In terms of Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts, Donner Ski Ranch (DSR) is the wild stepchild. In other words, it’s ruggedly independent, almost to a fault.
Yesterday, June 25, DSR took to social media to inform guests about new signs that were installed at the top and bottom of each chairlift. That’s not strange on the surface level, but the explanation and the content of the signs themselves certainly are.
“SAFETY FIRST,” reads the sign in bold letters. “IT IS NOT OK FOR OUR LIFT OPS TO BE USING THEIR CELL PHONES. RAT ‘EM OUT!” Beneath the text is a rat holding a sign that reads, “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING.”
The bottom of the sign asks guests to tell a lift op supervisor, ski patrol, or to call a number to report DSR’s cellphone-using employees.
The image was posted with a short caption that reads, “New signs for the bottom of every chair + carpets. It takes so little to amuse ourselves. Safety First.”
The response to the signs has been anything but positive. Keep reading for more.
Donner Ski Ranch
It’s a good thing for DSR to discourage cellphone use amongst lift operators, but asking skiers and guests to report them seems to be a step too far. Many of DSR’s faithful have expressed concerns for the new signs in the comments:
- “Oof. Love you guys, but this one missed. Lifties being on their phones is a management issue, not a guest-policing issue. Instead of asking customers to “rat them out,” pay your lift ops a couple bucks more than the big resorts, train them well, and empower supervisors to actually lead, coach, and hold the team accountable. Build a crew that wants to work hard, take care of guests, and take pride in the mountain.”
- “Lifties and lift mechanics are the most important people on the hill. They should be treated more with more respect than this. no one else would have a job or anywhere to ski if they didn’t do their job first.”
- “Yeah, that’ll attract and retain staff.”
- “I’m charging you guys $21 an hour to babysit your staff for you.”
- “Just lost me and all my homies business with this post. Going to spread the word. Steer clear of Donner Ski Ranch!”
Despite the overwhelmingly negative responses, DSR is doubling down, writing spicy reply comments to detractors.
In one bizarre comment, DSR event claimed that its younger employees are more distracted by their phones than weed: “For the last few [seasons], our younger employees just are not into weed. We do not have that problem.”
Donner Ski Ranch was the subject of a recent POWDER article after the ski area blasted a group of motorcyclists for using their bathrooms without purchasing any food.
Lift tickets are cheap at Donner Ski Ranch (by Tahoe standards, at least), but it’s safe to say they do things a little bit differently. In 2026, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Related: The Swiss Chalet That Fostered The Ski Bum Freeride Revolution
