About Us
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 family-operated ski resort in the Lake Tahoe area. 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 renamed it 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 transported skiers from the base of the mountain to its highest peak at an elevation of over 8,000 feet.
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
Donner Ski Ranch is proud to be an integral part of the Norden community, where we prioritize hiring residents first for our seasonal, part-time, full-time, and year-round positions. We deeply value our local team members and are constantly seeking positive individuals from the area with great attitudes to join our team. If you’re a local and interested in working at Donner Ski Ranch, apply today!
While our priority is to hire local talent, some of our seasonal positions are filled by outstanding students from South America through the U.S. State Department's J-1 Work Experience Program. These J-1 participants must be enrolled in a 4-year university and rank in the top 25% of their class, representing some of South America’s best and brightest. Many are studying medicine, engineering, economics, and marketing.
Each Fall, we travel to South America to conduct face-to-face interviews with over 120 students to fill remaining positions that cannot be filled locally. The students we hire are friendly, English-speaking, and hardworking, choosing to spend their three-month summer break working in the snow—often for the first time.
We provide all our staff—including both local team members and J-1 participants—with job training and support. Throughout their time at Donner Ski Ranch, we strive to be exemplary employers and ambassadors of the United States, offering a memorable and enriching experience for everyone. Guests are encouraged to engage in friendly conversations and learn about the cultures of our J-1 participants.
Local applicants are especially encouraged to join our team and experience Donner Ski Ranch’s welcoming atmosphere!