 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cross-Country Skiing at Royal Gorge
XC Ski Resort - PO Box 1100, Soda Springs, CA 95728
Photo
courtesy of David Madison/Royal Gorge
The largest private trail system in North America is at Royal Gorge (530-426-3871; 800-500-3871, nationwide; 800-666-3871, N. CA only or locally at 560-426-3871; www.royalgorge.com) Royal Gorge has nearly 9,172 acres of terrain, and more than 300 km of trails all machine groomed with a skating lane inside the tracks. The base is 7,000 feet, which ensures reliable, consitent, not too dry or wet snow conditions.
With incredible Sierra panarama views, there is an amazing amount of snow every winter but Royal Gorge also makes snow on 15 km of trails. And it claims to have the largest fleet of modern snowcats in the xc ski world. Adult trail fees are $29, for teens (11-16), $16; with discounts for midweek, multiday tickets, and half day rates. Ages 10 and younger, or 70 and over ski free.
Group
and private lessons are available for skiers of all levels. For parents
with children aged 6-10, who would like to explore the trails on their
own, the resort offers either a half day or full day Pee Wee School.
The kids get snow activities, lunch and a snack. XC ski equipment or
snowshoe rentals are $21 with lower fees for children and half day rates.
On Thursdays the trail pass and rental package is $37.50.
Royal Gorge has four surface lifts to help skiers up the tougher inclines. It is a full-service ski area, with xc ski, snowshoe, telemark ski, kids, and pulk sled rental equipment, ski school, 8 warming huts, four trailside cafes, two overnight lodges and a full-time ski patrol. Trailside lodging is at Ice Lakes Lodge, a cozy Alpine Style Chalet overlooking Serene Lakes. Additional lodging is 7 miles from the resort on the Yuba River at the historic Rainbow Lodge. It was built in the 1920's and has been updated but has kept its original charm with Old Tahoe style woodwork and stonework.
Home
of the California Gold Rush, which is one of America's premier xc ski
races, Royal Gorge also has many other programs for recreational skiers
such as ski orienteering, Ski de Femme womens programs, Ski the Huts
for rewards, raffles and prizes, guided snowshoe tours, and the Easter
Bunny Jubilee egg hunt for little skiers and their encouraging parents.
Photo courtesy of David
Madison/Royal Gorge
For the 2008-09 season, Royal Gorge will open from Thanksgiving to mid-April, Thursdays through Monday. From December 18th to January 5th and February 12th to February 23rd, the resort will be open seven days a week.
Royal Gorge is 3 hours from San Francisco, 1.5 hours from Sacramento, and 45 minutes from Reno.The resort is just off I-80, west of Donner Summit at the Soda Springs exit. CCSAA member