Directions + Parking

Your path to powder.

Sugar Bowl offers convenient parking options, including free, first-come, first-served lots, a 3-minute drop-off zone, and Paid Parking in the Main Lodge Upper Lot for $35 on weekends and holidays. Paid Parking is limited, so reserve online in advance to guarantee your spot. Frequent skiers can also enjoy added convenience with a seasonal Preferred Parking Pass.

Carpool and save! On weekends and holidays, vehicles with three or more passengers can park free in the $35 Paid Parking area. A dedicated carpool zone is also available in the Main Lodge Upper Lot. Spaces fill early, so plan ahead. Carpooling reduces emissions and helps preserve parking for everyone.

For added convenience, local shuttle service connects Truckee to Sugar Bowl, while resort shuttles transport guests from parking lots to Main Lodge.

View Parking Map

Reserve Parking

Parking Alerts

Stay informed via text

Stay informed before your visit. Parking updates will be shared on this page as needed, and you can receive mobile alerts by texting operations to 855-835-5599. Standard text message rates apply.

Easy Parking. All Season.

$799 / season

Make every ski day a little easier with a Preferred Parking Pass. Enjoy convenient parking at both Main Lodge and the Village Gondola throughout the winter, so you can spend less time parking and more time skiing.

Several lots to choose from based on how you like to access the resort.
Spots reserved until 12:00pm daily.
Add on to any season pass.

Plan Ahead. Park Close.

$35 / day

Take the guesswork out of your arrival with Daily Paid Parking. Reserve a convenient space in the Main Lodge Upper Lot before you head to the mountain. Arrive knowing where you'll park and spend more time enjoying your ski day.

Available on weekends + peak periods.
Advanced reservations recommended, limited space available.
Carpool with 3+ others to park in this lot for free!

Your Guide to Parking at Sugar Bowl

Cell Phone Updates

Text Message Updates

Stay in the know with real-time updates on parking, road conditions, and more—delivered straight to your phone via text for ultimate convenience!

Old 40 Road Condition + Parking Alerts / Text notifications

Text old40 to (855) 835-5599 for updates on the open/closed status of Highway 40.
NOTE: These text messages are sent anytime Old 40 opens or closes which could be anytime including late at night and early mornings. Status alerts/updates are not sent out aside from an opening or closing of the road.

Text operations to (855) 835-5599 for important operational updates, such as resort closures, parking notices and more.
NOTE: These text messages could be sent as early as 6:00am, to provide updates on the resort operating status for the day.

From Sacramento, San Francisco and San Jose

Take interstate 80 east, towards Donner Summit. Exit Norden/Soda Springs, Exit 174. Turn right onto Highway 40 eastbound, and continue 3.5 miles to Sugar Bowl's Main Entrance. Turn right at Sugar Bowl Road and park in one of three lots offering convenient parking near the main Lodge.

From Reno

Take Interstate 80 west to Truckee. Turn left onto Highway 40 eastbound, and continue 3.5 miles to Sugar Bowl's Main Entrance. Turn right at Sugar Bowl Road and park in one of three lots offering convenient parking near the main Lodge.

From Truckee

Take Donner Pass Road past Donner Lake. Head three miles up and over the summit. Once atop Donner Summit, continue for another 1/4 mile. Turn left at the Main Entrance at Sugar Bowl Road.
Note: Donner Pass Road (Highway 40) is frequently maintained and open as conditions permit. It's the fastest route from Truckee, and much quicker than Interstate 80.

From Tahoe City

Take Highway 89 north to Highway 80. Continue under the freeway to Donner Pass Road at the Gateway Shopping Center in Truckee. From Truckee, see above.

Free Sugar Bowl/Donner Summit Shuttle

This winter, Sugar Bowl is operating a free, public shuttle that connects Truckee with Donner Summit, running daily through April 20th, 2026. The shuttle service will make two loops in the morning, one mid-day and two in the afternoon, with stops at the Sugar Bowl Mt. Judah Lodge, Donner Ski Ranch, the West End of Donner Lake (old TART stop), and the Coldstream TART stop, where riders can make a timed transfer to and from the TART Truckee Local Route. The shuttle service will NOT operate when Old 40 is CLOSED.

The shuttle will be equipped with exterior ski storage. No dogs, apart from qualified service animals, are permitted on the shuttle.

The Sugar Bowl / Donner Summit Shuttle is funded by the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work Program. The NTCA and Placer County invest funds generated by tourism in North Lake Tahoe to support community vitality, environmental stewardship and economic health. Learn more at north-tahoecommunityalliance.com.

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