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2 Tahoe-Truckee resorts in running for USA Today cross-country ski title

Kaleb M. Roedel
kroedel@sierrasun.com
Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort in Soda Springs is one of two resorts in the Tahoe-Truckee region nominated by USA Today for its "Best Cross Country Ski Resort" in North America title.
Courtesy / Catherine Howard Photography |

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To vote for USA Today’s Best Cross Country Ski Resort visit 10best.com/awards/travel/best-cross-country-ski-resort.

TRUCKEE, Calif. — With the snow-covered terrain of the majestic Sierra Nevada beckoning cross-country skiers from all over the country, it’s plain to see why Tahoe-Truckee is a popular spot to traverse the wilderness.

So much so that two area resorts have been named finalists for USA Today’s “Best Cross Country Ski Resort” award.

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area in Truckee and Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort in Soda Springs are among 20 resorts in the running for the title of best cross-country ski resort in North America.



In compiling the list of nominees, USA Today solicited feedback from U.S. Nordic Olympians Sadie Bjornsen and Sophie Caldwell, who are current members of the U.S. Nordic Ski Team, and Holly Brooks, a former U.S. Ski Team member.

The winner is determined through an online readers’ poll at 10best.com. Voting is open through Monday, Feb. 8.



“We are honored to be recognized by USA Today and Olympians for our resort,” said Sally Jones, Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area manager. “Over the last few years we have made it our mission to enhance our visitors’ experiences and being named among the best is confirmation we have succeeded.”

Tahoe Donner offers a variety of skiing terrain across its 62 miles of trails. Skiers can trek through pines, climb peaks through the aspens or stride over the flats of Euer Valley.

Additionally, this season Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area opened the Alder Creek Adventure Center, a state-of-the-art facility with expanded indoor and outdoor seating, a pub and restaurant, and more.

“We hope folks love our new facility as much as we do and appreciate our vast trail system that is meticulously groomed daily,” Jones said. “And that we can count on lots of local votes.”

Royal Gorge, meanwhile, has more than 125 miles of trails and a whopping 6,000 acres of terrain — the most of any ski area in North America.

“We’re stoked. We definitely think its deserving,” Peter Avedschmidt, marketing and sales manager for Sugar Bowl Resort | Royal Gorge, said of the nomination. “We’ve put a ton of money into it. We have an ever-growing track system; we have an integrated trail system with Sugar Bowl — you can see cross county skiers while you’re downhill skiing.”

Whether or not Royal Gorge or Tahoe Donner finishes at the peak of USA Today’s Best Cross Country Ski Resort poll, one can argue the nominations alone reaffirm Tahoe-Truckee’s reputation as a destination for not only downhill skiing, but cross-country skiing as well.


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