Dodge Ridge to open day before Thanksgiving

After receiving 32 inches of snow from three November storms and with more snow forecast for next week, the Dodge Ridge ski area plans to open Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving.

That would mark the 10th time in 40 years that the ski resort about 30 miles east of Sonora off Highway 108 has opened before the holiday, according to a Dodge Ridge news release. The ski area typically opens in early December.

“We feel very blessed to have this kind of a start to the winter,” CEO Sally Helm said in the release. “Lots of families have gotten their season passes this year knowing we have an El Niño pattern in the forecast. I’ll be on that first chair with them on Wednesday.”

Dodge Ridge spokesman Sean Waterman said forecasts are showing the ski area will get 5 to 9 inches of snow Tuesday through Thursday of next week. He said if that holds true, the ski area will open 75 percent of its terrain. He said if the snow does not materialize, the resort expects to open terrain on its upper elevation or about 50 percent of the ski area.

This ski season is off to a promising start after two dismal seasons in which the ski resort closed early for lack of snow because of California’s drought. Tuolumne County’s tourist-dependent economy has been hit hard by four years of drought, especially the restaurants, motels and other businesses along the Highway 108 corridor that are dependent upon winter tourists.

Skiers can check DodgeRidge.com for up-to-date conditions as opening day approaches. Lifts will open at 9 a.m., and all other skier and rider services will be in operation on opening day. The Creekside Café opens at 7 a.m. Snow Sports School reservations can be made by calling 209-965-3474.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Dodge Ridge to open day before Thanksgiving."