Crosscountry skiing is a popular sport that attracts thousands to the Lake Tahoe region every winter. One of the prime x-country locations is Tahoe Donner, where the area is totally devoted to the love of the sport, and has gained the reputation as one of the world's top cross country skiing spots. Its area covers four thousand eight hundred acres of well-maintained trails that allow guests to ski away the daylight and nighttime hours more pleasurably.
Tahoe Donner Cross Country Skiing Rates 2017/2018
- Adult (13-59) Full Day: $37
- Child (7-12) and Super Senior (75 plus): $15
- Senior (60-74) and Junior (13-17): $27
Tahoe Donner is situated just east of the Sierra Crest mountain, not far from Lake Tahoe. Snow conditions are generally reliable and usually dry. The season lasts about five months. The terrain is variable, including the flat Eur Valley, the Home Range's undulating hills and the Sunrise Bowl trails system's wide open type bowls and steepening pitches. It offers one hundred and fifteen kilometers of groomed trails (50), giving it all the necessary ingredients for a superb skiing playground.
The center has a renowned passion for everything Nordic. Every staff member shares this same desire, whether the cooks or the groomers. Each one is dedicated to making every visitors experience, one to remember.
There are many amenities and facilities to cater to every need. These include the day lodge, a café, ski rentals, area passes, up to the minute trail condition reports, warming huts, night skiing equipment rentals and so much more.
The day lodge has many offerings. It is a place where skiers can warm up before or after a run on the trails, enjoying the warmth of a gas stove, take in the spectacular views and enjoy home-cooked cuisine that is hard to beat. All rentals, trail information and passes can be obtained there, too. Their café offers lunchtime fodder, including varied entrees (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), snacks, baked items, local wines and local brews.
For those who are in need of warmth, a hot drink and something to eat, but are a few kilometers away from the lodge, a cookhouse and warming hut is available. It operates all year long, providing hot soups, crusty rolls and even sandwiches. Staff is very friendly and can also give advice regarding the trails.
Night skiing is one thing that makes the Donner unique. Every Wednesday from just after Christmas to the end of February, skiers can enjoy beginner, intermediate and expert runs. The trails loop and include forty nine trails, all carefully sign posted, marked and groomed to allow for double occupancy, two-way traffic of gliders, diagonal skaters and wide skaters. The many warming huts are open for the occasion and some provide hot drinks and snacks. Skiing goes from 5pm to 7pm.
The cross country area is subject to changing weather and snow conditions that can affect the quality of the trails and even safety. Because it is located in mountainous countryside, the Tahoe Donner cannot account for disorientation on groomed and marked trails because of adverse conditions beyond their control. Skiers are advised to be prepared, act cautiously, anticipate all possible dangers (man-made and natural), and to carry a compass and map at all times. Caution is also advised regarding rescue and grooming vehicles, which can turn up on any trail without warning.
Rates are very reasonable. Special packages are available, including the Frequent Flier, Season Ski Pass and Early Departure. Season Ski Passes are probably the best deals, offering complete access throughout the season; prices are subject to change and conditions, and further information can be obtained by calling the center. For those whose skiing fun has to be cut short after buying a day pass, the Early Departure package allows skiers to hand in their passes before lunchtime and get a discount off their next one.
Other packages include group rates, school groups and lessons. Lesson packs are for private or group crosscountry skiing and include complete instruction, passes and any equipment needed.
