Here’s When Every Northern California Ski Resort Opens for the 2025–26 Season
We’re beginning to see signs of winter in the Sierra, which signals the highly-anticipated start of the ski season in Northern California. While only a few light snowfalls have dusted the mountains since October, ski resorts are firing up their snow guns and opening lifts in early November.
Modern snowmaking technology has become a game-changer for the region, allowing resorts to turn cold, dry air into skiable terrain even when Mother Nature holds back. With overnight temperatures dropping below freezing, the machines have been humming across Tahoe for days—piling up enough snow to kickstart the season.
Here are the planned opening dates for all the ski resorts in NorCal:
- Nov. 8: Mt. Rose
- Nov. 14: Mammoth Mountain
- Nov. 21: Bear Valley, Boreal, Heavenly, Sugar Bowl, Northstar
- Nov. 26: Palisades Tahoe
- Nov. 27: Dodge Ridge
- Nov. 28: Sierra-at-Tahoe, Donner Ski Ranch, Soda Springs, Yosemite Ski
- Dec. 4: Diamond Peak
- Dec. 5: Kirkwood
- Dec. 10: Mt Shasta Ski Park
- Dec. 12: Homewood
- Dec. 19: Tahoe Donner
As always, opening dates depend on weather conditions, so check with each resort before planning your trip.
Whether you’re a powder hound or a park rat, early-season turns are just around the corner, thanks to a little cold air, some human ingenuity, and a lot of snow guns.
