Five feet of snow in last four days highlight start to 2017 ski season for Bear Valley and Dodge Ridge Ski Areas!
Boarder launches off escarpment on chair 5 at Dodge Ridge on Tuesday!
With the recent Sierra storms unloading over five feet of snow on both Bear Valley and Dodge Ridge, the resorts are digging out for a fun Martin Luther King weekend!
Both resorts are open seven days a week – providing the closest skiing to Stockton and San Joaquin County.
Here is the latest from Dodge Ridge, from Jeff Hauph: “Like the forecast called for, we’re looking at just over 5 feet at this point with the storm breaking up (Wednesday) afternoon and turning to clear bluebird skies all weekend long. We’ll have miles and miles of groomed runs with all lifts scheduled to operate and fresh powder throughout the mountain all weekend long. We’ll have all services available, from lessons, rentals, ski demos, tech shop, sport shop and all dining”.
Deep powder welcomes skier at Dodge Ridge earlier in week.
As of this writing, Dodge was hopeful to open Granite Bowl with the new snow depths; watch the resort’s web site for full information.
Bear Valley is also reveling in ideal snow conditions heading into the big weekend. Notes Marc Gendron, “Join us for winter excitement at Bear Valley on Saturday, January 14th. Come join us for an evening of fun for everyone! There will be fireworks, torch light parade, special dinner for the whole family and live music”. Find more insight at http://www.bearvalley.com/events/winter-explosion-2017.
Bear Valley's Winter Explosion is this Saturday!
Bear Valley Winter Explosion torchlight parade from last season.
The three day weekend is forecast to be sunny and pleasant, but with winter coming earlier in the week with a vengeance, check the resort’s web site before you head out. And, as always wise in winter, be sure your vehicle is fully gassed up, pack your chains, a blanket and some food and drink, just to be safe.
Happy skiing or sliding; enjoy some of the best ski conditions of the last 4-5 years!
How to get there: From Stockton the start is the same for both destinations; take Highway 4 east to Copperopolis. To reach Dodge Ridge, go south on O’Byrne’s Ferry Road and then east on Highway 108 to the ski area. For Bear Valley, continue on Hwy. 4 all the way to the ski area.
For more information: Bear Valley Ski Resort, bearvalley.com, 209.753.2301; Dodge Ridge Ski Resort, dodgeridge.com, 209.965.3474.
Read more from Tim Viall’s travel blog, follow him on Facebook or Twitter; or, email him at tviall@msn.com.
Happy skiing, sliding and travels in the west!