California

Video Review: Alpine Meadows

An in-depth video review of Alpine Meadows, a ski area located just north of Lake Tahoe.

Sugar Bowl Terminates Affiliation with Powder Alliance

California’s Sugar Bowl has ended its relationship with Powder Alliance for the 2021-22 season. The reciprocal season pass program saw poor usage among Sugar Bowl passholders last winter.

Sierra-At-Tahoe’s West Bowl to Be Closed for 2021-22 Season, Other Openings Delayed Through at Least 2022

In late August, Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort was ravaged by the Caldor Fire, which caused extensive damage to lifts, facilities, and some terrain. With its most recent update, the resort has given a sense of just how much damage was done.

Video Review: Mammoth

An in-depth video review of Mammoth Mountain, a large California ski resort located in the Inyo National Forest.

Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Officially Renamed Palisades Tahoe

To go along with their new gondola connection, the two areas formerly known as Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows now have a new name. This change comes in the wake of calls for businesses to remove emblems of past minority oppression, with the word “squaw” having been used as a slur against Indigenous North American women.

Palisades Tahoe Renames Squaw One and Squaw Creek Chairs

The newly-christened Palisades Tahoe has quietly released new names for two of its chairs, respectively renaming the Squaw Creek and Squaw One chairlifts the Resort Chair and Wa She Shu lift.

Mount Shasta Ski Park

The only decently-sized California ski area north of Tahoe offers limited lift lines and stunning views of the Southern Cascades, but it’s hurt by uncompetitive infrastructure and a bizarrely-integrated recent expansion.

Dodge Ridge

The closest ski area to the Bay Area offers lower traffic than Tahoe, but it’s hurt by limited snowmaking and outdated lift infrastructure.

Homewood

While this Tahoe hill can’t hold its own overall against the destination resorts, it boasts an astonishing, one-of-a-kind mountain aesthetic.

China Peak

While it’s no substitute for a true destination ski resort, this Central California mountain offers admirable terrain variety within a convenient driving distance of Fresno.

Sugar Bowl

This California resort can’t match the acreage and vertical drop of competing Tahoe mountains, but it stands out with trails for all ability levels and an extremely demanding expert footprint.

Bear Valley

This Northern California resort has interesting terrain for skiers and riders of all ability levels as well as a unique and isolated feel, but it lacks the infrastructure to fully compete with the best resorts in the state.

Northstar

This family-friendly resort offers excellent grooming and a top-tier terrain park, but expert and above-treeline terrain is lacking.

Sierra-at-Tahoe

While it can’t boast the same crazy lake views, striking terrain, or expansive base village as some other Tahoe areas, this moderately-sized resort offers reasonable prices and a local feel.

Kirkwood

This relatively undeveloped mountain isn’t for everyone, but its striking aesthetic, local feel, and extreme terrain are tough to match.

Heavenly

This Lake Tahoe area offers some of the most beautiful slopes we’ve seen anywhere. A few logistical problems diminish the resort’s size advantage.

Mammoth

This massive resort offers a highly competitive experience only hours from Southern California, although variable weather patterns may not make it the best place to fly to.

Palisades Tahoe

Two of Tahoe’s best ski areas have now been linked as one continuous lift-served destination, but the resort still functions as two separate mountains in many ways.