What's New This Winter At The Ski Resorts

Norman Reed Managing Editor

With resorts reporting staggering seasonal snowfall last year and hosting skiers for 275 days, weekenders are eagerly anticipating another epic season for this year.

Mike Reitzell, president of Ski California, shares insights into the upcoming season: “Last winter, California resorts experienced their second snowiest season on record, and almost 8.3 million skiers and riders took to the slopes. Skiing and snowboarding were incredibly popular, and the tremendous snow conditions only added to the experience.”

California’s ski resorts are promising some fresh and new adventures to explore. However, before setting plans in stone, make sure to check your chosem resort website for the latest updates on current snow conditions.

As the resorts prepare for another exciting winter, they’re not only relying on Mother Nature but are also enhancing the visitor experience. From new high-capacity chairlifts to revamped restaurants, upgraded grooming and snowmaking equipment, and enticing off-mountain activities, there’s plenty to look forward to.

One notable change this season is the introduction of a parking reservation system for Tahoe skiers and riders heading to Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood on weekends and holidays. While weekdays offer more flexibility, the weekend and holiday reservation system aims to spread out arrival times, reducing traffic congestion on mountain roads.

According to Reitzell, “There’s no longer any need to rush to arrive at the resort by 8 o’clock in the morning. Skiers can show up for a 10 a.m. reservation and know they have a reserved parking spot. That should alleviate traffic problems that were caused by everyone trying to get to the resort at the same time.”

The reservation system brings advantages for resort-goers, offering flexibility in arrival times and even free reservations for cars with four or more occupants on weekends and holidays. Now, let’s take a sneak peek at the exciting changes, upgrades, and improvements at 10 California ski resorts:

June Mountain, June Lake:

This family-focused resort adds two adventure zones for kids and a new Mexican eatery, Slims Cantina, offering outdoor seating and breathtaking views.

Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes: California’s highest resort is replacing its aging Canyon Express with a high-speed six-seater lift, reducing wait times. A $5.5 million investment is expanding and automating the snowmaking system, and non-skiers can enjoy the new ice rink at Mammoth Creek Park and an alpine coaster at Woolly’s Tube Park.

Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley:

With over $6 million in snowmaking infrastructure upgrades, Palisades Tahoe promises better snow all season. The resort also introduces a high-speed, six-seater lift to replace the Red Dog chairlift.

Northstar California, Truckee:

The Village at Northstar welcomes Vous, a new café/bar, and introduces mobile lift ticket technology on the My Epic app, allowing for a seamless experience from morning lattes to après-ski wine.

Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe:

Lakeview Lodge hosts the new Brews and Views après party, featuring food, music, and beer tastings. The resort also adopts mobile lift ticket technology on the My Epic app for a hassle-free experience.

Sierra at Lake Tahoe, Echo Summit

Post-Caldor-Fire restoration brings new trails and expanded ski terrain, especially in forested areas like East Side and Avalanche Bowl.

Dodge Ridge, Pinecrest:

A new quad chair at the base area increases lift capacity by 30 percent, and Dodge Ridge joins the multi-resort Cali Pass, providing unlimited access to several resorts.

Mount Shasta Ski Park, McCloud:

Mount Shasta joins the Powder Alliance, offering skiers three days of free skiing at 21 Powder Alliance resorts across the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand with a Shasta season pass.

Big Bear Mountain Resort, Big Bear Lake:

Southern California’s largest ski area welcomes Snow Valley Ski Resort, completing $12 million in upgrades, including a renovated Laybacks Bar with a sun deck and improved snowmaking capabilities.

Mountain High, Wrightwood:

With over $1 million in improvements, Mountain High enhances snowmaking efficiency, adds two new grooming snowcats, and introduces new rental equipment. Night skiing is offered on weekends.

Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a newcomer to the slopes, be sure to check out the Mountain Safety Guide created by Ski California before your trip for comprehensive on-mountain safety tips. Get ready to carve through fresh powder, explore new trails, and create lasting memories in California’s winter wonderland!