The Magic of the Holidays: Tenaya at Yosemite

Tenaya at Yosemite: High Sierra Holiday Magic

This year, escape the holiday hustle and glide into Yosemite Mariposa County’s winter wonderland. Tenaya at Yosemite is a picture-perfect getaway – an all-season resort tucked into snow-lined Sierra National Forest, with a tradition of taking things to another level over the holidays. Festive décor, holiday activities galore, on-site winter play options and Yosemite’s great outdoors just up the road make it so. In short, Tenaya is the perfect basecamp for holiday revelry. Plus, it’s perennially voted as one of the 10 Best Hotels for the Holidays by USA Today!

The Grand Holiday Arrival

From the moment of arrival, Tenaya at Yosemite’s all-in seasonal spirit greets every guest. Just behind grand front doors, Tenaya decks out with glowing lobby decor including a majestic holiday tree (sustainably harvested every year and reputed to be the largest Tannenbaum in Central California). With roaring fireplaces inside, crackling fire pits outside, and garlands of white lights strung from the rafters with care, magical cheer reigns.

Holiday Happenings

Within this holiday stage, there’s a constant stream of seasonal activities and events. Tenaya’s famous “Elf on the Shelf” scavenger hunt and creative craf-tivities like the Snow Globe, Gingerbread, and Ornament Decorating workshops keep the itinerary popping. Tenaya’s North Pole turn, Breakfast with Santa is offered the Saturday before Christmas Day – reservations required! Kids 12 and under enjoy a morning meal with Santa and his elves. Holiday games, crafts, and photos with Big Red are included.

And just ahead, Tenaya’s famed New Year’s Eve Bash is a highlight of the foothills social calendar. The theme changes year to year, and the event includes casino games, great food and drink, and live entertainment and dancing.

Yosemite’s Winter Splendor

Framed by noble forest and Yosemite National Park, Tenaya at Yosemite offers fantastic access to winter sports activities, including many right on site. Tenaya’s covered outdoor ice-skating rink opens for the season in late November and a private sledding hill (weather and snow permitting) is the place for all-age dashing through the snow. Exploring the beautiful forest trails of Sierra National Forest is also a snap with complimentary snowshoes available for guests. Horse-drawn sleigh rides are another cherished winter pastime for guests at Tenaya.

Off-site, winter sports options abound. Badger Pass Ski Area is California’s original ski resort and one of the very few located in a U.S. National Park. Downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snow tubing keep gravity-fueled spirits high.

Speaking of snow tubing, Goat Meadow Snow Play Area is just around the corner from Tenaya at Yosemite to offer up magic (snow) carpet rides. And just another few turns up Highway 41 in Yosemite National Park is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias where wintertime walks through ginormous, cinnamon-stick colored tree trunks will take you to yet another level of wonderment and glee.

After a day of snow play, Tenaya offers the perfect place to relax and recharge. The alpine serenity of Ascent Spa at Tenaya offers a tranquil retreat with cozy treatment rooms and a spa menu ranging from warm Swedish massage to soothing skin treatments perfect for après-snow. Warmth is trending within Ascent’s steam room and saunas, while Tenaya’s heated indoor pool and hot tub bubble away invitingly nearby.

Cozy Accommodations, Delicious Dining

Before and after a day of winter recreation, Tenaya at Yosemite offer the perfect holiday basecamp. There is a range of winter-worthy accommodations, from spacious lodge rooms and luxury suites to secluded cottages with private entrances and fireplaces and two-bedroom Explorer Cabins with kitchenettes.

Dining options are plentiful and delicious, ranging from the elevated pub fare at Jackalope’s Bar & Grill to seasonal, special-occasion dining menus at Embers, Tenaya’s signature restaurant, running from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve to help spirits soar. Jackalope’s special holiday menus for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner are festive table toppers, as well as the sumptuous holiday buffets served up for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

About Tenaya at Yosemite

Tucked into the Sierra National Forest at an elevation of 5,000 feet, Tenaya at Yosemite is a AAA Four-Diamond mountain resort set two miles from Yosemite’s South gate. The four-season property shines especially bright over the holidays as the perfect basecamp for year-end merriment.