Last winter I decided that I wanted to take up cross country skiing- it's hard to live in a…read moremountain town without doing SOME sort of winter sport! I'm so glad that I "discovered" Royal Gorge and know that I'll be a repeat visitor for years to come. It's the perfect place for naturally socially distanced fun. The trails are great and the scenery is beautiful, but what makes this place stand out in my opinion is the staff. Every single person I've spoken to has been super nice and helpful. Everyone is generally laid back and I never feel rushed when asking questions (and I usually go on weekends when I assume they're probably the busiest). The staff will ask how my experience has been going, and will usually offer some helpful tips when they can see that I'm struggling. The lesson I had at the beginning of the year was really helpful and even though it was a "group" lesson, it ended up being a one-on-one. When I went today most indoor operations were closed due to COVID and the trails were only open to pass holders. Rentals will be done in advance, so if you're someone that doesn't have your own skis, plan ahead or pick up some skis from a place in town, and bring your own food/drinks.

We decided to try snow shoeing at this resort.  I think it's a hidden gem.  It's only about 1.5…read morehours from Sacramento if the weather is good. We went on a weekday morning and there were probably about 25-30 cars in the parking lot.  The resort is so huge that we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.  We only saw 1 other person on all the trails we took.  We have never gone snow shoeing before, but the staff was really nice and walked us through everything.  They have nicely marked trails and we did a 3 mile loop and had a wonderful time.  The scenery was beautiful and it was just so peaceful and nice.  I think most people go to this place to go cross country skiing, but the snow shoeing was fun and a good workout!

FYI - Tickets must be purchased online to enter the parking lot. No charge for parking. We went on…read morea discounted day ($35 per person for all access to play, snowboard, ski, and tube). Equipment is included for kids 8 and under (size 4 and under). Steal! At that price point, this is the perfect snow day with a group of kids. For anyone outside of that range, rentals are $59 flat, whether you stay two hours or all day. Go all day to maximize your rentals! That said, the kids play area was pretty underwhelming for my kids (ages 10-12). The slopes were short, not all lanes were open, and there was only one black magic carpet running. That meant tubers, snowboarders, and skiers were all sharing it, which slowed things down quite a bit. Getting around wasn't the easiest either. There's only one entrance and exit and into the resort, so you're walking everything in while the kids carry their gear. Not terrible, but definitely inconvenient. We were told there was a tram running every 5 minutes, but it wasn't operating that day. My guess is they scale back operations on discounted days (fewer lanes open, no tram, only one black magic carpet). Parking was easy for the only entrance, which I appreciated, but it would be so much better if there was direct access to the kids area from the lot. Service was subpar. Staff weren't rude, but definitely not warm or helpful. No one showed the kids how to put on their boots or gear, and we weren't told helmets were required until my kids were already at the top of the slope, so I had to go all the way back to rentals. Also worth noting: kids 8 and under are restricted to the kids area only (no lifts or bigger slopes), which makes sense, but that wasn't clearly communicated upfront. Overall, the kids still had fun, and for $35, it's worth it. But I would only come back on a discounted day. I wouldn't pay full price for the experience as it currently is.

We chose to visit Soda Springs because of Mountain Adventure, which offers winter activities for…read moretoddlers who aren't ready for skiing yet. There are two tubing areas (including one just for toddlers), a fun tube carousel, and Woodward Start Park, which features a bunny hill for beginner skiing and snowboarding. Tickets must be purchased online and include ski rentals for toddlers, which was convenient. Be prepared for a long walk to Planet Kids if you have little ones, though there is a sleigh ride available from the Lodge to Planet Kids. Unfortunately, lunch was disappointing. The pizza was the only decent thing we ate. Both the chicken tenders and fries were very dry and stale. I'd recommend avoiding those two item for a better lunch experience.

Our family's favorite Always fun , great atmosphere and the…read morefood is great too Definitely will be back soon

Had a fantastic day of skiing on a Thursday. Parking lot can be a walk unless you pay to park…read morecloser. You can also drop off and then park. Runs were groomed but due to the weather, it got slushy by the afternoon. Staff working the lifts did not greet ppl but were helpful in slowing lifts or making sure people loaded and unloaded properly. Restaurant staff were very friendly and food options were good in the cafe. Drinks were all refillable.

We went this past Winter. First time bringing the family to the snow, so just wanted to take it…read moreeasy. Employees were very laidback. Our kiddo loved the indoor bunker area and the paths were clear enough for our stroller. Definitely recommend coming early when it's not too crowded. By afternoon the whole place was packed. They probably take in way more people than they should. Prices for one day are pretty hefty, but if you were to get a season pass and come frequently, then I think it would be a way better deal.

Went on a Saturday to take a beginner's class that comes packaged with a full-day lift pass. They…read moreactually offer some pretty good deals, since the lift ticket alone can sometimes cost about the same as the package that includes the lesson, lift ticket, and equipment rentals. Even though I'm not a beginner, I opted to join the class so I could stay with my group. The resort itself is pretty and has a few decent runs from the top, though there are somewhat limited options for getting to the summit. Because of this, the lift lines were often long. It also didn't seem like there were attendants managing how people loaded onto the chairs, so the four-seaters were frequently going up with only two people. That definitely made the wait times longer than they needed to be. The lesson itself was neither great nor bad. It mostly offered an opportunity to have someone supervise and guide you as you make your way down the easier slopes.

Went to visit the Donner tunnels. Had a great time. It's a little cold and you need a flash light.read more

We wern't there for skiing or tubing, we were there for food…read more We saw the sign for pies, ice cream, and cocktails as we parked for an epic bike ride through the Donner Tunnels We rode the donner tunnels bike trail, and were starving, so we stopped in. Not sure if there was a handicap entrance, but I would have appreciated that. I stiffen up pretty quickly after a ride, so the climb up the two sets of stairs was excruciating. The pain was worth it. I had a great Western Burger, and my friend enjoyed the Crispy Chicken Cobb Salad Dogs are not allowed inside. Not even well behaved service dogs?! We sat on the deck. Multiple untrained dogs on the deck. Yes your dogs are cute, but watch them! And your kids! They should be AT YOUR TABLE. One adorable frenchie kept running inside every time the door opened. Are there no leash laws in California? Our well trained service dog was rolling her eyes, at all the crazy behavior. Pretty sure the cocktails made the climb down to the parking lot much more enjoyable. Thank you!

I stayed in the lodge this last weekend with a few friends. This was my second time staying at…read moreClair Tappaan. I love the experience of staying here. Here are a few specific points. * The staff is very friendly. They are happy to answer questions and make our stay pleasant. * The rental shop is very convenient. I rented snowshoes for both the days. The person renting them (I forget his name) seemed very knowledgeable about the equipment and also about where I can go snowshoeing around there (walking as well by driving a little further away). I was not sure if I needed the equipment for both days, so I rented twice, each day for $20. At checkout, the staff (Cassandra) gave me a discount of $5 as the second day would have been $15 if I had rented for 2 days. I appreciate such understanding from them! * The food is wholesome and delicious. I eat vegetarian and they had enough choices. * I like the community and volunteer feel of the place, and don't mind doing the chores (1 chore a day) while I am staying there. It is a great way to meet and talk with other guests. It also make the price very affordable, which I like about this lodge. * There are many trails around the lodge and many snow sports to do. Thanks for a great experience.

Clair Tappaan Lodge was an incredible experience, especially during a major storm week…read more The atmosphere is what makes this place special. You're surrounded by a great, down-to-earth crowd, and it feels like a true mountain community rather than a typical hotel. The staff were outstanding across the board. Everyone was helpful and welcoming, even with the challenges of the storm. The biggest highlight for our family was the food team. Our son has a dairy allergy, and they went above and beyond to accommodate him. They clearly communicated which foods were safe, and on multiple occasions prepared separate options just for him. That level of care made a huge difference for us and gave us real peace of mind. A special thank you to Juan, who was incredibly helpful throughout our stay. From assisting with the reservation, to coordinating with the kitchen, to being a consistent and reliable point of contact, he made everything smooth and easy. If you're looking for a unique, authentic Sierra lodge experience with great people and genuinely caring staff, this is a special place. We would absolutely come back.

Established in 1928, Auburn Ski Club is a USSA Ski Club located at the west end of Boreal Ski…read moreResort. It is unique in that it offers Alpine, Nordic, and Biathalon programs. The mountain views are spectacular, perched at the top of Donner Summit but offering easy access from Interstate 80. In addition to offering season-long training programs which vary in intensity and duration (from novices to pros), the facility has 25 km of groomed cross country trails. Several years ago, they began opening the trails to the public (previously it was a members-only facility). You can now purchase a full or half-day pass and rent poles, skis, and boots. A full day (pass and equipment) for adults is a great deal at $38. A commercial kitchen provides the essentials to store or prepare a lunch, and the downstairs offers locker storage (unlocked for guests) and showers. For kiddos that are just learning to cross-country ski, their Super Sliders program (which also offers drop-ins- lesson and equipment included) for the 4-10 year-old set is a great way to introduce skiing to kids. Coach Meg is awesome with little ones! In short, this is a destination for many training teams and ski races while also encouraging new skiers to explore and test their limits. The center is a hub for skiers of all levels and abilities- from pro to novice. Give it a shot!

We love ASC! We have done the ski club for about 4 years now and my son has improved so much! He's…read morefaster that me now and he's only 10!

Dang bud! Some of these reviews are HARSH. If you want the Ritz but are balling on a budget, you…read moreare better off going into Truckee or slipping down to South Shore. The facts: Boreal is the closest resort and opens 1st ALWAYS. The lodge is old yes but it is a roof over your head and a bed under your bum. I went up here with 2 friends over NYE 2013-2014 this past year and we knew exactly what to expect. That is why we drank hella in the room, passed out, then woke up and rode. Sure it is old fashioned but the fact is this: you did not spend over $200 per night per guest, you got to ride their mountain, and you made it home with out having to give up your 1st born child. Too many 1 star reviews for the reality that this place is: an older ski lodge next to a small mountain. what did you expect? If they renovate the prices are going to be in the upwards of $250-350 per night and that wont fly.

It's like a motel 6 but in the snow. You're paying for the convenience of the location…read more I stayed in their "premium" room...which means it was remodeled. It had two queen beds with no bed skirts, no artwork on the walls, a colored accent wall, a fiberglass 1980's beige tub/ shower, new linoleum, a new granite window sill and a 13" television in an armoire. The TV is an old tube tv with no auxillary hook-ups. They do have a full selection of cable channels. The room was very clean but they used cheap ikea style lamps on the corner table and the night stand. The only central lighting was in the entry hall. The beds were plush, the linens were good quality, the pillows were soft, each bed had a down comforter & the towels were very soft. I was on the 3rd floor. There are no elevators so you'll get your exercise. They serve a continental breakfast in the lobby but it doesn't look appealing at all. They re-use disposable black plastic table cloths and just set the cereal and muffins out from 8:00-9:30am. They are right next to the day-use snow park, so you can stay parked in their lot and walk to the snow park without having to pay the fee. They also rent sleds for $7 a day to use at the park. NOTE: you can buy the same sled for $10 at any store in the area. The staff was nice and they sell sodas, chips & candy. You can also order pizza's to your room. In all, it was a pleasant experience. I had expected the worst after reading other reviews but I knew going into it that it wasn't the Hilton and more like an older motel. The benefit of staying here was that I was close to all the snow related things I like within two exits on either side of it.