California

Sierra-At-Tahoe Opening for the 2021-22 Season—For One Weekend in April

Limited terrain will be available, but the fire-stricken resort is planning several festivities to celebrate the occasion.

Alterra Announces Mammoth and Deer Valley Lift Enhancements, Crystal Parking Investments in Updated Capital Plan

The mountain company also re-confirmed gondola projects at Steamboat and Palisades Tahoe and a base area redevelopment at Deer Valley.

Ikon Adds Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and Chamonix for 2022-23, Drops Alta and Deer Valley from Base Pass

The company is also dropping unlimited Crystal access from the full Ikon Pass and expanding its Session Pass with two and three-day offerings.

A Tour of the Palisades at Palisades Tahoe

A comprehensive tour of the iconic Palisades zone at Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley). These lines range from expert to truly extreme, and the toughest pitches are among the most dangerous in all of North America.

Vail Resorts Announces 2022-23 Epic Passes, Maintains Cheaper Price Structure than Ikon

Prices inch up slightly but still undercut competing Ikon products by hundreds of dollars. The Epic Day Pass product has now been split into three tiers, and a new payment plan, which allows for multiple installments, has been int

Vail Resorts Announces Acquisition of Alterra, Creating Largest Ski Resort Company in History

As part of the agreement, Vail will take ownership of big names such as Mammoth, Deer Valley, Steamboat, and Palisades Tahoe, and add them to the Epic Pass suite for the 2022-23 season.

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The closest ski area to the Bay Area offers lower traffic than Tahoe, but it’s hurt by limited snowmaking and outdated lift infrastructure.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