Dodge Ridge Ski Area, Ski resort in Pinecrest, California.
Dodge Ridge is a ski resort in Tuolumne County, situated south of Pinecrest in the Sierra Nevada at a summit elevation of around 8,200 feet (2,500 m). The mountain offers slopes for beginners, intermediate skiers, and advanced riders, served by a set of chairlifts spread across the terrain.
The ski area opened in the early 1950s, making it one of the first developed winter sports destinations in this part of the Sierra Nevada. Over the decades new lifts and runs were added while the character of a family-oriented day resort remained largely unchanged.
Dodge Ridge draws many families and school groups from the San Francisco Bay Area, and for many of them this mountain is where they first learned to ski. The mood on the slopes tends to be relaxed and social, more like a neighborhood hill than a large resort.
Parking can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays, so arriving early in the morning makes a noticeable difference. Equipment rentals and lessons are available on site, but booking ahead on busy days is a good idea.
Dodge Ridge sits about 2 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, which makes it one of the closest Sierra Nevada ski resorts to a major city in California. This short drive means many visitors arrive in the morning and return home the same evening, making lift lines unpredictable throughout the day.
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