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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.

 

Badger Pass Ski Area

Lift tickets are only about $38 weekends, and $30 mid-week. Cross country skiing is free in all areas, and rentals are available at Badger Pass and at the ice skating rink.
 

The runs are short and easy.

 

 

Serving the hamburgers and chicken sandwiches.

 

 

It's small and cramped.

 

 

Another view of the lounge area.

 

 

 

Even the 5 year-olds learn how to ski