Closest snow resort to Modesto will finally open. Sunny days await for families
The Christmas Day snow will allow the Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort to finally open, deep into the holiday weekend.
The 2025-26 season will begin Saturday, Dec. 27, way up Highway 108 near Pinecrest. It is the Modesto area’s closest place for downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Dodge will operate on most of its terrain, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. The National Weather Service forecasts a little more snowfall on opening morning. Sunny days are expected until another possible storm late on New Year’s Eve.
“At this time, we are planning for the majority of our lifts to be open,” said an email Friday from senior marketing manager Tori Martinez. “We are expecting continued snow and high winds, so lift operations will be weather-dependent.”
Dodge offers ski and snowboard lessons, equipment sales and rentals, and food and drink. Prices, hours and snowpack updates are at dodgeridge.com.
A Facebook post said the storm brought 13 inches of snow at the base and 31 inches at the top of the runs. “A Christmas miracle indeed. .... Our team is working around the clock to have the mountain ready for you on Saturday.”
Dodge has not had the snowmaking equipment that helps other resorts deal with light winters in the Sierra Nevada and beyond.
Dodge has opened its seasons as early as Oct. 30 and as late as March. Earl Purdy founded the resort in 1950 and sold it to Frank and Sally Helm in 1976. It has been owned since 2021 by Invision Capital.
This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
