Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Donner Ski Ranch that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Donner Ski Ranch stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Donner Ski Ranch review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Donner Ski Ranch
Total (2.6)
A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
I had my child in ski school and they had a great time! The manager was super helpful and the instructor Jamie was awesome. This is a great please for kids to learn and really progress with great instructors. We will definitely be back!
anonymous_d_1170852
Right when our kids were really starting to have fun their first day skiing a ski instructor at Donner Ski Ranch yelled at them and made them cry. Later when we went to the chair lift for their first trip up for our 7 year old the lift operator at the top didn't stop the lift when our son fell so the chair missed his head by inches. While I was trying to keep my son from getting hit I didn't get off the lift in time and had to jump off the lift so my 7 year old wouldn't be left alone on the slopes. Later the same lift operator sent my older son to the top of the mountain even though he said he wanted to get off. "Well, I guess your going to the top now", was all he said. They then made me ski to the bottom of the hill to catch the chair to the top so I could help my son down a run that was too advanced for his first day on skis. Another lift operator had ear buds in and was rocking out so he didn't hear me after 3 attempts to ask him to slow the lift down for one of our kids. I started skiing in 1970 and have never been to a place so poorly run and with employees so incompetent or rude.
Steve Austin
My wife and two young children bought four tickets for the magic carpet, it was the kids first time on ski's. After a couple runs, the operator says, "They closed it." and begins to walk off. My wife asks what we were supposed to do? The employee responded, "You can walk up!"
I went inside to find out what was up and it turns out the employee just felt like stopping the lift because we were the only ones using it, she wanted to go home, whatever.
Long story short: DSR management contacts me and asks for me to remove my poor review. I accidentally click the wrong button and my old review is gone, but I respond that I wasn't mad about the lift stopping for 10 minutes, but being lied to and treated rudely by your employee. DSR management responds with the attached text, stating they hope we never come back.... Really? A simple sorry for your inconvenience, it was a problem employee and the situation has been taken care of. Done.
Daniel
Go here on pow days. Skip Sugar Bowl. They might struggle to open, but once they do you'll have guaranteed fresh turns all day long.
Mike Fyfe
Nice family oriented, low key, good prices..nice view of Donner Lake at the top. Nice lodge on the backside to stop and have a meal, drink, etc.
Haffassa Tempts
DSR is close and easy to get to, the rates are low, and it doesn't get crowded. The best part is that I can wake up late, assess the weather and snow cover, then decide to run up from the valley and be on the slopes by 9am. An inexp3nsive season pass makes it worthwhile as you can get in a bunch of tune up days here between days at the bigger mountains.
Mira
I love this place! It's an inexpensive resort with hardly any lines. Great spot for first timers in a no stress, laid back atmosphere.
Marsha
Great for families. Great for freshies days after other resorts are skied out. Affordable lift tickets and beer!
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