Badger Pass Ski Area, located within Yosemite National Park, offers an exceptional opportunity for skiing and snowboarding amidst one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. Established in 1935, it boasts the title of California’s first ski resort and remains a favorite for families, beginners, and those seeking a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere. The resort provides a unique combination of scenic beauty, rich history, and approachable terrain, making it a standout choice in the region.
Adventure Guide to Skiing or Snowboarding at Badger Pass
Ski and Snowboard Terrain:
Badger Pass features 10 runs and 5 lifts, with terrain designed to suit beginners and intermediates. Experienced riders can test their skills on the Eagle and Red Fox runs, which offer steeper pitches and smooth trails for carving. The well-groomed downhill slopes and small crowds create ideal conditions for a stress-free day on the mountain.
Learn at the Ski and Snowboard School:
For beginners and families, the Badger Pass Ski and Snowboard School is a standout feature. Certified instructors provide tailored lessons for all ages and abilities, helping individuals build confidence while enjoying their time on the snow. Even first-time visitors will feel right at home!
Cross-country and Backcountry Adventures:
The area also doubles as a hub for cross-country skiing and backcountry snowboarding, with over 90 miles of groomed and ungroomed trails. Head out toward Glacier Point for breathtaking vistas of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley, accessible on skis via marked trails for those with a sense of adventure and proper preparation.
Local Insights
Badger Pass holds a unique place in history, not only as California's inaugural ski resort but also as a location where families have created winter memories for generations. Its altitude (7,200 ft to 8,000 ft) ensures consistent snow coverage during the season, which generally runs from mid-December to late March. Unlike other crowded ski destinations, the laid-back vibe here showcases Yosemite's quieter side.
Visitor Tips
Best time to visit: Arrive midweek for fewer crowds, especially in January or February.
What to bring: Layers, sunscreen (high-altitude sun is intense), and winter gear. Rentals are available on-site.
Directions: From Yosemite Valley, it’s a pleasant 45-minute drive via Wawona Road and Badger Pass Road.
Adventure Map
Reviews
Chad Berryhill10 months ago
Staff is super friendly and helpful. Our friends took lessons from some great teachers. The ski area is small but wasn't crowded and we enjoyed skiing all day. They won't let you drive a snow cat, so don't bother asking. Lift and rental prices are super reasonable.
Johanna Jimeneza year ago
Went to ski here yesterday. For being a Saturday it was not too crowded. Took about 2 hours to get the rental part situated though and we arrived right at 9. Other than that the skii area was great. They have different levels so people who are learning can start out in the kiddie area and then move to the bigger slopes. You will need chains if you do not have a 4x4/AWD. You will have no cell service. They have a place to get food but we brought our own so can't speak on that but overall for it being my first time skiing it was a good experience. Didn't feel rushed or worried about there being an excessive amount of people.
Dieon Roger2 years ago
An excellent ski area for beginners and for someone who is looking to ski on a budget. If you only need access to the lower cable chair, it's only $30 and this is excellent for beginners. If you want to sign up for all cable chair access then it is $50 for half day, and I think $64 for full day access. I highly recommend this ski area to anyone who is looking to learn skiing or snowboarding. There is some space inside where you can store your boots, which is an additional option on top of $15 a day lockers. The cable chairs close at 4:00 and so does the restaurant. Closing the restaurant at 4:00 is uncalled for, because they would have made a lot more in revenue if they had just kept it running for an extra hour.
Kris S10 months ago
Love this place! Reporting back after reading other reviews: This Saturday morning at 9am there was no line for rentals. Access rentals from the street side (they are lacking signage!). By 8:50ish the lessons were sold out. They did not have snowboard lessons for kids available on the day we visited, so our kids learned to ski. After a single 2 hr lesson my 10 yr old was ready to hit the big lifts and the blue squares. He doesn’t really know how to stop or turn but had tons of fun. My 7 year old’s skis kept popping out during his lesson and the teacher told me to take them back to rental to fix them. So test the skis before lesson! Two of the lifts have the swing down safety bar on the lift, but the bunny hill does not. There’s a wall of open cubbies store extra jackets or shoes. People just left their bags/coolers on the deck under tables. All the staff are friendly and nice! Pro tip: they sell ice cream(Hagen Daz) and snacks in the gear shop- which closes promptly at 4pm! Kids played in the snow in front of the deck, fort snowballs, etc. We skied until closing at 4pm then went to the valley floor for dinner.
Sunday, we snow shoed. We rented shoes from the Nordic center, then drove to the path opening on the far side of the parking lot where the trail sign is. (Smallest kid was having trouble trekking there from Nordic center). Honestly, did not really need the snow shoes. Boots were fine on the groomed flat path. Other families had brought sleds and were sledding about a quarter mile in on the side. The views were amazing!
Laxmi Aga year ago
Affordable pricing, beginner-friendly. Despite the weekend crowds and a full shuttle, the rental process took longer than expected. Lessons are served on a first-come, first-served basis, so be prepared accordingly. Additionally, please carry tire chains, although they are not required for 4x4 vehicles with snow tires. Overall, I am satisfied with the experience.
