Sugar Bowl Resort
Key Stats
- Total Skiable Acres: 1,650
- Lifts: 12 (including 5 high-speed quads and 1 gondola)
- Runs: 103
- Skill Breakdown:
- Beginner: 17%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced/Expert: 38%
- Base Elevation: 6,883 ft
- Summit Elevation: 8,383 ft
- Vertical Drop: 1,500 ft
- Average Annual Snowfall: 500 inches
Jake Pollock
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Highlights & Experiences
The Palisades Cliffs, Tahoe's Hidden Monster
This is Sugar Bowl's steepest run and perhaps home to some of the most technical in-bounds terrain in all of Tahoe. When it opens (which isn't every season), this double-black gated area delivers mandatory air time and technical lines that separate pretenders from contenders.
Historic Magic Carpet Gondola
Installed in 1953 as "The Magic Carpet," this was the first aerial tramway on the West Coast. This vintage 4-seater takes you from Village Parking to the main base, crossing over active Union Pacific railroad tracks where it's common to see lengthy freight trains pass across during your ride.
Mt. Lincoln Advanced Playground
The resort's crown jewel serves up seriously steep terrain to skier's left off the top and longer blue cruisers to the right. This is where locals head when they want to get their legs burning.
Disney Express Hidden Gems
The Sugar Bowl run and Strawberry Fields have great powder stashes on a powder day, offering wide-open bowl areas uniquely adorned by the resort's striking rocks. It's less trafficked and perfectly positioned to collect windblown snow.
Backcountry Gateway
Eight backcountry gates exist off the peaks of the resort and some offer direct skiable access down to Donner Lake. The resort even operates a Backcountry Adventure Center with guided tours and avalanche education.
New Renovations at the Village Lodge
Enjoy après on the new two-tiered Terrace with fire pits and panoramic mountain views, plus Sugar Bowl’s newest dining options. Yarrow offers an elevated table-service experience inside the lodge, while a new outdoor dining concept brings QR code ordering straight to your Terrace seat. Expanded kitchen facilities and a modern locker room under the deck make this the perfect basecamp.
Sugar Bowl Parks
A world-class progression playground built by top terrain-park designers, Sugar Bowl Parks takes riders from first boxes and rollers to 70-foot big-air features. With zones like Peregrine Ridge, Golden Eagle, and The Condor, it’s designed for fast laps, skill-building, and Tahoe’s next generation of freestyle talent.
Helpful Tips
- Kids Ski Free: Children ages 5 and under receive complimentary lift tickets, making it an affordable option for families.
- Shuttle Service: The Sugar Bowl / Donner Summit Shuttle offers free daily service from Truckee to Sugar Bowl from December to April (weather permitting, when Old 40 is open). The bus operates twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.
- Main Lodge: Formerly known as Judah Lodge, the Main Lodge is home to rentals, tickets, guest services, and dining.
- Parking: Arrive early on weekends and powder days as lots fill quickly. Carpooling is encouraged.
- Know Before You Go: If you’re headed past the boundary into Tahoe National Forest, make sure you’re equipped and experienced. This access is unpatrolled.