Industry News
Sugar Bowl Resort, one of California’s oldest ski areas, has launched a $100 million infrastructure upgrade, the largest investment in its 86-year history, according to an announcement by the resort this week. The improvements include a complete renovation of the Village Lodge, replacement of the resort’s original gondola, a reimagined day lodge experience, and expanded culinary offerings—all part of a modernization plan designed to improve the guest experience while preserving the mountain’s historic charm.
According to Sugar Bowl’s website, the goal is to “restore and regenerate,” not expand the resort’s footprint or energy usage. “This investment is not about increasing Sugar Bowl’s land footprint or energy intensity but on enhancing infrastructure, improving guest experience, and making the village more inviting,” the resort said in a public statement.
The upgrade to the Village Lodge includes a new two-tiered dining terrace to replace the original wooden sun deck, as well as a renovated kitchen and lounge space. The lodge will also feature a new food and beverage program led by executive chef Jason Landas, who previously worked at high-end restaurants in San Francisco. The dining approach emphasizes seasonal ingredients, local sourcing, and elevated yet approachable meals.
At the resort’s primary day-use base area, Judah Lodge, improvements are planned to streamline guest movement from parking to lifts, with a future renovation aimed at improving layout and flow. The resort’s historic gondola system, which currently shuttles guests from a parking area to the village core, will be replaced with a modern eight-passenger gondola and a new highway terminal. The upgrade is meant to “transform the arrival experience,” according to Sugar Bowl’s Vice President of Development Chris Parker.
Owned by a San Francisco-based homeowners’ corporation, Sugar Bowl is one of the last independently operated ski resorts in the Tahoe region. The resort is not pursuing large-scale year-round operations but has committed to selective summer trail development to support its existing community. “Our vision is to create a differentiated ski experience that is upscale but not exclusive,” Christina Schwartz said, executive director of marketing and revenue, in a statement on the resort’s website. “All the spaces need to flex into full access for everybody.”
In a separate interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, CEO Bridget Legnavsky described the balance the resort is trying to strike: “It’s a really sensitive line—making sure we retain the uniqueness of Sugar Bowl while becoming more relevant and financially viable.” The $100 million revitalization is expected to roll out in phases, with some components—including the Village Lodge terrace and food program—ready by the 2024-25 ski season.
