Donner Ski Ranch

Ski area in California, United States
39°19′5.93″N 120°19′48.07″W / 39.3183139°N 120.3300194°W / 39.3183139; -120.3300194Vertical750 ft (230 m)Top elevation7,781 ft (2,372 m)Base elevation7,031 ft (2,143 m)Skiable area435 acres (176 ha)Trails52 total
25% beginner
50% intermediate
25% advancedLift system8: 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 moving carpetsSnowfall412 in (1,050 cm)SnowmakingYesNight skiingNoneWebsitewww.donnerskiranch.com

Donner Ski Ranch is a budget-oriented, family owned ski area located on Donner Summit in the Tahoe National Forest of Nevada County, California.[1][2] It is owned by Janet and Marshall Tuttle, who purchased it after it went into bankruptcy.[3] The area it is on has been used for skiing since 1937.[4] It has ski lifts on both sides of Donner Summit, and is located close to Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. 25% of its terrain is beginner, 50% intermediate, and 25% advanced, but of the 52 runs 16 are of beginning difficulty, 20 are intermediate, and 16 are advanced.

The rustic lodge, built-in 1947, is mostly made of wood, and has open pipes. Norm Sayler began working for Donner Ski Ranch in 1958, helping to build the ski area’s first chairlift in 1955. Sayler took over the management of the resort in 1958, and ran it for the next 46 years, while slowly acquiring most of the ownership.[5] The rustic lodge was renovated after its acquisition by its current owners. At the time of the acquisition, all of the ski lifts were painted as well.[6]

References

  1. ^ Keith Romig (2010). "The Latest DSP News". Donner Ski Patrol. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  2. ^ "Donner Ski Ranch". Ski Tahoe. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  3. ^ Maggie O'Neill (March 15, 2008). "Resort Report: Donner Ski Ranch". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  4. ^ McLaughlin, Mark (2012) Skiing at Lake Tahoe Arcadia Publishing ISBN 9780738589060 pg 46-48
  5. ^ Sierra Sun, History and Legacy of Donner Ranch Dec. 9th, 2016
  6. ^ Hugo Martin (September 16, 2007). "Old school skiing Donner Ski Ranch in Truckee offers a retro slope experience". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 January 2015.

External links

  • Donner Ski Ranch official website
  • v
  • t
  • e
Alpine areas
Cross country areasDefunct ski areas
See also
  • v
  • t
  • e
Mountains
Peaks >14,000 ft
Northern peaks
Central peaks
Southern peaks
Climbing
Passes
Rivers
Lakes
Protected
areas
National parks
and monuments
National forests
Wilderness areas
State parks
Communities
Ski areas
Trails