DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen continues his Going Further Afield series with a look at Bear Valley Mountain Resort, one of the most under-the-radar members of the Cali Pass, arguing that its high-elevation snow and low crowds make it a compelling alternative to Tahoe’s busier hills. Drawing on the resort’s terrain pods, lift network, steeps (including Grizzly Bowl and the village-facing lines), and its boom-and-bust village history, Allen explains why Bear Valley “skis bigger” than expected and stands out as a quiet value play—especially with Powder Alliance access.

Epic Passes for 2026/27 Season Now on Sale; New Discounts Introduced for Younger Skiers
Vail Resorts has begun selling 2026/27 Epic Pass products, introducing discounted pricing for skiers and riders ages 13–30 along with early-purchase perks.

Firsthand Report: Midweek Solitude at Whitetail Resort
DCSki’s Editor doubled his ski days for the season with a quiet midweek visit to Whitetail Resort, finding empty slopes and a nostalgic return to familiar runs.

Going Further Afield: Dodge Ridge, California
DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen makes the case for regional passes like the Cali Pass by exploring Dodge Ridge, a mid-sized California ski area that offers varied terrain, manageable crowds, and strong value away from the mega-pass ecosystem.

Interview Series: Spencer Allen, a World Traveler with a DCSki Connection
Spencer Allen, who grew up joining his father and longtime DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen on "Going Further Afield" adventures, now travels the world skiing and documenting his journeys through a creatively edited YouTube channel.

Indy Pass Adds 16 Resorts; 2026/27 Renewals Opened February 25
Indy Pass has added 16 new resorts for the 2026/27 season and opened renewals for existing passholders.

Firsthand Report: (Belated) First Turns of the Season at Liberty Mountain
DCSki's Editor made a quick midweek trip to Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort, finding low crowds, strong vibes, and great snow.

Seven Springs Wins SAM Magazine’s 2026 “I Am A Snowmaker” Contest
Seven Springs has won Ski Area Management Magazine’s 2026 I AM a Snowmaker contest, a fan-voted national recognition of snowmaking teams across North America.

Camelback Plans to Extend Ski Season Into May
Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort plans to extend its 2025/26 ski season with daily operations through April 12, 2026, followed by weekend skiing into the first weekend of May, conditions permitting.

Seven Springs Named Finalist in Ski Area Management’s “I Am A Snowmaker” Contest
Seven Springs is a finalist in Ski Area Management Magazine’s I AM a Snowmaker contest, a public-vote recognition program that also underscores the resort’s deep historical ties to modern snowmaking and HKD Snowmakers.

Interview Series: Kevin Thomas on the Mechanics and Mindset of a Backyard Ski Hill
Kevin Thomas describes how he built and operates a steep, high-speed rope tow and private ski area in Pennsylvania, relying entirely on natural snow, simple infrastructure, and years of hands-on experimentation.

What’s New for 2025: Mid-Atlantic Ski Resorts
Mid-Atlantic ski resorts across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia have made significant snowmaking, terrain, infrastructure, and guest-service upgrades heading into the 2025–26 winter season.

Remembering the Slopes: How DCSki Keeps the Mid-Atlantic’s Lost Ski Hills Alive
DCSki's Lost Areas archive preserves the history and memories of over 120 defunct Mid-Atlantic ski hills.

Snowmaking in a Box: Could Weather-Independent Snowmaking Change the Mid-Atlantic?
With Massanutten and Spring Mountain installing Latitude 90 "snowmaking in a box" units, weather-independent snowmaking is emerging as a potential Mid-Atlantic tool for staying open during warm, fickle winters.

Seven Springs Plans Blitzen Lift Replacement for 2026/27 Season
Seven Springs plans to replace its three-passenger fixed-grip Blitzen Lift with a new four-person fixed-grip chair ahead of the 2026/27 season, pending approvals.

A Snapshot of Mid-Atlantic Ski Conditions Heading Into Late December
A period of sustained cold weather has allowed Mid-Atlantic ski resorts to build solid snow bases and open substantial terrain as the region heads into late December.

View more stories in the DCSki Newsroom...

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