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Destination: Royal Gorge

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS AT THE LARGEST CROSS COUNTRY SKI AREA IN NORTH AMERICA

The following article has been provided by Royal Gorge for exclusive use by xcskiworld.com. All rights reserved.

All photos by David Madison/Royal Gorge. Used by permission only

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You’ll find North America's Largest Cross Country Ski Resort above Lake Tahoe on the Donner Summit. It stretches over 9000 acres of the magnificent Northern Sierra Nevada mountain range and encompasses more than 300km of immaculately groomed track.

The Ski Area comprises of five track systems in total. Ski any one of them and you’ll discover pristine meadows, secluded pine forests and sweeping vistas. Each track system provides the perfect setting for a day’s adventure and features beginner, intermediate and advanced trails along gentle, rolling and hilly terrain.

User-Friendly Facilities

Visitors to Royal Gorge can take advantage of a range of amenities not normally found at traditional cross country ski areas. Surface lifts are just one of the added extras you will find at this Ski Area. There are four surface lifts in all for skiers to practice their downhills and turns on. A couple are strategically located to take skiers from one track system to another but the favorite by far is the one at Yuba Hill which takes you up the last hill home.

Nestled in each track system are warming huts which are stocked with heaters and the facilities to make a hot cup of tea. The huts have large picture windows and are located at some of the most picturesque points in the Ski Area. Skiers can choose one as the turnaround point in their day’s ski or visit several if they are feeling energetic!

Handily located trailside cafes are another bonus for skiers at Royal Gorge. Each of them has hot and cold beverages, snacks and meals on offer and most feature large sundecks.

Memorable Overnight Stays

If you plan it right, you can fit a whole day’s adventure into your trip to Royal Gorge. But to really escape, you’ll need a whole weekend.

Ice Lakes Lodge:
Imagine a restful night's sleep in a cozy, comfortable bed, followed by a delicious breakfast and then a long, leisurely ski that begins just a few steps outside your door. This magical winter experience can be yours as a guest of our superbly situated Ice Lakes Lodge! The Lodge is beautifully crafted to blend with its spectacular surroundings on the edge of scenic Serene Lakes and across the road from the sprawling Royal Gorge trail system. Ice Lakes Lodge features 26 lake and mountain-view rooms, a Restaurant and Bar, a Guest lounge with ceiling-high fireplace and a Games room for the kids. Overnight guests begin their day of winter fun with a complimentary Continental breakfast complete with pastries, cereals, fruit, yogurt, juices, coffee and tea. Ice Lakes Lodge also now has free wireless internet access!

Ski In-Ski Out
Park your car on check-in and experience easy access to the entire Royal Gorge trail system via the new Reindeer Trailhead located just a few steps from the Lodge. For those of you who would like to rent equipment or take a lesson, it is just a short 5 minute drive to Summit Station from the Lodge.

Trail Pass Savings
As a guest of Ice Lakes Lodge, you can take advantage of savings on trail passes at Royal Gorge- stay any non-holiday, midweek ( Sunday through Thursday) night and receive two vouchers per room to ski the next day at Royal Gorge for the afternoon rate.

Shuttle Bus
Overnight guests of Ice Lakes Lodge who arrive on public transportation will be provided with a shuttle to and from Summit Station, weather and road conditions permitting.

Ice Lakes Lodge Restaurant and Bar
Our lovely restaurant offers a full menu of salads, appetizers, bar snacks, entrees and desserts all day, from 11.30am to 8pm. The bar offers a full range of beer, wine and spirits and is open 11.30am to 9pm. A lavish Continental Buffet Breakfast is served from 8am to 10am everyday. In Summer, enjoy your meal or drink, out on the deck overlooking Serene Lakes.

Rainbow Lodge:
History comes to life at Rainbow Lodge - our enchanting Bed and Breakfast built in the 1920's alongside a bend in the Yuba River. Come marvel at the original stone and woodwork, wonder at the historical photographs, savor our French-trained Chef's sumptuous cooking and doze by a freshly stoked fire. You'll succumb to the warmth and beauty of the romantic past and maybe, in years to come, it'll be your story that echoes through these walls.

Enjoy a prime location - just off I-80 and seven miles from fabulous skiing at Summit Station.

Take advantage of savings on trail passes - stay any non-holiday, midweek (Sunday through Thursday) night and receive two vouchers per room to ski the next day at Royal Gorge for the afternoon rate.

You can escape to Rainbow Lodge any night of the week, any day of the year, and stay as long as you like. Please note we do have a two night minimum on weekends and holidays during the winter.

Want To Know More?

Royal Gorge is located right off I-80 at the Soda Springs exit on Donner Summit. For information and reservations call 1-800-500-3871 or 1-800-666-3871 (in N. Calif.) You can also visit Royal Gorge via their website at www.royalgorge.com.