Donner Ski Ranch is a family oriented, family owned and operated ski resort located off Old Hwy. 40 on Donner Summit, across from Sugar Bowl in the Tahoe National Forest of Nevada County, California.
Donner Ski Ranch was first utilized for skiing in 1937. The area’s first lift, a rope tow, was installed by Jerry Ellis. The rope tow was located at the base of current lodge and ran to location approximately 75 yards northwest of current midway unloading ramp on chair #1. Jerry Ellis is primary individual involved in making ski area reality.
World War II took its toll on all ski areas with many healthy young skiers spending time in service to our country. After the end of the war, Herstle Jones purchased the section of land where Donner Ski Ranch is located from the Southern Pacific Railroad. Mr. Jones employed his niece and her husband, Madeline & Stanley Walton, to restart the ski area. When it was time to give the ski area a formal name, Mr. Walton suggested Donner Ski Ranch. The main lodge and T bar were added in 1948.
In 1955, a group of Sacramento businessmen purchased the ski resort and formed Donner Summit Tramways, Inc. as a way to finance one of the first chairlifts to be built in California.
In 1965, the lodge was enlarged and remodeled to add a dining room and overnight facilities. In the late 1970s, Donner Ski Ranch was the first ski resort in the Sierra Nevadas to allow snowboarding, telemark skiing and snow bobbing. Chair #2 was added in 1980. Chair #3 was added in 1981. Chair #4 replaced the platter pull in 1983. The old chairlift #1 was replaced with a new Poma triple chair and chair #3 was doubled in length in 1986. In 1987, the 92 room Hotel/Condominium was built to celebrate 50 years of skiing. In 1991, chair #6 was added to the front side of the mountain. In 1993, chair #5 was added, opening the backside of Boreal Ridge to Donner Ski Ranch skiers and snowboarders.
