Thanks to recent snowfall and its snowmaking capability, Sugar Bowl ski resort in Lake Tahoe will open Friday, Nov. 27.
Sugar Bowl has received 32 inches of of natural snow this month. And thanks to cold evening temperatures, it has frequently had its snowmaking equipment operating.
The resort, located off Interstate 80 on Donner Summit, will have six lifts going for its 2020-21 opener – Nob Hill, Mt. Lincoln Express, Christmas Tree Express, Jerome Hill Express and the Flume surface lift. Sugar Bowl will have top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding from the 8,383-foot summit of Mt. Lincoln.
Lift hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Following opening day, the plan is to operate daily going forward.
Sugar Bowl lift tickets are already SOLD OUT for opening day and Saturday (Nov, 28).
The Tahoe ski season got underway Nov. 20 with both Heavenly Mountain and Northstar opening. Boreal Mountain opened Monday (Nov. 23) and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will begin running its lifts Wednesday (Nov. 25).
ADVANCE PURCHASE REQUIRED: Sugar Bowl will have no walk-up, day-of purchases for lift tickets, rentals or lessons this season. Lift tickets must be purchased online at least one day in advance, while rentals and lessons must be reserved at least three days in advance.
The resort will still have a very small quantity of lift tickets available for those who purchase rentals or a private lesson at least three days in advance or until space fills (whatever occurs first).
Lift tickets, rentals and lessons remain available for Sunday (Nov. 29) and beyond – through December 18. Sugar Bowl has not yet released tickets for the period beyond Dec. 18, but plans to do so during the first week of December.
“The impacts of COVID-19 are unpredictable and ever-evolving, but what is clear is that the upcoming winter season will not be business as usual,” Sugar Bowl offered in a press release. “Many of our standard operating practices will change to ensure the well-being of our guests and staff in this unprecedented pandemic era. Once at the resort, our guests are asked to adhere to the new policies, and we will need to apply those policies.”
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Face coverings. All guests and staff must wear a face covering at all times – inside and outside. Face coverings may only be removed when skiing/snowboarding downhill or eating/drinking outdoors.
- Chairlifts will be loaded with up to four people in a related party. Otherwise, quad chairs will be loaded with two people per chair, each on the outside edge. You will not be forced to load the chair with someone you do not know.
- No congregation. Do not congregate when visiting and remain at least six feet away from other unrelated guests and staff.
- Limited indoor access. Be prepared for an outdoor experience during your visit, as indoor access will be limited to using the restroom, taking a 15-minute warming break in a monitored warming zone or purchasing grab & go food items to eat outdoors.
- Credit/debit/gift card payments only. Sugar Bowl will be cashless this winter for all in-resort purchases, including food, beverages and retail items.
- Health screenings. All Sugar Bowl staff members will participate in daily health screenings at the start of their shift. Staff and guests must stay home if feeling sick.
TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS
- Heavenly: November 20
- Northstar: November 20
- Boreal: November 23
- Squaw Valley: November 25
- Alpine Meadows: November 25
- Sugar Bowl: November 27
- Soda Springs: Nov. 27
- Diamond Peak: December 10
- Homewood: December 11
- Tahoe Donner: December 11
- Granlibakken: December 18
- Mt. Rose: TBA
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: TBA
