As the winter season nears, Ski California member resorts in California and Nevada have made significant investments in lifts and other on-mountain infrastructure, facilities, refreshed and affordable lesson programs, and new and returning events.
Ski California has been accurately predicting snowfall for ski areas in California and Nevada for two decades and are a great resource for skiers and snowboarders planning to spend time in the mountains. Again this season, the organization is partnering with OpenSnow.com and should be very helpful in this projected “Super El Niño” winter.
“OpenSnow has been accurately predicting snowfall for ski areas in California and Nevada for two decades and are a great resource for skiers and snowboarders planning to spend time in the mountains,” Ski California president John Rice said.
Ski California and its 36 member resorts remain focused on safety education through the amplification of the award-winning digital Mountain Safety Guide and during the ninth annual Ski California Safety Day on Saturday, Jan. 23.
Economic Impacts: A new economic impact report prepared for the California and Nevada ski industry by Triple Point Strategic Consulting and SMG Consulting detailed the industry’s total economic footprint reached $3.2 billion in total output in 2025, supporting over 20,000 jobs and generating more than $523 million in tax revenue at the federal, state, and local levels.
What’s New California Ski Resorts: Highlights below of what’s new and projected opening dates at some of the resorts in California and Nevada for the 2026-27 season.
Big Bear Mountain Resort: Snow Summit, Bear Mountain and Snow Valley are offering the Double Play lift ticket 2-Pack for $149. The deal features two days of skiing or riding all season. This unrestricted, non-transferable ticket is on sale now through Dec. 15. Projected Opening Date: TBD
Boreal Mountain: New, efficient LED lighting will make night skiing and riding brighter, offering better visibility. Projected Opening Date: TBD
China Peak: The 1st Turn lesson program returns and is dedicated learning area specifically designed for first-timers, offering three days of instruction, rental equipment and beginner lift access for $199. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 28
Diamond Peak: Celebrating the second half of its 60th Anniversary season, Diamond Peak will offer 60th-themed throwback events and promotions throughout the winter.
Two- and 3-day flex passes offer great savings over daily lift tickets and allow direct-to-lift access after the first visit. Skiers can also reload lift tickets online to save money and skip the ticket lines at the resort when they return. Projected Opening Date: Dec. 3
Dodge Ridge: Will also offer the 1st Turn lesson program. A new College Pass and multi-day passes are available now. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 27
Heavenly: Dining at Heavenly is getting an upgrade this season, with elevated versions of classic ski-day favorites made with higher-quality ingredients and plenty of new dishes bringing more flavor, variety, and choice to the on-mountain experience. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 20
Homewood Mountain: The modernization of Homewood is underway, with a new 8-passenger gondola that replaced the Madden Chair set to open this winter, along with improved snowmaking, a new beginner Ski School area and Ski School Warming Yurt. Projected Opening Date: Dec. 11
Kirkwood: The resort is planning a full slate of IFSA freeride competitions in collaboration with Tahoe Freeride, including a FWT Challenger competition in March.
Kirkwood’s dining outlet menus are receiving a major overhaul, with multiple new offerings aimed at making the on-mountain dining experience even better, including Detroit-style pizza, coney hotdogs, ramen noodle bowls, and additional après activations. Projected Opening Date: Dec. 4
Mammoth Resorts: Nearly $13.5 million has been invested in capital improvement projects, including Remote Avalanche Control Systems at Mammoth and June Mountain, giving Ski Patrol more flexibility to mitigate hazards remotely in severe storms while keeping safety at the center of operations. The current project includes 16 new towers: 15 at Mammoth Mountain and one at June. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 13
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: The resort has invested nearly $2 million in advance of the winter season in infrastructure and facilities improvements, including a Main Line replacement of the resort’s extensive snowmaking system, and a new PistenBully snow grooming machine. Projected Opening Date: TBD
Mt. Shasta Ski Park: Bringing back one of the best lift ticket deals, this season Mt. Shasta will offer $40 Wednesdays starting Jan. 6 until the end of the season (excluding Feb. 17), and a $25 twilight ticket on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. until close. Projected Opening Date: Dec. 9
Northstar California: On three Saturdays this winter – Jan. 23, Feb. 27, and March 20 – Northstar Ski School will host all-day group lessons for guests 15-plus to learn from native Mandarin-speaking instructors. It is designed for guests who are new to skiing and snowboarding or looking to build confidence on beginner terrain. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 20
Palisades Tahoe: Upgrades include an investment in avalanche mitigation technology, snowmaking enhancements on the Mountain Run at Palisades, and three new PistenBully 600E+ snowcats, the world’s only diesel-electric snowcat equipped with SnowSat LiDAR, have been added to the fleet. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 25
Sierra-at-Tahoe: In celebration of its 80th anniversary, expect events, installations, and throwback parties all winter long highlighting the mountain’s history from its early days post-WWII, to moving to its present location, expanding to 2,000 skiable acres and becoming an early champion of snowboarding and terrain parks. Projected Opening Date: late November, early December
Soda Springs: Play Forever Fridays return to Soda Springs this season with $35 lift tickets, and first-time lesson takers can now buy into the Boreal Take 3 Ride free program for their second and third lessons. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 27
Sugar Bowl: The resort’s multi-year, $100 million resort development project continues with major improvements debuting this winter, including a new Village Gondola, reimagined Main Lodge and beginner experience, expanded terrain parks and snowmaking on the mountain, enhanced snowmaking at Sugar Rush Tubing, and major strides toward the resort’s sustainability goals. Projected Opening Date: Nov. 27
Tahoe Donner Downhill: The resort will build on the elevated experience offered, following last year’s unveiling of its new ski lodge. Guests can enjoy enhancements like level access to the lifts and an expansive sun deck. Projected Opening Date: Dec. 11
Learn more about Ski California and its member resorts at skicalifornia.org.
