The 2025-26 ski season is nearing and it appears California and Nevada’s many resorts are preparing for their openers.
Ski California’s 36 member resorts in California and Nevada are prepping with a variety of on- and off-mountain improvements, including new and refreshed lodges, experiences, lesson programs, the return of signature and annual events, and more.
Ski California will remain focused on safety education through the amplification of its digital Mountain Safety Guide and during the eighth annual Ski California Safety Day, set for Saturday, January 24.
Coming off a Banner Season: Last winter, resorts in California and Nevada cumulatively hosted 7.2 million visits, making it the third best season in the past 10 years. As a whole, the U.S. had its second best season on record, with 61 million skier visits. California and Nevada residents make up 13.5% of skiers and riders nationwide.
In addition, Ski California member resorts averaged a season length of 140 days – 24% higher than the U.S. average. The California and Nevada resorts had the highest share of extended seasons in the country with 28% staying open beyond their planned operations.
“We saw not only solid participation in skiing and snowboarding at resorts in California and Nevada last season, but a healthy number of folks returning to winter sports after some time away. We had over 40% return to sport participation, which was the highest in the U.S.,” said John Rice, Ski California president.
Below are some highlights of what’s new, and projected opening dates for many of the resorts in the two western states.
China Peak: There’s no shortage of “new” at China Peak this season. Guests will find a new deck at Mainstream Station, plus updated furniture and additional seating, renovations in Sully’s Pub in the day lodge that include a new coffee bar, carpet and furniture, and a new snack shack at Basecamp. Opens: Nov. 22
Diamond Peak: Celebrating its 60th “Diamond” anniversary season, the Incline Village resort will offer special “retro” pricing dates throughout the season, featuring $60 lift tickets, discounted lessons and equipment rentals. Opens: Dec. 4
Granlibakken: New this season for the family-friendly resort in Tahoe City is evening sledding sessions for all ages. All-day lift tickets start at $32 and sledding tickets begin at $26.60 for a 90-minute session. Opens: Nov. 27 for sledding; lifts Dec. 20
Heavenly: For its 70th anniversary season, Heavenly is celebrating with new and returning events including the Celebrity Banked Slalom, Toyota Air and Apres, the return of special DJ events, and an anniversary celebration. Opens: Nov. 21
Homewood: The resort will re-open, with plans to operate from December through mid-April. Grooming equipment upgrades will enhance snow surface conditions. Plans to install a new Doppelmayr Gondola will move forward in the spring, replacing the Madden Chair that was installed in 1966. Open: TBD in December
Kirkwood: The plan is for a full lineup of fan-favorite events and freeride competitions, including Winter Solstice Kickoff Party, New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Women’s Weekend, Proud to Be Me Week, Banked Slalom, Slush Cup, IFSA competitions, and Freeride World Qualifier. Opens: Dec. 5
Mammoth Mountain: Nearly $9 million has been invested ahead of the 2025-26 season to further enhance the resort’s snowmaking capabilities, add new ski patrol infrastructure at the top of Stump Alley Express (2) and Chair 22. Activities at Woolly’s Adventure Summit are expanding to include an all-new Dual Zip Line and Sky Net Structure. Opens: Nov. 14
Mt. Rose: A $6 million investment in the off-season is adding to the recreational offerings at the Nevada resort near Lake Tahoe. There’s a new 20-lane, dual conveyor lift serving Wildslide Tahoe Tubing Center, plus expanded snowmaking systems. Opens: Nov. 8
Northstar California: Celebrating the social side of skiing, Epic Friends tickets debut as a new benefit for season-long passholders, offering 50% off lift tickets. Opens: Nov. 21
Palisades Tahoe: The resort has been implementing upgrades on and off the mountain, including new snowmaking system improvements, lift gate replacements to ease access, parking program enhancements, elevated après experiences and more. A packed calendar of events includes the return of Women of Winter camp, Tahoe Live 2025, Toyota U.S. Mogul Freestyle Championships, and the Rahlves Bonzai. Opens: Nov. 26
Sierra-at-Tahoe: Two new trails will open in West Bowl this season, plus more learning terrain off Easy Rider Express, and expanded terrain park zones in The Aspens and Upper Main. Opens: late November/early December
Sugar Bowl: The resort’s $100 million development plan is underway, featuring a new Village Lodge Terrace, modern locker facility, reimagined culinary removal of outdated buildings to open more terrain. Phase two of Sugar Bowl Parks includes the expansion of the training facility with bigger rails, more jumps, new beginner features and investment in earthwork to deliver consistent features all season. Opens: Nov. 21
Tahoe Donner Downhill: The resort’s new ski lodge debuts this winter, featuring level access to ski lifts, an enlarged sun deck, expansive indoor dining with panoramic mountain views, and dedicated learning space for kids. Opens: Dec. 19
Gold Pass: Used for skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing in California and Nevada, the Ski California Gold Pass offers unrestricted, transferable access to 36 ski areas all season. A limited number of 2025-26 Ski California Gold Passes are still available. Purchase at skicalifornia.org/gold-pass.
Learn more about Ski California and its member resorts at skicalifornia.org. View the Ski California Mountain Safety Guide at safety.skicalifornia.org.
