Ski California Resorts Make Significant Investments Ahead of 2024-25 Winter Season

Resort images for download (For media use; please credit resort directly)

PETALUMA, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2024) - Ski California’s 36 member resorts in California and Nevada are gearing up for the 2024-25 winter season with new lifts, innovative programs and lesson offerings to introduce newcomers to skiing and snowboarding, new dining concepts, the return of popular events, and much more. In addition, Ski California will continue its focus on safety education by amplifying the award-winning content developed as part of its digital Mountain Safety Guide throughout the season and during the seventh annual Ski California Safety Day on January 25, 2025.

The industry association will host multiple gear giveaways this winter with Glade, its newest Mountain Safety Guide partner. Those who participate in the Ski California Mountain Safety Guide quiz and score 80% or better will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Ski California Gold Pass, plus packages that include Glade helmets, goggles, and other accessories.

Last winter, Ski California resorts recorded the highest average snowfall in the nation, with 20 feet of snow falling in February and March alone. Cumulatively, Ski California resorts also hosted 7.6 million visits during the 2023-24 season, making it the second best since 2011. Overall, last winter was the fifth best season on record for the entire U.S., with 60M skier visits, of which California residents make up 11.2% nationwide.

“Skiing and snowboarding participation in California and Nevada aligned with participation trends that were experienced within the outdoor recreation industry overall last season,” said Michael Reitzell, Ski California president. “This year, resorts will not only continue to welcome people to the mountains, but offer access to new and innovative programs and resort experiences that turn first-timers into passionate, lifelong skiers and riders.”

Highlights of what’s new, and projected opening dates (weather and conditions permitting) at some of the resorts in California and Nevada for the 2024-25 season include:

ASC XC Training Center: More LED lighting was added to the trail network, and Cross Country night skiing is now offered on 1.5km of trail on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 7:30 p.m. This year marks the 96th season ASC has offered snow sports to the region that now includes Alpine, Biathlon, Snowboard and Cross Country programs for youth and families. Opens: Nov. 28

Bear Valley Adventure Co.: Extensive trail clearing on Stables Cruise, Granite Roller, and Indian Rock occurred this summer, and Trailblazers, the youth cross-country ski team, returns for a second season of skiing, training, and playing on the snow. New this season, all third grade students are eligible for a free season pass and lesson, and snow tubing and sledding guests will receive a 50% discount on Learn to Cross Country Ski packages. Opens: Nov. 28

Bear Valley Mountain Resort: At Bear Valley, guests will find a new triple chair for beginners, new quad chair serving intermediate and advanced terrain, totally revamped food service including a new pizza bar in the day lodge, and a new resort app. Extensive trail clearing was completed to open Grizzly Bowl with far less snow, and new and returning events will keep the slopes animated this season. Don’t miss new events including Boarding for Breast Cancer, Cali Pass Banked Slalom, The Grizz Challenge, BV Soap Box Derby, Bear Beach, and returning annual events like the Rasmussen Classic, Nickolay Dodov Slopesyle, World Pro Ski Tour, PondSkim, and Brewfest. Opens: TBD

Big Bear Mountain Resort: This season includes the introduction of the new Midway high-speed 6-passenger lift at Bear Mountain, and the season-long celebration of Snow Valley’s history and Fish Camp rec area. Opens: TBD

Boreal / Woodward Tahoe: In addition to this being Boreal’s 60th anniversary season, Play Forever Fridays return this year, offering $25 lift tickets once a month for everyone, with $5 from every ticket supporting a charity. Opens: Nov. 22

Diamond Peak: This winter, Diamond Peak will offer skiers and snowboarders access to the backcountry surrounding the resort via a dedicated backcountry access gate located near the top of the Crystal Express Chairlift (valid lift ticket or season pass required to ride the lift). The new gate accesses multiple backcountry zones in and around the resort, from the backside facing east into the Carson Valley, to the west-facing slopes south of the resort that face Lake Tahoe. Also new this season, skiers and riders can ski and save with a 3-Day Flex Pass. This direct-to-lift mini pass offers three days of skiing or snowboarding any day this winter. 3-Day Flex Passes go on sale in November, with rates as low as $120 per day for adults, $100 per day for youth and seniors, and $50 per day for children. Opens: Early December

Dodge Ridge: This season, Dodge Ridge will introduce River's Otter Run Tubing and Snowplay, a new rental system, and a new resort app. Favorite events like Santa Sunday, B4BC, Grom Fest, the Pinecrest Invitational, and the 2nd Annual Cali Pass Banked Slalom return. Plus, exclusive swag giveaways are planned at events and on opening day. Opens: TBD

Granlibakken Tahoe: Opens: Nov. 28 for sledding; lifts Dec. 13

Heavenly: New this season, Heavenly will offer “My Epic Gear,” a membership program that combines access to high-quality gear with premium valet services. Available for the whole family, My Epic Gear offers access to over 60 of the most popular and latest ski and snowboard models, with free in-resort delivery or free daily slopeside pick-up and drop-off. A new 9-week Adult Development Team program geared toward intermediate, advanced and expert adult skiers and riders will work on skills while introducing participants to other like-minded skiers and riders with similar goals. The Ski & Ride School will offer lessons in 10 different languages this season, and the California Lodge introduces Golden State Kitchen, a new restaurant concept featuring healthier fare. Opens: Nov. 22

June Mountain: With 1,500 acres of uncrowded slopes, beginner-friendly terrain, and breathtaking views, the whole family will enjoy a ski day at June Mountain. Kids 12 and under ski and ride free. Opens: Dec. 21

Kirkwood: This winter, Kirkwood will introduce new parking options to enhance the arrival experience and minimize congestion. A reservations-based parking program will be used on weekends and peak periods until 12 p.m. in all lots, offering a mix of free, paid, and free carpool options. Returning events include a New Year's Eve Celebration with torchlight parade and fireworks, Banked Slalom, and Slush Cup. The resort will also continue to expand its sustainability initiatives by upgrading its food waste digester, expanding waste sorting, and implementing automated dumpster sensors to reduce landfill contributions. Ski and Ride School options continue to include everything from learning to make first turns to Expedition:Kirkwood programs that offer advanced coaching and guided backcountry experiences. Opens: Dec. 6

Lee Canyon: A new 300-foot conveyor lift completes Lee Canyon’s beginner terrain expansion, joining the new quad lift and 500-foot conveyor lift installed last season. Lift access ranges from $19 to $129+, while kids ages 12 and under ski free with no restrictions. Opens: Nov. 29

Mammoth Mountain: Major investments in lift infrastructure include the replacement of Broadway Express (Chair 1) to a 6-seat detachable chairlift that increases uphill capacity by 25% and will improve opening times on storm days, plus new controls and AC drives to improve the efficiency and reliability of Face Lift Express (Chair 3) and Unbound Express (Chair 6). The commitment of $3.5M to further automate and improve snowmaking energy efficiency also included 15 new Super Puma fan guns and 12 automatic Klik tower guns to enhance early season snow conditions. Woolly’s Adventure Summit day lodge will open for the 24/25 season featuring 6,000 square feet of facilities to serve guests, and the Tamarack Lodge will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. Opens: Nov. 15

Mountain High Resort: Despite challenges presented by the Bridge Fire, Mountain High intends to open as scheduled in November to celebrate the resort’s 100th season. Opens: Nov. TBD

Mt. Baldy: Updates to the Westside Chair #4 will allow for up and downhill loading this season, plus skiers and riders will have access to lift tickets that start as low as $29. In support of those impacted by the Bridge Fire, Mt. Baldy is also selling limited edition “Built for Baldy” merch via their website. Proceeds will be split between the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts and the Mt. Baldy Village Church relief fund. Opens: TBD

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: As the resort prepares for its upcoming 60th anniversary season, $2.2 million in major capital improvements include a complete dining area renovation featuring a new Taco Bar, snowmaking system enhancements, trail improvements, and a new snowcat to support the resort’s ability to offer a high-quality snow surface. Mt. Rose’s popular ‘Open Late’ schedule will also be extended to include both Fridays and Saturdays starting in February 2025. Opens: Nov. 8

Mt. Shasta Nordic Center: Opens: Dec. 20

Northstar California: New this season, Northstar will offer “My Epic Gear,” a membership program that combines access to high-quality gear with premium valet services. Available for the whole family, My Epic Gear offers access to over 60 of the most popular and latest ski and snowboard models, with free in-resort delivery or free daily slopeside pick-up and drop-off. The resort will continue its reservation-based paid parking program in its Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots on weekends and peak periods, with the Castle Peak lot remaining free daily with no reservations required. The 4th annual Women’s Weekend will return, along with the Spring It On pond skim, winter music series, and Winter Wonders celebration. Opens: Nov. 22

Palisades Tahoe: In celebration of its 75th anniversary, $75 lift tickets will be available on opening day, and the resort will be featured in Warren Miller’s “75,” touring nationally this fall. On-mountain investments include $1.4M in snowmaking upgrades, a shift to Neste renewable diesel in all of the resort’s snowcats that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional fossil diesel, plus three new Pisten Bully snowcats in the grooming fleet. The Little Bear Café will open across from the Tram this season, offering baked goods made by the resort’s in-house pastry chef, plus coffee, salads, sandwiches, and locally sourced goods that bring a taste of the community. Opens: Nov. 27

Rim Nordic: New Fischer equipment, including skate and classic skis and boots will be offered through Rim Nordic’s rental and retail operations. In addition, new MSR snowshoes will be available for rent. Trail passes are free for kids 10 and under, $20 for youth ages 11-16, and $27 for adults. Opens: TBD

Sierra-at-Tahoe: Sierra is an Ikon Pass partner for the 2024/25 season, offering even more Tahoe access to Ikon Pass holders. Resort investments ahead of the season include new haul ropes on Easy Rider Express and Nob Hill Chairlift, the repair and repaving of Sierra’s parking lots and roadway, and two new TechnoAlpin snowmaking fan guns that will aid early season snow coverage on Easy Rider and snowmaking in the Aspen Terrain Park pod throughout the season. Marquee mountain events will return, including Subaru Winterfest, Vans Methodology, Boarding For Breast Cancer and more. Daily lift tickets start as low as $85 per day (non-holiday), Sierra-at-Tahoe season passes start at $389, and a new First Responder season pass starts at $259. Opens: Early December

Soda Springs: Play Forever Fridays return this season, offering $25 lift tickets once a month for everyone, with $5 from every ticket supporting a charity. Opens: Nov. 29

Sugar Bowl: This season, Sugar Bowl will launch a fully reimagined park experience and what is considered to be a significant step toward the first phase of the development of the resort’s new world-class athlete training facility. Building on an 85-year tradition of athletic excellence, the ultimate vision is to offer a full-size progression facility that can bring young freestyle athletes onto the World Cup stage. The resort has also expanded its snowmaking capabilities at Sugar Rush Tubing by 400% and completed the second phase of renovations of the iconic Village Lodge, originally built in 1939. Guests will find a refreshed espresso bar, lobby, luxurious Deluxe Suite, and other modern amenities. Opens: Nov. 29

Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort: A new ski lodge will open at Tahoe Donner ahead of the 25/26 season, so this winter guests will find all resort operations including ticketing, rentals, restrooms and limited food and beverage options, housed in temporary facilities. Still a great option for learn to ski and ride programs, lift tickets are expected to average $85 for adults and $40 for kids. Opens: TBD

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Resort: In collaboration with Ski for Light, a nonprofit organization that teaches visually- and mobility-impaired adults to cross-country ski, a 5K and 10K loop will be created for skiers and their guides. Advanced skiers can take part in races and there will be a XC ski rally for those content with touring. Don’t miss the New Year’s Eve Snowshoe Tour (Dec. 31), and the Ididarun Sled Dog Race benefiting the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (March 2, 2025). Opens: TBD

Tahoe XC: Celebrating 25 years as a nonprofit and year-round recreation hub in North Lake Tahoe, Tahoe XC will offer $25 Tuesdays for adults ages 19-69 this season. Free XC skiing is offered for ages 19 and under, and 70+. The new Lifetime Legacy Pass will be available to trail users ages 70+ and includes unique perks and a lifetime of skiing. Visit Tahoe XC for youth programs, ski and biathlon clinics, private and group lessons. Don’t miss annual fundraising events including The SheBowl Laser Biathlon Relay, Nordic and Backcountry Ski Swap (Nov. 9), and Alpenglow 10K/20K Freestyle. Opens: TBD

Learn more about Ski California and its member resorts at the new skicalifornia.org, and view the award-winning Ski California Mountain Safety Guide at safety.skicalifornia.org.

###