California

Video Review: Northstar

An in-depth video review of Northstar California Resort, a ski area located in Truckee, California, just north of Lake Tahoe.

Ratings Adjustment: Sierra-at-Tahoe, Homewood, and Whiteface Lift Scores

We’ve updated the way we factor hike-to terrain into our lift score criteria. Three resorts see score changes as a result.

Squaw Valley Silverado Run: Trail 90 to Billy's

A run down Squaw Valley’s expert Silverado area, starting at Trail 90 and filtering into Billy’s, just two days after it opened for the season.

Ikon Announces 2021-22 Passes, Retains COVID Adventure Assurance

Earlier today, Alterra released the Ikon Pass product suite for the 2021-22 season. Prices and policies remain similar to this year’s passes, although Crystal drops from unlimited to 5-day access on the Ikon Base Pass. Sales start March 11.

Vail Resorts Announces 2021-22 Epic Pass Suite, Cutting All Prices by 20%

Earlier today, Vail Resorts announced its suite of pass products for the 2021-22 winter season. All Epic Pass products have received a 20% price drop compared to last season, and a new entry-level Epic Day Pass has been introduced.

Idiot's Delight: A Run Down a Truly Extreme Alpine Meadows Chute

A run down Idiot's Delight at Alpine Meadows, starting with a mandatory drop-in off a cornice, filtering into a perilously tight couloir with no room for error, and leading into the Wolverine Bowl. This line takes a 2-5 minute hike to reach from the Summit chair.

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The closest ski area to the Bay Area offers lower traffic than Tahoe, but it’s hurt by limited snowmaking and outdated lift infrastructure.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