Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Areas

Despite the fact that this sizable ski area originates in a populated residential community above Truckee, the trail system allows for a blissful escape from civilization — especially in the isolated and remarkably beautiful Euer Valley, now recognized as a historic area, which is located three kilometers north of the lodge.

Although the pristine valley is just 100 feet below the plateau that supports the cross-country center, it might as well be another world. In summer the Circle E Ranch, owned by descendants of a pioneer family, uses the lush meadow for grazing cattle, but in winter it becomes a wonderful tour route for beginning and intermediate skiers. Trails parallel the South Fork of Prosser Creek and pass some rustic cabins and barns. The entire valley is surrounded by major peaks, including Castle (elevation 9,103 feet), Red Mountain (7,900 feet), and Prosser Hill (7,171 feet).

A good, easy tour route is Last Roundup, a 4.9-kilometer loop from the lodge. Once in the valley, you can stay there all day, since a large warming hut, the Euer Valley Cookhouse, provides full food and beverage service on weekends and complimentary, self-service hot tea and springwater on weekdays. But if you can tear yourself away from here, another, larger system of trails called Home Range meanders through aspen groves and scattered pine, and offers a large meadow for beginners in front of the lodge.

For the best views, intermediates and experts can climb for six kilometers along Hawk's Peak to the top of Sunrise Bowl, which sits on Donner Ridge at 7,800 feet (a 1,100-foot elevation gain from the base area). Here you'll find another warming hut, with southwest-facing vistas of Donner Summit and Castle Peak.

The entire ski area is well groomed and managed, with special features like the excellent homemade goodies at the Alder Creek Cafe and a fully stocked equipment rental department, and myriad programs for kids. The Tiny Tracks Snow School is something of a signature for the Nordic center, with its Old West Kiddie Corral and weekend instruction for youngsters ages five to nine in all aspects of ski technique.

Kilometers of track: 105K of machine-groomed track.

Types of Trails: Track system with wide skating lanes on 40 trails (30 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate, and 30 percent advanced). Beginner trails are one-way only.

Trail Fees: Adults, $19; teens (13 to 17) and seniors (60 to 69), $14; children under 12 and seniors over 70 are free.

Facilities: Three warming huts, one cookhouse, and one day lodge.

Services: Half-day and multiday trail passes, twilight skiing, night skiing, lessons, rental equipment, and the Tiny Tracks Snow School.

Rental Packages: Striding and skating skis, demos, and snowshoes are available. Rental packages (skis, boots and poles) run $17 per day.

Transportation: Call for information.

Special Programs: Exclusive night skiing is available on Wednesday and Friday evenings, 5p.m to 7p.m. The ski area is a participant in North Lake Tahoe Resort Association's Cross-Country Interchangeable Trail Pass.

Major Events: 10K Classic Race (December), Presidents' Day Cup Race (February), and Snowfest/Tour D'Euer (March).

Location: WWest of Truckee, take the Donner Memorial State Park exit from I-80. Drive one-half mile east on Donner Pass Road to the bottom of Northwoods Boulevard, then turn left onto Northwoods and follow the signs to the cross-country center, about three miles from the turnoff.

Contact: Tahoe Donner Cross-Country, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161; 530/587-9484, Snowphone 530/587-9494; website: www.tahoedonner.com.

View: Tahoe Area Map