Winter has already visited the Sierra Nevada mountain range with October storms bringing below-freezing temperatures and a few feet of white fluff to the highest peaks. For skiers and riders, that’s the signal to dust off your snow gear and get ready to carve turns before Thanksgiving.
Mammoth Mountain will be the first California resort to open its gates on Friday, Nov. 14. Heavenly, Northstar California, and Sugar Bowl start spinning their lifts on Friday, Nov. 21, and Palisades Tahoe joins the party on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Last winter, California’s ski resorts enjoyed a season that lasted 140 days (4.6 months) on average. That’s 24 percent more ski days than the average at U.S. resorts.
When all that snow melted, resort staff spent the off-season making significant upgrades. This winter, skiers and riders will find revamped restaurants, improved snowmaking capacity, more efficient shuttle services and parking systems, and a packed calendar of special events.
“This year, resorts have even more to offer when people come to the mountains, from new experiences to new amenities and upgrades designed to enhance the guest experience,” says John Rice, Ski California president.
Below are some new offerings and happenings at 15 California ski resorts. Keep in mind that opening dates are weather-dependent and subject to change:
Badger Pass, Yosemite
Last winter, the national park’s ski hill remained closed all season, but this year, Badger Pass will once again welcome skiers and riders. Spend a cozy winter night in one of Yosemite Valley’s lodgings—The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, or Curry Village—and in the morning, ride a free shuttle bus to Badger Pass. Just 26 miles away is the Tenaya resort, which has an expansive lodge, cottages, and cabins.
Lessons and rentals are available at Badger Pass, plus nearly 100 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Opens: Dec. 13
Bear Valley Mountain Resort, Bear Valley
Bear Valley’s winter plans include a more efficient shuttle service to speed up the commute from the parking lot to the slopes, new terrain park features, electronic day-use lockers, and additional cafeteria seating. Bear Valley Lodge has revamped two of its dining venues: the Grizzly Lounge now serves Cajun-inspired fare and creative cocktails, and Creekside Bistro delivers a modern steakhouse menu. Opens: Nov. 28
Big Bear Mountain Resort, Big Bear Lake
Each of Big Bear’s three mountains—Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountain—have benefitted from major capital improvements in the past few years, including Bear Mountain’s Midway high-speed six-passenger chairlift. This year, both Snow Valley and Snow Summit will offer night skiing under the lights on select dates starting Dec. 13. Opens: TBD
China Peak, Huntington Lake
Seventy miles northeast of Fresno, China Peak Mountain Resort has invested in new parking-lot shuttles, a dedicated learning area and affordable, all-inclusive “First Turn” program for beginners, and two new food venues: a coffee bar at Sully’s Pub and snack shack at Basecamp. The day lodge will feature live music every Saturday and Sunday. Opens: Nov. 21
Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe
Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Heavenly will host dozens of events including the Toyota Air & Après competition Feb. 27–March 1. The mega-show features Olympic and X-Game athletes performing stunts off a 45-foot jump accompanied by energetic music, 3D projections, and fireworks. Heavenly’s 70th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration takes place on Dec. 20, and the Lake Tahoe Celebrity Banked Slalom returns in April with celebrities, athletes, and influencers showing their stuff. On weekends and peak holidays, be sure to reserve your parking spot for the California Base Area. Opens: Nov. 21
Homewood, West Shore Lake Tahoe
Tahoe’s beloved West Shore resort did not open last winter, but this year, Homewood is back in action. The resort will have all its lifts operating while it moves ahead with plans to construct a new Dopplemayr gondola in 2026–2027. This winter, the slopes will be in better shape than ever after extensive upgrades to grooming equipment. Homewood offers 66 lift-accessed runs—many with unobstructed views of Lake Tahoe—and 750 acres of guided, snowcat-accessible terrain. Opens: Dec. 12
Kirkwood, Carson Pass
Perched atop the Sierra Crest and famous for prolific, powdery snow, Kirkwood delivers on big-mountain adventure. But first-timers aren’t left out. Timber Creek Lodge, home of the resort’s Ski and Ride School, rental shop, and bar and grill, got a makeover this summer, and skiers will enjoy a smoother traffic flow as they head to the hill. The resort’s events calendar includes the Winter Solstice Kick-Off Party, New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Proud to Be Me Week, and a full slate of freeride competitions. Kirkwood’s reservations-based parking program will be in place on weekends and peak periods. Opens: Dec. 5
Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth has invested nearly $9 million this year to improve the resort’s snowmaking capabilities. The mountain’s ski school will offer Ripping Over 50 camps for older skiers who want to level-up their skills. Woolly’s Adventure Summit is expanding its offerings with a dual zip line—you can soar side-by-side with your friends over the snow, then nab hot drinks and snacks at Soaring Pines Mountain Café. Opens: Nov. 14
Mountain High Resort, Wrightwood
Mountain High has made more than $500,000 in improvements this year, including upgrading its snowmaking and grooming equipment and completely refurbishing the Discovery Chairlift at the top of the East Resort. Discovery provides access to beginner terrain at 8,200 feet and long-distance views of the Pacific Ocean. Opens: TBD
Mt. Shasta Ski Park, Mt. Shasta
Six miles south of Mt. Shasta’s 14,179-foot volcanic summit, Mt. Shasta Ski Park is a must-go for backcountry skiers and split-boarders. Park staff spent the summer constructing elevated porches on the backcountry cabins, so skiers can enjoy less shoveling and easier access to the cozy sleeping cabins. Opens: Dec. 12
Northstar California, Truckee
One of Northstar’s best-loved traditions will return this winter: Every afternoon, skiers and riders can glide down East Ridge to sip a glass of bubbly or apple cider at slopeside, ski-up bar Tōst. On weekends and peak periods, Northstar’s reservations-based paid parking program will be in place. The Castle Peak lot is free every day with no reservations required. Opens: Nov. 21
Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley
Skiers and riders will find improved snowmaking, new lift access gates, and an expansion of Mountaineer, a free, app-based, on-demand shuttle in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadow. The members-only lounge Apex Club will open this winter, featuring concierge service, an elevated food and beverage menu, and priority access to lifts and parking. Palisades’ parking program is adding an incentive: With the new Carpool 4+ program, drivers of vehicles with four or more passengers receive a $20 resort voucher. Perhaps the biggest news is the return—after a 10-year absence—of the Rahlves Bonzai Tour on April 10–12. Created by world champion Daron Rahlves, the race is one of the wildest freeride competitions in the U.S. Opens: Nov. 26
Sierra-at-Tahoe, Twin Bridges/South Lake Tahoe
Summer staff constructed two new trails, Pika and Skipper, that improve access to West Bowl and bring Sierra-at-Tahoe’s trail count to 50. They also widened the groomed terrain in learning zones and terrain parks and planted 16,000 new trees to provide protection from winds and enhance glade skiing. Opens: Nov. 28
Sugar Bowl, Norden/Donner Summit
Sugar Bowl has entered the second phase of its $100-million development plan. Winter guests will enjoy an upgraded dining experience at the historic 1939 Village Lodge Hotel, which now has a two-tiered dining terrace and an elevated menu from executive chef Jason Landas. The resort also has an upgraded locker facility, expanded terrain parks, and four new snowcats for grooming. Guests can look forward to live music every weekend on Sugar Bowl’s sundecks. Opens: Nov. 21
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, Truckee
Tahoe Donner’s newly constructed ski lodge debuts this winter, featuring easier lift access, an enlarged sun deck, a spacious cafeteria and bar, and a dedicated ski school area The family-friendly resort will host a full roster of events, including Ski with Santa on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve Glowstick Parade, Spring Beach Party, and the Downhill Dummy Contest. Opens: Dec. 19
Season Pass Options
If you plan to visit the slopes at least five days this winter, consider buying a season pass, which can offer considerable savings over buying multiple daily lift tickets. Some passes are honored at multiple resorts: With an Epic Pass, you can ski or ride at Heavenly, Northstar California, and Kirkwood. The Ikon Pass works at Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. The Cali Pass provides access to Bear Valley Mountain Resort, Dodge Ridge, China Peak, and Mountain High.