What I like about Sugar Bowl is the friendliness of the people who ski, ride and work there, endless mountain views from the resort peaks and the mountain’s notorious affinity for sucking up storm dumps. I also love the variety of terrain and secret stashes. The downside: I wish there were more secret stashes.

On the hill:

• The skiing:
You’ll find an incredible selection of intermediate terrain, plenty of fresh powder pockets and a handful of heart-pumping steeps when the snow falls deep at Sugar Bowl’s cozy, three-mountain ski resort.

Two things to keep in mind: Many of the Bowl’s blue runs ski easy, certainly an incentive for beginner skiers to step out of that comfort circle early. But, if you’re hanging in limbo between black and double black you’ll most likely have to go aerial to get that super steep rush at the Bowl. The gradation between steep and super steep goes from 0 to 60 in about 0.5 seconds.

• The Lift Time:
Possibly the best thing about Sugar Bowl is the lack of traverse time to get back to the lift. Unless you’ve ventured out to Strawberry Fields (which is a must-do in a powder storm), it’s always a straight shot back to the lift. That said, the lifts move pretty fast. Two exceptions: Jerome gets bogged down and Mt. Judah runs almost as slow on the weekends. Disney, Lincoln and Christmas Tree move pretty quickly. And while Crow’s Nest certainly doesn’t fly as fast as a crow would, you won’t be waiting in line there either.

• Gotta try runs:
Beginner: Harriet’s Hollow, one of the longest beginner slopes, is also a great ride through the trees.

Intermediate: Love the Bowl’s Golden Gate terrain park. Excellent flow and just-my-size jumps that make me feel like an aerial star. For powder, try Carl’s Ear and its neighboring chutes off the top of Mt. Lincoln to satiate the fresh tracks appetite.

Advanced/Expert: Sugar Bowl proper off Mt. Disney is a source of endless exploration and there’s never a dull moment in the 58s either.

• Runs to steer clear of:
I wouldn’t avoid anything, but on deep powder days it pays to beware. Roller Pass, Strawberry Fields and the Pacific Crest Glades flatten out quickly and if you’re not aiming the right direction you might find yourself stuck with a strenuous hike out. Aim left on Roller Pass (and do not wipe out at all); aim right on Strawberry Fields and if it’s your first time, cut early; aim left through the Pacific Crest Glades and, again, first-timers should cut early.

Off the hill:

• The food and drinks:
When it’s open, mid-mountain pizza (between the Christmas Tree and Silverbelt lift) is the crowd favorite. But if it’s not sunny, head to the Judah Lodge (that’s where everybody else is). Order the pizza or one of the enormous pasta bowls – both are sure to satisfy. For après ski you’ll find the biggest crowd at the Judah Lodge, but a more intimate gathering at the Belt Room on the Disney side of the mountain. Ask for one of Lynn’s delicious Bloody Marys (although any of the bartenders mix a good one), loaded with enough ingredients to send your taste buds into an ecstatic frenzy. And if you’re in the mood to spoil yourself, head across the hall to the Four Peaks restaurant – scrumptious gourmet grub.

• The staff:
Overall, Sugar Bowl’s a friendly place where you can check your attitude at the door; a place that could likely be called the Cheers of Tahoe. Ski here for a season and don’t be surprised if everybody knows your name. Many of the Bowl’s employees have spent multiple seasons on the mountain, but a good number are spending their summer break working in the snow. Sure, they might not speak English as a first language, but extend your hospitality and understanding to them and they’ll surely reply with a smile as well.

• Retail shops:
The Mt. Judah retail shop is super convenient and opens when the mountain does. But if you’ve got time and can either make the trip to Java Summit Sports or stop in on your way from Interstate 80, I highly recommend it for the sake of the pocketbook (not to mention the coffee). Java Summit Sports is located on Donner Pass Road, near the turnoff to Serene Lakes.

• Rentals:
The folks in the rental shops are extremely friendly. The shops are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the biggest selection in gear, the Mt. Judah location is the place to go. Although the biggest component of gear in the rental department is of the 3-to-4 year old range, you’ll find a small selection of new gear here. The rental facilities on the Disney side aren’t nearly as diverse.

See it in our guide.

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