Sugar Bowl Skiing & Snowboarding Resort Guide
Sugar Bowl is a great North lake Tahoe ski and snowboard area. The area doesn’t have a huge developed base area village, and has a nice laid-back vibe. This makes Sugar Bowl a nice destination for ski and snowboard daytrips from Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Lake Tahoe area. There is fun terrain for every ability level of skier and snowboarder, however, the mountain is best suited to intermediate and advanced riders. It is smaller than most of the large Lake Tahoe ski and snowboard areas, but the lack of crowds is a definite plus.
Sugar Bowl’s 13 lifts are spread out amongst four peaks, from skier’s right to left these peaks are Mt. Judah, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Disney, and Crow’s Nest Peak. These peaks offer a nice variety of terrain, from trees to chutes, on the mountain’s 1,500 skiable acres.
Mount Judah has a little bit of everything. The base offers one of the two parking areas, and the dedicated learning area. The Mt. Judah Express and Jerome Hill Express have a good variety of intermediate terrain. These lifts also access the Summit Chair, which leads to the steep chutes on the flank of Mt. Judah itself. These chutes are short and steep, fun for experts.
Mt. Lincoln sits in the middle of Sugar Bowl, with the resort’s main base area here as well. The Village Gondola brings skiers and snowboarders from the parking lot to several lifts accessing terrain for every ability level. The Nob Hill lift offers more beginner terrain, however, this area is less protected than the Mt. Judah beginner area. Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will find fun riding off of the Christmas Tree Express, Mt. Lincoln Express, and Pony Express chairlifts. More of Sugar Bowl’s expert terrain is located off of the Mt. Lincoln Express, too.
Mt. Disney has fun intermediate and advanced cruising, with some steeper pitches, too. Crow’s Nest Peak has the best tree skiing and snowboarding at Sugar Bowl. This is a great place for advanced and expert riders to head on a powder day.
Sugar Bowl is one of Lake Tahoe’s most accessible ski and snowboard resorts. Located in the Donner Summit area, it is one of the closest resorts to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, about 90 minutes, and two and a half hours away respectively. This does make it a popular day trip destination from these areas, although many continue on to Lake Tahoe’s larger resorts.
Travel Resources:
Travel Directions to Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl is one of Lake Tahoe’s most accessible ski and snowboard resorts. Located in the Donner Summit area, it is one of the closest resorts to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, about 90 minutes, and two and a half hours away respectively. This does make it a popular day trip destination from these areas, although many continue on to Lake Tahoe’s larger resorts.
Travel Directions to Sugar Bowl
There is one lodge located at the base of Sugar Bowl, and lodging available on the nearby Donner Summit, and Truckee. The Hotel at Sugar Bowl is the slopeside accommodation. Staying in Truckee allows for access to Sugar Bowl as well as the myriad ski and snowboard areas in North Lake Tahoe and the Donner Summit.
Our Favorite Snowboards for Sugar Bowl
Local Food Picks
Sugar Bowl has has a full range of eating options on the mountain. These restaurants, bars, and cafes will keep skiers and snowboarders fueled up all day long. The options here range from the upscale Dining Room at the Village Lodge to the casual Belt Room Bar. There are restaurants at both the village base area, and the Mt. Judah base area.Sugar Bowl Dining
Our Favorite Skis For Sugar Bowl
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Sugar Bowl?
Sugar Bowl’s lift ticket prices are on par with other large Lake Tahoe ski and snowboard resorts like Northstar and Heavenly. Buying lift tickets online, at least two days in advance, is a good way to save up to 15% on the window price. Young adults, children, and seniors are all eligible for discount Sugar Bowl lift tickets.Sugar Bowl Weather Information
Located on the Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl sees an above average snowfall compared to other Lake Tahoe ski and snowboard areas. 600” of snow falls in an average winter at Sugar Bowl. The resort is a bit lower than average, meaning that the powder can be heavy. Lots of sun shines throughout the winter, when things get warm Crow’s Nest Peak is a good place to hide, as most of the terrain is north facing, meaning the sun doesn’t reach it.Sugar Bowl Ski Report
Sugar Bowl is a fun Lake Tahoe ski and snowboard area for riders who want to explore in deep powder, with less crowds than areas like Squaw Valley. A nice selection of terrain for all abilities of skiers and snowboarders and a laid back vibe make Sugar bowl a nice resort for day trips from the Bay Area, or a good stop on a longer Lake Tahoe vacation.
