TAHOE DONNER
Skiing at Tahoe Donner Cross Country

By JoJo Toeppner

Tahoe Donner Cross Country

Tahoe Donner Cross Country (TDXC) is one of the nation's premier cross-country ski centers, with 4,800 acres of terrain and 49 trails spanning 115 km. We have won "Truckee's Best," the people's choice award, for the last two years. So come try skating through the aspen groves and pine trees to gorgeous views of valleys and mountaintops. The experience is breath taking. The wide variety of terrain allows everyone to enjoy the sport of cross-country skiing, from those who want to try it for the first time, to those who are fine-tuned experts. The trails are divided among beginner (30 percent), intermediate (50 percent), and advanced/expert (20 percent). There are also two snowshoe-only trails.

Let your day begin by cozying up to the fireplace at the Day Lodge, with its beautiful views and home-cooked food from the Alder Creek Café. There are five more warming huts throughout the TDXC terrain, all providing stunning panoramas. The Euer Valley cookhouse is nestled in the glorious Euer Valley, an easy 3 1/2 kilometers ski from the Day Lodge. A simple warming hut during the week, on weekends and holidays it becomes the perfect place to refuel and rest. Baked goods, soups, and sandwiches can be purchased at the Euer Valley Cookhouse and the knowledgeable staff is happy to provide trail recommendations.

On Wednesday nights in January and February Tahoe Donner Cross Country is open for night skiing, on a 2 1/2 km lit track, from 5 to 7 p.m. In February TDXC hosts the Presidents Cup Race, a 15 km freestyle race, and the 3X5 Relays. TDXC's most popular event, the Tour d' Euer, takes place in March. There are 3 different length tours you can choose from, and immediately following the ski everyone enjoys lunch and live music on the deck. Throughout the entire season, TDXC's world-class instructors conduct night clinics, special womens clinics and skills clinics. For information regarding races, events, and clinics, check out TDXC on the Web at www.tdxc.com.

This season there is one new trail to explore, Crabtree Canyon. It's the return of an old favorite but with a new twist. We have extended the trail — it is now 3 km to the top. Once at the top you'll love the view. Also new at TDXC is the terrain park. It has some great features to test your skills: a 1/2 pipe, tabletop, spine and rollers. From the deck you can watch the ski teams come through and perform their tricks.

Tahoe Donner Cross Country is located at 15275 Alder Creek Road in the community of Tahoe Donner, Truckee. TDXC is approximately 20 miles north of Lake Tahoe. Call (530) 587-9484 for more information and remember...the skiing is out there.