Ski History Day at Sugar Bowl Resort

A One-of-a-Kind Immersive Experience in the Birthplace of California Ski Culture

Nestled at 7,000 feet on Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has long been a cornerstone of Sierra Nevada ski heritage, a place shaped by pioneers, innovators, Olympians, and adventurers. This February, you’re invited to step into that story.

Hosted by the SNOW Sports Museum in partnership with Sugar Bowl Resort, Ski History Day is a special small-group experience designed for people who love this mountain and its legacy, offering a memorable winter morning and afternoon spent exploring historic terrain, diving into stories from the early days of California skiing, and connecting with the people preserving this heritage for future generations.

A Day Immersed in Ski Heritage

Welcome Gathering

Your experience begins with coffee, pastries, and an opportunity to meet fellow attendees as event facilitators set the stage for the day ahead.

Guided On-Mountain History Tour

After the welcome, you’ll venture onto the mountain for a guided history tour led by Greg Jones, Elissa Hambrecht, and Sugar Bowl staff. Or you can stay in the lodge, enjoy photos and artifacts, and share Sugar Bowl memories

This curated tour highlights:

California’s first chair lift
Story-rich terrain where early ski culture took root
Historic runs, lifts, and structures
Influential figures who shaped the sport in the Sierra
The evolution of skiing at Sugar Bowl from the 1930s to today

Lunch & Multimedia Ski History Presentation

Following the on-snow experience, return for lunch and a special multimedia presentation. Featuring historic images, rare archival footage, and stories from the SNOW Sports Museum’s growing collection, this talk brings the region’s ski history to life.

Expect insights into:

The founding of Sugar Bowl and its ties to early California ski culture
The rise of alpine racing, innovation, and mountain design
Local legends, Olympians, and community trailblazers
How the SNOW Sports Museum is preserving Tahoe’s winter sports heritage

This intimate setting offers ample opportunity for conversation, questions, and shared stories.

Event Details

Date: February 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Sugar Bowl Resort
Ticket Price: $200 per person

Prices do not include lift tickets; discounted passes will be available.

Supporting the SNOW Sports Museum

Proceeds from Ski History Day support the SNOW Sports Museum, whose mission is to preserve, celebrate, and share the rich winter sports history of the Sierra Nevada.

By attending, you directly support:

Artifact preservation
Digitization of historic materials
Educational programming
Community storytelling initiatives
The Museum’s interim gallery at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City
The future permanent home of the SNOW Sports Museum

Tax Information

The SNOW Sports Museum Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #26-3480974).
Because this is a ticketed event that includes goods and services, only the portion of the ticket price that exceeds the fair market value of the benefits received may be tax-deductible. Additional tax information will be provided to attendees after the event.

Registration

Space is intentionally limited, and this event is expected to sell out.

Buy your tickets [HERE] and experience Sugar Bowl in a completely new way.

Tickets are $200 per person.