WINTER DESTINATIONS
Lake Tahoe Reveals New App, Restaurant, and Familiar Events
Visitors will find great things to do in North Lake Tahoe with the scheduled 23/24 season openings of Northstar California, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. From signature events like Heavenly Holidays and the Kirkwood Pond Skim to Northstar’s new café Vous, there’s something everyone can enjoy and find accessible with the Epic Pass. Also new this season is the My Epic App with the Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Ticket feature, which allows guests to use their phone as their ticket to the slopes. The app offers a range of guest features, including interactive trail maps with GPS location tracking and mountain and resort alerts.
Winter Fun in Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County is a mountainous winter wonderland worth exploring this ski season. Mt. Shasta Ski Park installed a new chair lift last year, guaranteeing visitors another year of smooth rides to the top of lifts. For winter fun, check out the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center and Deer Mountain Snowmobiling Park, including the snowshoe trails McCloud Falls, Heart Lake, and Old Ski Bowl Trail, among others. For après-ski, go to Axe and Rose Public House in the McCloud Hotel, Pipeline Craft Taps & Kitchen and Cooper’s Bar & Grill for a fun small-town vibe to relax and unwind at the end of the day. For those wanting to stay near the slopes, consider Summit Lofts, McCloud Mercantile Hotel or LOGE Mt. Shasta.
HOTEL RESORTS
Northstate Winter Retreat Package at Cave Springs
Cave Springs offers a variety of accommodations for guests to enjoy from its boutique hotel and Lookout Cabin to Rustic Cabins and Airstreams. This winter, the mid-century modern resort in Dunsmuir is offering a “Northstate Winter Retreat Package” that includes a two-night stay in select units, two ski passes or cross-country/snowshoe passes at Mt. Shasta, a $100 restaurant gift card, a choice of wine or a bucket of beer upon room arrival, a bundle of firewood and s’mores package.
Desolation Hotel Getaway
Desolation Hotel South Lake Tahoe is the ultimate lodging destination for an upcoming trip to the mountains. Following a day at Heavenly Ski Resort, enjoy a cozy après experience at the hotel's award-winning restaurant, Maggie’s, and retreat to a private three-story El Dorado Townhome, the hotel’s signature accommodation with a private car garage equipped with an EV charging station, soaking tub, fireplace, outdoor dining area and a full kitchenette. For those visiting Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Desolation Hotel Hope Valley is a great option. The property features unique cabins for guests to choose from with names like Aspen, Dougfir and Saint Nick’s. The 28 fully restored historic cabins range from modest to abundant in size and are brimming with appeal, boasting cozy fireplaces, well-appointed kitchens, and rustic, mountain charm.
Outbound Mammoth in Mammoth Lakes
Formerly known as Sierra Nevada Resort, Outbound Mammoth is Mammoth Lakes’ newly reimagined $34 million resort with 179 accommodations including deluxe rooms, fireplace suites and chalets with an inviting lobby, contemporary dining concept and wine bar. A collection of 10 free-standing cabins joins the property, including a heated pool, two spa tubs and an outdoor food garden.
SKI RESORTS
Big Bear Mountain Opens Newly Updated Sun Deck and Seating
There are several new offerings across Big Bear Mountain Resort this season. Bear Mountain completed its $7 million renovation of its world-famous sun deck including a 12,000-square-foot-expansion with seating and fire pits. Laybacks Bar has been transformed from an outdoor bar to a full-service indoor/outdoor establishment.
June Mountain Opens Two New Adventure Zones in December
Known for its tree skiing, June Mountain will open two new Adventure Zones, the Enchanted Forest and the Haunted Forest, for kids and youthful adults on Dec. 26. June is a favorite spot for families to visit because of its wide-open trails and beginner-friendly terrain.
Palisades Tahoe Renovates Dining Options and Introduces Reservation-Based Parking
The mid-mountain Gold Coast Lodge will undergo a multi-million dollar makeover and the creation of new dining options. Starting in December, the resort will introduce new reservation-based parking to improve traffic and overall guest experience. Advanced reservations will be required at Palisades and Alpine on weekends and holidays before 1 p.m. only and will include a mix of free and paid parking reservations. No assigned parking is available. Mid-week parking will remain free without a reservation.
Sierra-at-Tahoe Reopens
Forged from the flames of the 2021 Caldor Fire, Sierra-at-Tahoe is reopening its entire footprint this season with newly revealed terrain, an amphitheater of world-class terrain parks and fresh fall lines. The resort's 48 trails, eight world-class terrain parks, 2,000 acres and 2,212 vertical feet offer something new for everyone. After a day on the slopes, visit Sierra's 360° BBQ Smokehouse at the top of Grandview Express for stunning Lake Tahoe views. Guests can cruise over to Baja Grill in West Bowl for a new twist on the classic Cali-style taco experience, or cheer with friends new and old in The Sierra Pub with weekly live jams after a thrilling day on the hill.
Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort Unveils New Mascot and Otter’s Run
At Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort, the main event is when the snow flies and ski season begins on Dodge Ridge’s 862 skiable acres, 1,600 vertical feet, 70 trails and 12 lifts. This year, the long-time favorite resort will unveil its new river otter mascot, River, who will also serve as the face of its newest addition to the resort Otter’s Run, a family-friendly snow tubing and snow play area. Two-hour tickets for tubing cost $30 and access to the snow play area is $15 for the entire day.
New Improvements to Mammoth Mountain
Ahead of the winter season, Mammoth Mountain underwent several improvements to guarantee a memorable experience for its guests. The Canyon Express (Chair 16) has been replaced with a new state-of-the-art high-speed chairlift that will provide up to 25% more uphill capacity helping to reduce lift line waits at Canyon Lodge. At Woolly’s Tube Park, Phase 2 of the master plan buildout is underway with improvements including the start of construction of the new full-service Day Lodge, a new Wiegand Alpine Coaster, and the addition of summer tubing lanes for summer 2024. Ongoing improvements to Mammoth’s extensive snowmaking system include a $5.5 million investment to expand, automate and maximize efficiency.
Ski, Snow Tube and Ice Skate in Yosemite National Park
Experience winter downhill skiing and snowboarding in Yosemite National Park at Badger Pass Ski Area. Equipment is available to rent along with daily lessons for beginners and experts who need a reminder. For thrill-seekers and families alike, snow tubing in Yosemite is pure excitement. Down in the Valley, glide gracefully under the open sky on the picturesque Curry Village Ice Rink with Half Dome towering above. When done, warm up with a mug of hot cocoa by the fire or head over to Bar 1899 for a cocktail and appetizer.
Homewood Mountain Resort Opens in December
Opening mid-December, Homewood Mountain Resort continues to offer a family-friendly mountain with limited crowds and stunning views of Lake Tahoe. With the start of the new season, Homewood will introduce refreshed culinary offerings at its dining venues and enhanced on-mountain snow experiences.
ATTRACTIONS
2024 Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup
The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup returns to the Olympic venue Palisades Tahoe Feb. 23-25, 2024, for a second year as a stop on the men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour. The mountain has produced several slalom and giant slalom Olympians and World Cup champions, with seven Team Palisades Tahoe athletes currently on the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team.
Leland High Sierra Snowplay Park
With 12 acres of varied terrain and a 4,000-square-foot day-use lodge, Leland High Sierra Snowplay is the West Coast’s largest dedicated snow tubing and snow play park. Two lifts effortlessly take guests safely to the top of the biggest snow tubing hills in a minute's time. Take advantage of reduced mid-week rates (adults: $35, children: $25) or visit on weekends and holidays (adults: $49, children: $29) for an epic experience everyone can enjoy.