Located in the central Sierra mountain range to the east of San Francisco, Dodge Ridge ski resort scores the most points for its proximity to the coast and a major city, and is equally well-loved for its diverse and all-level terrain. In addition, Dodge Ridge attracts droves of snowboarders to its five terrain parks and half-pipe.

Dodge Ridge doesn’t have a resort base of its own to speak of and visitors will find the bulk of services and facilities in the nearby towns and villages, including Pinecrest. There are few off-slope attractions at the resort itself, but you’ll find park-riding clinics for teenagers and adults; the Demo Center, stocked with equipment; and excellent children’s ski lessons programmes.

There are over 30 motels and lodges in the nearby towns but no accommodation at the slopes. Non-ski activities include snow-skating and snowshoeing; while for sustenance, there are a couple of restaurants on the slopes and plenty of eateries at the base, with a number of bars within selected restaurants.

Dodge Ridge has a commendable 60 slopes across a 487-metre vertical of mainly intermediate and advanced terrain, including plenty of steeps and moguls. Eleven lifts, including a state-of-the-art Kaser conveyor lift, have an hourly uplift capacity of 15,700 people and feed all the pistes - the longest of which is 3.2kms. Additionally, snowboarders have five freestyle terrain parks and a half-pipe available to them.

There are some interesting side trips to be had away from the slopes, including the gold mining towns of Columbia, Sonora and Jamestown, with their museums, galleries and historic buildings. For those with a love for steam engines, the Sierra Railroad Museum in Jamestown offers rides on its machines.

Donner Ridge resort’s ski season runs from December to April and children under seven and seniors over 81 ski for free, while those over 61 and teens get a discount. The most convenient means of transportation is to fly to either Reno or San Francisco and hire a car, or take a shuttle.