Skip to ContentDonner Ski Ranch is a family-owned ski area on historic Highway 40 at Donner Summit. Its official pages say 500-plus acres, six chairlifts and two carpets, more than 1,000 feet of vertical, and skiing since 1937.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 1937year skiing began (official)
- 500+acres (official)
- 6 + 2chairlifts and carpets (official)
- $549adult season pass (official)
Quick Facts
- OperatorFamily owned and operated and independent (official).
- HoursSeven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. when open, free parking all season (official).
- Season passes read 2026-11-02Adult (18-69) $549; Youth (12-17) $499; Senior (70+) $499; Child (6-12) $299; Kid (5 and under) $149; Tubing (all ages) $149. Sales ended October 31, 2026; buy four or more and save 10% (official).
- Claims, as statedThe page says its daily and pass prices run up to 75% less than other resorts and that it is the second-largest resort on Donner Summit. These are the resort’s own claims.
- Day ticketsNot confirmed (official passes and lift tickets page).
- SeasonClosed pre-season on November 2, 2026; opening date Not confirmed.
- Drive from RenoAbout 1 hr 15 min (our estimate, no live traffic).
A Short History From The Resort
The resort’s About page says it opened to the public in 1937 with a rope tow installed by Jerry Ellis, paused during World War II, was bought by Herstle Jones afterward, got the Donner Ski Ranch name under Madeline and Stanley Walton, built its lodge in 1947 and added a T-Bar in 1948, and built one of California’s first chairlifts after new owners arrived in 1955.
Official site: Donner Ski Ranch home page.
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Day lift ticket prices.
- Opening date for 2026-27.
- Current owner names (the About page we read tells the family story; Wikipedia names owners, which we have not confirmed).
More to Explore
- All Tahoe Ski Areas Compared
- Palisades Tahoe
- Alpine Meadows
- Northstar California
- Sugar Bowl
- Royal Gorge Cross Country
- Boreal Mountain Resort
- Soda Springs Mountain Resort
- Truckee
- Lake Tahoe
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Donner Ski Ranch on the Ikon or Epic pass?
Neither appears on the pages we read.
Sources
- Donner Ski Ranch home page (official)
- Donner Ski Ranch: About (official)
- Donner Ski Ranch: Explore the mountain (official)
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Donner Ski Ranch,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.