The new Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Lodge
by Tim Hauserman
Tahoe-Truckee cross country skiers, as well as residents and visitors of Tahoe Donner have something to get excited about: The new Tahoe Donner Cross-Country Ski Area Lodge (also known as the Alder Creek Adventure Center, since during the summer months when it will be the home of mountain biking and equestrian use.) This $9+ million building is a state of the art facility and a giant step forward from both the previous lodge, and for cross-country skiing in the region.
While the total building footprint for the lodge is not much bigger then the previous building located on the same site, the usable space is over double the size (much of the old building included the barns for the equestrian operation). The feeling inside is open and bright, with lots of wood and rock accents, and solid banks of windows overlooking the trails. A design team put a lot of thought into how best to accommodate all levels of nordic skiers, from the first timers who need to rent equipment and eat a meal, to the season pass holders who want to go for a quick ski before heading off to work.
The new Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Lodge
The primary features of the lodge are:
An expansive restaurant with a huge seating area, and a wide variety of food offerings.
A bar surrounding the fireplace with big screen TV’s and comfy chairs.
Locker room for season pass holders with adjacent shower and bathrooms.
A large rental shop with state of the art movable racks for skis, boots, and poles. The boot racks are even heated to dry out yesterday’s rental boots.
A separate club room for nordic teams or other groups to have a gathering spot.
Public waxing room with three stations, and tech waxing facility for the staff.
Employee room with lockers and laundry facilities.
Ski patrol room
An extensive clothing and gear shop
Expansive patio between lodge and the trails with fire pits and seating areas.
Truckee High School nordic coach Mary Ellen Benier told me she is pretty happy to be gathering with the kids where it is warm instead of in the barn where they did in the past.
Tahoe Donner Cross Country
The lodge is quickly becoming a hit not only with cross country skiers, but with Tahoe Donner residents who have a new neighborhood bar and restaurant where they can sip a cocktail while watching the skiers.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 
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