away from the ski lifts, cross country trails, and snowshoeing that Sugar Bowl has to offer. The Hotel couldn’t be closer to the Disney Express and Nob Hill chairlifts. You can easily access your room throughout your ski day, whether you need to quickly swap out a goggle lens or put the kids down for a nap. Ready to hit the cross-country & snowshoe trails? The trails of Royal Gorge wind right through the Village to the steps of The Hotel, offering you unrivaled access to the largest cross country resort in North America.

Reservations Now Open

If you’re planning a mountain adventure this winter, opt for one that is far away from plowed roads and traffic. Tuck into a winter wonderland at The Hotel at Sugar Bowl and check your car at the gate. Spend a snowbound weekend with us, skiing and snowshoeing our renowned trails, for a winter experience like no other. We’ll see ya on the summit!

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

There are a lot of jobs out there, so what makes someone choose Sugar Bowl? There’s something special about working at this quirky independent resort perched on Donner Summit… (Hint: it’s not just our massive snowfall or legendary terrain.) Wanna know what it is? You’re in luck, we’ve compiled our top 5 favorite reasons to be a part of the team.

1. Skiers first, professionals second

Nearly every day of the season, employees have an opportunity to get out and ski or ride during their work day. Their manager will often be the one telling them to take lunch and get out for a few laps. If it’s a powder day, don’t be surprised to hear “stop typing and get your boots on.” Working at Sugar Bowl is a way to integrate a passion for winter sports into a job.  

2. Expansive terrain across four mighty peaks, all on your lunch break.

The terrain at Sugar Bowl is legendary and it’s fun to ride all season, in all conditions. If an employee wants to max out a quick lunch, they can often squeeze in 3 hot laps on Disney in 30 minutes. If it’s a powder day, they might venture over to scope out some big honkin’ lines between Sugar Bowl and the Palisades. In the spring, wide open groomers and perfect corn are the name of the game… All this and we didn’t even spill the beans on our staff favorite secret zones to ski!

3. There’s an opportunity for impact at an independent mid-sized resort.

Our base of operations is right here at Sugar Bowl, not at a high-rise office building in another state. The people who run this resort are here at the mountain nearly every day. 

We think Sugar Bowl is a Goldilocks-sized company–  We’re not too big, not too small. We’re small enough that our employees can directly see and feel the impact of the work they contribute to the resort. At the same time, we’re big enough that, if we channel our resources, we have enough manpower to meet and exceed our goals. 

4. Plus tons of perks to sweeten the Sugar Bowl deal.

Where do we start? Employees and their qualified dependents are issued free unrestricted season passes. Additionally, all employees are granted a bundle of $20 friends and family day ticket vouchers to share. Wages have recently increased and now start at $20/hour for most positions. Sugar Bowl has more employee housing than any resort in the region, plus, it’s affordable and fun. The cherry on the cake has got to be our epic employee parties, where a few times a season, we stay open outside of operating hours and run the lifts for the staff to enjoy the mountain privately.

5. Of course we’re a team, but we’re also a community 

What happens when you bring together a group of passionate mountain-loving individuals? In our experience, it builds one truly special community. From first-year seasonal staff to year-round employees with decades of experience, everyone on team Sugar Bowl is part of building up our resort’s character. 

What really sets Sugar Bowl apart from other resorts is our great team. We are known for regularly going above and beyond for our guests, for our genuine, friendly employees, and our desire to help guests create lasting memories. These elements are at the core of our brand and our culture. We call it “Plus One Service,” a commitment to ensuring we exceed our guests’ expectations. 

The Sugar Bowl community is welcoming and full of opportunities for growth. The best way to describe being an employee here is “work hard play hard” which means that in addition to the duties of the job, there’s also often a lot of FUN going around here too! 

Direct from our Employees

Speaking of community, let’s bring our staff into the conversation. We asked employees from a range of departments to explain why they choose to work at Sugar Bowl. Trigger warning, their answers might give you the warm-and-fuzzies, or is that just us?

Parker G, Terrain Parks Manager 

“Sugar Bowl is independent and family-oriented. It’s definitely not a small mountain but it still has that small-mountain community feel. I have a young family and it’s the kind of place I would want my kid to learn to ski.” 

Sarah Duffy, Special Events & Weddings Coordinator

“I have met so many lifelong friends at Sugar Bowl, when I started here I hardly skied and I didn’t know many people in the area. After two years here I am confidently ripping down the mountain with endless ski pals! Plus- it doesn’t get much better than skiing on your lunch break!”

Dave Eastwood, Royal Gorge General Manager

“I work at Sugar Bowl for two reasons – the staff and my love of the outdoors. The staff is like a family and we all work as a team to make Sugar Bowl the best resort in the Sierra. The local outdoor scene is fantastic in summer and winter. Whether it’s cycling, trail running, hiking, skiing or riding, the Donner Summit area has something for everyone.”

Mark Beevor, Executive Director of Hospitality 

“I stumbled across Sugar Bowl by accident and have found it combines my passion for hospitality and my love of the mountains.  One of our values is that we celebrate resilience.  When it is time to come together because of big events or big snow no one misses a beat.  We are a community first and our employees go out of their way to help each other, homeowners and visitors.  This is not something that is taught but rather is at the very core of everyone that works here and that’s why I love it.”

Joel C, Skier Services Manager 

“Having worked at both large, corporate ski resorts and small, independent ski areas over the past 25 years, I can confidently say that Sugar Bowl is the best of both worlds. Being an employee here makes you a part of the Sugar Bowl family. We care about each other, our mountain, our community, and we love to ski and ride!”

Well there you have it, 5 reasons (and then some) to work at Sugar Bowl. Apply today for an opportunity to learn what else is great about our work environment. We can’t wait to show you around. 

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

This week, our year-round employees joined forces to carry out another successful “green up” event at Sugar Bowl. Our Human Resources Director, Diane Binder, led the charge to remove trash from the resort and nearby roadways. Diane explains the green team’s mission:

“Every few weeks in the spring and summer we set aside two hours for all employees to step away from their regular work assignment and come together to grab a trash bag, gloves, and a picker and go out to “green up” a section of Sugar Bowl’s grounds.”

“Sugar Bowl’s Core Value #1 is to love and respect nature and the outdoors. Our employees care deeply about the environment and take pride in our mountain being a responsible organization in terms of environmental and sustainability goals. These “green up” events are just one small part of our overall sustainability efforts and great reminder that everyone, regardless of department or job, plays a role in helping to make a positive impact in our community.”

How much trash did the team remove? 

“This past “green up” was a huge success. Our team members found a lot of really large and heavy items (rolls of carpet, wooden boards, sheets of metal, etc.) We had three full loads in the back of a pick-up truck of items that were picked up disposed of properly.”

Is participating in a green up event fun, gross, tiring or all three? 

“FUN! Our employees enjoy switching up their day to do something different, challenging, and fun. It also helps foster a sense of community and teamwork. Temperatures were in the high 80’s at the “green up” so aside from fun, it was really warm and a bit exhausting due to the heavy items but the team embraced the challenge!”

What was the funniest or most interesting item of trash found? 

“My personal favorite at this “green up” was a plush navy blue office chair with wheels that was rolled out from a ditch. However It was a little too gross for anyone to sit on.”

How can other people find out more information about hosting their own “green up” events? 

‘It truly doesn’t take much effort aside from coordinating a day, time, and location. Once you have some clean up supplies which are relatively cheap and a few drinks and snacks as refreshments for the teams’ hard work you are good to go. The most important thing is just to make the effort to prioritize these types of events.”

Thanks to our team members who participated in this event. A friendly reminder to all — reduce waste wherever possible and be sure to place refuse into the appropriate recycle/trash container.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

The mighty forests stretching across the Sierra Nevada shape Sugar Bowl’s iconic landscape, but amidst the grandeur, wildfire danger looms.

The risk is evidenced by last summer’s Caldor Fire which tore through Sierra at Tahoe and threatened the town of South Lake Tahoe. Even more recently, a 12-acre fire ignited within the city limits of the Town of Truckee, bringing the threat very close to home. As members of this community, we are all responsible for mitigating the risk of wildfire.  

To mitigate the risk of wildfire at Sugar Bowl, our team has been taking three steps over the past few years. 

1. The first has been to reduce low limbs, shrubbery, and other ladder fuels, which could allow an on-site fire to climb from the forest floor to the canopy developing into a crown fire. 
2. Next is reducing fuels in wooded terrain around the resort, so if a fire does occur in a neighboring forest, we are as prepared as possible to stop the fire from advancing.
3. Finally, improving defensible space is necessary as a final line of defense around all homes and buildings in our base area.

What’s Happening Around the Mountain?

Currently, Sugar Bowl is running a team of nine Trail Crew Sawyers focused on removing fuels around buildings and lifts, creating the necessary defensible space required as a last line of defense. A noticeable impact from their efforts can already be seen throughout the resort, where many trees and heavy vegetation have been removed.

This summer, we have begun thinning, laddering, and removing ground fuels in 72 acres west of the resort on our private property boarding the PG&E fire break to our west. 

What’s Next? 

In 2023, we will thin out an additional 40 acres of forest west of the resort. We also plan to begin developing a “Shaded Fuel Break” towards Crow’s Peak. A Shaded Fuel Break is a defensible space where fuels are significantly reduced to avoid a canopy fire, but not a clear-cut of all vegetation and trees. Fire suppression resources can utilize this location to suppress wildland fires due to the modification of fuels which may increase the probability of success during fire suppression activities. 

The Challenge Ahead

As you can tell, we have significant work ahead of us, but the team is up to the challenge. We’re proud of what our team has already accomplished and we’re looking forward to working as a community to continue to build on our efforts.

Tips for Improving Your Defensible Space

Are you feeling motivated to improve the defensible space around your home? Check out this handy guide for the best practices to follow for protecting your home and our community.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Cap off a Saturday of summer adventures in Tahoe with live music, a cold brew, and a sausage at the Summit Haus Biergarten. New this summer, we’re excited to roll out the Summit Haus Music Series, a free live show every Saturday evening from 5-8pm July 16 through August 6. 

Kicking it off on July 16

Miranda Rae Love will be rocking the house with her “mountain heart and country soul.” Through her guitar and vocals, Miranda navigates between rock and country with ease, bringing passion to every performance.

July 23

Jeff Connor has an incredibly deep catalog spanning five decades of rock and roll. He is a multi-instrumentalist with a great sense of humor. He loves to engage with the audience, so you better be on your toes for this performance.

July 30

Using extensive loops, layers, and catchy melodies, James Clarke’s live performances navigate through sultry vocals and dip into the grittiness of rock.

August 6

Don’t miss the finale show of our Summit Haus Music Series — The Bread and Butter Band. Joel and Lindsay are a very soulful duo with a southern swagger. They have the gift of bringing you in to the moment and slowing world down song by song. Rock, blues, and contemporary hits fuel every set.

What’s on tap next?

Rockin’ the Bowl returns this December! At the kick-off of the ’22/23 winter season, Sugar Bowl will host free live shows on the Judah and Village Lodge sundecks every Saturday & Sunday, weather permitting.

How to find the Summit Haus:

Aptly named, you can find the Summit Haus at the tip-top of Donner Pass, tucked into the parking area where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Donner Pass Road. (Yep, we really ARE smack dab in the middle of the PCT!)  From Truckee, wind your way up Donner Pass Road half a mile past the rainbow bridge overlook. If you’re traveling east on i80, hop off at Norden/Soda Springs (exit 174) and turn right on Highway 40 eastbound, continuing 3 miles.

What are the hours of operation?

The Summit Haus is open mid-day on weekends, see the Summit Haus webpage for an updated schedule.

What summer fun can we find near Donner Summit?

• Running or hiking on the famed Pacific Crest Trail
• Mountain Biking in Tahoe Donner
• Road biking up Donner Pass Road – a classic challenge!
• Swimming and paddleboarding on Donner Lake
• Rock Climbing on Donner Summit

What kind of food is served at the Summit Haus?

Of course, our famed Biergarten fare features locally-crafted sausages and great brews, but we also offer veggie options like our Portobello “Dog” and non-alcoholic options as well. 

Free Live Music

• Saturday, July 16, 5-8pm: Miranda Rae Love
• Saturday, July 23, 5-8pm: Jeff Connor
• Saturday, July 30, 5-8pm: James Clarke
• Saturday, August 6, 5-8pm: Bread and Butter Band

We’ll see ya on the summit for a good time this summer!

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

We are so excited to bring back the Banked Slalom on February 26 for the first time since 2019! In a few short weeks, our racers will be zipping through the banked turns and rollers of the best snake-run course in Tahoe. The course is currently under construction by our terrain park crew. Check out the interview below with Terrain Park Manager Parker Gokey for an insider’s look into the event.

If you want to sign up, don’t delay. The event is already more than halfway sold out with less than 60 spots remaining. We have multiple categories for men’s and women’s skiers, snowboarders, and adaptive athletes.

Interview with Banked Slalom Designer Parker Gokey

Q: Have you already started building the course?

“Yes, for the Banked Slalom this year we started the build early so we’ll have a great course in place for the event on February 26. 

Q: Where is the course this year?

“The course will be River Run Gully which is in-between Golden Gate and Coldstream trails with the finish line poking back onto Golden gate above and in-between Judah and Jerome Lifts visible from the tents and Judah Deck areas.”

Q: What kind of design are you building for the banked slalom course this year?

“The top of the course will be flowy with some big deep turns at the top and into the middle section. As you enter into River Run Gully in the trees, the turns will get a little tighter all the way to the end. The course pops back out onto Golden Gate to the finish line.”

Q: How do you build the course?

“We use a snowcat to build the very top and bottom of the course. In the middle section, we can do some cat work but most of the work will be done by hand.  We will also ride and ride and ride the course so we know the turns are good.”

Q: What’s cool about this banked slalom event?

“This event is special in a lot of ways but most importantly all the proceeds go directly to the High Fives Foundation. It will be a great honor to host them and race your friends in support of this great organization.”

Q: Any words of advice to the banked slalom participants out there?

“Skies, snowboarders, and adaptive riders are all welcome and we have some awesome prizes! So bust out the wax and let’s get racing!”

Schedule

• Registration: 7:30am-8:30am – Judah Lodge
• Racer’s Meeting & course inspection: 9:45am – top of River Run Gully
• Race Start: 11:00am
• Party Train lap to the after-party: 2:30pm
• After-Party with live music: 2pm-4:30pm
• Awards: 3:00pm – Judah Deck.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Getting fed up with your current committed mountain relationship?

Perhaps you’re tired of waiting in long lift lines, getting stuck in traffic, and riding down crowded runs… We heard you! Have a fling at Sugar Bowl this spring with the Spring Fling 3 Pack. Come out to soak up some sunny days and spring vibes on Donner Summit. This 3-day pack is $299 for all ages and grants you access to any three days of skiing/riding from March 1, 2022 until the season concludes in mid-April, now including Saturdays! Buy the pack now and choose your dates later.

What’s great about spring skiing and riding at Sugar Bowl?

Spring skiing is already amazing thanks to the beautiful California weather we are treated to but here are a few reasons it’s even better at ‘The Bowl’.

1. Spring Events

On snow events like the Pond Skim, Pop Bars and more happen throughout the spring when the weather is more predictable. Plus we are Rockin’ The Bowl with live music on the Judah and Disney decks each Saturday & Sunday. (Keep in mind, 3-packs aren’t valid on Saturdays but après is always allowed!)

2. Corn Snow

This elusive snow is actually very desirable and often falls in the “hero snow” category, but it can be hard to time. It is generally found in the spring when freeze/melt cycles affect the snow. Large grains of snow freeze together overnight, then they loosen as the sun warms them during the day. Corn refers to the snow during the time window when it has become soft and forgiving, but not too wet and slushy. In other words, it’s the “Goldilocks” of snow—not too hard, not too soft, but just right.

3. Après

In spring what you do on the snow is just as important as what occurs after ski (après). Both the Disney and Judah Decks are perfectly situated to enjoy a cold beverage (Palisades Pale Ale anyone), soak up the soak and enjoy some tunes (See #1).

Hot Tip: Free Pack Flex “Pack Flex” — a $60 value — is automatically included, allowing you to shift your reserved visit dates if your plans change. Pack Flex does not mean a refund, just flexible dates until the end of the season.

If you’re tired of waiting in long lift lines and riding down crowded runs, have a fling at Sugar Bowl this spring! 

Big mountain terrain, with a small mountain vibe: Take 3-days to experience the alternative. We’ll show you how we do things differently at Sugar Bowl. But be warned, after a 3-day honeymoon on our uncrowded slopes, you might not want to leave.

Hot Tip: Direct to Lift Once you print out your lift ticket for the first time, plan to reuse your media card each time, when you login to your account and choose your dates, your lift ticket media card will automatically be reloaded. That means you can roll into the parking lot and go direct to lift without stopping at the ticket window.

FAQ

Q: How do I use a 3-pack?

Log into your account on at sugarbowl.com and purchase a 3-Pack through our online store You’ll be able to logon later to book dates if you don’t want to choose them immediately. On your account you can see how many days you have left to use.

Q: How much does it cost?

The Spring Fling 3-pack costs $299, or about $99 per day.

Q: When is it valid?

Sunday – Friday, March 1 until at least April 10.

Q: Is there any fine print?

• 3 Packs are non-transferrable.  All 3 days must be used by the 3 Pack holder on separate dates
• No refunds or credits for unused days.
• Valid through the end of the 2021/22 season.  No dates will be rolled over for any reason.
• Dates must be booked online by 11:59pm the day prior to arrival.
• Dates may be moved to another valid date within the 2021/22 season.
  • Date changes must occur before 11:59pm the day prior to arrival.
• Any unused dates expire after April 11.
• If the season is extended, the ability to select dates for the 3 Pack will be extended too.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

It’s no secret, Tahoe is a popular place on winter weekends. Traffic can get jammed and lines can grow long. But if you choose Sugar Bowl and follow our five favorite tips, you can make lines on the mountain instead of waiting in them! (Hint: #5 is our favorite.)

1. Don’t Drive Farther on I-80 than you have to.

The the closer you get to Lake Tahoe, the more congested the roads get. Sugar Bowl’s exit (174 at Soda Springs) is the first ski area exit off of I-80 when driving up from Sacramento and Bay Area communities. You’ll be taking your first Sugar Bowl chairlift ride while others might still be stuck in a traffic jam farther down the road. And since you’ll skip that same traffic jam when your day is done, you can be home for dinner!

2. Nail the Timing

Let’s talk about days and hours. If you want a ski & ride experience that’s as quiet and relaxed as possible, you’ve come to the right place. Even on a peak weekend, we preserve the skiing and riding experience at Sugar Bowl by not overcrowding the resort.

Here are some ways to optimize your timing even more:

• Visit midweek. Of course, midweek days – especially Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – are the least popular days to ski or ride. You’ll often score non-existent lift lines on Fridays and Mondays, too, so if you can extend or shift your weekend by a day… you might even get lonely out there.

• Get an early start. Our early birds who catch the lifts at the crack of 9:00 am are often rewarded with short lines until everyone else gets themselves together an hour later. But don’t kid yourself about the amount of time it takes to get on the road. Early birds are booting up in the parking lot at 8:30 am at the latest, and they’ve already defrosted their windshields and eaten their breakfasts. Set your alarm!

• Start when others leave. Alternatively, you can opt for an afternoon start. When most skiers and riders get “lunch legs” at noon and head home, you’ll be fresh and ready to go. Perks of the 12:00 to 3:00 pm ski day? You’re lined up perfectly to enjoy our legendary après. Sugar Bowl hosts Rockin’ the Bowl every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on both the Judah and Village sundecks, so wrap up your ski day right with live music and your beverage of choice.

3. Really, Really Get Out of Dodge

If you’re up for an adventure, here are three ways to separate yourself from the pack:

• Hike for turns. Try some hike-to inbounds terrain like Crow’s Peak or Roller Pass.

• Extend your ski/ride day. Get your heart pumping with a lap or two of uphill travel outside of normal operating hours. Uphill travel is open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, as conditions allow (and you’ll need a touring set up with skins.)

• Head up and out. Take advantage of Sugar Bowl’s open boundary policy and plan a day of backcountry skiing/riding. Avalanche training and safety equipment is recommended for any form of backcountry travel, so be sure to inquire about training with your preferred guide service. We recommend ASI (Alpine Skills International), headquartered near Sugar Bowl on Donner Summit.

4. Alpine Lodge > Alpine Start

Choose to spend the night a snowball’s throw from the lift you plan to ride in the morning. Don’t spend your morning driving to Tahoe with the I-80 crowd. The Hotel at Sugar Bowl is located in the heart of Tahoe’s only snowbound village. Wake up slopeside, grab a breakfast burrito from the Nob Hill cafe, and still have time to nab first chair.

5. Choose a Resort that Manages the Crowds, so you Don’t Have To

Sugar Bowl follows a simple, yet radical, rule. Each season, we choose a specific number of season passes to sell, and we just stop selling ‘em when we hit that number. On top of that, we also limit lift tickets each day to preserve the on-mountain experience.

Less traffic getting here, less people in line, and less skiers on the mountain. That means more fun for you. Our proudly independent resort has been operating since 1939, and our team cares deeply about continuing our legacy of authentic alpine experience. We believe that requires managing how many skiers and riders come to enjoy our resort, every single day of the season.

Bonus Time-Saving Tips:

Closest Parking for Ski & Board School

If you are signed up for a group or private Ski & Board School lesson, we offer free priority parking directly in front of the big white tent located near the Judah Lodge. You’ll be steps away from the check-in desk for your lesson.

Reload & Go Direct to Lift

Save your ticket! If you decide to ski/ride another day, you can login to your sugarbowl.com account and purchase online. Choose to “reload your existing ticket” and you’ll be ready to go straight to the lifts next time you visit Sugar Bowl, no stop at the ticket windows needed.

Beat the crowds and come see how we do things differently at Sugar Bowl. Next time you visit Tahoe, you’ll be making lines on the mountain, not waiting in them.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

This January 22, 2022, join us for a family-friendly game of poker—on snow! The poker run is simple to participate in and it’s a fun way to explore the mountain. Just ski or ride to at least five Poker stations we’ll have set up around the mountain and take a picture of yourself at each one. Then head to the lodge to pick up a card for each station you stopped at. The person who has the best poker hand of cards is the winner! No problem if you don’t know the game, we’ll help you choose your best hand.

Have fun while supporting a good cause

All proceeds from the event benefit Excellence in Education, in support of students and teachers in the Truckee-Tahoe school district. Register in advance online for $20… or $15 for kids 12 and under. First 100 sign-ups receive a custom deck of Sugar Bowl Poker Run cards. Day-of registration is $25.

Stick around for the after-party at Judah Lodge with awards and live music by Jelly Bread. A $1000 grand prize plus tons of raffle prizes are up for grabs!

3 Important Reminders if you Plan to Participate

1. On Saturday Jan 22, from 9-11am, come by the registration tent at Judah Lodge. You will need to sign a liability form and get a wristband. No wristband = no prizes (and no fun). Remember cash for the raffle. See full schedule below.

2. You will need a valid Sugar Bowl lift ticket or season pass to play. Lift tickets must be purchased in advance and are subject to sell out.

3. You will need a smartphone or digital camera to document that you went to each station. Take a selfie at each station to prove you were there. Photo must include: your face AND the numbered poker chip.

Schedule

• 9-11am Registration Tent: Course Overview
• 10am-2pm Ski or Ride around to Poker Chip Stations, take selfies to prove you were there!
• 12-2pm Return to registration and dealer will deal your hand
• 1-4pm After Party & Live Music by Jelly Bread
• 2:30pm Awards & HUGE raffle

FAQ

How do I play poker?

• Don’t worry about it, just go to the Poker Chip Stations, take a selfie with each one, and we can help you select your best hand at the end.

How do we know where to go?

• Look at the Poker Chip Station map at check-in, we have provided trail maps and sharpies so you can mark down the locations.

What do the Poker Chip Stations look like?

• Look for a giant Poker Run Chip mounted on a bamboo pole. Take a selfie at each station so you can prove you were there!

How long will the checkpoints be on the mountain?

• Check points will be available from 10AM – 2PM.

Do we have to go to every location?

• No you do not, however your chances of playing a good hand increase if you do!

Is this a race?

• No, although check in to play your hand will end promptly at 2:30PM.

Where are the Joker’s hidden?

• Follow us on Instagram and look for our Stories!

What do I do after I visit 5 or more stations and I’ve taken a selfie to prove I was there?

• Come back to registration at the Judah Lodge to be dealt your hand.  Check-in will be from 1:00pm – 2:30pm.

How many cards can I get?

• Depending on how many stations you visit, you can get up to 7 cards. The minimum number of stations you need to visit is 5. Remember to take a selfie each time to prove you were there.

Can we trade cards with another player?

• No way! You will be dealt all your cards at once back at the registration tent, so you’d have to be a real card shark to pull a switcheroo. 

What happens in a tie?

• The two people who tie will pull 5 cards from a deck and play their best hand.

What are the prizes?

• $1000 Grand Prize. This will happen at 2:30PM at the Judah Lodge. Our top 3 winners will receive cash plus great prizes from our sponsors, Totally Board, Silver Legacy Casino, Giro, RMU Truckee, Deschutes Brewery, and HitchFire.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

I’m a Midweek/Slightly Restricted Passholder, what are my blackout dates? 

In general, slightly restricted passes have a few blackout days between Christmas and New Year’s Day and during long holiday weekends like Presidents’ Day weekend and Martin Luther King weekend. Midweek passholders have Saturdays and Sundays restricted in addition. See the specific dates on the Existing Passholder Info page. 

What if I want to ski or ride on one of my blackout days? 

New this season, you can use one of your passholder Friends and Family 50% off tickets for yourself on any blackout dates if you would like to ski or ride.

How many Friends and Family Tickets do I have? 

As a passholder, you receive an allotment of 50% off tickets to share with your friends & family.  These vary by pass type and are detailed here. As a reminder, these tickets are subject to sell-out and could be challenging to secure for peak days. You may purchase these tickets online, or they can now be redeemed at the ticket windows, but tickets are subject to sell-out. Online purchase is highly encouraged during weekends and holiday periods.

How do I redeem them? 

To access your Friends & Family tickets, log in to your account on the online store. Different pass types qualify for different amounts of tickets, so check your account to see how many you have. For a step-by-step guide on how to redeem these tickets, visit the Existing Passholder Info page. 

What’s the discount for a friends and family ticket? 

Guests will get 50% off a full-priced ticket, not off any discounted online rates available. 

Do you offer insurance for friends and family tickets or regular lift tickets? 

Yes, you can purchase Trip Flex to make your tickets refundable. Lift tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable, however during the check-out process, you may elect to add-on Trip Flex to any lift ticket for only $20. By adding Trip Flex to your lift ticket, you will make it refundable and you may request a refund for your date up until 11:59PM PST on the date of your scheduled arrival.  

What discounts do I get on food and retail at the resort? 

With your season pass, you can save 15% on retail, food, tuning and repair, and weekday private lessons. Visit the Existing Passholder Info page for the specifics of how your passholder discount can be applied. Please note, the passholder must be present and show their season pass to receive the discount. Discounts above may not be combined with any other offers. 

Can I upgrade my pass from a midweek or slightly restricted pass to an unlimited pass? 

Yes, while supplies last you may upgrade by paying the difference between what you paid and what the current pass rate is at the time of upgrade. 

How can I check to see if Old 40 is open for easy access to the mountain? 

Old 40 is the best shortcut from Truckee to Sugar Bowl. If you want to know the status of Old 40 this winter, text “Old40” to 855-835-5599 and we’ll send you a message anytime Old 40 opens or closes. 

Can I visit other resorts with my Sugar Bowl season pass? 

Yes! We have partnered with several resorts of similar size and quality of Sugar Bowl including new partnerships. See our partner resorts on the Existing Passholder Info page. 

How do I contact customer service about a question/problem with my pass? 

If you have already reviewed the Existing Passholder Info page for your answer and need additional assistance, please email seasonpass@sugarbowl.com. During the busy winter season, we receive a large volume of requests, so please allow a few days of response time. 

Posted By:

Jon aka "Flanimal"

We are running a fun contest to see all the funny rituals people do to make it snow. You can enter by posting an Instagram story of what you do and tagging us @sugarbowlresort and #makeitsnow. Our three favorites, posted by December 1, will win an exclusive Sugar Bowl belt from Arcade, a New Era hat and more.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Driving by History

When we’re cruising up Old 40 from Donner Lake to Sugar Bowl, sometimes we forget to pay attention to all the history we’re driving past. You’ve probably noticed the horizontal stripe of snowsheds set into the landscape BUT do you know the story behind these train tunnels?

Completing the Transcontinental Railroad

More than 150 years ago, the train tunnels were constructed by thousands of Chinese laborers. The challenging puzzle piece completed a crucial section of the Transcontinental Railroad. This feat of engineering involved drilling through miles of solid granite and building huge walls from the excavated rock. Most of this dangerous work was completed by hand.

Resilient Pioneers

While the pioneers of the infamous Donner Party are often remembered in Tahoe’s history, far fewer realize these railroad tunnels were engineered by Chinese immigrants who endured two big Sierra winters— even bigger than the ‘16-17 season. Not only did the tunnel builders avoid the same fate as the Donner Party, they succeeded in producing one of our nation’s most impressive infrastructure achievements.

Want more information about the train tunnels?

Check out this article (with gorgeous photos) by SF Gate.

Read more about Donner Summit history from the The Donner Summit Historical Society.

P.S. Since you’re into trains…

We’ve got another little known train fact for you. There used to be a ski train that skiers could take directly to Sugar Bowl. How cool is that?

Snowball Specials

This particular photograph was used in the 1930’s as an advertisement for the Southern Pacific railroad’s “Snowball Specials” which ran from the Bay Area all the way to Truckee. The trains would depart from Oakland at midnight and were equipped with all the comforts a skier might need. Of course, there was a well-stocked bar car so travelers could party through the night. There was even a “Ski Hut” that sold socks and mittens and offered professional rental equipment fittings. Arriving at Sugar Bowl early the next morning, skier could enjoy the mountain for the day, returning exhausted on the train that evening. Just sayin’… who else wants to bring back the ski train!?

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Let’s Get Comfortable

Dialing in your outerwear and gear will help you have a great day on the slopes. Here is some insight on how you can prepare for your best day possible. Forget something? Stop by one of our retail stores at the Judah Lodge or the Village Lodge. We have just about everything you might need. 

Sierra Weather 

Our California winters run the full spectrum of Sierra weather. Conditions at Sugar Bowl range from blizzard days with gale-force winds to sunny spring T-shirt weather. Be prepared to dress for success in a variety of different weather scenarios. 

Outerwear

Start with the basics: a wind & water resistant jacket and pants. As with all ski gear, there’s a wide range of price/quality in outerwear. You can kit yourself out with brand name Gore Tex, or there are plenty of budget friendly options out there. Some retailers even rent soft goods, so you don’t have to buy a full ski kit to get started. 

Pro Outerwear Tip

The water resistant pants you choose should have a wide enough cuff to fit over your boot. This will prevent snow from getting into your boots. Try to choose jackets and pants with thigh/underarm vents if possible to help regulate your body temperature.

The Beauty Within: Layers!

Next, make a plan for your layers underneath. Non-cotton, sweat-wicking pieces of clothing will help keep you dry and comfortable. If it’s a sunny day and temps are above freezing, you may choose to simply go with a light pair of long underwear or yoga pants underneath your ski jacket and pants. If it’s a cloudy day or temps are below freezing, you may want to add additional layers, like a fleece or wool sweater. 

Pro Layering Tip

if you are bundling up, try to choose some upper body layers that don’t all have hoods. Stacking too many hoods might make you feel like you’re in a straight jacket once you zip everything up!

Fingers and Toes

Socks

Your socks should follow the same rules as your layers— no cotton. If possible, choose a pair of ski-specific socks. Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to double up socks, it doesn’t help. 

How can I keep my feet from getting cold?

Start with a high-quality pair of ski-specific socks. Look for a non-cotton, wicking pair of socks that fit slim to your foot without wrinkling or bunching. Next, if you’re wearing ski boots, you can unbuckle your boots as you walk across the parking lot or every time you ride lifts. This will help get the blood flowing through your feet while you aren’t using your boots for downhill performance. Just remember to rebuckle before you take your next run.

Gloves

While you probably don’t need to run out and buy a new pair of gloves just for skiing or riding, here are a couple considerations. It can be helpful to choose a glove with a synthetic exterior, like nylon, that has some kind of a water resistant layer. Choosing a glove with some insulation will help you stay warm in cold, wet conditions. Ski & ride-specific gloves will often have abrasion-resistant patches on the palm and fingertips for durability.

Pro Gloves Tip

It can be helpful to stash an extra pair of gloves in the car, even if they aren’t the ones you plan to ski in. If you have to put chains on before arriving at the mountain, you won’t want to get your gloves sopping wet before you even start your day. It can be nice to switch gloves midday or before your après activity.

Get your Head in the Game

Let’s protect your noggin! First, we always recommend a helmet. If you don’t want to purchase one, many retailers have helmets for rent. If you are taking a ski or board lesson at Sugar Bowl, we’ll include a complementary helmet rental.

Next, given our weather extremes in Tahoe, we highly recommend goggles over sunglasses. If it’s snowing, sunnies just don’t cut it. If it’s a bluebird day, the sun will be reflecting off the snow and you’ll want eye protection from all angles. Getting a sunburn on your eyeball is not a good look. 

The third element you should plan for is a balaclava or neck gaiter. Depending on the temps, you may want a light stretchy neck gaiter for light sun and wind protection. If it’s really cold, you may choose a fleece neck warmer. Our go-to choice is typically the light stretchy neck gaiter. If it gets wet, it’s really easy to have an extra one stashed in your jacket (they are inexpensive and fold up really small!)

Pro-tip: How should my helmet fit?

Your helmet should be snug but not so tight that you can feel pressure on the sides of your head. A good test is to rock your head side-to-side / yes-and-no. If your helmet sloshes around, it’s too loose. If it’s giving you a headache, too tight. There are many different helmet types to accommodate different shaped heads. A good rule of thumb is to use a helmet that is 5 or less years old. 

Pocket Essentials

How to Properly Wear your RFID Ticket

Seems simple right? Buy your ticket online, use the QR code to redeem it at a kiosk, then pop it in your jacket pocket… You’d be surprised how many people get stuck in the lift line because they’ve done it wrong! Here’s a couple things to remember (in additional to zipping your pocket up tight!)

• Choose a pocket on the left side of your jacket.
• Your ticket rides solo, not in your wallet or with a phone.
• Don’t punch a hole in your ticket
• Essentials for the other pockets: sunscreen, lip balm, medicine if needed, and a Cliff Bar or other light snack.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Want to know how the pros are getting ready for ski season? Check out this 5-part preseason exercise series with Jamey Conley, Director of Performance at Sugar Bowl Academy. Jamey shows us five ways to prepare the key muscles, or “primary movers” that you’ll use skiing and riding this season– think knees, thighs, glutes and core. This series of exercises are simple to do at home and they don’t require any specialized equipment.

A couple benefits to preseason training include:

• Building overall strength and endurance
• Preventing injury
• Being a little less exhausted on the first powder day of the season

A little background on Jamey… 

Jamey has a BS in Athletic Training from Springfield College, where he played on the Men’s Lacrosse Team. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with experience working in collegiate and professional sports settings, as well as in the private setting working with middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes. Prior to joining SBSTA, Jamey was a Performance Coach for Altis Performance and for U.S. Ski & Snowboard High Performance.

Exercise 1: The Classic Squat

• Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart (Slightly wider is okay, but avoid trending too wide)
• Get tall through the top of your head and keep your back straight
• As you descend, your goal should be to descend straight downward
• Keep your feet flat on the ground- you should feel weight in your heels all the way to your big toe.
• Make sure your knees are tracking straight over shins

Exercise 2: Lateral Lunge

• Similar to the squat, remember to stay tall in your upper body with a straight back
• From standing, keep one foot anchored while stepping the other foot out to the side.
• Try to hit a 90 degree angle between your hip and your knee
• Drive from the inside edge of the foot
• Lateral Lunges are an important movement especially for skiing. When you are making a big arcing turn with speed, you’re using the same lateral movement as this lunge. Lateral lunges also help us train the muscles that absorb impacts on the hill. Stability prevents injury.

Exercise 3: Single Leg Squat

• Stand facing away from a stable surface (like a coffee table, chair, or bench)
• Shift your weight onto the foot of the leg you’re going to be squatting towards. Slide the other foot forward and lift it off the floor.
• Keeping your upper body tall, squat straight down to tap the bench and be sure to keep your knee tracking straight over your toes.
• This is a great exercise for building stability in the knee joint and preventing injury.

Exercise 4: Dead Bug 

• Lay with a flat back on the floor and bring your arms and legs up to 90 degrees (like an upside down table.)
• Take turns extending an opposite arm and leg outwards.
• Keep your back flat to the floor and remember to take deep breaths.
• Building a strong core is essential for being able to control our turns.

Exercise 5: Squat Jumps

• Get tall and set up like you would for a squat.
• Get low and bring your arms down towards your sides (your arms will go where ever your hips go.)
• Explode up to the ceiling and bring your arms up overhead.
• When absorbing the landing, don’t stop stiffly or drop all the way to the floor, try to stop somewhere right in the middle.
• Jumping exercises help build explosive strength in our legs.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

So you want to take the hard way up, huh? You’ve come to the right place! Here at Sugar Bowl, we’re excited to offer uphill travel on three designated routes. Most of our uphillers are here for one of two reasons, either to access the backcountry or to get a great workout. Whatever your reason for skipping the lift, we’re excited to host splitboarders and ski tourers at Sugar Bowl.

That said, the uphill scene at Sugar Bowl is no free-for-all. Follow the uphill guidelines to make sure that you have a safe uphill experience and the community can keep enjoying these privileges.

Why Uphill?

Early morning workout

If you’re here to work out before the work day, plan to arrive at Sugar Bowl with skins on between 6-7am. We’re giddy just thinking about the combination of crisp corduroy, the sunrise, and a thermos of coffee at the top. If you’re up for a challenge, it’s possible to skin from the Judah Parking Lot to the summit of Lincoln and ski/ride back in 50 minutes. You’ve still got a whole hour to get to the office if you’re a 9-5er.

Sunset Jaunt

If you’re more of an end-of-the-day adventurer, our uphill hours stretch through the entire day all the way to 7pm. When the sunset is hovering around 5pm in the shortest days of winter, you’re primed for an epic Sierra sunset (but you’ll want to have a headlamp in your pocket.) The afternoon uphill experience pairs well with a visit to the Belt Room afterwards. 

Backcountry Access

Sugar Bowl has an open boundary policy. Please be mindful of the backcountry access gates and do not exit through the gates if they are marked as closed. If you plan on traveling in the backcountry, you’ll want to equip yourself with a beacon, shovel, probe, and a base level of understanding of how to travel avalanche terrain. A 3-day AIARE 1 avalanche course is a great place to start.

Want to learn to Uphill? 

There are a variety of local guide services in North Lake Tahoe that teach uphill and backcountry skills. Sugar Bowl partners with Alpine Skills International, who offers a handy one-day Intro to Backcountry course. 

The Basic Rules of Uphill:

• A lift ticket or season pass is required to travel uphill inbounds.
• Review and sign the Uphill Use Policy before traveling uphill.
• Travel is allowed between 6am-7pm, but always check the website to make sure uphill travel is open. (Rule of thumb, if it’s really storming, we’ll probably close uphill travel… always check!)
• Use designated uphill travel routes only, stick to the edges of the trail and cross the slope only where directed. See descriptions below.
• Expect to encounter on-snow vehicles like snowmobiles and snowcats, etc. Plan to yield… Are you really in that much of a hurry?
• Sorry, no dogs permitted. But you can try cross country skiing in Van Norden Meadow with your favorite furball. 

A Note about Safety from Patrol:

Be aware of oncoming traffic. We close uphill when visibility becomes a safety issue, basically during weather events. Always check the Sugar Bowl website to see what the current status of uphill is. And lastly, follow the designated uphill routes.” 

Courtney Meyerhotlz. Sugar Bowl Ski Patrol Director

Route Descriptions

Mt. Disney 7,943′

~1,000 vertical feet of climbing from the Judah Parking Lot

Ascent & Descent Routes (listed from bottom, up): Disney Return, to Disney Traverse, to Disney Meadow, to Disney Traverse (the easiest way down).

Mt. Lincoln 8,369′

~1,400′ vertical feet of climbing from the Judah Parking Lot

Ascent & Descent Routes (listed from bottom, up): Union Street, to Silver Belt Run Out, to Cat Walk (Do not ascent straight up Silver Belt Run Out, stay to the left and utilize Cat Walk to avoid downhill traffic), to Henderson’s Bowl, to California Street, to Crowley’s Traverse (the easiest way down).

Mt. Judah 8,245′

~1,300 vertical feet of climbing from the Judah Parking Lot

Lower: Ascent & Descent Routes (listed from bottom, up): Season passholders may ascend starting at Lower Coldstream, to Tunnel 41, to Buena Vista. (Non-ticketed, non-passholder guests will end from the SnoPark parking at the top of Donner Summit. Enter the resort boundary by crossing Pacific Crest Trail and up Tunnel 41, to Buena Vista).

Upper: Ascent & Descent Routes (listed from bottom, up): Buena Vista to Tunnel.

More Details to keep in mind

• Uphill travel is not permitted inbounds outside of the normal operating season (don’t try to sneak in during early November, we’ll ask you to turn around!)
• If you’ve gotten this far you should know better but… uphill gear is required. Don’t try to walk uphill, no snowshoes, and you must have skis or a split board with metal edges to ascend. If you are looking for snowshoeing, check out Royal Gorge.
• Parking: you’ll most likely want to park in the Judah Lot if you are accessing the Lincoln or Disney uphill tracks. 

Remember, be an uphill travel steward. Offering this program to our Sugar Bowl community requires the cooperation (and the goodwill) of many departments including patrol, grooming, lift maintenance, snow removal, parking and more. Ignoring the rules is dangerous and will make it impossible for us to continue to offer uphill travel. Whatever you do out there, don’t be the clown to jeopardize uphill travel for the entire community! 

Visit our uphill status page for details. For daily uphill status call (530) 426-6775.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Any month of the winter season can be a great time to ski or ride at Sugar Bowl. Here’s a little preview of the typical conditions we get throughout the season.

Sweet Tips

• Choose midweek/non-holidays if possible to take advantage of a more relaxed environment.
• If you want to ski & ride as much powder as possible this season, sign up for the powder planner email. We’ll email you when there’s a storm on the horizon so you can plan your trip.

Late-November through early-December

Every year is different, but sometimes early-season operations involve limited terrain until we get enough snow to open up additional areas. As more and more terrain opens for the season, skiers and rider go wild with stoke. After a long summer, we’re just excited to be back at it!

Events to look out for: Opening Day Celebration, Toys 4 Tots drive, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Royal Gorge Full Moon Snowshoe Tour

Late December

The holidays are typically our busiest time of the season— for good reason! Spending the holidays at Sugar Bowl is a great way to enjoy your time with friends and family. Let us show you what happens when you mix great skiing & riding with holiday cheer.

Events to look out for: Santa on the Slopes, Wine & Shop

January, February, and early March

Typically our snowiest & coldest times of year. These months are your best chance to score the “authentic winter experience.” i.e. sweet powder skiing. If you want to optimize your powder turns this season, sign up for the powder planner email. We’re always watching the weather and we’ll alert you when there is an upcoming storm so you can plan accordingly.

Events to look out for: Mac & Cheese Festival, Poker Run, Wine & Shop, Demo Days, Banked Slalom, Mardi Gras

Late-March & April

The springtime ski scene at Sugar Bowl is all about leaving your jacket in the car and seeking out great corn skiing in the warm California sun. With softer, more forgiving snow, it’s a great time to progress, whether that means learning a new trick in the park or trying skiing/riding for the first time. You can expect spirited après on the sundecks outside of both lodges. Driving to and from the mountains is typically simpler (but storms still do happen!) Look for late-season lift ticket specials in April. 

Events to look out for: Mini-Pipe Meltdown, Tiki Pond Skim

More tools to help you plan your trip

Use these handy links to:

• Check the Weather
• Check Road Conditions
• See Current Conditions on the Mountain
• Read the Open Snow Tahoe Forecast
• Sign up for Powder Alerts

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

If you want to capture great memories on the mountain, don’t miss these great photo opportunities.

We gotta say, while the summit of Sugar Bowl is spectacular, pretty much everyone gets off the chair at the top of Mt Lincoln, pulls out their smartphone, and poses for a group photo. Yeah, we’re guilty too. Here’s the thing, it’s a great shot but it’s time to branch out. Behold: Our selection of 6 alternative photo locations you may not have thought of, curated by Sugar Bowl’s own professional photo team.

Whether you’re a pro photog with an official shot list or smartphone camera hero, use these insider spots for-the-win. With a little creativity and framing, your camera roll is going to be filled with the sweetest memories of Sugar Bowl.

1. Best Shot of the Palisades (without actually skiing them!)

Head to the top of the Christmas Tree then out along Ridge Run and get the view facing back towards the STEEP east face of Disney and Palisades. It will give you the impression of being surrounded by giant peaks.

2. Best get-the-whole-picture shot

Head to the edge of the gondola parking lot (on top of the parking garage). You’ll see just about everything from here: Judah, Lincoln, Disney and Crow’s. Hello holiday card family portrait!

3. Capture Sugar Bowl History in the Background

From the modern day Disney lift or while skiing/riding down, you can spy a tower off to the right from the first chairlift in California still standing.

4. Best hike-to shot

Roller Pass may be inbounds, but it feels like a world away. Our “best hike-to” shot is located in the saddle between Lincoln and Judah. You can access it most easily by riding up Lincoln and skiing down Crowley’s Traverse. Turn off at the obvious big elbow in the run, in the flat zone after the headwall.

A little bonus history for you, back in the era of the pioneers, Roller Pass is where the pioneers “rolled” their covered wagons over the pass on their journey westward. Just think about that if you get tired hiking.

5. Cleanest corduroy

There are two important tricks to nailing this one: Show up for first chair and make sure the terrain you pick to ski is east facing (so your shot will be in the light even when the sun is low in the sky.) The early morning light is magical off of East Face via Disney (make sure your skier model can handle it!) and the view won’t disappoint either.

6. Best Pow shot

Nothing beats a powder shot from the top of Silver Belt. It’s high elevation which means the it’s going to receive the most and highest quality snowfall. It’s got plenty of dramatic jagged rocks for snow to pile up on top of, which pretty much guarantees your shot is going to be insta-worthy.

Bonus Photo Spot

For the best shot en route to Sugar Bowl, head up Old 40 to catch a view of Donner Lake from the Rainbow Bridge. There’s a handy parking area here. Text “Old40” to 855-835-5599 to be notified every time the road opens or closes.

P.S. we hope you still took a photo at the top of Lincoln. It’s amazing up there!

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Sugar Bowl has a variety of ways to park and enjoy the mountain including free lots with first-come-first-serve parking, a 10-minute drop-off zone, and reserved parking options. Remember to carpool when possible.

Park at the Mt Judah Lodge

• Slopeside parking, most convenient option for chairlift access
• Free parking in all three parking lots around Judah Lodge
• First-come-first serve basis

On weekends and holidays, a free shuttles circulates the Judah parking lot to bring skiers and riders directly to the base area.

Judah Lodge: Mt Judah Lodge, Sugar Bowl Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

Judah Drop-Off Zone: Free 10 min Parking

Sugar Bowl guests are welcome to use the Judah drop-off zone to unload belongings and equipment. Drive through the Judah Lot to the roundabout near Judah Lodge and look for drop-off zone signage. Please do not leave your vehicle unattended and plan to limit your usage to 10 minutes or less.

Judah Lodge Preferred Parking: Sold Out

All preferred parking passes for the 2021/22 season have been sold. We do not anticipate making any additional parking passes available.

Judah Kids Ski School Parking

There is limited first-come-first-serve parking for ski school participants at the Judah Kids Building. Use the upper parking lot at Judah to access, it will be on your left as you drive into the Judah Lot.

Park at Village Access Gondola Parking Lot

• 10-minute gondola ride from parking lot to Village Lodge & chairlift access
• Free parking in our smaller, secondary parking lot
• First-come-first serve basis

Village Gondola Parking Lot: 58370 Donner Summit Rd, Norden, CA 95724

Village Gondola Lot for Hotel & Village Guest Parking

Hotel and Village guests have access to the covered indoor parking at the base of the gondola. After parking in the garage, head upstairs to board the Gondola, and you will arrive inside The Hotel in just a few minutes. Please note, we do not offer overnight parking in our Judah base area parking lots nor adjacent to The Hotel, so we highly encourage taking the Village Gondola during your stay.

Limited Overnight Parking

There is a small amount of overnight parking available for guests and employees located near the Village Gondola Parking Lot on Old 40. Please do not attempt to park overnight in the main lot. The overnight lot is located east of the gondola on the south side of the road. Look for a small parking lot that runs along the gondola-side of the road.

Please note, there is no overnight parking, including RVs, in the main Judah lot or the main Village Gondola parking lot due to snow removal concerns.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Our ski lessons are offered in FOUR fantastic levels so you can drop in with a group that’s tailored to your skill level.

• Level 1 (first time skiing)
• Level 2 (beginner)
• Level 3 (intermediate)
• Level 4 (advanced)

Benefits to signing up for the right level ski lesson include:

• The content of the lesson will be catered to your current abilities
• You’ll be learning in a group with skiers of a similar level
• You’ll be taught by an instructor best suited to teach your level

Take a few moments to read through this handy breakdown to ensure you have chosen your level correctly. You’ll be set up for a great ski lesson at Sugar Bowl.

Level 1: I’m a First Time Skier

Green Circle Runs

Q: Have you ever skied before?

No? You are a Level 1 skier. Pretty simple, there is no need to read further until you return for more lessons on your path to becoming a lifetime skier/rider.

Yes? If you have skied before in the past few years, and you already know how to make a wedge turn, consider exploring Level 2 lessons instead.

More about Level 1

Booking a Level 1 lesson with one of our certified ski instructors will get you started in the right direction. The progress you can make with an hour of ski instruction can replace many days of figuring it out on your own. You’ll cover how ski equipment functions and learn foundational skills like turning and stopping. A Learn to Ski Package is the best way to get started and includes rentals, a lesson, and a lift ticket.

Level 2: I’ve skied before and I’m all about the wedge turn

Green Circle Runs

Q: Can you stop and change direction using a wedge?

Q: Do you use a wedge at any time during a turn?

Q: Do you prefer skiing green runs? 

Q: Can you ride a chairlift?

If the skier above sounds like you, Level 2 is a great next lesson for you. If you are already transitioning to parallel turns, move ahead to Level 3.

More about Level 2

Mastering the wedge turn (otherwise known as the “pizza”) is a great first step towards learning to ski. You’ll be able to stop, turn, and generally get to where you need to go on the mountain. As your control and balance improves, you’ll be ready to start learning “parallel turns” and gain the skills to ski more advanced terrain in Level 3

Level 3: Sometimes I Can Make Parallel Turns

Blue Square Runs+

Q: Can you comfortably link parallel turns on blue runs?

Q: Are you starting to work up to skiing some easy black runs?

Q: Can you ski with poles?

If you have transitioned from wedge turns to parallel turns and you are starting to move from blue terrain to black terrain, keep progressing with a Level 3 lesson.

More about Level 3

If you’re skiing with parallel turns some or most of the time, you’ve made it into Level 3. You should feel confident on blue square runs and want to start mixing in some easier black diamond terrain. It’s okay if your happy place is still blue runs, but hopefully you are starting to feel that if you took your time, you would be confident controlling your skis on more advanced terrain. 

Level 4: I’m an Advanced Skier ready to fine tune my skills

Black Diamond Runs+

Q: Can you ski a variety of conditions? Groomed/ungroomed/bumps etc.

Q: Can you make dynamic turns skiing in parallel the whole time?

Q: Are you confident skiing black and double black runs? chutes, steeps, or bumps?

If you are confident making parallel turns in a variety of conditions in a range of terrain, Level 4 can provide helpful insight into taking your skiing to the next level.

More about Level 4

Don’t settle once you’ve transitioned from an intermediate to an advanced skier. Sure, you may be able to ski the whole mountain comfortably, but can you do it with style? Skiing is a lifelong pursuit and Level 4 will help you fine tune your skills, break out of bad habits, and have you on your way to becoming an expert skier.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Join us in welcoming our new Director of Mountain Operations Greg Bretz. Greg just started at Sugar Bowl this summer but his ski industry experience already spans more than 25 years between stints at Mammoth and Doppelmayr. 

Greg’s illustrious career in the ski industry began by chance in 1996, while he was backpacking through the southern Sierra with his young son. While passing through Mammoth, a friend mentioned that there was a job opening for a welder at the mountain. Greg applied and the detour became permanent. He raised his son quite literally on the mountain, who would grow up to become an Olympic halfpipe rider in the 2014 games in Sochi. 

From the moment he stepped into his first ski area job, Greg dedicated himself to mastering just about every behind-the-scenes skill that makes any mountain run. We are so excited to add Greg’s expertise and passion to our team. If you’re keen to get to know Greg a little better, check out the interview below:

Q: Can you start by introducing yourself?

“Hi I’m Greg Bret, I’m the Director of Mountain Operations at Sugar Bowl. I’ve been in the ski business since ’96. I’ve worked at Mammoth and Doppelmeyer and I’ve ended up here at Sugar Bowl this summer.”

Q: What’s your approach to managing a mountain? 

“I’m kind of a hands-on manager. I love to get out there and work. I’d never ask anybody to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”

Q: What work needs to get done this summer before the snow flies?

“Each lift has state requirements that we have to meet–  so there’s line work, motor room work, grip work. Each lift takes about 2,000 man hours of lift maintenance and we try to get it done by November 1. Currently, we’re about to start a big job on the Judah lift and we’re also in the middle of servicing the drive motor on Lincoln.

Q: Can you give us a play-by-play of your current project on Lincoln?

Each year we plan specific maintenance on different drive motors that are on our lifts. This year we did the drive motor on Lincoln. We brought in a crane to remove the motor then we sent it down to a rebuilder in Modesto. When we get it back we’ll put it back in with a crane and load test the lift to make sure everything is working properly and safely.

We’re doing this in the off-season because it would get a little tougher, to say the least, if something were to go wrong in the middle of the ski season. It can take about 3 weeks to rebuild, so we do this planned maintenance to make sure the motor doesn’t fail in the middle of the season.”

Q: What’s the hardest part of your job?

“I’m in charge of planning the day’s events for everybody. I work across a lot of departments– vehicle maintenance, snowmaking, trail crew, lift maintenance, and patrol. During the summer months there are several projects around the mountain that need to be completed, like the weather station at the top of Lincoln and RFID gates over at Royal Gorge. It’s a challenge to plan a schedule that keeps everyone busy and makes sure that our projects get done. The hardest part of the job is tying it all together.”

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

“I’m new to the mountain manger world, mostly I’ve been the Director of Lift Operations and I started as a technician, so I think this year is all about getting everything together. Between plowing the snow, clearing the parking lots, grooming, opening the lifts, and avalanche control, it takes a lot to get the mountain open. I’m excited to get that all rolling and see how well we can do. When everything comes together and the product is perfect for the guest, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.”

Q: What do you love about working in the ski & ride industry?

“Well, the nice thing is, in the positions I’ve had, you pretty much get to ski every day. The opportunity for my son to grow up snowboarding was huge. We had a great time when he was a little kid and he went on to a career in competitive snowboarding, eventually competing in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. If I wasn’t in the ski industry, and mountain wasn’t his babysitter, that would have never happened.”

Q: What’s special about working at Sugar Bowl?

“Being with Dopplemeyer, I’ve done a lot of work at Sugar Bowl over the years and gotten to know the people and the terrain. It’s an incredible mountain with a great atmosphere. Compared to a lot of other resorts in the area, it has a more laid back vibe and doesn’t feel so crowded. I love being a part of the management team and trying to make the experience better for our guests every day.”

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Your Guide to 48 Fabulous Hours at Sugar Bowl

Use these tips to maximize fun, even if your time in the mountains is at a minimum. With a little research and some proper planning, you can get a lot done in a weekend. Between the easy highway access, uncrowded slopes, and authentic alpine vibe, Sugar Bowl Resort is the perfect spot for a quick ski getaway in Tahoe.

Drive at Non-Peak Times:

If you want to travel as efficiently as possible, plan your drive time well outside of peak traffic hours 3pm-6pm. If you are traveling east on i80 and aiming for a Friday evening arrival, consider leaving extra early midday or pushing the trip into the late evening. If Saturday morning is your target, break out the extra big coffee thermos for an alpine start and try to hit the road before dawn. Sugar Bowl is generally WAY less crowded than other large resorts in Tahoe BUT that doesn’t mean the highway won’t be busy if you’re traveling on a weekend. If you must travel at peak times on the weekend, don’t worry, Sugar Bowl is only 3 miles off the highway and you won’t be contending with the bulk of the traffic that is closer to Lake Tahoe.

Winter driving tips: plan around the weather and prep your vehicle. Have chains on board (and make sure you know how to install them) or choose a vehicle with snow tires and 4-wheel drive if possible.

Friday Night Arrival:

Where to stay: There are 2 convenient options for staying close to Sugar Bowl. If you want to be as close as possible to skiing, choose to stay slopeside at The Hotel or in a nearby vacation rental. If you prefer to stay in Truckee to be closer to the nightlife, no big deal, just hop on i80 going west and you can typically make it from Truckee to Sugar Bowl in under 25 minutes.

9am: Saturday Ski Day: 

Now that you’ve unpacked your gear and gotten your bearings, let the fun begin!

Where to ski:

First let’s start with a trail map.

• Looking for easy green runs? Try White Pine near the Judah Lodge and work your way up to the Jerome Hill lift.
• Comfortable on moderate blues & blacks? Chute One off of Lincoln is a classic. You’ll get to experience the tallest summit at Sugar Bowl and there’s a moderate way back down to the base.
• All about challenging black runs? Tick off the East Face of Disney or the 58 off of Lincoln.

Two important tips: 

1. If you need a lift ticket, remember to purchase it at least a day in advance. Keep in mind that we sell a limited amount of lift tickets every day, so plan ahead if you want guaranteed availability. 
2. Early birds get… good skiing: We groom our runs overnight, so showing up at or before 9am is usually the best way to catch good snow conditions.

11am:  Coffee Break at Village Lodge

After a couple solid hours of skiing and riding, treat yourself to an artisan coffee and pastry at Village Espresso in the Village Lodge. You’ll be surprised to find an exceptional third-wave coffee shop nestled right into the heart of our historic Village Lodge. Temple Coffee Roasters out of Sacramento adds some serious panache to the standard ski resort coffee offering… but hey, if you want to keep it simple with a cup of drip, don’t worry, we’ve got that too.

We always find that a little caffeine perks up our tired legs for a few more hours of skiing or riding. After a good midday break, you’ll be ready to finish out day 1 on the slopes strong.

2pm: Day 1 Après

At Sugar Bowl, we maintain that the skiing and riding “lifestyle” is just as important as the actual sport itself. And that lifestyle…we’ll it’s all about Après! Once the afternoon rolls around, we head down to the Belt Room in the Village Lodge. Try one of our famous Bloody Mary’s or order up some classic American fare to top off any great day. If it’s sunny, and it often is, the expansive deck in front of the Belt Room is the place to be found with your beverage of choice in hand. 

Check our calendar to see if there are events or live music happening that day.

Evening: Post-skiing Day 1 

Staying in on the summit? Join us for an evening in the Dining Room at Village Lodge for the ultimate union of delicious food and incredible ambiance. Our Dining Room defines fine dining with a view: Bay Area-inspired California cuisine in our classic high-alpine lodge, complete with an oversized wood-burning fireplace. 

Heading into Town? What to Eat in Truckee: 

• Try Moody’s or the Cottonwood for upscale dining
• Best Pies for pizza
• Casa Baeza for Mexican
• Alibi for craft beers and pub food

What to See in Truckee: 

• Downtown Truckee: go for a stroll through the charming downtown strip. Truckee is a historic railroad town, if you’re lucky, you’ll see a great big train rumbling through the heart of downtown. 
• Walk the Truckee River via the Legacy Trail on the outskirts of town.
• Bundle up and watch the sunset from the east end of Donner Lake.
• If you’re up for a drive, you can typically get to Lake Tahoe in about 40 minutes from Sugar Bowl.

Day 2: Another day on the slopes

Maybe you want to rack up as many hot laps as you can before heading home… Or maybe you’re ready to mix it up? If you’re skiing the resort, you already know the drill, but if you’re ready to branch out on Day 2, here are some of our favorite Sunday activities:

Try cross country skiing at Royal Gorge.

Did you know that Sugar Bowl operates the largest cross country ski resort in North America? Explore the Van Norden Meadow and catch an incredible view of the terrain you were downhill skiing just the day before. Royal Gorge encompasses more than 6,000 acres and features 92 trails for classic cross-country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing. Trails are appropriate for guests of all ages and ability levels and rentals and lessons are available daily. Plan to purchase at least a day in advance if you need rentals, a lesson, or a day ticket. 

P.S. If you are traveling with your furry friend, a $5 dog pass grants you access to over 30km of dog-friendly trails.

Up for a day of backcountry skiing? 

Unlike most resorts in the Tahoe region, Sugar Bowl, in conjunction with the USFS, maintains an open boundary policy for backcountry skiing and riding. If you’re an experienced backcountry user with avalanche training and proper safety gear, the world is your oyster- there is excellent backcountry terrain to be found off of Lincoln, Judah, and Crows. If you’re an inexperienced backcountry user or if you’d prefer to travel under the guidance of a mountain professional, there are numerous professional mountain guide services that operate in Tahoe. Hire a guide to take you up the resort lifts and out beyond the boundary of Sugar Bowl to explore the backcountry. More about our backcountry policy here.

Day 2: Last Stop before you hit the road

Stop by one of our retail stores for some keepsake shopping. We launched an all-new logo wear catalog this winter and we know you’ll want to bring something home with you.

Make it happen:

Now that you’ve got a basic weekend itinerary, it’s time to make a plan and customize our ideas to fit your style. Even if you have limited time at Sugar Bowl this winter, be sure to make your time in the mountains count. How many days are you going to ski this season? Set a goal and see if you can hit it. We can’t wait to see you on the slopes.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

1. Easy access to hiking, mountain biking, & climbing.

Location, location, location! Donner Summit is any adventurer’s dream. From your base camp, you can climb world-class granite cliffs, hike a section of the famous Pacific Crest Trail, and mountain bike the Donner Lake Rim Trail with panoramic views of the surrounding Sierra.

2. Pre-wedding tip: Enjoy our signature “Lake Mary Day” to maximize outdoor family time the day before your wedding.

While adventure sports aren’t within everyone’s wheelhouse, a day of outdoor fun at our private lake is accessible for all. The day before your wedding, plan to paddle, swim, and connect with your guests in a stress-free setting. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy custom catering from our Lake Mary restaurant. If spending the day at a beautiful alpine lake can’t calm your pre-wedding jitters, what will?

3. Best wedding theme ever: Authentic Alpine Experience.

Our resort has been in operation since 1939, so you’ll nail a vibe that captures Old Tahoe charm with some European alpine flair mixed in. Capitalize on the cool ski area vibe because your guests are in for a mountain-top party like no other. You may want to warn them: stilettos not recommended.

4. Dancing under the stars, swoon!

If summertime weather has you wanting to spend every possible moment outside, we’re with you. Take advantage of the amazing Tahoe weather May-September and plan your whole party to be outdoors: ceremony, cocktail hour & reception. The deck of our Village Lodge is the perfect place to throw a raging outdoor dance party. Of course, as a backup, you’ll have the charming Belt Room Bar, the Lounge with its oversized stone fireplace, or the lovely Lake Mary cabin. We’ve got our fingers crossed for a perfect warm day & cool night for your big event.

5. Ride a chairlift

Incorporating chairlift transport into your wedding day makes limo travel feel a little basic, doesn’t it? Your guests will be giddy (and others probably a little nervous) about the prospect of hopping on a lift and soaring to the summit of Disney at 7,953’. Reaching the summit, you’ll be surrounded by expansive views of the Sierra from Van Norden Meadow to Castle Peak. Even your “afraid-of-heights” guests will agree the adventure was worth it.

6. Adventurers gotta eat! 

If you’re leaning towards a Tahoe wedding, we’re sure you’re planning some fun mountain adventures to entertain your guests (and yourself!). With all these fun-filled and eventful days, your crew is going to work up an appetite. Sugar Bowl’s catering department delivers. Under the skillful guidance of French-trained executive chef Mark May and the masterful Chef Able, our catering is fresh and delicious. We pride ourselves in having the range to accommodate any mountain event, elevated or casual.

7. Catch a Sierra sunset unlike any other

As the daylight fades, the Sierras light up. High alpine sunsets in our mountain landscape are a sight to behold. As your wedding day transitions to the after party, the scenery won’t disappoint. It can’t hurt to have a little extra “glow” on your big day.

8. Beautiful presentations integrate incredible scenery into your wedding

Every scene of your wedding at Sugar Bowl is complete with a stunning backdrop. Our wedding planners are experts at crafting each space so it’s both functional for your event and still highlights the natural beauty of our landscape.

Let us design these spaces for you:

• A simple and elegant ceremony on the lawn surrounded by towering pine trees.
• A show-stopper cocktail hour on the summit accessed via chairlift.
• A lively base area where you’ll dine & dance under the stars.  

If you want to plan an unforgettable event, start with a spectacular mountain landscape and we’ll take care of the rest!

9. Find some peace and quiet in the mountains

The best thing about a Sugar Bowl wedding is how private the venue feels. After our last day of the ski season each spring, our resort closes to the public each summer, so you can be sure that your group is the only wedding party on site. If you’re after a laidback mountain vibe with plenty of peace and quiet, look no further. 

10. Base camp for your closest friends and family

Hosting an event at Sugar Bowl grants you exclusive use of the entire venue, including bar, lounge, dining room, decks and lawn for the whole weekend. Basically you’ve organized a mini summer camp with the people that matter to you most. We know this event is important, but let’s make sure it’s really, really FUN.

Start Planning. Send an email to weddings@sugarbowl.com or call (530) 426-6769 to speak with a Wedding Specialist at Sugar Bowl.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Welcome to the Real-time Information Hub, a collection for our favorite tips, tricks, and handy links to help you stay connected with what’s happening at Sugar Bowl Resort. If knowing information before everyone else is your thing, you’ve come to the right place! Bookmark/follow/download these tools for quick access to this crucial information. Stay in the loop and have your best possible day on the slopes.

Weather & Road Conditions

Knowing the weather and road conditions will help you know what to expect when traveling to the resort.

Weather

Sign up for the Powder Planner Email

• When we see a storm on the horizon, we let you know so you can plan accordingly.

Check Donner Summit Weather

• Be sure to check high elevation weather for Tahoe, above 7,000′ for the most accurate data.

Road Conditions

• Check Caltrans for i80 Road Conditions 
• Old 40 Updates
  • Old 40 is the best shortcut from Truckee to Sugar Bowl. If you want to know the status of Old 40 this winter, text “Old40” to 855-835-5599 and we’ll send you a message anytime Old 40 opens or closes.

Current Conditions on the Mountain

This mega page is THE page to check. It has our updated snowfall (recorded twice daily) plus snow reporters notes. It has real-time lift operations that are updated every time a lift status changes. You’ll also find a detailed grooming report plus an interactive grooming map. It also pulls in basic weather and road conditions to give you a solid overall sense of the conditions to expect at Sugar Bowl that day.

No Frills Twitter Updates

Want to get direct updates with no frills? We’ve got just the thing. We tweet a daily conditions report each morning along with any changes to operations, whether it’s a lift going on hold during a wind event or new terrain opening during a storm day.

Real-time Mountain Operations Updates

Seeing is believing: Up-to-Date Images

If you want an updated image of what conditions look like at Sugar Bowl check our webcams or social media.

Webcams

Do you need to decide what goggle lens to wear? Check the webcams, they are located all over the mountain.

Social Media

Do you want to see how good the powder is skiing while you’re stuck at work? You know we’ll be posting stories to our instagram account if there is any new snow on the ground. Que the FOMO!

In Case of Emergency

Oh oh… it does happen, so be sure to add this important contact into your phone. If you witness an injury or you’re involved in one, you’ll be able to reach the dispatch office who can send a team of ski patrollers as necessary. Unless you’ve memorized this place inside out, it can be helpful to carry a paper trail map in your pocket. That way, if you need to report the precise location of an injury, you won’t be fumbling for the name.

When reporting an accident, always remember to be brief, direct, and report the most important information first. First state your location, then a brief description of the injured person(s), and the nature of the injury. Dispatch will also want to know the number of the phone from which you are calling. If you suddenly get disconnected or your phone battery dies in the cold, at least dispatch will know your location, so they can send a ski patroller for further investigation. You can also report injuries to the chairlift attendants or anyone in a Sugar Bowl uniform.

Ski Patrol and Emergencies

• call (530) 426-6727
• or 9-1-1

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

With the right preparation and a couple helpful pointers, you’ll have a lot of fun learning to ski or ride at Sugar Bowl Resort.

1. Go with a Pro & Book a Lesson

Friends are great for carpooling but they almost always fall short as ski instructors. Book a lesson with one of our certified ski & ride instructors and we’ll get you started in the right direction. The progress you can make with an hour of ski instruction can replace days or weeks of figuring it out on your own.

As I’m sure you learned all too well during the pandemic, we send our kids to professional teachers in school for a reason…they are trained to teach.  Same goes for our PSIA certified Ski Instructors.

Is the whole family learning to ski? Choose a private family lesson, or, we have options for kid-specific and adult-specific lessons.

2. Know the Rules of the Road

The Skier Responsibility Code is a crash course in ski area etiquette. but it’s a good idea to get a basic idea of the do’s and don’ts before you hit the slopes. The list includes common sense items such as always stay in control & be able to stop, but also some items you might not consider, like stopping in a safe spot where you can be seen.  When possible, I like to stop behind a sign or tree for an added level of protection.  

3. Study the Trail Map

When you’re just getting started, look for the zones with the most green circles. (Hint: both parking areas have access to beginner terrain.) Get an idea of which chairlifts you want to ride that day to access the terrain you want to ski or ride. If you take a few minutes to get your bearings before your first day, you’ll feel much more confident when you arrive. Here’s a link to our trail map.  Have questions while at the mountain, just ask someone in a blue Sugar Bowl uniform.  Our team is passionate about skiing and snowboarding and loves to share that passion with others.

4. Gearing up? Get the Right Tool for the Job

Sure, your friend might have a free set of skis you can borrow, but if they are better suited for a ski museum or a foot taller than you, the “savings” are doing you no favors.  

One of our friendly base area rental shops can help get you and/or your family dialed in for your first day on the slopes. A professional technician will make sure your skis or boards are properly adjusted to match your skill level. You can rest assured that our state-of-the-art rental fleet is waxed, tuned, and ready to rock. Rentals are only available for skiers and riders taking a lesson at Sugar Bowl. Be sure to book at least a day in advance!

5. What to Wear: Outfitted for the Outdoors 

A great day in the mountains starts with comfortable outdoor clothing. The basics are: waterproof jacket and pants, insulating/moisture-wicking base layers, helmet, googles, gloves, and ski socks. Remember to avoid cotton wherever possible, because it gets cold when wet. For a step-by-step guide, check out this helpful blog.

Pocket essentials: we like to have a travel size sunscreen, lip balm, microfiber goggle cloth, and tissues. Forgot something? We can help at one of our on-mountain stores.

6. Give Yourself a Break

If it’s your first day, it’s safe to say that you’ll be learning a lot of new skills (and testing out a couple new muscles too!) Taking a lunch break at one of our on-mountain dining locations is an opportunity to rest, relax, hydrate, and enjoy the view of the surrounding Sierra. You’ll be ready for another round of skiing or riding after a little down-time.

On a budget? Keep a spare Cliff Bar in your pocket. Kids learning to ski too? Pack two for them! Parking lot car picnics are allowed and encouraged.

7. Acclimate to the Elevation

Many of our guests travel to Sugar Bowl from sea level and will hop on the lifts that lead straight to our highest peak at 8,383’. While this altitude change is typically manageable, you may notice a mild headache and some extra huffing and puffing going up the stairs. Stay hydrated, take it slow, and keep an extra Advil in your pocket just in case.

8. Celebrate your First Day with some Après 

Don’t go just yet! After your big first day on the slopes, plan to enjoy the legendary après culture Sugar Bowl has to offer. Join us for great food and party vibes at the Belt Room. Looking for a laidback soak in the sun? Try the picnic tables outside of Judah Lodge. Whatever you’re up for, our skiing and riding culture at Sugar Bowl is a lot of fun, and we’re excited to show you what it’s all about.

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

My First Year at Royal Gorge

I finally joined the skinny ski club and I’m OBSESSED. Before last year, I was certain that I’d be a diehard downhiller at Sugar Bowl for life, alas, last December I found myself gliding into the fabulous world of skate skiing at Royal Gorge. Now I’m a proud owner of a combo pass and I’m living out my wildest winter dreams on Donner Summit. Sometimes I even get to do both in the same day.

A couple of reasons why I decided to learn to skate last year:

1. It’s incredible exercise

I can keep my cardio up all winter without using a treadmill, the most boring invention on the planet. Pro-tip: you burn so many calories skate skiing that you get to wear a fannypack to store all your extra snacks.

2. My border collie needs the aforementioned exercise more than I do.

There are 11.7km of groomed dog-friendly trails around Van Norden Meadow. Every day my dog gets to go skate skiing is the best day of her life.

3. The landscape is unreal.

Where do I start? It’s the largest cross country resort in America so there’s a lot to see. There’s an amazing view of Sugar Bowl from the meadow, you can skate to Point Mariah to see the massive canyon where the American River starts, you can hoof it all the way up to the top of Rowton Peak and gaze over the Sierra Crest, and of course— simple pleasures, skating through snowy woods is always a winner.

4. It’s a great alternative if the ski resort conditions aren’t perfect.

Hard pack groomer at the resort? Ideal skating conditions. Skiing and skating are the ying and yang of winter sports.

We covered the nice stuff, now let’s get real.

My first day of skate skiing was, in full transparency, a slippery slam fest. It would be better classified as a comedy show for my fellow cross country skiers. But don’t worry, hopefully you can learn from my mistakes. Furthermore, I’ll be the first to tell you that the challenging start was worth it.

Step #1: There’s a bit of a learning curve

I learned that my proficiency on downhill skis does NOT immediately translate to a mastery of skate skis. On day 1 I asked myself many times, “Where are the metal edges? How do they get these skis SO slippery? How am I supposed to propel myself forward with these floppy bindings and squishy boots?”

I watched skaters twice my senior glide effortlessly past me shouting friendly “hello-how-are-ya’s.” Everyone else was a lot less sweaty than me. It turns out that just because you can downhill ski/run/you’re-an-athlete doesn’t mean it won’t be challenging to try skating for the first time. The experience was humbling to say the least… but the sun was out, the trees were snowy, and it was a lot of fun!

Step #2: It’s time to do the work, how do I get better at this?

Take a Lesson

I spent at least three days wobble-wiggling through the motions before I finally booked a lesson with a professional Royal Gorge instructor. My instructor broke everything down into simple steps and showed me a series of the techniques to use on different types of terrain. We practiced drills that helped improve my single leg glide and error-corrected some bad habits I had fallen into while learning on my own. The lesson was an hour long, cost $60, and set me off on the right foot. In hindsight, I would have started here in the first place.

Watch Biathlon

Personally, I believe the evenings I spent watching YouTube clips of old Olympic races, drinking wine, and yelling at the computer screen were an important part of my early skate ski training. Maybe it was the professional lesson that I finally ponied up and paid for. Either way, it’s called manifesting.

Practice!

This is the fun part. Starting to skate ski is challenging in every way— it’s as mental as it is physical. While my brain was working out how this strange side-to-side movement could propel me forward, every muscles in my body was working out too. Especially the tiny weird shin muscles I didn’t realize I had, those got really sore at first. If you like a challenge and you’re prepared to be humbled, you’ll love learning to skate as much as I did.

Step #3: Where do we go from here?

Only time will tell… I’m still a diehard downhiller, but I’ve grown to appreciate my slippery skinny skis and the calm of the trails. This winter if I’m not out slashing pow at Sugar Bowl, you can find me skating around Royal Gorge to explore all the places on the trail map that I haven’t gotten to yet. Devil’s Peak anyone? If you’re learning to skate this season like I did last year, remember to be humble, don’t be afraid to fall, and eat a lot of snacks. I’m still pretty new at this to be dolling out advice but I think skate skiing is a good example of where “the journey is in the destination.” I can’t wait to get skating again this winter and keep improving. Hope to see you out there too!

Cheers,

sk8r_grl

P.S. if you had a lot of questions (I did) Here are some handy FAQ for you:

Q: What should I know if I’m a beginner?

Royal Gorge has two parking areas, one at Van Norden Meadow and one at Summit Station. If you need rentals or a day ticket, plan to go to Summit Station first. In total Royal Gorge has 27 beginner trails with stunning views of the Northern Sierra and Van Norden Meadow.

Q: What winter sports can I do at Royal Gorge?

You can choose between classic cross-country (where you shuffling your skis straight ahead) and skate skiing (skis move laterally like ice skates). Most beginners start out with classic skiing, but if you want to go big and start with skating, why not!? There are also great snowshoeing trails at Royal Gorge.

Q: Can I rent gear?

Yes! Royal Gorge has state-of-the-art equipment rentals are available daily. You can rent one type of equipment package (skate, classic or snowshoe) and trade it in same day for a different type. Book in advance and, on the day of your arrival, rental gear can be picked up at Summit Station.

Q: Can I take a lesson?

There are group or private lessons available at Royal Gorge with experienced instructors. Lessons are available daily but sell out, be sure to book in advance.

Q: Where should I go if I’m learning?

There is a great practice area right in front of Summit Station. There are plenty of short flat loops that start and finish here as well. The Van Norden Meadow is also beginner-friendly.

Q: What do you wear for cross-country skiing?

Dress in non-cotton layers that move easily and wick sweat.

Q: Can I bring my dog?

Yes! Park at Van Norden Meadow and enjoy the 11.7km of dog trials. See trail map and on-trail signage for details.

Posted By:

Sugar Bowl Admin

Aaaand we have a winner! We are pleased to bring you an interview with ’21-22 Passholder Beanie Designer Sophia Sperman. Last spring, during our first ever beanie design competition, Sophia submitted her trail map themed masterpiece. Although we received hundreds of submissions, Sophia’s design was quickly selected for the next round of the competition by a highly professional panel of judges (otherwise known as the Sugar Bowl marketing department). Our top eight picks were then blasted out on all our social channels, awaiting judgment from our faithful followers. A rigorous voting session ensued and when it all shook out, we had a clear winner. Congratulations Sophia!

The new beanies will be given out to passholders at random during the ’21/22 winter season. Hope you get one! Now, on with the interview:

Q: How did you come up with your design? What was the inspiration behind the map?

“I designed this beanie with the Sugar Bowl’s brand in mind. I wanted it to be identifiably on-brand and unique. While brainstorming ideas that fit these criteria, I remembered the resort map. I thought it would be hilariously charming to point to a map on my head if someone asked me for directions.”

Q: What’s your go-to creative outlet? Art, design, music, cat photos on Instagram… whatever

“My go-to creative outlet is absolutely art. Growing up, I drew on every scrap of paper I could get my hands on. My teachers were often irked by doodles on the edges of assignments, and I used my school planner as a sketchbook. In high school, I took a graphic design class and fell in love with Adobe Illustrator. I used Adobe Illustrator to design my entry to the Sugar Bowl Beanie Contest! I also love sculpture and print making, and most recently, I taught myself to crochet — I’ve been working on blankets for my apartment next semester. I find the overlap of physical and digital arts fascinating, and I plan on exploring that overlap in the near future!”

Q: Have you done design work before or is this amazing hat design totally out of the blue for you?

“I’ve done design work in the past. I first learned the ropes of graphic design in high school, and was later competitively chosen to revamp the logos and branding guidelines for my high school (San Leandro High School) as well as the school’s business academy logo. It’s really rewarding to see the logo I designed newly painted on the school’s exterior! Later, I worked on logos for small businesses, and I frequently find small jobs in photo editing. I’ve also dabbled in digital illustration for children’s books.”

Q: Are you going come up and ski/ride Sugar Bowl this winter? If yes, what are you most excited to experience at Sugar Bowl/Lake Tahoe?

“Unfortunately, with college and internships, I don’t think I’ll make it to Sugar Bowl this winter. However, it is a favorite destination for my aunt and me, so as soon as I can make a snowboarding trip, Sugar Bowl will 100% be in my itinerary. Hopefully, I’ll be able to come back soon for a pre-graduation trip!”

Q: What are you going to do with your $500 cash?

The $500 prize will help me pay for textbooks and lab fees during my upcoming semester at UC Berkeley! I am so grateful!

Q: What’s your experience like being a student at Berkeley? What are you studying?

“I love it here at UC Berkeley! It is easy to get a quick workout walking along the many campus footpaths – there is always somewhere new to explore! Coming into college, I was determined to find a career path that combined both art and STEM. I am an intended Chemistry major–I plan to declare my major once the fall semester starts–but I also take a lot of art classes which help me unwind from those long chemistry labs. Additionally, I’ve been interested in the chemical processes behind the art of tattoos for a long time, and majoring in chemistry is a great way to explore that niche topic.”

Q: Did your major in college help you come up with your design or totally unrelated?

“I approach chemistry with an artistic lens, which informed my artistic process designing the hat. Maps, like the one I included in my entry, are inherently structural. Maps give visual structure to the process of conveying concepts of direction and space. In a similar vein, chemistry gives us the words to describe how matter works in our world. Finding artistic ways to portray these chemical processes makes chemistry accessible and my art functional, which is important to me. Thus, I spent extra time making sure the map in my design was both functional and beautiful.”

Q: What outfit is going to look best with this beanie?

“This beanie is a statement piece that would add a fantastic touch to anyone’s outfit. I’m also a big fan of versatility in fashion, so I combined the primary colors with the Sugar Bowl color palette to ensure that this beanie will look wonderful with an outfit of almost any color scheme. Personally, I will be pairing my beanie with a light blue long-sleeved turtle neck layered under a black cami and tucked into my favorite pair of forest green jeans. Of course, I’ll have to add some cute black fuzzy boots and, if it gets cold enough here in Berkeley, my favorite blue-grey North Face raincoat.”

Q: We’re going to send you a bunch of hats, who are you going to share them with?

“I plan to share my beanies with my family–especially my aunt Phoebe Chandler, the habitual snowboarder of the family. While I was growing up, she would take me to Sugar Bowl during winter vacation to snowboard with her. She’s also the one who told me about this contest. I would not have known to enter without her, so I am very grateful that she thought of me when she saw the contest details! I also will send a beanie to my high school graphic arts teacher, Ms. Deborah Reinerio, without whom I would not have had the skills to create an entry. I am so lucky to have the support of many wonderful people in my life, and I am so excited to share my winning beanies with them!”

Q: If you could see anyone in the world wearing your design, who would it be?

I would love to have seen my Opa (the German word for grandfather) wear one of my beanies. After he was liberated during WW2, he received graphic design training in Switzerland and went on to make a living in the U.S. designing logos and product packaging. Plus, he was always wearing a hat. If he were still alive, I am sure he would be ecstatic to see what I’ve accomplished in this contest, and I know he would wear my beanie design with pride.

Q: Besides for getting to wear your beanie, what are you most excited about for this upcoming winter?

I’m a cold-weather person, so winter is my favorite season and I am excited for winter itself (along with eggnog and hopefully seeing family and friends). This winter, I am hoping to see a picture full of map-hat clad super fans of Sugar Bowl! What a treat to see my art enjoyed.

Want to get one of the ’21-22 passholder beanies?

We’ll be passing out thousands of these sweet hats throughout the season. But remember, these limited edition hats can’t be purchased, to get one you must:

• Be a season passholder
• Be out skiing or riding
• Be in the right place at the right time

Good luck and hope you get one!

Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

We are thrilled to welcome new Terrain Park Manager Parker Gokey to the Sugar Bowl Team. Parker brings tons of prior terrain park and mountain management experience into his new role and he is highly respected in his field. We caught up with him for a quick interview to see what he has planned for the ’21/22 season at Sugar Bowl. Check it out:

Can you start by introducing yourself and giving us an overview of your experience in the ski industry?

“Hi I’m Parker Gokey. I’m the terrain park manager at Sugar Bowl. I’ve been building parks at Mount Ashland in Southern Oregon for the last 10 years, I was their Outdoor Operation Manager. I’m brand new here, starting last May.”

I also want to build a park that every kind of person can enjoy, from the little shredders to the Rad Dad or Mom. We’ll be building more snow features in the area near our halfpipe. When you look down the flow park, you won’t see a straight line of features. There will be features spread across the area that all connect into one another.”

What are you excited to build at Sugar Bowl to improve the terrain park experience?

“I want to bring flow park features into the Sugar Bowl Terrain park. Of course, we will have our main park with jumps, rails, everything like that, but I also want to build a park that every kind of person can enjoy, from the little shredders to the Rad Dad or Mom. We’ll be building more snow features in the area near our halfpipe. When you look down the flow park, you won’t see a straight line of features. There will be features spread across the area that all connect into one another.”

For example, maybe you have a jump to start, but on the side of that jump you’ll have an oval or a volcano that will bring you across [gesturing] to a hip over there [gesturing]. I’m also excited to build more terrain-based learning features into our program.”

What’s unique about your approach to building parks?

“I’m very hardworking. I’m generally always the first person to show up at work, whether it’s here or any job I’ve ever hand. My style is getting everything out there. I never want to see features in the parking lot, I want to see feature on the snow and I want to see people hitting those features.”

What do you love about working in the ski & ride industry?

“I’m originally from New Hampshire so ski history is very much in my blood. I love snowboarding and skiing together. I do both as well— I’ve skied since 1992 and snowboard since 2004. The most rewarding part of working in this industry is seeing people in our terrain parks, hitting features, and having fun. That’s what skiing and snowboarding is all about.”

What are your favorite terrain & conditions to ride? 

“I mostly lap the park and I am always looking for a rock to jump off of. On a powder day I’ll be first in line with the other powder hounds.”

What made you want to become the Terrain Park Manager at Sugar Bowl?

“It’s independent and family-oriented. It’s definitely not a small mountain but it still has that small-mountain community feel. I have a young family and it’s the kind of place I would want my kid to learn to ski.”