SUGAR BOWL
Wedding Photography by Wade Snider
Donner, California
Sugar Bowl Resort is a hidden gem tucked into Donner Summit. It’s got that classic old school ski lodge energy but surrounded by alpine views, tall pines, and that sweet, sweet mountain air.
There are multiple ceremony and reception options: on the lawn by the lodge, at Lake Mary, or up top at Mount Disney. You can even do cocktail hour at the summit so your guests get the full view before heading back down. Taking the lift up is part of the experience. It’s fun and makes for great photos.
The layout is compact and easy to move through. You don’t lose time or momentum trying to get from one place to another. Every corner of the property has something worth shooting. Forest lines, open sky, rugged rock, textured wood. There are golden hour spots everywhere, whether you’re staying down low or heading to the top.
If you’re getting married at Sugar Bowl, you’ve got options. I’ll help you make the most of all of them.
VENUE SNAPSHOT
Location: Donner Summit, CA
Venue: Sugar Bowl Resort
Style: Alpine lodge, forested mountainside, classic Sierra feel
Capacity: Up to 300 guests depending on layout
Ceremony Options: Lawn by the lodge, lakeside at Lake Mary, mountaintop at Mt. Disney via chairlift
Reception Options: Outdoor deck, Belt Room Bar, lodge dining room, or tented lawn setups
Best Light: Golden hour everywhere—on the lawn, at the lake, or at the summit. Late afternoon through the trees and over the ridgelines
Favorite Spot: Mountaintop cocktail hour with full views and clean air. The lift ride up adds to the experience
Photographer Insight: Super walkable layout. You get forests, peaks, meadows, and lodge textures without bouncing between venues. So many places to sneak away for portraits without leaving the action
Looking for a Sugar Bowl Resort wedding photographer? I know how to navigate the light, the lift, and the layout to tell the full story start to finish.
