Royal Gorge, California

This page was created in Dec. 2021 for our club's general membership meeting, but we are leaving it up for general information. You are invited to join our meeting:  (Zoom) meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Hope to see you then!

Royal Gorge is just up the hill from Lake Tahoe, on the border between Nevada and California.  Bellinghamsters don't usually make it this far south to ski, but if you were on a road trip to California or Las Vegas, it is a neat place to stop. (I've skied there once on a trip to visit my son in Nevada. First night at Bend, Oregon, skiing at Mt. Bachelor, then skiing at Royal Gorge on the second day.) And any list of major Nordic ski destinations would be remiss in not including it.

It advertises itself as "North America's largest XC resort, Royal Gorge offers 6 distinct trail systems featuring 8 different warming huts across 6,000 acres, seamlessly integrated with the Village at Sugar Bowl. From classic striding to XC skating, snowshoeing, and even trails you can enjoy with your dog, Royal Gorge offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy scenic winter adventures with some of the finest views in the Sierra."

Fair warning, it's expensive!

• Royal Gorge is one of California's 'destination' Nordic ski areas. It has hosted national races many times.
• Extensive (140 km) Nordic ski and snowshoe trails.
• Location: is 46 miles east of Reno, NV; it's 835 miles from Bellingham.
• Google map to ski area -
  
• Driving: It's in the mountains and it's wintertime. Better be prepared! And bring chains. (But it has a lot of California traffic. I'm guessing the plows work pretty hard at it.)
• Type of skiing: Most trails are groomed nightly for classical and skating.
• Elevation: 6500+ feet.
• Trail map - Avenza map is available
• Latest grooming report
• Live webcam
  
• Length of season: Advertised opening this year is Friday, Dec. 17, 2021
• Expected Weather:
• When would I go?
• Places to stay / price range:
• Places to eat:
• Trail fees / passes needed: It's cheaper than when I went! Maybe I'll go back!
• Nordic Ski Lessons (both skate and classical) are available
• Equipment rentals are available.
• Special Events: There should be good skiing all season long. But a race/tour gives you a chance to be part of an event! Join others for specially marked trails, feed stations, and the fun of a race!
• Other things to do: Lake Tahoe is a major winter resort with all that implies. Reno (Nevada, bright lights, gambling, etc.) is just down the hill on a major interstate highway)
• Want to talk about it? Want some stories? Want a suggested itinerary?  This is a forwarding email address, your questions will be sent to 'the 'experienced user' – questions@nooksacknordicskiclub.org

What I would do/ski:

• Castle Pass / Snow Mountain makes a nice tour with some great views.