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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"

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"

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.