A very Yosemite Christmas: 4 must-try winter adventures in the park

By Rachel Schnalzer, Los Angeles Times

Good day, fellow Escapists. As I think back over my travels during 2021, a weekend visit to Yosemite National Park stands out. It was late spring, and I vividly remember looking down at a sea of bright green foliage from the top of Yosemite Falls, mule deer blinking at me through the pines and, of course, the crush of crowds after descending to the valley floor.

One week after my trip, the park began requiring day-use reservations in an effort to cut down congestion.

Seven months later, it’s decidedly quieter in Yosemite, although there are people who love visiting during the winter. My Times colleague Christopher Reynolds is one of them. He points to the joys of walking in the snow alongside the Yosemite Valley’s iconic granite walls and the icy Merced River.

Here are four must-try winter activities within the park.

1. Treat yourself to a stay in a historic hotel

With nightly rates exceeding US$450, stays at the Ahwahnee Hotel don’t come cheap. “But it’s such a great building,” Reynolds writes in his guide to winter experiences in California. “And Yosemite Valley under snow is priceless.”

Since its opening in the 1920s, the architecturally striking Ahwahnee has hosted the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, former presidents, such as John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama, and a number of entertainers (“Judy Garland … truly wasn’t in Kansas anymore when she checked in to the Ahwahnee,” Yosemite’s tourism website reports jokingly.)

If you book a stay, make sure to budget some time to relax by the fireplace in the Ahwahnee’s Great Room, which Reynolds calls his “favourite part of the 1927 landmark.” Also, because of COVID-19 precautions, don’t expect creature comforts such as dining room table service and room service.

Not sure you’d like to spring for a room at the Ahwahnee?

At the Wawona Hotel, which dates back to 1856, you can still experience the history and beauty of the park at a fraction of the price. Located near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the hotel is accepting reservations during the holiday season ahead of its opening in March 2022. Holiday rates begin around US$150 per night.

2. Ice skate in the shadow of Half Dome

Yosemite National Park is a world-class destination for hiking and rock climbing. Turns out its granite-walled valley makes for a pretty memorable place to go ice skating, too.

The Curry Village Ice Skating Rink, included on Reynolds’ list of California ice skating rinks, is open for the season, conditions permitting, and it’s hard to fathom a more beautiful location to skate. Half Dome is visible from the rink, and after spending an hour or two on the ice, skaters can warm up at the nearby fire pit and take in the views.

The rink is also part of Yosemite National Park history. “Just about every winter since 1928, there has been ice skating on a seasonal rink in the valley’s Curry Village,” Reynolds writes.

Tickets can be purchased at the Curry Village Tour & Activity Desk next to the registration office. Adult tickets cost US$14 (US$12.50 per child ages 12 and under) plus US$4.75 for skate rentals.

3. Ski and snowboard at Badger Pass

Did you know Yosemite is home to the oldest ski area in California and one of the only ski lifts in U.S. national parks? Badger Pass Ski Area, off Glacier Point Road, offers trails and slopes for skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more.

Downhill operations are expected to begin Dec. 24. The Nordic Center, which offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, opened for the season on Dec. 17.

With introductory classes available for beginners and a challenging terrain park, Badger Pass can accommodate travellers at all levels of snow sport expertise.

For those hoping to learn more about Yosemite, it seems hard to beat the Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service’s snowshoe hikes. On the group’s Moderate Discovery Snowshoe Hike, visitors will learn about the park’s winter ecology on a 3-to-4-mile trek through the snow. Tickets cost US$60, including the price of snowshoe rentals.

Those interested in more of a challenge might consider the Advanced Snowshoe Hike to Dewey Point, an all-day, eight-mile excursion with views of El Capitan, Half Dome, the Clark Range and more. This adventure costs US$95.

4. Mark your calendar. Firefall season is almost here.

If you enjoy traveling in California, chances are you’ve heard tales of Yosemite’s famous “firefall.”

Each February — that’s if the weather cooperates — visitors may be able to catch Yosemite Valley’s Horsetail Fall “bathed in a golden backlight that makes it glow like a flaming waterfall,” Reynolds writes. In 2022, the firefall is expected to appear between Feb. 13 and 25, he reports.

The firefall typically attracts photographers as well as non-artists hoping to witness this bucket list-worthy experience. If you go, make sure to follow rules in place for controlling crowds and the flow of traffic.

Speaking of rules …

When you visit Yosemite National Park — and other destinations — in the winter, it’s important to pay attention to the forecast and weather advisories. Check for closures and restrictions, and remember that snow, sleet and ice can make driving conditions dangerous, especially when combined with elevation and spotty cell-service areas. It’s a good idea to keep snow chains in your car in case you need them.

Check with park officials or other authorities if you’re unsure how to stay safe during your travels.

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