Ski California
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING in California and nevada
Ski California a nonprofit trade association that supports and serves the ski industry across the states of California and Nevada through advocacy in government relations, public policy education, and collaboration. The association also helps ski area members with statewide marketing and safety programs. The organization’s Gold Pass is a transferable pass that is good at 36 ski areas in California and Nevada is an example of Ski California’s programming.
Ski California XC Ski Area Members
Stunning views of Lake Tahoe from XC ski areas in the region
TAHOE REGION
ASC Nordic Center
19749 Boreal Ridge Road, Soda Springs, CA 95728
(530) 426-3313
Located at the top of Donner Summit neighboring Boreal Mountain Resort, ASC is a high altitude training center to offer Alpine, Nordic, Biathlon, and Snowboard programs and a Nordic center in one facility with 25 km of trails at 7,200 foot elevation that get 500 inches of average annual snowfall. Night skiing available on Tues-Thur on 1.5 km lighted trails.
Tahoe Donner Cross Country
(530) 587-9484
15275 Alder Creek, Truckee, CA 96161
http://www.tahoedonner.com/cross-country
Tahoe Donner Cross Country is a premier facility located 10 minutes from downtown Truckee, CA. Tahoe Donner prides itself on its variety of terrain for all abilities, quality grooming, well-equipped rental shop, friendly staff and talented team of professional ski instructors. The 100 km of world-class XC ski terrain feature stunning views of the Sierra Nevada region.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this season, Tahoe Donner Cross Country will host special events like the popular Tour de Euer, honoring the TDXC’s storied history and legacy. New season-long instruction will be offered for classic and skate skiers of all ages and experience levels, a new PistenBully 400 snowcat will ensure precision-groomed trails and tracks, and the tech and rental shop will be a Kastle ski demo center that provides the option to “try before you buy” the most popular classic and skate ski setups in their lineup.
For a page about Tahoe Donner Cross Country click https://www.xcskiresorts.com/tahoe-donner-cross-country
Skiers on Mt. Shasta Nordic trails
Royal Gorge
9411 Pahasti Road, Soda Springs, CA 95728
(530) 426-3871
https://www.royalgorge.com/about
Royal Gorge just off I-80, west of Donner Summit at the Soda Springs exit is the largest private trail system in California. Owned by the alpine ski area Sugar Bowl Resort, Royal Gorge has 6,000 acres of terrain and more than 200 km of trails (90 km groomed) with a skating lane inside the tracks. They use a fleet of snowcats and have surface lifts to have fun on steeper open terrain. It is a full-service ski area, with rental equipment, ski school, ten warming huts, four cafes and a full-time ski patrol. Royal Gorge has a refreshed Summit Station Lodge, plus a new kids' Nordic Program. Stop by the different warming huts for a respite from the elements and a chance to take a break and soak in the peaceful tranquility of the mountains.
Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area
925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City, CA 96145
(530) 583-5475
Two miles east of Tahoe City, Tahoe XC is a non-profit ski foundation within a neighborhood with great views of Lake Tahoe from the trails. It has 65 km of groomed skating lanes and tracks, a day lodge, cafe, lessons, and rentals. Those older than 69 and younger than 10 ski free; Dogs welcome.
This Fall, Tahoe XC celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Tahoe XC Lodge Project. Through adaptive reuse, the new lodge aims to be the first net-zero energy commercial building in the Tahoe Basin. This season, the new Tahoe XC Glide Pass will offer an on-site rental pass for classic and skate skis and caters to those who are new to the sport, frequent travelers who want to skip the hassle of transporting gear, or anyone interested in trying high quality nordic skis without the upfront investment. To increase access to outdoor recreation, Tahoe XC offers free day passes to anyone younger than 19 or 70-plus.
Northstar-at-Tahoe Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Center
5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 562-3270
https://www.northstarcalifornia.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/xc.aspx
Northstar has 50 km of groomed and marked XC ski trails. Take the alpine ski area gondola or quad chairlift to the xc trails. XC ski equipment and snowshoe rentals are available. All are near the day lodge and Alpine area slopes. There are scenic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountain peaks. The alpine ski area lift ticket is exchangeable for the xc ski trails. There are warming huts and picnic tables along the trails. An outstanding featue is a great trail from the top of the Northstar alpine resort down to Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, which is bucket list-worthy. Bring your family and definitely bring a camera because the trails open up to views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding valley like nowhere else on the mountain.
Kirkwood Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Center
1501 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646 on Highway 88
(209) 258-7248
Kirkwood has 80 km of groomed XC ski trails at 7,800 feet of elevation with spectacular scenery and exciting terrain. A full slate of clinics and programs are scheduled at the Kirkwood Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Center this year including Explore Kirkwood XC Classic, Advanced Skate, XC Downhill Clinic and Advanced Skate Hill Climb, plus free Gear Talks with expert instructors. For those who don’t have their own gear but want to explore, Kirkwood Cross Country offers rentals of XC ski (classic, skate, backcountry), snowshoe and fat tire bike gear.
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Bear Valley Adventure Center
(209) 753-2834
1 Bear Valley Road, Bear Valley, CA 95223
On Highway 4 on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the land of giant Sequoia trees, Bear Valley is at 7,000 - 7,800 foot elevation and boasts substantial annual snow depths making it in most years the first to open and last to close among the Sierra xc ski centers. There are 38 trails with 70 km of groomed for classic and skate skiing and 2 kids trails. Bear Valley has a popular sledding and tubing hill, the Snowbound Café, 3 trailside huts, and a great alpine ski area nearby.
Bear Valley Adventure Co. guests will find Meadow Cafe deck improvements with increased seating and space and a new shoe storage room with cubbies for ski rental guests. Extensive stump grinding was done on meadow trails that will improve early and low snow season conditions. Free season passes are offered to all third graders and 50% off Learn to Ski Packages for all sledding and tubing guests.
For a page on Bear Valley click https://www.xcskiresorts.com/bear-valley-cross-country
Snowcovered area at sunrise near Rim Nordic
Rim Nordic
Located in the San Bernadino Mountains, Rim Nordic is celebrating its 35th anniversary this season. Rim Nordic is the southern-most commercial XC ski area in California. There are more than 10 miles of groomed trails with $29 adult day passes, $20 youth, discounted passes for seniors and military, with kids ages 10 and younger skiing free. Learn to ski packages are also available.
Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center
163 Twin Lakes Rd Ste 1200, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(760) 934-5293
https://www.mammothmountain.com/things-to-do/activities/tamarack-cross-country-ski-center
Explore the Mammoth Lakes Basin on XC skis or snowshoes for scenic family adventures or challenging fun across 19+ miles (30+ kilometers) of secluded, groomed world-class trails. Rentals, lessons, guided tours, and season passes are available at the Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center at Tamarack Lodge.
Explore all the miles of groomed XC ski and snowshoe trails, plus the free Public Access Trail that runs along Lake Mary Road. Be sure to check the trail status and conditions before heading out on your adventure.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Mt. Shasta Nordic Center
Forest Rte 31, Mt Shasta, CA 96067
(530) 925-3495
https://www.mtshastanordic.org/info
Mt. Shasta Nordic is a program of Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting community health and well-being by (among other objectives) providing groomed cross country ski trails and programs for a diverse population on the slopes of majestic Mt. Shasta. It offers 23.5 km of trails for skate & classic XC skiing for all ages and abilities. Services include classic and skate ski rentals, lessons, and hot drinks and snacks. There are also snowshoe rentals and a 2.5 km trail.