Badger Pass Ski Packages

Come Ski, Come Stay, And Let Us Do The Driving!

Ski season is just around the corner and now is the time to start planning your trip to our beautiful area and let us do the driving!

Badger Pass, one of California's oldest ski resorts, beckons you to come and experience what this unique ski retreat has to offer. Badger Pass in Yosemite National Park opened in 1935 and the now familiar slopes were the location of the first "upski" (a predecessor to the modern day ski lift). The Badger Pass ski school is one of the most respected in the nation. So come ski, snow shoe, do some tubing, or cross country ski in beautiful Yosemite National Park. This is the perfect place to learn to ski with the gentle terrain and alpine forests as well as a challenge to the best of skiers.

Thanks to the participation of local tour companies, a shuttle service will be available to accommodate individuals that would like to visit Badger Pass this winter, but are not comfortable driving mountain roads in winter conditions. These packages will be available thru several of our hoteliers and the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets for the mid-week ski packages, with or without shuttle service, with or without equipment rental, and ski lessons, will be available to purchase on the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce website (www.oakhurstchamber.com). Hotels and B&B’s that are participating will offer special rates that include the ski packages, transportation and entrance into Yosemite National Park! Several different packages will be available to choose from.

So make sure you log on to our website www.YosemiteThisYear.com in the upcoming months for links to these packages or go to www.oakhurstchamber.com. Let us take care of you! Come visit our Park, come see our towns, come experience our restaurants and shops and have the vacation of your dreams.....

What to expect this winter

Things to remember when you visit this winter.... Roads, chains, and the weather!

If you are visiting from November through March, you should expect chain requirements to be in effect (though it's possible you may not need to use chains), even if you only plan to visit Yosemite Valley and use the shuttle bus. Any time chain controls are in effect, all vehicles must have chains in possession, including four-wheel drive and rental vehicles.
Chains are often required on roads both inside and outside of Yosemite from November through March, less often in October and April, and rarely in September or May. Because higher elevation roads receive more snow, chains are required on the Wawona Road (Highway 41), Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120 west), and Badger Pass Road more often than on the El Portal Road (Highway 140), roads within Yosemite Valley, and the Hetch Hetchy Road.

Also, there are a few roads closures that you should be aware of. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road are closed for the season. Glacier Point Road will be partially open, up to the point of Badger Pass, but not quite yet. You should definitely plan to visit the ski resort while here on your visit, even if it is to people watch and drink cocoa from the lodge. If driving to Badger Pass is something you would like to avoid altogether, there are several mid-week ski packages available for you. Along with discounted hotel rates and discounted ski rates, local tour companies have teamed up to do the driving for you. Several stops in Oakhurst will be available to you to help make your days in our area that much more enjoyable!

The falls are low...but thankfully due to some early snow fall, are still running. Currently Yosemite, Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil Falls have water in them. I personally love to see Yosemite with the low flow because the mist freezes to the granite on the way down. This is an awesome place to capture some interesting photos.

For all you hiking enthusiasts...the Half Dome cables are down for the season. You can expect them to be reinstalled just before the 3rd weekend in May.

Hope you all are planning to visit this winter...we look forward to seeing you!

The Seasons Are Beginning to Change

With the seasons changing and the air getting a little colder..start making your holiday plans to visit Madera County and Yosemite. There are so many activites and events going on throughout the area this year. Of course there is sledding and general snow play, Christmas tree lightings, ice skating inside and outside the Park, and lots and lots of holiday cheer.

When in Yosemite, you can try snow shoeing through a meadow or casually enjoy a cup of joe or hot cocoa in the Awahnee Hotel. They have fireplaces so large you can stand in them!!!, but be warned, they have a crackling fire going throughout the day, so dont get burned! Curry Village also has many small fireplaces that you can snuggle up near, and play board games with the family. There are so many great little nooks to relax in after skiing all day at Badger Pass.

Before or after Yosemite, be sure to stop by all the fall festivals and christmas tree lightings in the area. One that I'm sure you'd like is the tree lighting ceremony at Bass Lake. After singing songs and sipping a warm brown drink ( coffee, hot cocoa, or tea), be sure to look at all the shops at the Pines Village.

Stay tuned... we will still be highlighting things to do in the area, but who could resist the holiday season when it is fast approaching!

Please be sure to visit our website http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/ for a current calendar of events in Madera County.

WELCOME!!!!

Welcome to the newest addition of the Yosemite Sierra Visitor's Bureau's attractions!! Ok, so its not quite like walking up to the top of Yosemite Falls or feeling the mist at Bridalveil Falls on your face, but this going to be a hit...we can feel it.
We are going to feature various areas of interest in Yosemite and the surrounding area of Madera County, then as loyal bloggers, your input will direct us to other areas of interest you may have. You may have a huge interest in the waterfalls of the park and want to know which one's are viewed from driving, and which from hiking. All you have to do is vote for the next topic and poof! we'll research and blog about the things you want to talk about.
Also, if you have amazing stories, or even not so amazing, write to us and let us feature your letter so others can enjoy and learn from your trip to the area. All letters can be sent to lisa@yosemitethisyear.com and put in the title "Letter from a Blogger" (you know like..."Letter to the Editor".
We've started out with a poll question of: How many times have you visited Yosemite?? For all you die hards you'll know what the "1yr and 1day" rule is !!