Mother Nature is giving winter spots lovers a gift of snow for Christmas.
November started wetter than unusual but by mid-month the spigot was turned off until today.
A good, old-fashioned Pineapple Express is whipping through Northern California bringing — depending on where you are — rain, snow and high winds — through Christmas.
The good news for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and those that just like to frolic in the snow, is that finding something to do relatively nearby in the white stuff after the unwrapping frenzy and before school resumes in the new year won’t be a problem.
That’s because the brunt of the snow that’s expected to fall above 6,500 feet is in the Central Sierra.
That includes 62 inches at Ebbett’s Pass just past Bear Valley Ski and 79 inches on Sonora Pass beyond Dodge Ridge.
The base elevation of both ski resorts are within the 6,500- to 6,600- foot range.
They are the closest ski resorts to the 209 besides Yosemite.
If you’ve never ventured into snow country because you don’t know how to ski — or don’t want to mortgage your house to do so — there are other options.
*A day trip to Yosemite Valley to ice skate in the brisk winter air that comes with the bonus of enjoying the granite splendor while it is draped in snow.
*Low key snow play areas with pit toilets and parking along Highway 88 and Highway 4.
*The children friendly Leland Snow Play Resort with its snow tubing and more.
That said, the 209 has three downhill ski resorts and two cross country ski areas with the most affordable — and arguably the most spectacular being in Yosemite where you can access world-class views from Glacier Point.
Before venturing into snow country, you should rent tire chains just in case.
You can’t enter Yosemite National Park in snow season without them.
Also double check websites to make sure they are operating.
It is wise, regardless, to start planning and set aside days if you want to venture into 209 snow country to access various venues.
Try to avoid the “holiday dates” — Christmas-New Year — and weekends to save cash.
At the Leland snow play resort such planning may save a family of four only $20 or so.
But for a family of four with two teens the difference is spending roughly $500 to $640 alone on lift tickets on peak days and $360 to $520 midweek.
CURRY VILLAGE ICE
SKATING RINK
The Curry Village Ice Skating Rink, with spectacular views of Half Dome, is my personal favorite, given it is in the heart of Yosemite.
It has been an enchanting winter experience since 1928.
The rink is open daily thru early March.
Daily 2½ hour sessions are at noon, 3:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Weekends and holidays have those three sessions plus one added at 8:30 a.m.
Yes, there is a fire pit.
Prices are $16 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Skate rentals are $5.25 extra.
And don’t forget the $35 entrance fee into Yosemite National Park that is good for seven days.
*MORE INFO: The website is www.travelyosemite.com
YOSEMITE CROSS COUNTRY
There are 90 miles of trails and 25 miles of groomed track.
The 21-mile round trip to Glacier Point with its incredible wintertime view of the valley below, Half Dome, Nevada Falls and the Sierra mountains beyond makes any other cross-country ski venture mundane.
Given you can’t drive to Glacier Point in the winter due to the snow, the solitude at Glacier Point is stunning although there will be a handful of skiers at the overlook.
While there is no trail charge, there is a large selection of rental equipment including snow shoes.
You can also book two tours that also include trips to two overnight huts including the stunning one at Ostrander Lake. I’ve hiked to it in mid-spring when there was still plenty of snow on the ground and as light snow flurries fell. It was gorgeous so I can only imagine how incredible it is with a heavy blanket of snow.
There is a $35 entrance fee to Yosemite that is good for seven days.
*MORE INFO: The website is www.travelyosemite.com
SNO-PARKS
There are sno-parks along the Highway 4 and Highway 88 corridors.
Sno-Parks are areas maintained in the winter to allow people to park safely so they can enjoy winter activities in national forests such as cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling , and limited snow play.
Sno-parks are far better than just pulling over to the side of the road. Not only do they have pit toilets and parking but they are sited in areas conducive to a wide variety of activity close to where you park.
Day permits can be purchased for $15 for a single day or an annual pass for $40.
The pass is good at any sno-park in California as well as Nevada, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. They can be purchased online at ohv.parks/ca.gov/?page_id=1233 .
The Highway 108 sno-park is six miles east of Strawberry that’s near the end of the plowed portion of the state highway. There are parking lots on both the north and south sides of the road. (These are spacious areas compared to the several you will find along Highway 4). You need permits to use the sno-parks between Nov. 1 and May 30.
There are three sno-parks along Highway 4. One is at the Spicer Meadow Road turnoff, one at the end of the plowed road near Lake Alpine, and a new one at Round Valley odd Highway 207 leading to Bear Valley.
LELAND HIGH SIERRA
SNOW PLAY RESORT
The ultimate family snow play area minus skiing plus having the added convenience of lifts is the Leland High Sierra Snow play facility.
It consists of 12 acres featuring a “Little Hill” for kids and a “Big Hill” for everyone else. The big thing here is definitely tubing as well as just basic frolicking and having a grand old time playing in the snow.
There is also a lodge with a full kitchen, snack bar, and remodeled restrooms. Toss in a sun deck with plenty of chairs and tables along with a warm fire overlooking the base of the “Little Hill” and its ideal families.
It’s within two hours of Manteca at 6,200 feet.
It has yet to open for the season.
But when it does, it is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed most Wednesdays.
Check the calendar on the website to make sure they are open. Equipment is included in the prices.
Weekend and holiday rates are $57 for the all-mountain all-day lift ticket for those 44 inches or taller and $31 for those under 44 inches. Children under 2 are free.
Weekday rates are $39 for those 44 inches and taller and $29 for those shorter than 44 inches.
*MORE INFO: The website is snowplay.com. Leland High Sierra Snow Play is 89.6 miles from Manteca via Highway 120 to Highway 108 to a point four miles past Strawberry where you turn right on Leland Meadows Road and travel for about two miles.
There are five skiing options in the 209.
*DODGE RIDGE: Located on Highway 108, this is the closest ski resort to Manteca or Turlock.
*BEAR VALLEY: This is the eighth largest ski area in California. It is reached via Highway 4.
*YOSEMITE SKI: You can reach it via Highway 120. It is the most low-key with five lifts. It was known for years as Badger Pass.
*BEAR VALLEY CROSS-COUNTRY: It is separate from Bear Valley Ski Resort and is located right along Highway 4 several miles before the turnout to the downhill ski resort.
*YOSEMITE CROSS-COUNTRY: While this is accessed at the former Badger Pass Ski Resort, there is no charge for access save for the $35 vehicle entrance fee to the park that’s good for seven days.
DODGE RIDGE SKI RESORT
The ski runs are nice but arguably the best draw is the fact you can reach it a good 30 to 45 minutes quicker than any other ski area. That means you can get more slope time in without having to get up earlier.
It doesn’t hurt that on the way back home you can stop in Sonora with the widest variety of dining options in the Mid-Sierra.
Regular all-day rates (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are adult/teen (13-64) $149, youth (6-12) $69, and seniors (65 plus) $109.
Skiers 75 and older and those 5 and under are free.
Specialty tickets include afternoon half day for an adult/teen for $109 as well as active military all-day for $99.
The base elevation at Dodge Ridge is 6,600 feet. The summit elevation is 8,200 feet. There are 12 lifts with the longest vertical drop being 1,600 feet.
There are 67 runs on 863 skiable acres with 40 percent rated advanced, 40 percent intermediate, and 20 percent beginner. The longest run is 2 miles.
The lifts operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. In addition there are three plus terrain parks at Dodge Ridge.
*MORE INFO: The website is www.dodgeridge.com. The ski resort is located 86.5 miles from Manteca via Highway 120 to Highway 108 and then turn right on Dodge Ridge Road. It is an hour and 48 minute drive.
BEAR VALLEY SKI RESORT
The largest ski resort in the 209, Bear Valley also operates a NASTAR course nearly every weekend making it one of two ski resorts in California with a rich history in racing.
All day rates regular rates are $139 to $169 for those 23 to 69, $49 to $79 for ages 6 to 12, $119 to $149 for 70 to 74, and free for ages 5 and under as well as $75 and over.
ages 6 to 12 and $25 for ages 5 and under.
The base elevation at Bear Valley is 6,600 feet while the mid-mountain lodge is 7,750 feet. The summit elevation is 8,500 feet. There are nine lifts with the longest vertical drop being 795 f
eet. There are 75 runs on 1,680 skiable acres. It ranks as the eighth largest resort in the state in terms of skiable acres.
The longest run is 0.2 miles. The lifts operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
*MORE INFO: The website is www.bearvalley.com. The ski resort is 104 miles from Manteca via Highway 4 to Highway 207 where a left turn takes you to the resort. It is a 2 hour and 10 minute drive.
BADGER PASS SKI AREA
This is one of only three ski areas with lifts in a national park. It requires paying a $35 vehicle entrance fee to Yosemite National Park.
The base elevation at Yosemite Ski is 7,200 feet while the summit elevation is 8,000 feet. There are 10 runs and five lifts.
*MORE INFO: The website is www.travelyosemite.com. The ski resort is 145 miles from Manteca via Highway 120. Once in the park, drive to the valley and take the Tunnel Road to reach Glacier Point Road where the resort is located. It is a 2 hour and 50 minute drive.
BEAR VALLEY CROSS COUNTRY
The Bear Valley Cross Country and Snowshoe Trail System consists of 35 trails covering 3,000 acres. They offer a variety of lesson options and some equipment rental.
All day passes are $45 for ages 18 to 59, $40 for ages 60 to 69, $25 for those 70 and older as well as ages 16 to 17, and 5 and under are free.
*MORE INFO: The website is bearvalleyadventutures.com. The cross country ski area is east of Arnold on Highway 4.
YOSEMITE CROSS COUNTRY
There are 90 miles of trails and 25 miles of groomed track.
The 21-mile round trip to Glacier Point with its incredible wintertime view of the valley below, Half Dome, Nevada Falls and the Sierra mountains beyond makes any other cross-country ski venture mundane.
Given you can’t drive to Glacier Point in the winter due to the snow, the solitude at Glacier Point is stunning although there will be a handful of skiers at the overlook.
While there is no trail charge, there is a large selection of rental equipment including snow shoes. You can also book two tours that also include trips to two overnight huts including the stunning one at Ostrander Lake. I’ve hiked to it in mid-spring when there was still plenty of snow on the ground and as light snow flurries fell. It was gorgeous so I can only imagine how incredible it is with a heavy blanket of snow.
*MORE INFO: The website is www.travelyosemite.com
