Skiing in Yosemite's Badger Pass

If you’re a winter-sports enthusiast, you’d be hard pressed to find a better hub than Yosemite National Park’s Badger Pass region. For the plethora of recreational opportunities, for the incomparable scenic backdrops, for the bountiful snow, this unique site—one of the few downhill skiing and snowboarding areas in a national park—stands apart. If you’ve only ever explored this magnificent national park in the summertime, consider sampling the charms of the opposite season—an entirely different universe. The Badger Pass Ski Area, which ranges between 7,200 and 8,000 feet in elevation, is open between December and March, and during that period the first five miles of Glacier Point Road are plowed to provide access to it. This is in the Yosemite high country south of, and thousands of feet up from, the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. The ski area is managed by a concessionaire, DNC Parks and Resorts. For downhill skiers and snowboarders, Badger Pass is a fully equipped, family-friendly facility, offering a range of runs in addition to instruction for all ages. The majority of slopes cater to beginner and intermediate-level abilities, although there are certainly advanced runs. You can rent any equipment you need there, and also warm up after your adventures in the cafeteria or lounge. But Badger Pass Ski Area isn’t just about wild rushes down the slopes: That’s only the beginning of what it has to offer for the outdoor-lover. Miles of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails loop around the highlands from Badger Pass, providing unforgettable entry into the silent mountain wilderness. Glacier Point Road east of Badger Pass isn’t plowed in winter but it is well-groomed for skiers. Along this scenic byway enjoyed by many summer motorists, you can work your muscles on out-and-back treks of varying distances. If you ski the 10.5 miles all the way to Glacier Point itself – one of Yosemite’s great vantages, with unparalleled views of Half Dome and other Yosemite Valley landmarks – you can hole up in the Glacier Point Ski Hut for a cozy overnighter. The Ostrander Ski Hut can also be accessed off Glacier Point Road by fit skiers. (Others choose to winter camp in the backcountry, abiding by the park’s backpacking rules.) Additional winter trails out of Badger Pass include the 11.5-mile Ghost Forest Loop and the challenging routes out to Dewey Point, which has its own stellar prospects. Remember to take standard winter-travel precautions if you’re taking to the backcountry snow trails. Bundle up and bring a topographic map and compass, and keep others informed of your plans. Be prepared for sudden shifts in weather. Staying in a cabin within the park gives you all the more freedom to pursue winter sports. There’s no better way to relax after hours spent happily huffing and puffing in the wintry mountains than within a warm, rustic cabin. Given all of the downhill, cross-country, and snowshoeing opportunities, why not make it a multi-day vacation—reaping the fruits of a blissfully quiet and snow-muffled Yosemite?

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If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes. Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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