SierraPundit

This somewhat off-beat, lift-served XCD tour takes advantage of one of the more curious things about Tahoe Donner.   Tahoe Donner Downhill is a shortcut trailhead via the Eagle Chair to the highest points in Tahoe Donner XC across the street, which are higher and more viewful than the alpine area!

The obvious route is to ski down Mile Run (which is about intermediate by nordic standards)  from Eagle Chair and take the offical “Downhill Interconnect”  to the regular nordic trails leading out-and-back to Hawk’s Peak and Donner Ridge.    Note that, though groomed, it’s usually posted “Closed Area” to keep clueless alpine beginners from getting lost.

However, I’ve worked out a more adventurous route  involving about 40 minutes of trailbreaking/hiking directly from the top of the Eagle chair to the crest of Skislope Way, up Glacier Way,  and onward to The Far Side, Hawk’s Peak, Sundance, and returning via the Downhill Interconnect.   This let’s one do one big, very viewful loop of the high points of Tahoe Donner with minimal backtracking, minimal uphill slogging, and most of it pleasantly groomed.

Note: When you get to the crest of SkiSlope, marked by a Snowcat garage, you have two choices.   Resume skiing directly across the street, or hike up Glacier Way to the cul-de-sac and resume skiing from there.   Hiking is faster.

Now for some caveats:

• I have a combined season pass for both areas , which I consider a bargain, but day tickets are a bit of a hassle.  A nordic pass entitles you to 1 ride up the Eagle chair to reach the Downhill Interconnect but they currently aren’t sold at the alpine area.    So it’s buy your pass at the nordic lodge and either drive over or ski over.   Or buy two passes and practice your skinny ski turns on the congenial  beginner and intermediate alpine runs.   It’s still cheaper than Squaw.
• However, some operations personnel at the downhill area are pretty fussy about having some kind of ski leash arrangement, even on skating toothpicks. I use backcountry touring gear for this tour that has provisions for attaching a leash. Most NNN-BC, SNS-BC, and of course 75mm bindings do. YMMV.
• Kicker skins are helpful between Glacier Way and The Far Side. It can get a little crusty.
• The powder in Sunrise Bowl is often inviting but there is a small slide area directly north of the route shown. Stick to the crest of Donner ridge between Glacier Way and the Far Side. Sunrise Bowl is not patrolled and iPhones/ATT are useless down in it.