Sorensen's Resort facts for kids
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Sorensen's Resort is a cozy mountain getaway in Alpine County, California. It's found just east of Hope Valley. This resort sits in a wide, open meadow. It is next to the West Fork of the Carson River. The resort has over 30 wooden cabins. These cabins come in many different sizes. Sorensen's Resort first opened in 1916. It welcomes guests all year long.
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History of Sorensen's Resort
How it Started
The resort was started by Martin Sorensen. He came to the United States from Denmark in 1890. He was 18 years old at the time. Martin first worked as a sheep herder. This was in the Carson Valley. By 1905, he had his own sheep business.
In 1916, Martin and his wife, Irene, bought some land. It was about 169 acres. This land was where Hope Valley becomes Woodfords Canyon. At first, it was just a simple campsite. But Martin soon began to make the resort bigger. By the late 1920s, the property had ten small cabins. You could rent them for 75 cents a night.
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New Owners and Changes
In 1970, the Sorensen family sold the resort. They also sold an extra 140 acres of land. The new owner was Johan Viking Hultin. He was a doctor from Sweden. Dr. Hultin lived in Los Gatos, California. This was nearly 200 miles away. So, he was not at the resort all the time.
Dr. Hultin loved cross-country skiing. He first bought the resort hoping to build a big ski area. This plan did not happen. But under his ownership, the resort started a ski school. It was called Viggo Nordic. This was likely the first ski school of its kind in California. Later, new managers helped the resort a lot. They fixed up the property. They also repaired damage that had built up over the years.
The Brissenden Family Takes Over
In 1982, John and Patty Brissenden bought the resort. They paid $410,000 for it. Two years later, they moved to the resort. They lived there full-time for almost 40 years. The Brissendens kept making the resort better. They added a large, fancy cabin called Norway House. Dr. Hultin had started building it. But it needed a lot of work to meet building rules. The Brissendens finished it in 1984.
The couple also worked to improve the resort's restaurant. It became very well-known for its great wine list. In 2019, the Brissendens retired. They sold the resort to a new owner.
What You Can Find at Sorensen's Resort
Sorensen's Resort is located right off California State Route 88. It is about a mile east of where it meets State Route 89. The cabins are spread out among evergreen and aspen trees. The West Fork of the Carson River flows behind them.
Besides places to stay, the resort also hosts weddings. It is home to Sorensen's Country Cafe. This is one of only two restaurants in the quiet Hope Valley area.
