Dodge Ridge is a Family Friendly Alternative to Tahoe Skiing PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tara Leonard   
PINECREST, CA (January, 2009) -- Eager for a last-minute ski weekend, but dreading the thought of 5+ hours in the car, my family opted for a closer alternative, Dodge Ridge. Located in the remote town of Pinecrest, 30 miles east of Sonora, this family friendly ski mountain is a manageable 3½ hours from Santa Cruz but  a world away from Tahoe crowds and the resort mountain attitude.
There are a handful of mom-and-pop hotels in the area, but we decided to rent a cabin. Working with the Brezina & Good Realty, we easily found one in Strawberry, just a few minutes from the mountain. Arriving after dark on Friday, we appreciated the rustic charm of our 2-bedroom house, decorated with country warmth and simplicity. It wasn’t until morning that we saw the stunning view of the Stanislaus River from every east-facing window. That’s also when we noticed that although it hadn’t snowed in weeks, our little side lane was a solid sheet of ice from a cycle of melting and freezing. After a few moments of spinning tires and futile pushing (with my thrilled daughter at the wheel), we put on the chains to chug 20 yards to a dry road. (City slicker tip number one: Always have chains!)
On our way to the mountain, we stopped for a remarkably bland breakfast at the Strawberry Inn. My scrambled eggs had clearly been cooked earlier and reheated in the microwave along with my kids’ fossilized sausage links. This less-than-promising start was quickly forgotten once we parked in Dodge’s upper parking lot. As any skiing parent knows, it’s exhausting just getting four people to the mountain with their boots, gloves, goggles and poles. It was a welcome relief to find a spot just a few yards from the ticket booth, where we enjoyed an even nicer surprise – children 6 to 12 ski for only $16 a day, while my husband and I were $54 each. I was liking Dodge more every minute.
Hopping onto Chair 5, we zipped to the top and began exploring our options. It quickly became clear that you don’t need a GPS system to find your way around Dodge and, with all trails eventually leading to one base lodge, you needn’t worry about losing your kids. Still, with 59 runs and 1,600 feet of vertical, there’s something for everyone. Throughout the morning, my 12-year-old son happily boarded in several terrain parks with beginner to intermediate features. My 10-year-old daughter and I enjoyed the wide, rolling blue trails, including the 2-mile long Stagecoach. And my expert husband managed to find some bumps in spite of thin snow coverage. (Dodge has no snow-making capacity.)
Breaking for lunch, we easily found a table in the base lodge and chose from the standard array of burgers, pizza, soups and salads. A broad, sunny deck was filled with picnicking families who, on chillier days, can enjoy an indoor family picnic area.
Perhaps it was the lack of recent snowfall that kept the crowds at bay. Maybe the poor economy is thinning the ranks of skiers in general. Whatever the reason, Dodge remained blissfully empty as the afternoon wore on. We basked in the unseasonably warm 60-degree weather and skied right on to every chairlift, where I would have appreciated both a safety bar (for the kids) and a foot rest (for my not-as-young-as-they-used-to-be legs). While boarders outnumbered skiers, we didn’t encounter the packs of aggressive shredders that can intimidate at larger ski resorts. In fact, everyone from our fellow visitors to the lift operators and cafeteria staff were friendly and relaxed.
That's no accident according to Dodge's Public Relations Manager, Emily Fisher. Family owned and operated since it opened in 1950, Dodge actively focuses on small-town hospitality and customer service rather than flashy amenities. "Family is what we're founded on," Fisher explains. "From our 'magic carpet' beginner area to expert trails in Boulder Creek Canyon, we embrace the entire family. It's what we enjoy and what we're known for."
Granted, Dodge Ridge isn’t for everyone. You won’t find high-speed chairs here, and the frequently stalled doubles and triples drove me nuts at times. Surrounded by the pristine Stanislaus National Forest rather than condos and bars, Dodge offers incredible views but very few off-slope amenities. While there are equipment rentals, lessons, and children’s programs, après-ski partiers will find slim pickings.
Not wanting to repeat our disappointing breakfast experience, we drove a half-hour back to Twain Harte in search of a decent dinner. El Jardin Mexican Restaurant was perfect for our tired and sunburned crew. We enjoyed generous plates of carne asada, chicken burritos, and sizzling fajitas, while the adults soothed our sore muscles with icy margaritas.
We hit the sunny slopes again on Sunday, feeling like regulars. Knowing we were only three hours from home, I didn’t have that nagging sense that we should cut out early. Instead, I soaked in the scenery and low-key mountain vibe. (I needed to save my strength for all the unpacking and laundry that awaited once we got home!)
Dodge Ridge, my husband and I agreed, is a throw-back to earlier days of skiing – a safe, friendly, easy-to-navigate mountain ideal for families. We’ll definitely be back,  with chains in the trunk and breakfast fixings in a cooler. 
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