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Predicting how a ski season will unfold is an imperfect science. Will an El Nino save the day, or will it be another dry year? Skiers are perennially optimistic, and California resorts are playing their aces with grooming improvements, building renovations and emphasis on beginner terrain. While daily lift-ticket prices have gone through the roof, many new season pass options are on offer. Here’s what’s new and improved for the 2018-2019 season at resorts around the state.
1 Alpine Meadows: Some $1.4 million in Alpine lodge renovations, as well as a switch to 100-percent renewable energy here and at Squaw. And the Ikon pass debuts its first full season, offering access to several California resorts — including, of course, Squaw — and others around the world. Opens Nov. 16. squawalpine.com
2 Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area: The ski slopes formerly known as Badger Pass offer 10 runs and five chairlifts. It’s a great venue for snowshoeing, too, but sign up early for ranger-led tours. Open Dec. 14, weather permitting. travelyosemite.com
3 Bear Valley: The advanced terrain extends below the main lodge, rather than above at this Alpine County resort. The adjacent cross-country ski area is one of the state’s largest with 65 kilometers of groomed track and skating lanes. Opens Dec. 4. bearvalley.com
4 Boreal Mountain California and Woodward Tahoe: Look for a new California Cruiser lift accessing beginner terrain, along with expanded snowmaking. A massive tubing park attracts families from all over. A new parking lot eases congestion, while an All Access pass includes admission to Woodward — an indoor training facility with skate parks, foam pits, pump tracks and more — before the snow flies. Opens Nov. 10. rideboreal.com
5 Diamond Peak: Guided ski/snowboard tours will show off sustainability initiatives this season. A new terrain park has been added, while the School Yard run has been re-graded for beginners. Season pass includes four free days at Homewood, Boreal and other resorts around the west. Midweek options also available. Opening Dec. 13. diamondpeak.com
6 Dodge Ridge: The closest resort to the Bay Area, this Pinecrest resort boasts 67 trails and 12 lifts. All Mountain pass, with no blackout dates, offers friend discounts and “first tracks” opportunities. Opens Dec. 22. dodgeridge.com
7 Donner Ski Ranch: The last of Tahoe’s family-owned, old-school resorts is a great place to learn to turn at a reasonable price. There’s a tubing hill, too. Pass options include military discounts and $12, all-day “magic carpet” access for beginners. Opens Dec 27. donnerskiranch.com
8 Granlibakken Tahoe: This combination conference center/resort on Tahoe’s west shore includes hot breakfast in the rates and goes all out for families with a sledding hill, an intimate ski and snowboard hill, and reasonably priced lesson packages. Opening date TBD. granlibakken.com
9 Heavenly Mountain Resort: The big news is Heavenly’s management takeover of Lakeland Village, a 19-acre, townhouse-style resort with a quarter-mile private Tahoe beach. On the mountain, look for guided UTV (utility task vehicle) tours accessing high-altitude scenic viewpoints. Epic Pass comes in several flavors, including a Tahoe Value Pass for Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar with restrictions. Opens Nov. 16. skiheavenly.com
10 Homewood Mountain Resort: Homewood’s family pass (two adults, two kids 5-18, no blackout dates) and three-generation pass (add two seniors) are unique. Passes include four free days at Diamond Peak and nine other resorts around the West. Expanded snowcat tours also on offer. Opens Dec. 14. skihomewood.com
11 June Mountain: Now part of an Ikon Pass portfolio that includes next-door Mammoth Mountain, Tahoe’s Squaw/Alpine, Southern California’s Big Bear and a dozen other resorts around the country, June bills itself as a family mountain where kids 12 and younger ski free. Opens Dec. 21. junemountain.com
12 Kirkwood Mountain Resort: One of three Vail-owned resorts at Tahoe, high-altitude Kirkwood is known for its advanced terrain, backcountry expeditions and avalanche education. New Cornice Pizza restaurant adds flavor this season. All versions of Vail’s Epic Pass include Kirkwood. Opens Nov. 21. kirkwood.com
13 Mammoth Mountain: California’s most mammoth ski area (28 lifts, 3,500 skiable acres and a gondola that rises to 11,053 feet) offers skiing, riding and lots more, including high-speed tubing and snowcat tours. New this season: backcountry clinics and tours providing an introduction to off-piste travel and safety. Canyon Lodge renovation includes two sets of escalators. Opens Nov. 8. mammothmountain.com
14 Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: The closest and highest (8,260 feet) ski area to Reno debuts a $2 million investment in upgraded, high-tech snowmaking and grooming equipment. New LED lift signage, parking lot upgrades and season pass options (including three midweek choices) up the ante. Projected opening: Oct. 26. skirose.com
15 Mt. Shasta Ski Park: California’s northernmost ski area is one of only a few to offer night skiing. There’s tubing, too, in addition to three lifts serving 14 trails. Weekend and midweek passes available. Opens Dec. 27. skipark.com
16 Northstar California: This year, the kids’ play zone above the Village gets a groomed tubing slope and an al fresco bar with fire pits. Higher up, the Summit Smokehouse will have a new menu. Family dinners on select Saturdays are staged at the freshly renovated Lodge at Big Springs at the top of the gondola. Opens Dec. 1. northstarcalifornia.com
17 Royal Gorge Cross-Country: North America’s largest cross-country resort, seamlessly integrated with nearby Sugar Bowl, has 92 trails, six trail systems and nine warming huts spread across 6,000 acres. Some trails are dog-friendly and others are reserved for snowshoeing. Opening date TBA. royalgorge.com
18 Sierra-At-Tahoe: An upgraded grooming fleet includes one mean machine designed specifically for terrain parks. Look for a remodeled 360 Smokehouse BBQ at the summit and a resort store in South Lake Tahoe for ticketing, rental and lesson transactions. Certified Unserious season pass has no restrictions and includes three free days at Sugar Bowl and 17 other Powder Alliance resorts. Opens Dec. 1. sierraattahoe.com
19 Squaw Valley: Check out the free, two-hour mountain tours at Squaw, where new, durable trail maps incorporate progression plans for beginners and intermediates to help gauge which runs to tackle next. After-dark “disco tubing” and sunset happy hours at Squaw’s High Camp encourage guests to stay late, while on-demand “pop-up” instruction is available at both Squaw and Alpine Meadows. Opens Nov. 16. squawalpine.com
20 Sugar Bowl: A $3 million snowmaking system upgrade adds more than 100 new, energy-efficient guns that will reduce the time required to cover terrain by two thirds. It’s the first phase of a multi-year, $8 million overhaul. Season pass options include midweek offerings and add-ons for sister resort Royal Gorge cross-country. Unrestricted pass-holders also get three days at Sierra-at-Tahoe and other Powder Alliance resorts Opens Nov. 30. sugarbowl.com
21 Tahoe Donner: Consistently rated one of the top XC destinations in North America, Tahoe Donner Cross County offers 100 kilometers of trails groomed for skating and classic skiing, plus a network of groomed snowshoe trails (Dog lovers take note: some trails are dog-friendly). The community’s Tahoe Donner Downhill features 17 runs, lessons for tots as young as 3 and a new Snowbird triple chair improving access to beginner terrain. Opens Dec. 7. tahoedonner.com
But wait, there’s more…
• In non-skiing news, a European craze – the “via ferrata” or “iron road” climbing experience – has come to Mammoth and Squaw. Both offer guided rock-face climbs during the non-ski season involving fixed anchors, ladders and other protection.
• Squaw’s iconic aerial tram will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Christmas Day; look for events marking the milestone.
• Mammoth has introduced two creative co-working spaces – dubbed The Fort – with fast internet and other amenities at two locations, one in downtown Mammoth Lakes and one in the Main Lodge on the mountain.
• Plastic straws have disappeared from many California mountain resorts. This year Vail resorts also are saying adios to disposable cups at water stations. BYO water bottle – or buy one.
• The Ski California Mountain Safety Guide is back with safety education for everyone from beginners to experts navigating potential hazards such as deep snow and avalanche awareness.