Snow trip! Words that can brighten up any gloomy winter day. When the weather’s stormy at home, there’s a good chance that snowflakes are dancing through the trees in Yosemite Mariposa County. Ski, snowboard, sled, snowshoe, skate – there are so many ways to play in the snow and create cool family memories. Here’s a four-day winter vacation itinerary to get the good times rolling.
Day 1: Afternoon Delight
Getting a good early start as you head up to Yosemite is best practice. With lower local elevations, Yosemite winter driving isn’t the challenge it can be for higher Sierra destinations. Still, mountain locals know it’s better to be driving during the warmer mid-day hours. Highway 41 to the Park’s South Gate is a gentle rise from Central and Southern California, and All-Season Highway 140 is every bit as welcoming as it feeds directly into Yosemite Valley from Northern California.
That first patch of roadside snow is a preview of the winter wonderland ahead. Once you arrive and check-in, take advantage of magic-hour late afternoon light to take a family walk, sledding ‘sesh, or snowshoe hike (energy burner and photo op, what could be better?). Goat Meadow Snowplay Area and the undulating terrain off Big Sandy Road/Jackson Road near Tenaya at Yosemite in Fish Camp are perfect settings adjacent to Highway 41. If your basecamp is El Portal/Highway 140, point your boots in the direction of the riverside walks at Yosemite View Lodge and Yosemite Cedar Lodge, or steal a quick entry to Yosemite Valley, a half-hour up the road.
Dinner the first night is paramount for fueling up and getting amped for the days ahead. Snowline hotels with fantastic dining options include Jackalope’s at Tenaya at Yosemite, The River Restaurant at Yosemite View Lodge, and the Cedar Lodge Restaurant at Yosemite Cedar Lodge. Finish day 1 strong with a nightcap hot tub under brilliant Sierra winter stars. Ahhhh.
Day 2: Badger Pass Ski Area
Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area is an “OG” Sierra ski resort, located off Glacier Point Road about five miles from Wawona Road/Highway 41. With the base of the ski area at a lofty 7,200 ft. elevation, tire chains/4WD are often required to navigate the stretch of mountain highway leading up to it. Be sure to have them onboard! Relying exclusively on natural snowfall due to its National Park setting (you won’t see snow guns spraying fake snow here), Badger Pass is generally open from mid-December through March. Rental skis, snowshoes, and cross-country ski lessons are all available for walk-up guests.
Winter recreation at Badger Pass is multi-dimensional, from skiing and snowboarding to cross-country, tubing and snowshoeing. If you’re new to downhill or knocking the rust off, the Badger Pass Ski Area School (est. 1928!) is one of the Sierra’s best – and even offers a “Learn to Ski” guarantee. If you don’t get it down the first day, your second-day lesson is free.
Badger Pass’s snow tubing hill is wahoo-worthy. Tickets are required with advance reservations available, and tubes are available from the Badger Pass Nordic Center. Speaking of Nordic fun, Badger Pass is the hub for a network of well-marked cross-country and snowshoe trails. The National Park Service offers guided cross-country and snowshoe walks in season. For more information, see Yosemite’s winter calendar.
Map Courtesy of National Park Service
Day 3: Tour Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is one of the world’s most scenic places any time of year, and in the winter it’s extra-cinematic. You’ll discover ice-crusted peaks towering overhead, waterfalls recharged and running anew, and surprisingly few visitors –making even more room for your squad as you roam around the “Yosemite Snow Globe.”
The Valley floor is at 4,000-ft. elevation, creating the possibility of a fresh carpet of snow during the winter, but easily navigable by vehicle and waterproof footwear. Take advantage of the Yosemite Valley Shuttle for a free, hop-on/hop-off way to see Valley points of interest like El Capitan and Yosemite Falls, as well as visitor services like the Yosemite Welcome Center, hotels, and dining venues. Another great option is the guided two-hour Yosemite Valley Floor Tour. For more on what to do and see in Yosemite Valley, consult the current edition of the official Yosemite Guide.
Feeling inspired by all the hyper-fresh air? Take that winter hike! Bridalveil Fall is a winter winner, a relatively level and paved stroll from the parking lot to the base of the fall. Also all-weather is Lower Yosemite Fall, easily reached from nearby parking lots or the Yosemite Valley Shuttle.
For an old-timey way to stretch your legs, take a spin around the Curry Village Ice Skating rink. The outdoor rink is open mid-November to mid-March, weather permitting. The only place on earth to ice skate with Half Dome views! Cozy up to a fire pit pre- or après-skate with a beanie and a warm beverage. Follow it up with dinner in Yosemite Valley before heading back to your basecamp. Outside the Park, Tenaya at Yosemite also offers an outdoor ice rink, with all the cushy amenities of a four-diamond resort.
Day 4: Getaway Play Day
Snow trips last as long as there’s snow on the ground, and making the most of your getaway day is next-level snow savvy. Keep the discs, snowshoes, and sleds on top of your suitcases and get that last run in before heading home. Or go all in and take another run at Badger Pass – after all, national park skiing is a rare thing!
Photo: Kenny Karst
Getting Here / Places to Stay
Grab your puffy coats and snow gear; Yosemite’s ultra-accessible wintry backdrop is a half-day or less drive from most of California, even faster from Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System keeps rolling year-round as well, with convenient Yosemite-bound routes along highways 140 and 41.
Finding the perfect place to stay above or below the snowline is an absolute snap. A quartet of lodging hubs stand out as prime snow play basecamps: El Portal, Fish Camp, Wawona, and Yosemite West.
Both pre- and post-trip, stay ahead of Yosemite winter weather and driving conditions, and while you’re at it, watch the webcams at Yosemite.com to count snowflakes. No two alike, they say. Cue the Yosemite alphorn!