Sugar Bowl Resort
Ski resort · Placer County ·
California's first chairlift site, local's mountain
California's first chairlift site, local's mountain
"Halfway up the Disney Lift, as fine snow dusts Douglas firs and sparkles in the sun, I feel the enduring charm of one of California’s oldest ski areas—opened in 1939, shaped by early investor Walt Disney, and still one of the few major Western resorts that’s independently owned. I spend the day on the surprisingly serious Donald Duck and steep Blitzen (via the Christmas Tree Chair), then mix it up across a compact mountain with a robust 103-trail range and lift-accessed side-country, knowing the resort also manages adjacent Royal Gorge, the largest cross-country area in North America. The original lodge leans Tyrolean chalet, with tiered balconies and a big wood deck where mornings mean coffee and late afternoons a glass of wine amid old-world style and upbeat California energy. Even as a $100 million upgrade expands that beloved après deck, updates the main restaurant, replaces the nearly century-old gondola, and regrades lower terrain to cut snowmaking, the spirit here remains delightfully throwback and seriously ski-focused." - Rebecca Misner
"Developed after a friendship between Walt Disney and Austrian skier Hannes Schroll, who purchased the land in 1938 for $6,750; Disney invested $2,500 and, as a result, Schroll renamed Hemlock Peak 'Mt. Disney,' the site of the resort's first chairlift (the Disney Lift), which was also the first chairlift built in California. Early lift pricing was quoted as "$0.25 for a ride up or $2.00 if you wanted to ski down," noted as roughly the equivalent of $44 today. The resort has kept a playful Disney link over the years — as the resort told Travel + Leisure, "We're not telling where, but to this day, we occasionally hide a pair of Mickey Mouse ears in paintings or printed materials for the resort." The original village lodge at the mountain also appears in animated form in the Goofy short "The Art of Skiing" (1941)." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A smaller, family-owned mountain with a long history (owned since 1939) that delivers a purist alpine experience across roughly 1,650 skiable acres and terrain geared toward intermediates and advanced skiers while still offering about 17% beginner trails. Its compact scale and slopeside convenience appeal to visitors who prefer a traditional, less commercial vibe; the on-site lodge provides the most convenient slopeside lodging and perks like free gear storage. Access is possible with the Mountain Collective Pass or single-day lift tickets (rates can start around $85 but typically fall between $98 and $150 depending on timing)." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"The fact that there is only one hotel simply named Hotel speaks volumes to Sugar Bowl being a local’s mountain. But the recently remodeled hotel—just steps from the lifts—does the trick with comfy modern rooms that can accommodate up to six for Wednesday to Sunday stays."
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