Early winter snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountain range signals skiers and riders to dust off their gear and get ready to carve turns ahead of the holiday season.
But one question is also on every skier’s mind in 2026: Will this winter’s super El Niño bring a bonanza of fluffy snow to California’s mountains?
When Will California Ski Resorts Open?
Whether or not El Niño produces chart-topping snow levels, California’s ski resorts are welcoming skiers and riders back with revamped menus, lesson package discounts, special anniversary celebrations, and two brand-new gondolas. Mammoth Mountain will be the first California resort to open its gates on Nov. 5th. Heavenly and Northstar California start spinning their lifts on Nov. 20, and Palisades Tahoe joins the party on Nov. 25.
What New Features Are Coming to California Ski Resorts?
Here’s a look at this winter’s offerings and more planned resort opening dates (keep in mind that openings are weather-dependent and subject to change).
Northern California
Mt. Shasta Ski Park, Mt. Shasta
Mt. Shasta will offer $40 lift tickets on Wednesdays starting Jan. 6 until the end of the season (excluding Feb. 17), and a $25 twilight ticket on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. until close.
Opens: Dec. 9
Lake Tahoe Region of Eastern California
Sugar Bowl, Norden/Donner Summit
Sugar Bowl’s multiyear, $100 million development project continues with the opening of the new Village Gondola, an eight-person Doppelmayr gondola that connects the ski area’s parking lot to its base. Sugar Bowl has also invested in its main lodge, terrain parks, race venues, and snowmaking equipment. New multiday ticket packs start at just $99 per day. A $99 first-timer package for ages 13-plus bundles a lesson, rentals, and lift ticket.
Opens: Nov. 27
Northstar California, Truckee
Northstar’s ski and ride school is offering group lessons for Mandarin-speaking guests. The Snow Start program, taught by native Mandarin-speaking instructors, will take place on three Saturdays: Jan. 23, Feb. 27, and March 20. The Après Music series returns with live bands on Northstar Village’s stage every Saturday and DJs every Friday and Sunday.
Opens: Nov. 20
Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley
Palisades has a new Beginner Progression Pass that includes three group lessons (good for three separate days), lift tickets, rental equipment, and a pair of goggles for just $799. After completing three lessons, guests receive a season pass valid for the rest of the winter/spring season. The resort has also invested in avalanche mitigation technology, snowmaking enhancements, and three new diesel-electric snowcats. Its mountain rave Tahoe Live returns Dec. 11–13 with the biggest lineup in its history, and the Coca Cola KT-22 Bass Bar will present 52 days of live DJs spinning beats at free après-ski events in the base area.
Opens: Nov. 25
Homewood, West Shore Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe’s beloved West Shore resort is getting a modern refresh: An eight-person gondola will replace the historic, three-person Madden chair. The new, enclosed-cabin gondola can deliver 1,500 to 2,400 skiers per hour to Madden’s network of mostly blue and green runs. The resort is also debuting improved snowmaking systems, a new beginner ski school area, and ski school warming yurt.
Opens: Dec. 11
Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe
On-mountain dining is getting a makeover with elevated versions of winter favorites, plus a line-up of creative new dishes. Lakeview Lodge will host monthly “Brews and Views” events featuring local craft brewery tastings, live music, dining specials, and Lake Tahoe views. The fifth annual Toyota Air and Après event takes place March 5–7, when Olympic and X-Game skiers and riders will show off their tricks at the base of Heavenly’s World Cup run.
Opens: Nov. 20
Sierra-at-Tahoe, Twin Bridges/South Lake Tahoe
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Sierra-at-Tahoe is planning throwback parties and special ticket pricing—watch for $80 lift tickets on occasional off-peak days. The resort’s new mobile app offers an interactive trail map, leaderboards, and a program that rewards skiers and riders for their on-mountain activity. A parking reservation system will be in place on weekends and holidays; reservations are free for Sierra-at-Tahoe passholders and cars with more than four passengers.
Opens: TBD
Kirkwood, Carson Pass
On-mountain dining menus will include new offerings like Detroit-style pizza, Coney Island–style hot dogs, and ramen noodle bowls. Popular events return this winter including Banked Slalom, Slush Cup, Kirkwood’s New Year’s Eve celebration, Winter Solstice Cinema, IFSA freeride competitions, and Women’s Weekend.
Opens: Dec. 4
Central California
Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth has invested nearly $13.5 million in capital improvement projects, including a 15-tower, remote avalanche control system that provides greater flexibility to mitigate avalanche hazards in severe storms. Mammoth’s Unbound Terrain Parks is celebrating its 30th anniversary with special events at Unbound’s 100-acre complex of 10 terrain parks, two halfpipes, 100-plus jibs, and 40-plus jumps. Kids Ski Free Week returns to the resort Dec. 5–11, when kids 12 and under receive a free lift ticket each day.
Opens: Nov. 5
Dodge Ridge, Pinecrest
The resort’s “First Turns” lesson program offers three days of instruction, rental equipment and beginner lift access. Full-time college students can save by purchasing the new College Crew Pass.
Opens: Nov. 21
Southern California
Mountain High Resort, Wrightwood
The H2O Winter Classic, a combined snowboarding and surfing competition, takes place on Feb. 20–21 with multiple age group and pro/am divisions. The snowboarding event happens at Mountain High; the surfing contest takes place the next day at Palm Springs Surf Club. Division champions are crowned based on their combined scores.
Opens: Nov. 21
Big Bear Mountain Resort, Big Bear Lake
Big Bear’s three mountains—Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, and Snow Valley—are offering a great deal this season: two-day lift tickets for $149, valid any two days all season. Snow Valley is launching a learn-to-ski-or-snowboard program starting at $129 for all ages, which includes a lift ticket, rental equipment, and beginner lesson.
Snow Summit and Snow Valley will offer night skiing until 8:30 p.m. on weekend nights. Resort events include the annual New Year’s Eve concert and torch light parade (Dec. 31) and the Bear Bowl XII, a team-up-with-friends football drill competition on the snow during Super Bowl weekend (Feb. 13).
Opens: TBD
Mt. Baldy Resort, San Gabriel Mountains
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Mt. Baldy Resort, and the resort is celebrating with a unique deal: a special anniversary pass locks in four years of skiing (good through 2030) at today’s rates. Guests can shop limited-edition trucker hats and hoodies and earn free lift tickets through the Mt. Baldy loyalty program. The resort is also kicking off a multiyear rebuild of its vintage chairlifts to modernize operations.
Opens: Nov. 26
Should You Buy a Season Pass?
If you plan to visit the slopes six days or more this winter, consider buying a season pass, which can offer considerable savings over buying multiple daily lift tickets. Three passes are honored at multiple resorts:
- Ski northern California with an Epic Pass, which is good at Heavenly, Northstar California, and Kirkwood
- Hit central California resorts and southern spots with the Ikon Pass which works at Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley Ski Resort, and Sierra-at-Tahoe
- Cut up central Sierra Nevada down to southern California with the Cali Pass, that provides access to Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge, China Peak, and Mountain High
How Will the Super El Niño Affect Ski Conditions in California?
John Rice, president of the ski industry association Ski California, says the potential for an extra-strong El Niño event has fueled skiers’ and riders’ anticipation. “A lot of people are talking about this winter’s forecast. El Niño is giving them the confidence to plan on skiing a lot this winter.”
An El Niño climate pattern occurs when sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean become unusually warm. This alters the jet stream and can help steer storms toward California, potentially making for a wetter and snowier winter.
Even the best weather forecasters aren’t sure how this year’s El Niño will pan out. Historically, some El Niño patterns have delivered well-above-average snowfall, but others have not.
Tips for Planning Around Weather
Rice says California’s resorts have prepared for the possibility of super storms with backup power, extra fuel, and contingency plans. But snow sports fans should plan ahead, too.
“The message the ski industry is pushing is ‘know before you go.’ When the snow falls, don’t just get in the car and head to the mountains without any information,” he says. “Thinking ahead is really important, especially in terms of winter driving conditions.”
A cell phone or laptop is your best planning tool, Rice says. The California Highway Patrol has online resources for winter driving tips, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has Quickmap, which gives real-time information on highway conditions.
“With Quickmap, you can look at the highways leading to the resorts, and by adding different layers, you can see if there are chain controls in place or if roads are closed. You can even see where the snowplows are in real-time,” he says.
