Donner Summit Winter Activities
Visitors looking to beat the weekend crowds can find outdoor bliss with a midweek winter visit to Donner Summit, the local’s best kept secret for quality chill time. Here’s a list of the most popular things to do in winter on Donner Summit.
Sledding, Tubing And Snow Play
If the kids are eager for some snow fun, Donner Summit offers plenty of options. Remember, parking along the Donner Pass Road (Old Highway 40) is both illegal and hazardous. For a safe and enjoyable snow experience, consider visiting one of the following recommended places instead.
Image courtesy of Boreal Mountain Resort
Kingvale Resort
Enjoy top-notch sledding at this venue offering 12 diverse lanes. There’s a smaller hill for those who prefer a gentler ride, plus a dedicated snow play area for endless frolicking.
Sugar Rush Tubing At Sugar Bowl Resort
The tubing park at Sugar Bowl Resort boasts several lanes accompanied by a covered moving carpet to swiftly transport you back up for more fun. For the little ones, a Snow Play area is available. Open weekends (Friday-Sunday) and daily during holiday periods.
Boreal Mountain California
Conveniently situated off I-80, Boreal’s Tahoe Tubing offers eight groomed tubing lanes alongside a magic carpet for easy access. Open daily for 90-minute sessions suitable for all ages (height restrictions apply). Tickets must be purchased online.
Planet Kids and Tube Town at Soda Springs Resort
Within Soda Springs Resort, you’ll find Planet Kids, a snow playground brimming with snow-themed rides like a tubing carousel and ample space for classic snow activities such as building snowmen. For older kids and those young at heart, Tube Town awaits with up to 10 meticulously groomed tubing lanes.
Donner Summit SNO-Park
If you’re craving a taste of the great outdoors without the crowds of a resort, Donner Summit Sno-Park is a must-visit. While it doesn’t feature dedicated sledding hills, it’s perfect for building snowmen, engaging in epic snowball fights, or capturing picturesque snow photos.
Know Before You Go: A parking pass is required at the Sno-Park! It’s a good idea to have a backup plan, just in case parking is full. When that happens, check out the other great snow-play areas on our list. Passes sold on site during weekends.
Donner Ski Ranch Tubing
Situated conveniently next to the Donner Ski Ranch slopes, this spot comes equipped with a moving carpet to make it effortless for both kids and adults to reach the top. When hunger strikes, swing by the Old 40 Bar and Grill for a bite and refreshments. 2-hour tickets are available for purchase on-site.
Photo by Seth Laughlin
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
In the Donner Pass area, you’ll discover an array of authentic, community-centered skiing options. Immerse yourself in the powder-covered slopes and rich history of Sugar Bowl. Experience the region’s first – and only – all-mountain terrain park at Boreal Mountain Resort. Ascend to the top of Donner Ski Ranch for breathtaking 360-degree vistas and skiing that won’t break the bank. Alternatively, revel in the charm of one of North America’s original ski resorts established in 1931 at Soda Springs Ski Resort, featuring gentle terrain ideal for families and beginners.
Find more ski and board trip ideas, visit our ski page as well as our Ski Clubs page.
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Royal Gorge
Donner Summit hosts North America’s largest cross-country ski area: Royal Gorge. Spanning 6,000 acres, it boasts over 140 km of groomed ski trails. Its eight unique trail systems are renowned for their expansive vistas of the Northern Sierra. Royal Gorge also allows snowshoes on all trails. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available for people just getting started.
Photo by Dick Simpson
ASC Nordic Center
ASC Nordic Center is open to the public with day passes and season passes. It operates 25km of trails, groomed to competition standards, and is a member of Ski California. Youth programs and competitions (from local to national championship levels) are a big part of the community for many athletes and families — a legacy on Donner Summit now almost 100 years old!
Tahoe National Forest
For a different experience, venture into the Tahoe National Forest. Discover miles of roads and trails perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Keep in mind, this is wilderness territory—many routes are ungroomed, unmarked, and lack signage. Your safety is your responsibility. The Tahoe National Forest winter recreation guide is a good resource to start with.
Photo by Dick Simpson
Backcountry Skiing
Donner Pass, nestled in the high elevations of the Sierra, offers convenient access to iconic ski-touring destinations like Castle Peak, Basin Peak, Andesite Peak, Donner Peak, and Anderson Peak. The first three destinations can be reached from the Donner Pass Sno-Park, where a Sno-Park permit is required.
Beware this is a true mountain landscape which means avalanche danger could impact any of these areas and make them unsafe for travel. Be sure to check the day’s avalanche forecast on the Sierra Avalanche Center before venturing out.
Take Caution On Storm Days
Old Highway 40 is a beautiful windy mountain road that provides stunning vistas of Donner Lake. In winter, its charm lies in the snow-filled landscape that sometimes closes it down. If you’re heading from Truckee on a storm day, you may encounter chain controls as the road ascends at the West End of Donner Lake. Stay informed about Old Highway 40’s status—sign up for text alerts by texting ‘Old40’ to 855-835-5599. For specifics on chain control types and regulations, explore this informative article and chain requirement flyer.
Photo by Dick Simpson
Header image courtesy of Sugar Bowl Resort