California

Sugar Bowl Joins Mountain Collective for 2022-23 Season, Restoring California Access

This Tahoe-area resort become the fifth new mountain to join the Mountain Collective Pass for the upcoming winter, and effectively replaces the previous Palisades Tahoe and Mammoth offerings.

State of Incomplete Lift Projects for the 2022-23 Season

Even as of the December holiday period, several resorts have not completed critical new chairlift and gondola projects. This page is intended to provide the most up-to-date information on the projects that have not been completed, and will be updated on a regular cadence.

Palisades Tahoe Adds Double-Black Diamond Rating for First Time Ever; Alpine Meadows Gets Designation for First Time Since 2012

Along with the brand new gondola connecting its two resort sides, this massive California resort is adding an overhauled trail rating scale.

Multiple Lift Projects Facing Delays Due to Supply Chain Issues

At Alta, Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat, Vail, and Whistler Blackcomb, delays in installing new lifts for the upcoming ski season have been confirmed. At least eight other major destination ski resorts may face delays as well.

Homewood Jacks up 1-Day Prices to as High as $279, Becomes Most Expensive Lift Ticket in North America

This small Lake Tahoe resort now outcharges world-class destinations such as Vail, Deer Valley, and Palisades Tahoe at the ticket window. In-advance purchase tickets are cheaper, but a number of facets make them a risky proposition.

These Are the 10 Highest Ski Resort Lift Ticket Prices In North America This Winter

If you’re on the fence about buying an Epic or Ikon product before they go off sale within the next few days, these rates are arguably the best case for doing so.

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The closest ski area to the Bay Area offers lower traffic than Tahoe, but it’s hurt by limited snowmaking and outdated lift infrastructure.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