Badger waiting on snowfall

Badger Pass at Yosemite National Park sparkles in winter, or summer, or any time of year.

Its majesty in cold weather, however, borders close to Shangri La, especially when it's blanketed with snow.

Badger still waits for that blanket.

"We're still doing our snow dance," Badger spokeswoman Lisa Cesaro said. "It's a day-to-day thing. We'll open as soon as we get snow."

Badger was supposed to open its season Friday, but the snow was insufficient. Like many ski/snowboard venues, Badger — California's first ski resort — has been put on hold.

Last year, Badger turned on its chairs on Dec. 4 and opened for everyday operation a week later. This season's scheduled closing date is April 1.

"Last year we started a week earlier than we thought," Cesaro said. "Maybe we'll have a late winter this time."

Most Badger patrons stay at Yosemite lodges and properties in the region. Day-trippers haven't been forgotten, though the $20 gate fee coupled with the lift-ticket price can be daunting.

Yosemite does offer the Oakhurst shuttle that is staged at Miller's Mountain Sports on Highway 41, about 15 minutes outside the park gate. The $10 round trip, which includes a stop at Tenaya Lodge, will leave Miller's at 7 a.m. with pick-up time at Badger at 3:30 p.m. The fee covers the park entry.

"We think the shuttle is a convenient option for skiers," Cesaro said. "A lot of people will spend three or four hours at Badger and then go to the valley floor. No one else has that scenery."

Another winter feature at Yosemite is the Curry Village Ice Rink, a park tradition since 1928. Rental skates are available, and guests also take advantage of skating lessons, a warming hut, cubbies for shoe storage, hot drinks and snacks and a fire pit. Sunset Magazine ranked it among its top 10 skating rinks in the West.

• GOING LARGE — The Sierra ski/snowboard business is booming, despite a flagging economy, thanks to major investments resulting in resorts going large.

The KSL private equity firm anchored the merger of Squaw Valley USA and nearby Alpine Meadows, and the "White Wolf" area that separates the properties will be fused within the decade. Meanwhile, Vail Resorts keeps its major footprint in the Sierra via its ownership and commitment to Heavenly and Northstar-at-Tahoe. The impressive Village at Northstar illustrates the ski business's forward lean these days.

"We've had two strong years in a row. The whole industry has been energized the last two seasons," said Bob Roberts, executive director of the California Ski Industry Association based in San Francisco. "These companies are focusing on guest services."

• SKI CLUB — The Modesto Ski Club, a local fixture since 1936, always seeks prospective members within a 15-mile radius of the city. The club still features its spacious lodge near Truckee.

To join, new members must be sponsored by existing members. The club meets on the second Tuesday of each winter month at Fuzio's. For more information, visit www.modestoskiclub.com.

• ODDS AND ENDS — Kirkwood opens Chairs 1, 5 and 11 today with lift tickets costing $49. ... Bear Valley kicked off Friday with the Kuma, Cub and Super Cub chairs operating near the main lodge. The price is $39. ... Dodge Ridge offers up to 10 percent discounts on lift tickets through promotions at Save Mart and Lucky supermarkets.

Bee staff reporter Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com (209) 578-2302.