A lack of snow has impacted all California ski resorts this season, but none more than Dodge Ridge.
Located in the Central Sierra Mountain range off Highway 108 in Pinecrest (30 miles from Sonora), Dodge Ridge has yet to open for the 2023-24 season. This week the resort announced that it was cancelling its New Year’s Eve festivities due to a lack of snow. Bear Valley has been operating for 73 years, starting in 1950,
The resort received 1 new inch of snow Thursday (Dec. 28), bringing its season-total to a meager 16 inches. A midsize ski resort, Dodge Ridge has a base elevation of 6,600 feet and a summit of 8,200 feet. It has 10 lifts that serves 62 trails, plus the Granite Bowl.
Unlike most Tahoe ski resorts, Dodge Ridge has limited snowmaking capability and hasn’t been frequently making snow this season. However, tubing, hiking and some beginner ski and snowboard lessons are still being conducted.
“Unfortunately, due to unseasonably low snow levels, we have had to cancel all New Years Eve festivities. We are as sad as you are, so keep the snow dances going and we hope to be able to see you all soon,” a Dodge Ridge spokesperson said.
Lack of snow is typically not a problem at Dodge Ridge. The resort averages 350 inches of snowfall per season. Like many Northern California ski resorts, last season Dodge Ridge surpassed its all-time season snow total (643 inches) by March 13 when it reached 654 inches. The ski season lasted into April. There is no information on its final season snow total.
“Records are meant to be broken! This has truly been a winter we’ll all remember for a long time to come,” a spokesperson said last March.
Hopefully this season at Dodge Ridge isn’t remembered for the opposite reason – lack of snow.
BEAR VALLEY OPEN: The Central Sierra Mountain resort currently has five lifts open, accessing roughly 20 trails. Bear Valley is reporting 22 inches of snow this season and has also been making snow.
“This proves that Bear Valley can be opened in almost any conditions. It’s key to show that even without natural snow, Bear Valley can offer terrain from top to bottom,” said Tim Cohee, President of California Mountain Resort Company, which acquired the resort Nov. 1, 2023.
Bear Valley opened this season Dec. 9 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Mokelumne Express lift, celebrating the new ownership beginning for the resort. Last year, the
Bear Valley ski season opened with 10 feet of snow on the ground.
The resort is located on scenic Highway 4, regionally located between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It has a base elevation of 6,600 feet and the summit resides at 8,500 feet.
