After one of the longest snow seasons on record – Squaw Valley’s season ended on July 15, and Mammoth Mountain’s on August 6 – the 17/18 season officially kicked off when Boreal opened on Nov. 8, followed by Mammoth Mountain on Nov. 9.
“Just three short months after the last season wrapped, visitors can already catch the winter wave in the Golden State, where our laid-back lifestyle extends beyond the coast and into the mountains,” said Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta. “Winter resorts across the state are debuting new offerings on and off the slopes, including exciting new après ski activities.”
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Heavenly Mountain Resort are opening Nov. 17; Kirkwood Mountain Resort opens Nov. 22; Northstar California opens Nov. 23; and Bear Valley Resort opens Nov. 24, weather permitting. Several resorts are also announcing revamped and updated services for guests to enjoy this season. A sampling includes:
Sierra-at-Tahoe: www.sierraattahoe.com
Offering a new program designed specifically with beginner skiers and riders in mind.
Sierra-at-Tahoe has expanded its beginner area with SMART TERRAIN, which includes banked turns and shaped features that naturally guide skiers and riders into turns and stops. The resort also offers deals from $49 for first time skiers/riders including a lift ticket accessing beginner terrain, two-hour lesson and equipment rental.
Heavenly Mountain Resort: www.skiheavenly.com
Welcome Winter with Heavenly’s #HelloSnow Festival.
Celebrate the arrival of winter with two weeks of #HelloSnow festivities kicking off on Dec. 4 and culminating with a #HelloSnow Festival on Dec. 16. The #HelloSnow Festival will feature three reggae bands, beer tents, local food trucks and a free VIP tent for 2017-2018 pass holders. The event lasts from 12-5 p.m. and is located at the base of World Cup at the California Lodge.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort: www.kirkwood.com
Teaching necessary safety methods every skier and rider should know.
Kirkwood welcomes an exciting expansion of its signature program “Expedition Kirkwood” this season. The program includes courses, clinics (including one for women only) and camps to elevate safety and hone skills for navigating the resort. “Expedition Kirkwood” has become the West Coast’s largest avalanche education providers, and is a great place to learn how to safely navigate any avalanche prone slope.
Zalanta Resort at the Village: www.zalanta.com
South Tahoe combines adventure and luxury into one incredible mountain at Zalanta.
Zalanta Resort at the Village which opened in June offers guests a high-end luxury ski experience. The resort offers several retail shops and restaurants on the ground level, and two, three and four bedroom condominiums with full service amenities on the upper floors, including a magnificent pool and hot tub courtyard. The resort also offers a ski valet, in-house rental management, 24-hour fitness center, VIP ski lessons with trained instructor, and access to a semi-private beach at Lakeside Marina.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe: www.ritzcarlton.com/LakeTahoe
The Après Adventurist Winter Package is your exclusive pass to luxurious fun both on and off the slopes.
With the Après Adventurist Winter Package, guests can smoothly transition from fun on the slopes to cozy relaxation off the slopes; the package provides guests with “après adventurists,” who’ll not only escort visitors through an action-packed ski experience, but will also light your in-suite fireplace, prepare appetizers and warming beverages and curate complimentary board games and movies when you’re back in your suite.
Northstar California Resort: www.northstarcalifornia.com
Northstar debuts a new trail for Platinum Season and Day Pass owners.
Northstar California’s Platinum program expands this year with Platinum Piste, an exclusive trail with premium ski and riding conditions, available for visitors with Platinum Season and Day passes. Also new is the option for skiers and riders to start the day at sunrise with First Tracks, where mountain guides take small groups on a tour of the mountain before lifts open to the public.
China Peak Mountain Resort: www.skichinapeak.com/60th-anniversary-celebration
Celebrate China Peak’s 60th Anniversary Dec. 16.
China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore will celebrate its Diamond anniversary this year and to commemorate the occasion, the resort will host a celebration with discounted lift tickets, live music, free beer tasting, food and drink specials and a throwback ski gear contest.
Bear Valley Resort: www.bearvalley.com
Bear Valley Resort welcomes newest state of the art addition for 17/18 season.
Bear Valley Resort is committed to making the region a great destination and is preparing for a new high speed six-pack chair lift, scheduled to open this December.
In addition to the above, the following resorts have announced their opening dates, weather permitting:
Northern California:
Boreal: November 8, 2017
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: November 17, 2017
Heavenly Mountain Resort: November 17, 2017
Kirkwood Mountain Resort: November 22, 2017
Northstar California: November 23, 2017
Homewood: December 8, 2017
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort: December 8, 2017
Soda Springs: December 9, 2017
Mt. Shasta Ski Park: December 15, 2017
Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area: December 15, 2017
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort: TBD
Sugar Bowl: TBD
Sierra-at-Tahoe: TBD
Central & Southern California:
Mammoth Mountain: November 9, 2017
Bear Valley Resort: November 24, 2017
China Peak Mountain Resort: November 24, 2017
Mt. Baldy: December 2, 2017
June Mountain: December 15, 2017
Bear Mountain: TBD
Mountain High Resort: TBD
Snow Summit: TBD
Snow Valley Mountain Resort: TBD
For more information about California’s winter experiences, visit: visitcalifornia.com/catch-winter-wave.
ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA:
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, spending by travelers totaled $126.3 billion in 2016 in California, generating 1.1 million jobs in the state and $10.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to www.visitcalifornia.com. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com.
Media Contacts:
Kristen Bonilla, Visit California
(916) 319-5421
kbonilla@visitcalifornia.com