Dodge Ridge Ski Resort - Sonora, California

Address:Sonora, California
Tel: (209) 965-4437

Sonora is known for its beautiful panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada hills and desert, but what you may be unaware of is the Dodge Ridge Ski area, located just 30 miles east. At a distance of only being 3 hours from the Bay Area, it makes for a convenient locale to escape to for a day in the snow.

Dodge Ridge's season runs from December through April, and receives an average snowfall of 300 to 500 inches a season. The vertical drop is 1600 feet and the summit's elevation rises to 8200 feet into the blue skies. Spread over 815 acres of terrain are 59 trails of varying levels of difficulty with the longest ride being on the 2 mile "Stagecoach" trail. Eight lifts including a quad, two triple, and 5 double seated chairs will zip you to the top of the hill for repeated rides down all day long. There are also 3 surface lifts for the beginner and children's areas. The site's hours of operation are 9am to 4pm on weekdays and 830am to 4pm on the weekends and holidays. No night skiing is available, so get there early to take advantage of the sun!

"Granite Bowl" and "Boulder Canyon" offer advanced runs and fresh powder every day to slice into, while "Rocky's Road" caters to the freestyler's antics. Tree riding in the glades is available off lift number 7, and chairs 1, 2, and 6 all service the beginners' area, while "Ego's Alley" makes a nice transition into the intermediate terrain.

There is a free shuttle bus that runs from Dodge's parking lot up to the front entrance to save the hassle of carrying all your equipment and belongings. Full or half day passes which start at 1230pm are available for adults, teen, youth, and seniors and children under 5 years old ski free with a paying adult. Military adults and children also receive a discount with proper identification. Rentals also have a full or half day option – choose from top brands such a K2, Nordica, Burton and Rossignol. Demo equipment is also on hand to try out. Dodge also rents out Telemark and cross country equipment, and snowshoes for those not participating in alpine downhill skiing. Rentals may be checked in overnight with no fee.

Local's Café, located by chair 7, offers a simple sandwich and hot or cold beverage menu, but is only open on weekends and holidays. Creekside Café and Grill serves breakfast, made to order sandwiches and salads along with an all-American grill menu every day, to quell even the slightest hunger pain.

After the day is through, stop into the Boulder Bar on site which is open from 10am till the parking lot empties out at the end of the night. Perhaps head into the town of Pinecrest for a stop at the Steam Donkey Bar which is a local favorite. Check out the stunning wooden bar at the Strawberry Inn for great drink specials and a relaxed atmosphere. Finally, to rest your head for the night, you have a choice of over 30 motels and lodges less than 45 minutes away in Sonora and the surrounding towns. There is a Bed and Breakfast in Twain Harte worth checking out, and many lodging options accept AAA memberships.

It may be a small town, but it has the personality that makes you feel like part of the family with terrific skiing – making it well worth your next trip to the slopes.

Located above Pinecrest just 30 miles East of Sonora, off all-weather highway 108, Dodge Ridge is by far the closest and most accessible ski-resort to the Central Valley and Bay Area. But by all means, don't think convenience is the only thing we have to offer. With a summit elevation of over 8,200 feet, Dodge Ridge also boasts over 1600 vertical feet, 815 acres of varying terrain, 59 runs, a halfpipe, our Boneyard Border Cross, the all-new "Superfly" terrain park loaded with tables, jibs, boxes and rails AND gets an average snowfall of 300-500 inches a year.