Winter is a great time to visit Yosemite. The park is virtually empty of the crowds who flock there in the summer months. In winter, as you travel about Yosemite Valley, you'll experience a feeling of tranquility. Even though some areas of the park are closed during winter months, there are plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, from downhill skiing and sledding at Badger Pass, to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even ice skating. And if you prefer to take it easy, you can simply bask in the breathtaking natural splendor that surrounds you from the valley floor.
Located in Central California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park is about the same size as Rhode Island and attracts about 3.5 million visitors a year. The most visited section of the park is the glacier-carved, seven square-mile Yosemite Valley. The elevation of the valley floor stands at around 4,000 feet. Here visitors can gaze upon Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Yosemite Valley is accessible by vehicles year round. From December through early April, the Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road is plowed to the Badger Pass ski area, where visitors can participate in both cross-country and downhill skiing. Remember to always travel with chains in Yosemite during the winter months.
The Park Service operates free and frequent shuttle buses to encourage Yosemite visitors to park their cars and reduce congestion. The free Yosemite Valley shuttle system provides convenient access around Yosemite Valley, including stops at or near all overnight accommodations, stores, and major view points. This shuttle operates year round from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. In winter, the free Badger Pass shuttle bus provides service twice daily between Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass ski area whenever the facilities at Badger Pass are open (typically mid-December through March).
Badger Pass ski area is home to the oldest downhill skiing area in California and offers downhill skiing and snowboarding from mid-December through March. Visitors can rent downhill and cross-country skis, snowboards, and snowshoes at Badger Pass as well as sign up for skiing and snowboarding lessons. The ski area's relaxed atmosphere and gentle slopes make Badger Pass a family-friendly experience.
Half Dome and Glacier Point make a spectacular backdrop for an afternoon of ice skating at the outdoor rink in Yosemite Valley's Curry Village. A tradition since the 1930s, skaters can also enjoy the warmth of an outdoor fire ring. The rink is open from mid-November through mid-March.
While there are a limited number of accessible hiking trails in the winter months (be careful of slipping on icy surfaces!), snowshoeing is a fun, low-impact exercise and a wonderful way to experience Yosemite's winter wonderland. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. No experience is necessary for this sport! The Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service offers a number of snowshoe hikes – including the monthly Full Moon Snowshoe Walk – led by National Park Service naturalists. Check out the Yosemite Guide for a schedule of snowshoe hikes.
While Yosemite is known for its natural wonders, the famous Ahwahnee Hotel plays host to the annual Bracebridge Dinner every December. Known as "the ultimate holiday feast", this event has been a Yosemite winter tradition since 1926. The four-hour pageant includes a seven-course dinner and entertainment provided by more than 100 cast members. The Bracebridge Dinners will be held this year on December 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25 at 6:00 pm.
During the winter months, you can enter the park via Highway 120 or Highway 140 from the west, or Highway 41 to the south. Highway 140 through Mariposa – is the lowest-elevation route into the park, and least likely to be affected by snow conditions.
The Tioga Road closes due to snow, typically from November through late May or early June. The road closure extends from the Tuolumne Grove, just east of Crane Flat, to Tioga Pass Entrance Station. (Highway 120, the continuation of the Tioga Road outside the park, is often closed in winter from Tioga Pass to five miles east of Lee Vining.)
When the Tioga Road is closed, it is not possible to drive to Tuolumne Meadows or enter Yosemite National Park from the east.
You can check highway conditions outside the park at the Caltrans website. You can also check Yosemite's official site for road status updates inside the park.
Yosemite has 10 campgrounds that can accommodate RVs and trailers (including fifth wheels) of varying lengths. During the winter months, only three of these campgrounds are accessible to RVs. Please note: If you plan to spend the night in your RV, you must be in a designated campsite--you can't park in a parking lot or along the side of the road. There are no RV hookups within the park, but there are dump stations in various locations. Visit the National Park Service website for more information on RV Camping.
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If you plan to visit California around New Year's, head south to Pasadena and ring in the New Year by signing up for the Rose Parade Samboree. The event will be held from December 28, 2009 – January 2, 2010, and includes a gala New Year's Eve dinner dance, admission to the Glory of Christmas at Crystal Cathedral, and curbside tickets to view the breathtaking floats featured in the Rose Parade.