Dodge Ridge's projected opening day for the 2026-27 season is Nov. 27, and that date still depends on weather and conditions. That leaves about 50 days. The resort's own preferred parking page already carries a two-word header for the season: "Sold Out."
For anyone with a cabin off Highway 108, the ski season has already started. The parts that shape a winter of Saturdays at the mountain, like where you park, which pass you hold and what it costs, all get settled in the next three weeks. Opening day has the least to do with it.
The first thing to sell out wasn't a lift ticket
Dodge Ridge's 2026-27 Season Parking Permits were sold in limited numbers on a first-come, first-served basis, and they are gone. Each permit covers one vehicle and runs from the start of the 26/27 season through May 1, 2027. All sales are final, and a lost or stolen permit isn't reissued.
Even with a permit, the guarantee has a time limit. Permit holders are guaranteed a spot in the Main Lower Lot and the Motherlode Lot only until 11 a.m. each day. If you planned to sleep in on a powder morning, the permit doesn't cover that.
Without a permit, the remaining paid option is preferred parking in the Motherlode Lot at $40 per vehicle on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, first come, first served. The resort says plainly that it has limited parking and that lots fill quickly on busy days. It also says it is making long-term and short-term changes to its parking areas, its shuttle system and its preferred parking system. The page doesn't spell out what those changes are yet.
Parking selling out first explains the rest of the calendar. The most limited thing at Dodge Ridge isn't snow or lift capacity. It's spaces at the base on a winter weekend, and those were spoken for before the leaves finished turning.
Why this year's kickoff carries more weight
The parking scramble arrives after an unusually quiet year at the resort. Last spring Dodge Ridge announced it had made "the difficult decision to pause our resort-based summer operations for Summer 2026," including mountain biking. The statement called the pause something it hoped would be short-term and didn't give a reason. It thanked the guests who "made the last four seasons special" and pointed them to one date, the resort's fall return for Oktoberfest.
So the chairlifts sat idle all summer, and the 2026-27 pass table no longer lists the summer bike-ticket discount that appeared among the 25/26 benefits. The resort's spring statement named this weekend's event as the occasion for welcoming guests back.
This weekend: Oct. 10 and 11
The Oktoberfest Winter Kickoff runs Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11. The event listing gives hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Saturday and doesn't post separate Sunday hours. Every activity is free for all ages, and no tickets or wristbands are required.
The resort lists these activities:
- Stein holding competition, pretzel toss and yodeling contest
- German costume contest
- Gem mining, pumpkin decorating and hay rides
- Disc golf tournament
The Lack Family plays Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m., DJ Trax On Wax plays Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and JoDee Claxton keeps things going both days.
Pickup is the practical reason to go. Season Pass and Parking Pass pickup starts at 9 a.m. each day, along with a limited-edition passholder shirt. The pass page says the shirt is first come, first served, so it goes the same way the parking permits did. The Sport Shop will be open all weekend with deals on past-season gear and new 2026/27 equipment. The Tech Shop is offering 50% off pre-season tunes, so you can drop off skis and boards this weekend instead of waiting for a line the week before opening.
Two deadlines, one day apart
After this weekend, the next date on the calendar is the end of the month. Dodge Ridge sells two season products, and each one changes price on its own date.
The Cali Pass preseason sale runs through Oct. 31. The Dodge Ridge Base Pass page says "prices go up 11/1." Here are the prices posted on the Dodge Ridge winter tickets and passes page as of Oct. 7, 2026:
| Pass type | Base Pass | Cali Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 23 to 69 | $629 | $729 |
| Young Adult, 13 to 22 | $579 | $679 |
| Child, 6 to 12 | $369 | $389 |
| Senior, 70 to 74 | $579 | $679 |
| Military | $419 | $469 |
| Golden Age, 75 and up | Free, order by phone | $159 |
| Child, 5 and under | Free, order by phone | Free with a qualifying paid pass, or $99 |
At the adult tier, the Cali Pass costs $100 more than the Base Pass. Both are valid every day of the 2026/27 season, including holidays, with no blackout dates at Dodge Ridge. The extra $100 adds unlimited, blackout-free access at Bear Valley, China Peak and Mountain High, three free days at 14 more West Coast resorts, Powder Alliance access, a 10% discount on non-alcoholic food and beverage, and a lodging discount at China Peak from Sunday through Thursday on non-holidays. Both passes come with Buddy Tickets, 10% off regular-priced Sport Shop items, and a Bring-a-Friend day with the date still to be announced.
The pass page doesn't tell you which product suits you, and this post won't either. Whether the extra $100 is worth it depends on how many days you'll spend at Bear Valley, China Peak or Mountain High.
The lines on the pass page that apply to fewer people
Several of the most useful details on the pass page apply only to certain groups.
Golden Age. A Base Pass for skiers 75 and older is free and is ordered by calling (209) 965-3474. The same age tier costs $159 on the Cali Pass. Eligibility for the Young Adult, Child and Senior tiers is based on age as of Jan. 1, 2027, not on the purchase date.
Military. The $419 Base Pass applies only to the pass holder, not the purchaser. It covers active, veteran, retired and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and military verification in the holder's name is required at pickup. With pickup starting at Oktoberfest, bring your documents if you're collecting a pass this weekend.
College students. The new College Cali Pass is $399 for one student, or $249 to $349 per person when bought as a group. It covers unlimited access at Dodge Ridge, Bear Valley, China Peak and Mountain High, depends on student eligibility, and goes up in price Nov. 1. This one matters for families whose kids come home from school over winter break.
First-timers. For a household member who has never skied, the 1st Turn program returns at $199 for three days of instruction, rental equipment and beginner lift access, with a dedicated learning area.
Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 27
After the price change, the remaining date is opening day. The Nov. 27 target comes from the Ski California 2026-27 season roundup, which lists every member resort's projected opening with the same caveat about weather and conditions. That roundup also mentions the potential for a record "Super El Niño" this winter and points travelers to Caltrans QuickMap for real-time road conditions. Nearby, China Peak targets Nov. 28.
Some parts of the corridor's winter routine haven't been posted yet. As of early October, Dodge Ridge's ski bus page still lists last season's details and a start date marked TBD. Leland Snowplay's site still shows its 25/26 calendar, which ended with a March 8 closing day, and has no 2026-27 opening dates yet. Treat any shuttle schedule or snow-play date you hear before those pages update as a rumor.
If you want a job closer to home this winter, Dodge Ridge is taking online applications for seasonal roles in instruction, lifts, patrol, maintenance, retail and food service.
Here is the season as it stands on Oct. 8, 2026:
- Oct. 10 and 11: Oktoberfest Winter Kickoff, with free activities and season pass, parking pass and shirt pickup starting at 9 a.m. each day
- Oct. 31: Last day of the Cali Pass preseason sale
- Nov. 1: Base Pass and College Cali Pass prices go up
- Nov. 27: Projected opening day, weather permitting
- May 1, 2027: Season parking permits expire
If you own a Pinecrest cabin that you rent to ski weekenders, or you're deciding whether this is the winter to start, the sold-out parking permits and the 11 a.m. guarantee are details your guests will ask about. Vass Haus RE works with Highway 108 cabin owners on winter rental readiness, from listing copy to the construction details that matter once the snow comes. Schedule a Free Home Valuation & Consultation, and we can go over what your cabin's season could look like before Nov. 27.
