‘Surf’s up!’
Snowboarders, skiers and youngsters turn out for Dodge Ridge opening
Snowboarders, skiers and young first-time skiers turned out Monday at Dodge Ski Area on a bluebird, sunshined-renched morning with the entire mountain covered in brilliant white snow.
The sun was out, the snow awaited, winter felt like summer, and the stoke was high among many at Dodge Ridge.
“Yes!” someone shouted as he rode on Chair 3 for the first time since last winter.
“Surf’s up!” one skier said as he rested between runs in a parking lot about 11 a.m.
At 10 a.m. it felt like it was in the 40s, with scores of skiers in line at Chair 3 and a faint breeze barely pushing an American flag at the Chair 3 base. Ski patrollers were out, and adults and youngsters tried out their skis and boards and the snow before joining the lift line at Chair 3.
Dan and Christine Carter brought their sons, 5-monthold Owen and 2-year-old Reed, from their home in Soulsbyville. It was already Reed’s sec-ond year skiing and third year with an annual pass, because season passes are free for ages 5 and under, Dan Carter said.
The Carters got to Dodge Ridge about 9 a.m. and Reed wanted to get back on his skis right away.
“We ripped a couple runs right in front of the lodge,” Dan Carter said. “To get him sliding again.”
Christine Carter had Owen bundled up in baby carrier papoose-style.
“We love it up here,” Dan Carter said. “Not too many people today. It’s the closest snow to home.”
Most skiers and snowboarders wore ski masks, balaclavas, neck gaiters, or some kind of covering over their faces to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Shaun Velayas, 48, came from Sacramento and sported a full-face Chewbacca beard mask that looked warm.
“We’re really excited,” said Claire Velayas, 46. The Velayases have a place in Long Barn, too, and they’ve been waiting for the 2020-2021 season to begin. “We were real sad to see it close early last year, partly because of the
virus, so we’re glad to be here today.”
“Best Monday I’ve had in a couple decades!” Shaun Velayas hollered. “It’s our 15th year at Dodge.”
Fashion on the slopes included loose and baggy camouflage, baggie flannel hoodies, and rainbowthemed snowboard togs. Snowboarders and skiers warming up had on combinations of helmets, hats, goggles, scarves, masks, hoodies, all manner of gloves, mittens and heavy boots as they warmed up.
Donnavin Koeurn and Jay Gomes, both 20 years old, came from Ceres and Modesto, respectively, and they both wore soccer jerseys paying tribute to their favorite players. Koeurn wore a bright yellow and green Brasil jersey with number 10, Ronaldinho, on the back. Gomes wore a Portugal jersey with the number 7 for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Asked who was going to pull the fastest, sickest moves on the mountain Monday, Koeurn laughed and said, “All of us! That’s what we do!”
Zhen Wu and his wife, Lily Wu, came from the Bay Area and brought their 2-year-old boy to practice on baby skis at the base of the mountain. The adults said they might rent skis and they might not. They were happy enough helping their little one try out skis for the first time.
Ownership and management of Dodge Ridge are touting this as the ski area’s 70th anniversary season. Co-owner Sally Helm said Monday morning, “We’re proud to remain a family-owned resort, and we’re glad to be open for our 70th season.”
The Purdy family opened Dodge Ridge in 1950 before the Helm family took over in 1976. The Helms have remained committed to growing and expanding Dodge Ridge over the past 44 years. Investments and expansions at Dodge Ridge have included the installment of Chairlift 7 in 1985 and Chairlift 8 in 1998, which tripled the skiable acreage available to Dodge Ridge snowboarders and skiers.
There are black-andwhite photos showing Dodge Ridge in the 1950s and 1960s on a wall in one of the buildings at the ski resort’s base area. One of the 1950s photos at Dodge Ridge is by Warren Miller, a legend in skiing and surfing photography and videography in the 1940s and 1950s through the early 2000s. He first filmed skiing in the Christmas 1944 season with a borrowed camera in Yosemite.
Other black-and-white photos show family outings at Dodge Ridge; the Dodge Ridge Ski School staff in 1953-54; a skier moving easily on very steep ground, described as “classic ripping;” a springtime skier in a fedora, cutoff overalls and a shortsleeve shirt, getting his skis checked by a Dodge Ridge ski instructor; ski patrollers at Dodge Ridge; and an old-school Snow Cat at Dodge Ridge that survived into the 1970s.
Monday was the opening day for the 2020-21 season at Dodge Ridge Ski Area. The resort’s 6 a.m. snow report said, “It is official, today we kick off Dodge Ridge’s 70th season of skiing and riding, following the two winter storm systems that delivered nearly 2 feet of snowfall over the past week. This season is a milestone to celebrate and we’re proud to remain a Family Owned + Family Loved + Family Built Resort.”
Resort staff had 12 trails open and Chairlifts 3, 5 and 7 turning for opening day with over 50 percent of the resort’s mountain terrain accessible. Intermediate to advanced terrain was available and open, with no beginner terrain. Resort staff were scheduled to open Chair 8 and the back side of the mountain, excluding Granite Bowl, on Tuesday.
Early season conditions exist, with groomed and ungroomed conditions, and marked and unmarked obstacles present, Dodge Ridge staff said. Dodge Ridge relies 100 percent on natural snow, and staff plan to open more terrain when more snow arrives.
“As we all come together to make this winter work this season, please do your part to support us in following all guidelines from state and local health officials, as we work to prevent the spread and to prioritize the health of our entire community,” Dodge Ridge staff said. “Please be sure to wear face coverings indoors, around the base area, in lift lines, when loading and unloading chairlifts and when in the presence of others. Please maintain 6 feet of physical distancing and wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.”
For lift tickets, season passes and more information, visit www.dodgeridge.com online.