While most European ski resorts are currently gearing up for their major ski openings, a glance westward paints a different picture. Winter arrived in the Sierra Nevada as early as October 17, bringing sub-freezing temperatures and several centimeters of fresh snow. This made skiing in California possible earlier than expected. By mid-November, Mammoth Mountain had already welcomed its first winter sports enthusiasts. Heavenly, Northstar, and Palisades Tahoe followed in the days after, bringing with them a host of new features.

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Get comfortable on your way up

Because a successful ski day requires more than just snow—you also want a convenient way to get to the top—significant investments have been made in infrastructure. This means saying goodbye to Chair 1 at Mammoth Mountain. The lift, also known as the "Broadway Express," will be replaced by a modern six-seater. Bear Mountain at Big Bear Mountain Resort and Bear Valley have also upgraded their facilities with new lifts. Mike Reitzell, the outgoing president of the nonprofit ski association Ski California, commented: "New chairlifts really make a difference. Faster lifts mean shorter wait times, earlier opening dates, and a more comfortable ride."

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Access All Areas

There’s also a major update regarding ticket access to California ski resorts. Sierra-at-Tahoe is now part of Ikon Pass. This means that with just one season pass, you can ski across a wide range of California resorts, including Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, and Big Bear Mountain Resort. Additionally, Cali Pass now includes Bear Valley Mountain Resort alongside Dodge Ridge, China Peak, and Mountain High starting this season. “The value of a season pass is really high for guests, especially if you ski or snowboard five or more days in a season—it’s much cheaper than buying daily tickets,” says Reitzell.

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Boreal special offer

For 60 years, passionate skiers and snowboarders have been flocking to Truckee to hit the slopes at Boreal Mountain Resort. And not just during the day—Boreal is the only ski resort in California to offer nightly skiing. To celebrate its 60th season, Boreal is introducing Play Forever Fridays. Held once a month, these events allow visitors to purchase a lift ticket for just $25.

Culinary delights in California

The Bear Valley Mountain Resort recently welcomed new owners who have made exciting upgrades, including new chairlifts and new F&B outlets. Among them is a pizza bar in the lodge. Winter sports enthusiasts at Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe can now look forward to healthy cuisine with the introduction of the Golden State Kitchen, offering vitamin-rich and light dishes. At Northstar California, guests can enjoy cozy meals and excellent signature cocktails at Wild Pine and Vous. Meanwhile, the newly opened Little Bear Café at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley now serves baked goods, coffee, salads, and delicious sandwiches.

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Varied program

Skiing in California is one thing, but you can also enjoy fun on the slopes without skis or snowboards. For example, at Sugar Bowl, the Sugar Rush Tubing area has been expanded. It now features ten tubing lanes and a snow play area for kids. At Sierra-at-Tahoe, this season’s highlights include the Subaru Winterfest (March 15–16, 2025), with plenty of live acts, gear demos, and a laid-back hangout zone. Other events include Vans Methodology (April 13, 2025), where participants can test their slalom skills, and Boarding for Breast Cancer, a charity event scheduled for April 2025.