Industry News
Donner Ski Ranch has called an early end to its 2025–26 ski season, announcing it will cease operations as of March 21 after a prolonged stretch of warm, dry weather left the mountain without sufficient snow to continue. It’s a stark contrast to last season, when operations continued until mid-May.
“When it snows you open. When there is no snow you close. That’s the ski business,” the resort wrote in a characteristically blunt message on social media. The small, independent ski area has seen temperatures approaching 70°F and what the resort referred to as “Mr. Brown” taking over the slopes—in a nod to Dr. Seuss—there is simply no snow left to groom.
The closure reflects a difficult season across parts of the Sierra Nevada, where inconsistent snowfall and unseasonably warm temperatures have taken a toll—particularly on smaller resorts that rely more heavily on natural snow than extensive snowmaking infrastructure. Donner Ski Ranch, known for its no-frills, old-school approach to skiing, has long prided itself on affordability and simplicity rather than large-scale capital investment.
Still, the closure may not be final. In a statement on its website, the resort left the door open for a potential return: if significant snowfall arrives, operations could resume. “If we receive significant snowfall we will reopen for the love of skiing and riding,” the resort wrote, echoing its long-standing motto: “Praying for snow since 1937.”
Located near Donner Pass, the ski area has built a loyal following over decades for its laid-back atmosphere, uncrowded slopes, and community feel—qualities that have made it a staple of Northern California skiing even as larger resorts have expanded and modernized.
For now, the lifts have stopped spinning, replaced by spring-like conditions more suited to patio dining at the resort’s Old 40 Bar & Grill than skiing. But in a sport defined by weather, the season’s final chapter may not yet be written. At Donner Ski Ranch, hope still hinges on the next storm.
