With the most recent storm rolling through the Sierra Nevadas, snow has consumed local ski resorts.  With tax returns on the way, local residents and college students have even more reason to enjoy the fresh powder.  Here are five prime-time ski resorts close enough to our small college town to enjoy the snow for a day.
1
Closest ski resort: Dodge Ridge.  Everyone likes convenience. Having Dodge Ridge less than two hours away, located in Pinecrest, just off Highway 108, gives locals a chance to enjoy the slopes for the day and still be home in time for dinner.  At $64 a ticket, consumers can enjoy the day on the slopes and not break the bank.  With 852 acres and eight chair lifts, there is plenty of snow covered terrain for riders from the beginners to the advanced.
2
Cheapest ski resort: Bear Valley Mountain Resort.  At $62, Bear Valley has the most affordable lift ticket price in the Sierra Nevadas.  With a three hour drive depending on conditions, consumers can make a day trip to this ski resort.  Bear Valley also offers lodging just minutes from the lifts for a weekend trip.  Bear Valley offers 1680 acres of skiable terrain and nine chair lifts giving riders the chance to never have to ski the same trail twice.
3
Most average seasonal snowfall: Kirkwood Mountain Resort.  With 600 annual inches of snowfall, no other ski resort comes close to having fresh powder on a more frequent basis than Kirkwood.  Kirkwood offers 13 chair lifts along with 2,300 skiable acres and 81 designated trails.  For $89 and a three hour drive depicting weather conditions, consumers can enjoy a full day of challenging yet forgiving terrain.  With its two mile long ridge line, Kirkwood is most popular for its cliff drops and cornices (overhanging ridges of snow), along with having Lake Tahoe quality snow without Lake Tahoe quality traffic.  Kirkwood is located 50 miles east of Jackson off Highway 88.
4
Most skiable acres and trails: Squaw Valley.  6,000 acres is the amount of elbow room Squaw Valley Mountain Resort offers to skiers and snowboarders.  Squaw Valley is located in Olympic Valley just north of Lake Tahoe off Highway 89.  Squaw Valley does have the most expensive lift ticket price in the Sierra Nevadas at $104.  However, with over 170 designated trails, 26 chair lifts and 450 inches of annual snowfall, this ski resort has plenty to offer.  Squaw Valley is the furthest distance from Turlock in our top 5, being three and a half hours away.  Squaw Valley is most popular for holding the 1960 Winter Olympics and has placed its bid to bring the Winter Olympics back to California in 2022.
5
Best overall experience: Heavenly Ski Resort. Located near Gardnerville, just off Highway 50, Heavenly has much to boast about.  Being known for its scenery, Heavenly consists of many breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe, which can be seen while skiing on many trails of the mountain.   The 30 total ski lifts, 97 trails and 4,800 skiable acres can be enjoyed for the reasonable price of $92.  Heavenly not only has the longest vertical drop in California at 3,500 feet, but also has the highest summit in Lake Tahoe at 10,067 feet.  Heavenly doesn’t like to limit its customers.  Straddling California and Nevada, Heavenly offers not one, but two states to explore.  For the distance, scenery, quality of snow and price, Heavenly tops the list of top five ski resorts local to the Turlock area.
Whether it’s a weekend trip or a day trip, the Sierra Nevada ski resorts have much to offer for a price cheaper than a textbook.