California's Oldest Ski Area Won't Open This Season

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated Feb 12, 2025 2:24 PM ET

Badger Pass, a small, 90-year-old ski area in Yosemite National Park, has announced that it won’t open for skiing and riding this winter following a decision made by the National Park Service and Yosemite Hospitality.

In a post made on social media, the ski area shared that the season closure stemmed from a lack of early-season snow.

While snow could arrive at the ski area in the near future, “the snow totals have been too unreliable to wait any longer to be able to open Badger for less than a month,” the ski area wrote.

Badger Pass is usually open between mid-December and mid-March.

The ski area is refunding season pass purchases, with guests receiving their money back in ten to 14 days. The announcement was made on Facebook. See below.

“We’re super bummed this year didn’t pan out, thanks for being loyal Badger supporters and doing your snow dances all winter anyways!” the ski area wrote. “Hopefully we can see you next year… on the slooooooooopes!”

Founded in 1935, Badger Pass is California’s oldest ski resort. It’s known for its affordability and laid-back, family-friendly vibe — season passes for the 2024-2025 ski season at Badger Pass cost $500. The ski area’s terrain footprint is served by five lifts, including a three-seater, a few double-seaters, and a handle tow.

Outside of the lift-served ski runs, the ski area is home to 90 miles of marked nordic trails and 25 miles of groomed track.

Badger Pass is also only one of three ski areas in a National Park, joined by Hurricane Ridge, Washington, and Boston Mills-Brandywine, Ohio.

While the incoming Californian storm won’t be enough to kickstart operations at Badger Pass, it should benefit — and maybe bury — larger ski destinations in the Lake Tahoe area and elsewhere. POWDER’s snow forecasters, the Powderchasers, have called for a foot or more of snowfall by Friday at ski resorts like Palisades Tahoe and Sugar Bowl.

To the southeast, at Mammoth Mountain, 48 inches — or four feet — could arrive. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Mono County between Wednesday night and Friday night.

The warning said that ridge wind gusts of 100 miles per hour are possible, with snowfall rates potentially reaching as high as three inches per hour.

Badger Pass Ski Area Stats/Info:

Vertical: 800 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 90 ac.

Average Snowfall: 300 inches

Lifts: 5

Trails: 10

Snowmaking: NO

Night Skiing: NO

Mega-Pass: NO