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Skiing & Snowboarding
Topics: skiing, snowboarding, mountains, Sports, winter sports
Posted by admin Tue Nov 6, 2007 16:51:53 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Snow season is upon us and with Mammoth Mountain ski resort slated to open Thursday, now’s the time to dust off the board, wax the skis and get ready to hit the slopes.

While Kern County may not get a deluge of snow, mountain communities to the north and south offer a variety of options for winter sports.

Within a half-day’s drive, you can find ski and snowboard options for all levels, from the quaint and kid-friendly Alta Sierra Ski Resort and Terrain Park in the Sequoia National Forest to the mega-resort at Mammoth Mountain.

If you’re looking for a deal, larger resorts offer the best prices early in the season (through mid-December) and on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays starting in January. The highest rates are around Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and Presidents Day in February and on most weekends.

Wherever you go, remember that resorts open when they have enough snowfall, or when weather allows for snowmaking. Call ahead or check online to make sure the resort’s open.

View our map.

About the expert

Doug Bentz, longtime skier, ski expert and owner of Bentz Ski Chalet in Bakersfield, provided us with his take on ski areas accessible from Kern County.

Here’s a guide for this winter:

Mammoth Mountain

Location: Mammoth Lakes, just outside Yosemite National Park
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Base elevation: 7,953 feet
Top elevation: 11,053 feet
Vertical feet: 3,100 feet
Lifts: 29 (11 express)
Trails: 150
Special terrain: three parks, three half-pipes, 90 acres freestyle terrain
Opens: Nov. 8
Lift tickets: Prices vary throughout season from $55 to $79 for adults; $47 to $59 for youth (13 to 18) and $32 to $40 for children (7 to 12).
Drive time (one way): 5 hours
New this year: Chair 9 is now a high-speed lift; entry-level terrain park was expended and relocated; Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center & Cafe now open at mountain summit.
Other activities/services: Resort offers snowmobiling and dog sledding; cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, lodging, shopping, dining and entertainment nearby.
Snow info: 888-SNOWRPT
Web site: www.mammothmountain.com
Bentz’s take: “Most challenging terrain, best snow conditions. Go for two or three days or more, it’s too much driving for a day trip. Probably too far to go for a beginner.”

Alta Sierra Ski Resort and Terrain Park

Location: Wofford Heights, about 60 miles east of Bakersfield
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Base Elevation: 6,500 feet
Top elevation: 7,100 feet
Vertical feet: 600 feet
Lifts: two (plus a handle tow in tubing park)
Trails: 11
Special terrain: grind bars, log jumps, table top jumps in terrain park
Opens: mid-December
Lift ticket price: Adults, $30; kids 6 to 12 and seniors, $22; children under 5 free with adult
Drive time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
New this year: snowmaking
Other activities/services: rentals, lessons, tubing park; lodging nearby
Snow info: 760-376-4186
Web site: www.shirleymeadows.com
Bentz’s take: “The smallest of all areas for vertical drop and terrain but it’s especially good for families that want to take kids to ski. And it’s the closest.”

Sierra Summit

Location: Sequoia National Forest at Huntington Lake, approximately 65 miles northeast of Fresno
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and holidays
Base elevation: 7,030 feet
Top elevation: 8,709 feet
Vertical feet: 1,679 feet
Lifts: seven lifts, two handle tows, one moving carpet, one T-bar
Trails: 45
Special terrain: three freestyle parks, half-pipe, family fun zones
Opens: around Thanksgiving
Lift tickets: Adults, $46/$52 peak; kids 13 to 17, $36/$42; kids 6 to 12, $15/$20; children under 5 free with adult
Drive time: 3 hours
New this year: increased snowmaking capabilities; events to celebrate resort’s 50th anniversary (check resort Web site)
Other: lessons, rentals, RV parking and lodging available, snow play parks nearby (check with resort)
Snow info: 559-233-3330
Web site: www.sierrasummit.com
Bentz’s take: “An excellent day trip. They probably have some of the cleanest roads. Leave at 6 a.m. be on the slopes by 9 a.m., leave the resort at 3 p.m., stop to eat and be home by 7 p.m.”

June Mountain

Location: June Lake, 20 miles north of Mammoth Mountain
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Base elevation: 7,510 feet
Top elevation: 10,090 feet
Vertical feet: 2,580 feet
Lifts: seven (two quads, four double, one carpet)
Trails: 35
Special terrain: two parks, one pipe
Opens: Dec. 15
Lift tickets: adults, $60; ages 19 to 23, $54; teens 13 to 18, $45; children and seniors, $30.
Drive time: 5 hours
Other activities: rentals, lessons at resort, lodging, restaurants and shopping in town of June Lake
Snow info: 760-934-2224
Web site: www.junemountain.com
Bentz’s take: “An old-school ski area with the ambience of the past that we’d all like back again. Not overly developed. It’s your quiet little village and ski area. Less people but same snow quality as Mammoth. A little more serenity and character in the community.”

Badger Pass

Location: Yosemite National Park
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Base elevation:  7,200 feet
Top elevation: 8,000 feet
Vertical feet: 800 feet
Lifts: five (one triple, three double, one tow)
Trails: 10
Special terrain: two terrain parks
Opens: Dec. 14
Lift tickets: adults, $30 midweek/$38 weekends and holidays; kids 13 to 17, $24/$32; kids 7 to 12, $10/$15; seniors, free/$32; kids 6 and under free with adult   
Drive time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
New this year: special deals and discounts (check Web site)
Other activities: Ski school, tubing area, cross-country skiing at resort; park also offers ice skating, snow shoeing, back country skiing, guided tours.
Snow info: 209-372-8430
Web site: www.yosemitepark.com/BadgerPass.aspx
Bentz’s take: “Gentle, sloping terrain. They cater to kids and families. I send people there if they’re going skiing for the first time.”

Bear Valley

Location: Bear Valley, 80 miles north of Fresno
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends
Base elevation: 6,600 feet
Top elevation: 8,500 feet
Vertical feet: 1,900 feet
Lifts: 10 (one express quad, two triple, six double, one carpet)
Trails: 67
Special terrain: 4 terrain parks
Expected open date: mid-November
Lift ticket price: adults $49, peak $59; teens 13 to 19, $39/$49; kids 6 to 12, $16/$19; under 5 free; seniors 65 to 74, $22; seniors 75 and over, $10.
Drive time: 5 hours
New this year: New children’s rental equipment, quick check-in center for return visitors.
Other activities: sledding, back country skiing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, wine tasting, snow parks nearby or on-site.
Snow info: 209-753-2301
Web site: www.bearvalley.com
Bentz’s take: “A good place to meet relatives who live in Sacramento or the Bay Area. Otherwise, you can find better and more skiing at Mammoth.”

Dodge Ridge

Location: Pinecrest, north of Yosemite National Park
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Base elevation: 6,600 feet
Top elevation: 8,200 feet
Vertical feet: 1,600 feet
Lifts: 10 (one quad, two triples, five double, one rope tow, one carpet)
Trails: 59
Special terrain: five freestyle parks
Opens: Dec. 7
Lift tickets: adults $52, teens 13 to 19, $39, kids 6 to 12, $15, seniors $20, kids under 5 free with adult.
Drive time: 4 hours, 45 minutes
New this year: Grand opening for new family lodge, snow play program for 3- to 5-year-olds, new eatery with local beers and wines.
Other activities: One-mile cross country ski loop, cross country, snowshoeing nearby.
Snow info: 209-536-5300
Web site: www.dodgeridge.com
Bentz’s take: “Mostly a local day trip area but in the same category as Bear Valley as a good place to meet up with friends and relatives who live north of Fresno. Also has an old-school feel.”

Mountain High

Location: Wrightwood, 90 minutes east of Los Angeles
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends
Base elevation: approx. 6,600 feet
Top elevation: approx. 8,200 feet
Vertical feet: approx. 1,600 feet
Lifts: 16    
Trails: 60
Special terrain: west resort is a terrain park
Opens: mid-November
Lift tickets: adults $51/$62 peak; kids 7 to 12, $20/$25; seniors 70 and over, free; children 6 and under free with adult
Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
New this year: Increased snowmaking, remodeled base lodge, new terrain features, enhanced children’s academy, upgraded tubing facility
Other: tubing park at resort, lodging nearby
Snow info: 888-754-7878
Web site: www.mthigh.com
Bentz’s take: “A good day trip for people in Frazier Park or Lancaster, but because of the huge number of people in Southern California ... it might be crowded.”

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