Where to take kids to see snow near Stockton after monster snowfall California received

In the last four weeks, huge storms have blanketed the Sierra mountain range with several feet of new snow, allowing the closest ski areas to San Joaquin County, Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley, to open with monster snowpacks. Each are closer than other options in the Lake Tahoe area. They are family-friendly destinations, less-expensive than other Sierra resorts and don’t require summiting a mountain pass to reach them.

From Stockton, Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley are each only about 100 miles – about two hours away.

Here are options and updates.

Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort

Dodge Ridge, with 862 skiable acres deep into the Sierra, offers Chair 8 terrain with remarkable variety and stunning views into Boulder Creek Canyon. Dodge reports 395 inches of snow have fallen at their top lift – that’s almost 32 feet of white stuff. With 1,600 vertical feet serviced by seven chairlifts, a T-bar, rope tow and two Magic Carpet lifts, Dodge Ridge has something to offer beginners all the way to adrenaline-fueled skiers and riders. A majority of the route along all-weather Highway 108 is below the snowline, which makes it one of the easiest ski commutes.

New owners Invision Capital have pledged to maintain Dodge Ridge’s long-time family-focused skiing, and general manager Jenni Smith and key staff remain from the Helm family ownership years. Lift tickets, if purchased online (such as Lift Ticket Three-packs), save you money, and the resort offers ski, snowboard, cross country and snowshoe rentals for those new to the sport. New last year, a snow-play area (tickets required, open weekends and holidays) returns, offering more family fun. For more insight on Dodge Ridge Resort, visit its website at dodgeridge.com.

If you enjoy cross country skiing or snowshoeing, Dodge Ridge offers cross country trails fanning out from the base area as well as several trailheads along the Dodge Ridge access road. Pinecrest, just below, also offers cross country and snowshoeing opportunities along the often snowy lakeshore.

What makes Dodge Ridge such a special winter destination are additional family-friendly options nearby. Just below Dodge Ridge, favorite restaurants are found in Pinecrest and west along Highway 108, including Steam Donkey in Pinecrest, Mia‘s Pizza in Cold Springs, Alicia‘s Sugar Shack (baked goods, breakfast and lunch) in Mi Wuk Village and The Rock in Twain Harte, all good options. The ski resort also offers delectable food at Creekside Lodge.

Favorite overnight lodging options include Pinecrest Resort and Pinecrest Chalet as well as Long Barn Lodge (with their covered ice-skating rink) in Long Barn and Christmas Tree Inn in Mi Wuk Village. If casinos are your thing, Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne City offers the casino experience, lodging and fine dining.

Leland High Sierra Snow Play

This snowplay resort is just six miles east of Pinecrest along Highway 108. Located at 6,300 feet, it offers scenic lift-served tubing runs and a warm, cozy day lodge at the Sierra’s largest snowplay resort. It’s open five days a week (closed Tuesday and Wednesday; go to snowplay.com for insight).  

Bear Valley Resort

This resort along Highway 4 is also known for its welcoming staff, affordable ticket prices and varied terrain. The mountain offers 1,680 acres of varied terrain, 8 chairs (2 high-speed) and 2 surface lifts, more than 70 trails (and access to “side country” adventure terrain), two terrain parks with more than 18 features, and 1,900 vertical feet. Bear Valley opened with similar huge snowpacks to Dodge Ridge. 

The resort’s high-speed six-pack chairlift transports six passengers at a time from the mid-mountain ski lodge to the top of the mountain, increasing guest uphill capacity of the mountain’s main artery and improved access to intermediate and advanced terrain, along with providing service to Bear West (aka the Backside), the Village Side and all areas in the Upper and Lower Mountain bowls.

Bear Valley offers guests savings by purchasing tickets in advance, online. Bear Valley Village, just below the ski area, is home to a variety of services, shops, restaurants and a wide range of accommodations. Winters provide skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. More information is available at bearvalley.com. 

Additional lodging and restaurants are found along Highway 4, in Murphys and Arnold. For favorites in Murphys, don’t miss the historic Murphys Hotel for both dining and lodging, and for creative, gourmet food, the Alchemy Café; the old gold rush town also features a bakers-dozen wine tasting outlets.

For those of you who are cross-country, snowshoeing or sledding/tubing fans, options are even closer at hand; requiring a journey to about the 4,000 foot level of the Sierra. On Highway 108, the Dodge Ridge Road above Pinecrest offers access to several cross-country trails; stop at the Ranger Station at intersection of Highway 108 and Pinecrest Lake Road for tips and maps. Along Highway 4, check out Calaveras Big Trees State Park, parks.ca.gov, for hiking, cross country and snowshoeing options. The Stanislaus National Forest wraps around both Highways 108 and 4; check their website for winter options: fs.usda.gov/Stanislaus.

Contact Tim; tviall@msn.com. Enjoy winter fun in the Sierra!