Clair Tappaan Lodge

Lets start with the positives. Its clean, rustic 1930's vibe, and cheap for the area. Its very close to Sugarbowl ski resort (and others). But, it has serious Winter issues. To enter the Lodge, you have to unload your car in a small space on the Lodge side of the road and park about a 100 yards down the road on the other side. The major problem is that after unloading you then get to carry luggage and kids about 150 yds along an initially steep, winding and narrow 2 foot snowpack trail uphill.(You are walking on TOP of 6 feet of snow.) Its uneven, icy and rough. If you step 6 inches off the trail you can sink to your waist into the snow. I managed to slightly sprain my knee. If you arrive at dusk or after dark its even more difficult. No lights/signs along the trail. The Lodge is the THIRD structure you encounter. Once you get to the Lodge entrance you now slide down a steep snowpack entrance to ground level. The rooms are very basic bunk beds with a hard thin mattress. (Bring sleeping bags, blankets and towels.) Lodge blankets are a $5 charge. Our two rooms did not have a radiator or heat source. One radiator in the hallway was never warm during our stay. Male bathroom/shower on second floor, female on first floor. Radiator in each bathroom but never working. One female guest brought a small portable electric heater and used it in the female bathroom. We inquired twice about it (nicely) and they claimed the heat was on. (Don't believe your lying skin?)Radiator in hallways and bathrooms were stone cold the two days we were there. Dining hall was so cold in the morning it required ski coats on for everybody. We brought our own food which was a smart decision. Guests crowded around fireplace in main hall to keep warm. The 'Library' area had a wood stove which also was popular. One family with two small children slept in the Library because it was too cold in their room. So, if you like Winter camping indoors, you will like this place.

My friends and I love the forest and of course the trees. We loved Clair Tappan Lodge! The staff was so friendly and warm and the meals were fantastic! It was so peaceful and quiet and a beautiful place to go with friends. We would recommend this rustic lodge for people who would love to get away from the city and all the noise. At night it was so quiet and calming to my nervous system. Barbara Bay Area

It’s a hostel for God’s sake, built by SierraClub volunteers in 1930’s. Don’t try to compare it to modern American corporate vacation lodging. It’s like stepping back into a slightly modern version of a classic Tahoe timber lodge build by the hands of volunteers who also helped preserve the natural wonders we enjoy today. Price includes dinner, breakfast, bag lunch to explore the surrounding mountains

My wife and I had a fantastic stay at the Lodge the last three days. Of course it helped that we were the only ones there and therefore had a large room to ourselves. But nevertheless, I've been staying here for many years, almost always in the winter when you can x-country out the door, but in the gorgeous fall weather it was a great place to be for hiking around and above Donner Summit. I would add that the food was excellent! A cut above what I was used to in previous stays--plenty of it but a bit utilitarian. This time we had a tasty pulled pork sandwich with mild peppers on it in a Brioche bun, with veggie sides, for one dinner and beautifully prepared white fish for next night with cucumber salad, rice, another veggie I forgot, and hand-made tartar sauce when I requested it. Desserts were exceptional and sandwiches for lunches made to order. Oh, and not to forget the bacon, sausage, eggs and hash browns for one breakfast and Shaksuka the next. I didn't even know what it was and then the recipe was in the Times the next morning! Great place to stay.

Just horrible trying to reach a live human being to get a reservation. Come on guys . The on-line reservation system really sucks to find a bunk available. If you leave a message for the reservation desk NO ONE will ever call you back. I have no explanation or understanding why there is no common decency of the staff not call you back. Its a bit rude.

The place in general was average, it had a nice library and lots of scenery. I did not enjoy the food very much, but the dining hall was of good size and the workers were polite. Under the mattresses there were some very innapropriate messages but the rooms were fine besides that.