Get ready to shred the gnar. Four of the closest ski and snowboard resorts to California State University, Stanislaus have formally opened for the winter season.
While valley residents were excited to finally see some significant rainfall, the latest winter storm brought a good amount of much-needed snow to the mountains.
The California drought delayed the snow sports season this year, leaving many skiers and boarders anticipating that one substantial storm that would finally get the chairlifts running again.
Dodge Ridge, Bear Valley Mountain Resort, Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area and China Peak Mountain Resort are the nearest resorts to CSU Stanislaus.
Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley are both around a two-hour drive, while Badger Pass and China Peak will have you in the car for about three hours.
The closest resort is Dodge Ridge. The mountain is located off of Highway 108, has a total of 67 runs, a base elevation of 6,600 feet and a peak elevation of 8,200 feet.
“Opening day at Dodge was fabulous,” Jennifer Rapp, a Dodge Ridge season pass holder, said.
“Double Shot [a popular Black Diamond run] was just amazing — perfect smooth corduroy and the best snow on the hill.”
Bear Valley is another resort that’s just a stone’s throw away from campus, located right off of Highway 4.
The snow-capped peak has an elevation of 8,500 feet, a base elevation of 6,600 feet and has a total of 62 runs ranging from beginner to expert levels.
An extra hour’s drive just might be worth the extra gas when discovering Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area and their student discounts on season passes.
Badger Pass is a smaller resort with only 10 runs, but it has the the historic views of Yosemite National Park.
The mountain has the highest base elevation — a staggering 7,200 feet, while the peak lies at 8,000 feet.
A larger resort a bit further South East of campus is China Peak Mountain Resort.
China Peak is nestled off of Highway 168 in the Sierra National Forest with a base elevation of 7,030 feet and a peak elevation of 8,700 feet.
The Student Recreation Center here at CSU Stanislaus has an upcoming trip planned to China Peak, seeing as the resort offers budget friendly group rates.
For those of you concerned with winter driving conditions when the powder is fresh on the mountains, don’t worry.
Both Dodge Ridge and Badger Pass have shuttle busses in their respective areas that will drop you off right at the lodge in time to make those first tracks of the day.
“It was great to finally ski,” Patrick Brightman, another Dodge Ridge season pass holder, said. “[It’s] such a peaceful adrenaline rush.”
If you’re interested in getting that same rush, visit the individual websites for each of the ski and snowboard resorts for more information.