Among the oldest and most iconic ski areas in the Western U.S., Donner Ski Ranch is a family-friendly resort that features a wide variety of terrain, inviting skiers and riders of all abilities to enjoy the fully-featured mountain oasis. With one of the highest base elevations in the Sierras, Donner Ski Ranch boasts some of the best powder in the Lake Tahoe region, along with aggressive high-mountain and backside terrain, making it ideal for advanced skiers and riders who want to escape the crowds and enjoy untouched lines.
For beginner and intermediate skiers, Donner Ski Ranch offers easy access to novice runs, ski/snowboard lessons, equipment rentals, a retail shop, and a tubing park that’s great for kids of all ages. With daily ticket and package pricing up to 75% less than other resorts, Donner Ski Ranch is the #1 destination for family fun.
Our History
Since 1937, Donner Ski Ranch has been a family-oriented, family-owned, and operated Lake Tahoe area ski resort. Nearly 80 years ago, Donner Ski Ranch opened to the public with the help of the famed Jerry Ellis, who installed the area's first uphill lift, a rope tow.
Thanks to Ellis, Donner Ski Ranch was off to a booming start. But World War II took its toll on all ski areas when men and women left in droves to fight for our country. Without workers and visitors, the resort temporarily halted operations. When the war ended, longtime Donner Ski Ranch enthusiast Herstle Jones had a dream to revive the one-time skiing hot spot, so he purchased the land. With a shared passion for skiing, Jones passed leadership of the resort to his niece and her husband, Madeline & Stanley Walton, who gave it the name Donner Ski Ranch.
In 1948, the operation expanded, and the Waltons added a T-Bar and lodge.
In 1955, a new group emerged with a vision to expand the resort's operations.
And so they purchased Donner Ski Ranch and built one of California's first chairlifts, which escorted skiers from the base of the mountain to its highest peak at over 8,000' elevation.
Fast forward to the 1970s, and Donner Ski Ranch was at the forefront of skiing innovation and culture when it became one of the first ski resorts in the country to allow snowboarding, telemark skiing, and snow bobbing. As a result, Donner Ski Ranch became a hotbed for snowboarding and produced some of the most incredible talents in the industry.
Today, owners Marshall and Janet Tuttle continue to invest every dime Donner Ski Ranch makes directly into infrastructure improvements. Focusing on safety over glamour, we have rebuilt all chairlifts—including new motors, drives, cables, and safety features—and added state-of-the-art grooming and snow removal equipment. We remain committed to our value-based model, making skiing accessible to everyone.
OUR STAFF
The population of Norden, California, is 146 people. Along with locals, some of Donner Ski Ranch employees are from South America, participating in the U.S. State Department-sponsored J-1 work experience program. To be considered for the J-1 program, they must be enrolled in a 4-year university and be in the top 25% of their class; therefore, these students are among South America’s best. Many of the students are majoring in medicine, engineering, economics, and marketing.
Each Fall, we travel to South America to interview more than 120 students to fill some of our seasonal positions. We conduct face-to-face interviews to ensure we hire only the best. The students we hire are friendly, speak English, and are hard workers who choose to give up their 3-month university summer break to work in the snow, which most have never seen before.
Donner Ski Ranch provides housing, job training, and guidance. Throughout the three months they're with us, we do our best to be stellar employers and ambassadors of the United States, giving these students the best experience possible. We hope that you can help enrich their experience by sharing a friendly conversation with them, and perhaps learning about their country and culture.
And, we love our locals. We're always looking for positive individuals with great attitudes to join the Donner Ski Ranch team for part-time, full-time seasonal, and year-round positions. If you're interested in a team where you'll feel like family, apply today!