Skiing/Badger Pass Ski
Resort
Ostrander Ski Hut |
Sierra Mountain Center
|
The ski
lodge is not large, but it's adequate. |
- Adult $30 mid-week (regularly $38 weekend)
- Youth $24 mid-week (regularly $32 weekend)
- Child $10 mid-week (regularly $15weekend)
- Senior Free, mid-week (regularly $32weekend)
- Under 6 years old Free with a paying adult
The downhill portion of Badger
Pass is closed for the season.
The Cross-Country Ski
Center is closed.The
following information denotes length of trail.
Glacier Point
- Summit Meadow, 1mi.
- Bridalveil Campground, 2.8mi.
- Bridalveil Creek, 3.3 mi.
- Ostrander Trailhead, 4.1-4.5mi
- Clark Range View, 5.7mi.
- Sentinel Dome, 9.2mi.
- Glacier Point, 10.5mi.
Dewey Point
- Meadow Trail, 3.5mi.
- Ridge Trail, 4.0mi.
Ostrander Lake
- Horizon Ridge. 9.0mi.
- Merced Crest 9.7mi.
- Bridalveil Creek, 10.3 mi.
Snow Tubing
Snow Tubing is
currently open. Tubing offers a fun alternative for playing in the snow
to the youngsters in your group! There will be two daily sessions:
11:30am to 1:30pm and 2 to 4pm.
Other useful information:
DNC Badger Pass Activities Desk: 372-8430
DNC Snow Phone:
209-372-1000, then press 5
YA/Ostrander Reservations:
209-372-0740
Badger Pass Ski Area website:
http://www.yosemitepark.com/DailySnowReport.aspx (M. Dowdle - 2/16/07
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Although skiing is plentiful in the park,
downhill facilities are woefully inferior to other nearby resorts (Sierra Summit,
and those around Lake Tahoe). The cross-country skiing, however, cannot be
equaled. There are countless trails on the valley floor and awesome views
of the valley from the rim can be found on the trails out of Badger Pass Ski
Area (see above). One very challenging trip is Ostrander Ski Hut.
Unbelievable.
Badger Pass is the lone downhill area inside
the park, but is not challenging, and is considered a beginners hill. However, one
of the nation's most recognized downhill instructors has been teaching at Badger Pass for
50 years. Nick Fiori has been at it for as long as skiing has existed at
Yosemite. He's the best.
The snow line may move
up and down through out the winter. Differences in elevation, aspect,
and slope can dramatically affect the conditions you will encounter.
When you enter the Yosemite Wilderness you are agreeing to face
wilderness on its terms. The following information is provided to
assist you in trip planning but ultimately it is up to you to be
prepared for the conditions you may encounter in this vast wilderness
area.
Backcountry permits are required for
all overnight stays in the wilderness. Those leaving from Badger Pass
must register at the Badger Pass Ranger Station. Wilderness
self-registration permit stations for other areas are located at the
Big Oak Flat visitor contact station, Hills Studio in Wawona, the Ski
Hut in Tuolumne Meadows, and from 9:00 to 5:00 at the Valley Visitor
Center. Anyone entering the wilderness in winter should leave a
detailed itinerary with a trusted friend or relative including
information indicating at which point a search should be initiated.
Most wilderness users will find the
best day and overnight trail options leaving from the Badger Pass
area. There are more than 50 miles of marked trails and the Glacier
Point Road beyond Badger pass is groomed. For Ostrander Ski Hut
information and reservations call 209-372-0740. The Yosemite Cross
Country Center operates overnight guided ski trips to Glacier Point,
for information about this trip and equipment rentals call
209-372-8444. All overnight users are required to register for
overnight parking at the Badger Ranger Station.
Marked Ski trails are also available
at Crane Flat and at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia. Check at the
Valley Visitor Center for information and maps of these three nordic
ski areas.
All winter Wilderness travelers
should be prepared for sudden storms. Snow, hail, and freezing rain
can occur through out the park. Creeks and rivers can rise suddenly,
trails can become obliterated by snow. Hazards such as slippery and
icy conditions, difficult creek crossings, rock and ice fall, and
challenging route finding are all possible. Check the weather before
you come and plan for the possibility of wet and cold conditions. Be
aware of the risks of hypothermia.
Tuolumne Meadows is a popular
destination for skilled wilderness skiers. Avalanche potential is high
with December snows overlaying the old snow from early November. Any
new snow increases the avalanche danger. It is strongly recommend that
anyone skiing in the high Sierra this winter dig a snow pit to
determine snow stability. Avalanche conditions are likely to persist
through out the winter and can vary greatly from place to place. If
you are not familiar with assessing avalanche conditions it is highly
recommended that you ski on the marked trails at Badger pass, Crane
Flat and the Mariposa Grove. For updated Tuolumne information call
372-0450 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Those entering Yosemite from the east
side can obtain self registration wilderness permits at the Tuolumne
Ski Hut.
Bear Resistant Food Canisters are
recommended in all parts of the Yosemite Wilderness and are required
in the Rancheria falls area near Hetch Hetchy. Bear resistant food
canisters can be rented at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, the
Valley Sport Shop, the Curry Village Mountain Shop, the Wawona and
Crane Flat Stores and at the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station.
The Tioga Road and the Glacier Point
Road beyond Badger Pass are closed for winter. The Half Dome cables
are down for the year.
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