Dodge Ridge

The Purdy family started the Dodge Ridge ski area in 1950 and ran it until the Helm family acquired it in 1976. It is a popular winter venue for northern Californians and visitors from Nevada, located east of Sacramento and San Francisco.

Interstate motorists will find I-5 running west of the venue and I-80 to the north. California State Highway is used to get to the mountain that is near Pinecrest, California. Guests flying in from abroad can land at San Francisco International or Sacramento International airports before securing ground transportation for the remaining trip to the Stanislaus National Forest.

The Many Faces of Mother Nature

The sheer size of the state of California guarantees that it is not always sunshine with hot breezes year-round. Climate conditions in the state range from polar to subtropical. That can make weather conditions fluctuate from year to year around the Dodge Ridge ski area, which depends on Mother Nature's winter bounty since the family-owned venue does not use snowmaking equipment. Annual average snowfall amounts are given in ranges here, with lower estimates at 300 inches and upper limits of 500 inches.

The Dodge Ridge ski area may start later in the season than other resorts in the Sierras, but the family-friendly staff attracts guests from far away once the doors open. All-American cuisine at the Creekside Cafe keeps skiers and riders fueled, and overnight lodging at several off-site locations along the highway and surrounding towns help with extended stays.

The Dodge Ridge staff's family-oriented focus shines when teaching newbies and advancing skiers' or riders' skills. Private lessons are available for youngsters, while teens and adults have access to beginner sessions or advanced clinics. Race and Dash teams operate on the slopes and invite skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts between 8 and 15 years to participate.

Alpine Carnage for Everyone to Enjoy

The snowfall at Dodge Ridge keeps the doors open between December and April, and during that time, ski hounds can enjoy alpine skiing or terrain park features. A 6,600-foot base pairs with a summit elevation of 8,200 feet. Its 1,600-foot vertical drop gives skiers and riders of all abilities the chance to carve through the pow.

The Helm family has expanded the facilities to 862 acres of skiable terrain, dividing evenly between intermediates and experts with some beginner terrain available. Green ratings (beginner) mark 20-percent of the runs, and 40-percent rate as blue (intermediate). That leaves 40-percent of the mountain for advanced (black diamond) or expert (double-diamond) exploration. Stagecoach is the longest run at two miles and can be enjoyed all day long (sorry, night skiers), and Dodge Ridge does have cross country and snowshoeing options in the area.

The Dodge Ridge ski area maintains over 65 trails for guests to ski or ride, with many types of sliding equipment (including devices for those with disabilities) permitted on the slopes. A dozen lifts move visitors around the Dodge Ridge ski area, including several chair designs and surface lifts.