Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort

Royal Gorge is North America's largest cross-country ski resort. It is superbly situated in the Sierra, just a short drive from world famous Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nevada. The peace and solitude of the mountains will embrace you and the first-class cross-country skiing facilities will indulge you.

Royal Gorge offers skiers and snowshoers an extensive network of cross-country skiing trails over 9,172 acres of snow-clad wilderness amidst the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in northern California. The highest elevation is 7,400 feet and the lowest elevation is 5,800 feet, making for a vertical drop of 1,600 feet.

Royal Gorge has the largest cross-country grooming fleet in the world which enables the entire track system of 330 kilometers to be groomed continuously, weather permitting. Each of the 90 trails is 20 feet wide with two diagonal stride tracks and a skating lane down the middle. There are 28 novice trails, 46 intermediate trails and 16 advanced trails. The longest trail is 22 kilometers.

The annual snowfall exceeds 600 inches. A 15-kilometer portion of the track system is covered by snowmaking, so even if the resort should only get small amounts of snow at a time, you can still have a great skiing experience.

There are four ideally located surface lifts out on the trails that are open on weekends and holidays to help make your day more enjoyable. Four trailside cafes and ten rejuvenating warming huts are spread throughout the track system to keep you refreshed and ready for more skiing.

Royal Gorge offers two challenging Interconnect trails within its track system.

The Rainbow Interconnect allows you to ski all the way to the Rainbow Lodge from Summit Station on a 22 kilometer trail that will challenge and reward you with breathtaking descents and vistas. It is a one-way trail with a warming hut along the way and the Rainbow Skiers Cafe at the end to offer refreshments. There is a free shuttle bus ride back to your car at Summit Station.

If you are looking for variety in your day, the Sugar Bowl Interconnect allows you to ski to the Sugar Bowl Ski Area via your choice of groomed trails ranging from novice to advanced. Sugar Bowl's day cafe is connected back to Summit Station by the Van Norden track system and the two-way Sugar Bowl Interconnect. The round trip from Summit Station is 17 kilometers. On weekends and holidays, you can ride the Sugar Bowl tram out to the parking lot and catch the shuttle bus back to Summit Station at Royal Gorge.

By the way, there is a gorge at Royal Gorge and it is 4,417 feet deep! Definitely off-limits!

Main Mountain Trail Map

Activities 

For more information about activities at Alpine Meadows, see our directory or visit Royal Gorge .

Ski Instruction and Equipment Rentals

Whatever your ski level, it always helps to start your day off on the right ski by taking a lesson from a ski professional. The Royal Gorge Ski School offers a variety of group and private lessons for all ages. Programs include telemark and skating clinics and Ski-Able -- a special program for skiers with disabilities. Private lessons with video analysis are available. Royal Gorge has a well-stocked ski and snowshoe equipment rentals shop at the Summit Station Day Lodge.

Pee Wee Snow School

Children are always welcome at Royal Gorge. With a little help from specially trained instructors, your little ones will be passing you on the trails. Special programs for children ages 5-12 provide a fun introduction to the snow and basic skiing technique in a safe, kids-only environment. Available on weekends and some holidays, these programs include equipment rental, trail pass, instruction, supervision and lunch with the morning or all-day sessions. Kids ages 12 and under ski free at Royal Gorge!

Mountain Lodge, Trailside Cafes and Warming Huts

Royal Gorge offers guests easy and convenient access to a variety of dining options. The Summit Station Day Lodge includes a cafe, bar and rentals shop. The Wilderness Lodge Cafe, the Rainbow Skiers Cafe and the Sugar Bowl Cafe are trailside cafes that serve food and bverages. There are ten warming huts located on beautiful mountain tops along the outer perimeter of the track system. Stop in to warm up, sip complimentary hot tea and coffee and enjoy the vistas through large picture windows. 

Logistics

Hours

Royal Gorge is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing Saturday, Sunday and Holidays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Ticket Sales

Trail passes go on sale on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays at 8:30 a.m. and Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. Half-day trail passes go on sale at 1:30 p.m. daily.

Pricing

Royal Gorge provides a wide variety of trail pass programs and options to fit your vacation plans. There is sure to be a trail pass option just right for you.

Information

(530) 426-3871

Equipment Rental

Ski and snowshoe equipment rentals on-site.

Physical Address

Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort
9411 Hillside Drive
Soda Springs, CA 95728

Directions

By Plane
Frequent commercial service by most major and regional carriers to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

All-Weather Highway Access

From Reno to South Lake Tahoe:
SR 395 south to U.S. HWY 50 west
58 miles, 1.25 hours

From South Lake Tahoe:
SR 89 north, I-80 west, Soda Springs/Norden exit, follow the signs to Summit Station
60 miles, 1.0 hours

From San Francisco:
I-80 east, Soda Springs/Norden exit, follow the signs to Summit Station
170 miles, 3.0 hours

From Sacramento:
I-80 east, Soda Springs/Norden exit, follow the signs to Summit Station
80 miles, 1.5 hours