Seems like all the ski stores are running their pre-season sales now. Many of the resorts are praying for an early snowfall with dreams of a Thanksgiving opening. The 2006-07 season yielded only a 25% of normal snow pack, so this year has to be better. Yosemite runs Badger Pass, a family oriented snow resort inside the park boundaries opening Dec 14 – just a month away. They feature 5 lifts: 1 triple-chair, 3 double-chairs, and 1 cable tow. 85% of the runs are for beginner and intermediate levels. Badger is just off the Glacier Point Road and sits at an elevation range of from 7,200 ft to 8,000 ft, yielding a ski drop of 800 vertical ft. While certainly not of the caliber of Squaw or Heavenly, Badger offers the family a great value with season passes for adults now costing only $199 if bought before Dec 19. That is a little over just 2 days at the mega-resorts. Personally, I enjoy the showshoeing there. A nice day of slogging around the grounds brings me within a distant view of Half Dome out in the horizon. For more info on Badger Pass, visit their website.
While you are doing your ski shopping, be sure to buy a helmet. Skiing can be dangerous. Local hospitals are full of vacationers with breaks, concussions and twisted knees. Ski in control and keep fit for the hiking season.
*Carpe Diem Experience–Rick Deutsch-www.HikeHalfDome.com*
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One response to “Badger Pass”
I love Badger Pass. This will be my first year NOT working at Badger since I moved to Yosemite, and it is a little like missing holidays with the family because people get so close up there. However, the original intent of putting up those lifts was to give skiers a chance to practice for backcountry skiing, and to my way of thinking, that is still where it is at. So, by all means, get warmed up slopeside. It is, like Rick said, a great family-friendly place to ski. But don’t forget to strap on the skinny skis and get out and explore.