With the start of the winter season on the horizon, 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 the award-winning digital Mountain Safety Guide and during the eighth annual Ski California Safety Day on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The industry association has partnered with Sierra-based Praxis Skis to give away four pairs of custom, Ski California branded skis this winter. Participants in the Ski California Mountain Safety Guide quiz who score 80% or better will be automatically entered for a chance to win the skis. At the end of the season, a 2026-27 Ski California Gold Pass winner will also be drawn, providing unlimited, unrestricted, transferable access to all 36 Ski California member resorts (a $4,125 value).
Last winter, resorts in California and Nevada cumulatively hosted 7.2 million visits during the 2024-25 season, 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, of which California and Nevada residents make up 13.5% skiers nationwide. In addition, Ski California member resorts averaged a season length of 140 days—24% higher than the U.S. average—and 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 on the whole at resorts in California and Nevada last season, but a healthy number of folks returning to winter sports after some time away. In fact, we had over 40% return to sport participation, which was the highest in the U.S.,” said John Rice, Ski California president. “This year, resorts have even more to offer when people come to the mountains, from new experiences to new amenities and upgrades designed to enhance the guest experience.”
Highlights of what’s new, and projected opening dates (weather and conditions permitting) at some of the resorts in California and Nevada for the 2025-26 season include:
ASC Training Center: The Auburn Ski Club Training Center (ASC) has installed new trail lighting, expanding nighttime skiable terrain for athletes and community members throughout the winter season. This project reflects ASC’s ongoing commitment to investing in facilities that foster athletic excellence, promote community wellness, and ensure access to high-quality outdoor recreation. New laser rifles were purchased to support the growth of the biathlon program and expand opportunities for future competitors in the sport. Opens: TBD
Bear Valley Adventure Co.: This season, Bear Valley Adventure Co. guests will find Meadow Cafe deck improvements with increased seating and space and a new shoe storage room with cubbies for ski rental guests. Extensive stump grinding on meadow trails will improve early and low snow season conditions. Free season passes are offered to all third graders, and 50% off Learn to Ski Packages for all sledding and tubing guests. Open: Nov. 27
Bear Valley Mountain Resort: Bear Valley ski patrol has welcomed “Gallatin,” an avalanche rescue dog in training, and has access to a new RECCO rescue device to aid in emergency response efforts. From the parking lot to the mountain, guests will notice updates including shuttle service, new signage, and better traffic flow, fresh exterior paint on the lodge, new electronic day-use lockers, more cafeteria seating, and new features in the terrain park. New and annual events return, and “The First Turn” program debuts to enhance the experience for first-timers. Opens: Nov. 28
Big Bear Mountain Resort: Annual events including the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade at Snow Summit, the Bear Bowl and Bear Break at Bear Mountain are set to return this season. Opens: TBD
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 Daylodge that include a new coffee bar, carpet and furniture, and a new snack shack at Basecamp. New shuttles and drop off zones throughout the parking lot will enhance the experience from start to finish, live music is planned every Saturday and Sunday at Buckhorn and the Daylodge, and a new “First Turn” program and dedicated learning area are specifically designed for first-timers. Opens: Nov. 22
Diamond Peak: Celebrating its 60th “Diamond” anniversary season, Diamond Peak will offer special “retro” pricing dates throughout the season featuring $60 lift tickets, discounted lessons and equipment rentals. New this season are Google Street View virtual tours of all Diamond Peak’s trails. Opens: Dec. 4
Granlibakken Tahoe: The perfect place to introduce new skiers and snowboarders to the sport, Granlibakken Tahoe is where family and friends can spectate and share in first-timers’ early progression. New this season, evening sledding sessions will animate the end of the day for all ages. All day lift tickets start at $32, and sledding tickets start 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. The resort is also expanding its recycling efforts to include soft plastics that typically end up in the landfill or as litter in Lake Tahoe, and introducing Epic Friend Tickets for season-long passholders that provide 50% off lift tickets. Opens: Nov. 21
Homewood Mountain Resort: This season, Homewood will re-open, with plans to operate from December through mid-April. Grooming equipment upgrades will enhance snow surface conditions, and plans to install a new Doppelmayr Gondola will move forward in the spring, replacing the Madden Chair that was installed in 1966. The gondola installation will launch the redevelopment of the resort while aligning with Homewood’s Community Access Plan that guarantees public access to the mountain. The first phase of a snowmaking upgrade that will ensure early season access to the mountain will also begin in 2026. Open: Dec. TBD
June Mountain: Opens: Dec. 20
Kirkwood: Find a fresh exterior on the Timber Creek Base Lodge this season, home to Kirkwood’s Ski & Ride School, rental shop, Snowshoe Thompson’s, with convenient access to beginner ski and ride terrain and the resort’s main parking area. A full lineup of fan-favorite events and freeride competitions return this season, including the 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 the Freeride World Qualifier 2*. Opens: Dec. 5
Kirkwood Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Center: A full slate of clinics and programs are scheduled at the Kirkwood Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Center this year including Explore Kirkwood XC Classic, Advanced Skate, XC Downhill Clinic, and Advanced Skate Hill Climb, plus free “Gear Talks” with expert instructors. For those who don’t have their own gear but want to explore, Kirkwood Cross Country offers rentals of XC ski (classic, skate, backcountry), snowshoe, and fat tire bike gear. Opens: Dec. 12
Lee Canyon: A new moveable rope tow will enhance the terrain park experience at Lee Canyon this season by giving skiers and riders the ability to quickly lap their favorite features without the need to ride other lifts. And, don’t miss ticket pricing as low as $7 a day (yes, $7—that’s not a typo!), plus resort credit that can be applied toward food, beverage, retail, rentals and more when you buy tickets online in advance. Opens: Nov. 21
Mammoth Mountain: Nearly $9 million has been invested ahead of the 2025-26 season at Mammoth 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. Significant upgrades at The Westin Monache include a new lobby, café and more. Expanded skill development opportunities include Freestyle Ski & Snowboard Camps open to ages 10+ who want to progress in the park, and “Ripping Over 50” camps for both seasoned skiers and those just starting out. The Mammoth Mountain Race Department celebrates 50 years this season, and new and returning events include the Arc’teryx Academy and U.S. Revolution Tour. Opens: Nov. 14
Mountain High Resort: Mountain High Resorts in Wrightwood is eagerly preparing for the 2025/26 season with more than $500K in improvements. These include increased snowmaking, a new Prinoth Bison X Winch Cat to enhance the resort’s steep terrain and terrain park grooming capabilities, the debut of the new First Turn program, and the return of the Discovery chairlift which accesses beginner terrain at 8,200 feet and unmatched views of the Pacific Ocean. Known for being Southern California’s closest winter resort, Mountain High is ready to open any day after Nov. 1, weather permitting, and expects to be the first resort open in the region. Opens: early Nov.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: A $6 million investment in the off-season is adding to the recreational offerings at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. With the addition of the new 20-lane, dual conveyor lift-served Wildslide Tahoe Tubing Center plus expanded snowmaking systems, resort guests can expect even more thrills at Mt. Rose this winter. The resort is also welcoming the return of high school and NCAA races, and introducing educational “Snow Days” field trips with curriculum designed for K-12 students. 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: Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Palisades Tahoe has been busy implementing upgrades on and off the mountain, including new snowmaking system improvements, lift gate replacements to ease access, parking program enhancements including new Carpool 4+ reservations and incentives, expansion of Mountaineer’s on-demand microtransit fleet, elevated après experiences and more. Mountain Sports School offerings are expanding with new Group Lesson 4 Packs and a new afternoon mogul clinic for intermediate and advanced skiers. Magnus Andersson joins the team as Alpine Director, bringing over 15 years of World Cup and head coach experience to the Palisades Tahoe competitive racing programs. A packed calendar of world-class events include the return of Amie Engerbretson’s signature Women of Winter camp, 53 days of KT Bass Bar entertainment with live DJs and artist performances, Tahoe Live 2025, the Toyota U.S. Mogul Freestyle Championships, and the Rahlves Bonzai. Opens: Nov. 26
Rim Nordic: Celebrating its 35th anniversary this season, Rim Nordic is still planning the festivities, but will welcome guests back with $29 adult day passes, $20 youth, discounted passes for seniors and military, with kids ages 10 and under skiing free. Learn to ski packages are also available. Opens: TBD
Royal Gorge: Upgrades to Royal Gorge’s extensive trail network include trail mastication, a refreshed Summit Station Lodge, plus a new kids’ Nordic Program. Opens: Nov. 28
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. Sierra’s newest Avalanche Dog, Yuki joins the resort’s skier safety efforts, and weekly live music returns in the Sierra Pub, along with signature events including Subaru Winterfest, Vans Methodology, the Sierra Playgrounds Party and more. Opens: late Nov./early Dec.
Sugar Bowl: The resort’s $100 million development plan is underway featuring a new Village Lodge Terrace, a modern locker facility, a reimagined culinary experience from Traci Des Jardins and Clay Reynolds, removal of outdated buildings to open more terrain, and more. Phase two of Sugar Bowl Parks CA includes the expansion of the resort’s world-class training facility with bigger rails, more jumps, new beginner features and an investment in earthwork to deliver consistent features all season long. Guests will have access to a new rental fleet with Atomic and Nitro skis and snowboards, plus high-quality snow conditions thanks to four new snowcats and resort-wide snowmaking improvements. Signature events include the Silver Belt Freeride, Uphiller Ski Touring Festival, family-friendly Poker Run scavenger hunt, Empowder women’s freeride clinic, Rookie Academy clinics with world-class coaches, Paradise Pond Skim, plus free live music on the sundecks every weekend. Opens: Nov. 21
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort: The resort’s brand new ski lodge debuts this winter, featuring level access to ski lifts, an enlarged sun deck, expansive indoor dining with panoramic mountain views, a dedicated learning space for kids and more. Celebrated community events return, including Ski With Santa on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve Glowstick Parade, Spring Beach Party, the end-of-season bash, and Downhill Dummy Contest. Opens: Dec. 19
Tahoe Donner Cross Country: Celebrating its 40th anniversary this season, Tahoe Donner Cross Country will host special events like the popular Tour de Euer, honoring the TDXC’s storied history and legacy. New season-long instruction will be offered for classic and skate skiers of all ages and experience levels, a new PistenBully 400 snowcat will ensure precision-groomed trails and tracks, and the tech and rental shop will be a Kastle ski demo center that provides the option to “try before you buy” the most popular class and skate ski setups in their lineup. Opens: Nov. 28
Tahoe XC: This Fall, Tahoe XC celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Tahoe XC Lodge Project. Through adaptive reuse, the new lodge aims to be the first net-zero energy commercial building in the Tahoe Basin. This season, the new Tahoe XC Glide Pass will offer an on-site rental pass for classic and skate skis and caters to those who are new to the sport, frequent travelers who want to skip the hassle of transporting gear, or anyone interested in trying high quality nordic skis without the upfront investment. To increase access to outdoor recreation, Tahoe XC offers free day passes to anyone under age 19 or 70+. Opens: late Nov./early Dec.
Tamarack Cross Country: Opens: Nov. 22
The ultimate and most exclusive pass to 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 long. A limited number of 2025-26 Ski California Gold Passes are still available. Buy now at skicalifornia.org/gold-pass.
Learn more about Ski California and its member resorts at skicalifornia.org, and view the award-winning Ski California Mountain Safety Guide at safety.skicalifornia.org.
About Ski California
Ski California® (aka California Ski Industry Association®) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association representing 36 ski resorts in California and Nevada. The organization develops and maintains strong relationships with government officials, tourism groups, media, and ski industry leaders to advocate for industry-related initiatives and perspectives that affect mountain communities and businesses. Ski California also provides industry education and researches, analyzes, and pursues safety while preserving the integrity of mountain sports and the natural environment in which they are enjoyed by millions each year. Watch What is Ski California, view Ski California’s award-winning Mountain Safety Guide, and visit skicalifornia.org plus the Ski California Newsroom for more information.
