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.

Donner Ski Ranch
Donner Ski Ranch is located in California
Donner Ski Ranch
Donner Ski Ranch
Location in California
Donner Ski Ranch is located in the United States
Donner Ski Ranch
Donner Ski Ranch
Donner Ski Ranch (the United States)
LocationDonner Summit
Tahoe National Forest
Nearest major cityNorden, California
Coordinates39°19′5.93″N 120°19′48.07″W / 39.3183139°N 120.3300194°W / 39.3183139; -120.3300194
Vertical750 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% advanced
Lift system8: 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 moving carpets
Snowfall412 in (1,050 cm)
SnowmakingYes
Night skiingNone
Websitewww.donnerskiranch.com

The rustic lodge, built-in 1947, is mostly made of wood, and has open pipes. The adjacent structure was built in 1951 by John Sloan Woodard, who owned and operated the resort from 1950-1956. Norm Sayler worked for Woodard at the Donner Ski Ranch starting in 1953, 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

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  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.
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