Dodge Ridge Events, California Ski Area, Live Music, Family

Upcoming Events

Winter Kick-Off Celebration

Set For October 1 - 3

We are really excited about the great things to come this winter. As we look forward to celebrating our annual Winter Kick-Off event and our new ownership, we’ve decided to change things up a bit this year. We’ll be moving the Winter Kick-Off festivities from our typical Labor Day Weekend event to the first weekend in October.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 - 3
Join Us for Our 21st Annual Winter Kick-Off Celebration as we officially ring in the Winter Season ahead. This huge annual event will showcase Live Music, BBQ & Brews in the plaza, in addition to a full list of fun for all ages.

October 1 - 3, will also be our 2021/22 Season Passholders' first opportunity to pick up their passes for the coming winter season. As we celebrate the cooler temps and the change in the weather, it's officially time to kick-off winter.

Friday, October 1 - 3

21st ANNUAL WINTER KICK-OFF SPORT SHOP SALE

Significant sale pricing on prior season gear
Sale pricing on select new 2021/22 gear.

Starting Friday, October 1

2021/22 Season Passholders can get their photos taken and their season passes printed 7 days a week.
2021/21 Season Passholders can also pick up their FREE Winter Kick-Off Event Promo T-shirts. These shirts are in high demand and will run out.
Purchase 2021/22 Season Passes Online Now at the lowest price available during the Preseason Pass Sale.

Saturday & Sunday, October 2 - 3

2 Days of Live Music
2 Days of BBQ + Brews - We'll be cooking up BBQ in the Plaza with breweries in attendance keeping it lively and passing out SWAG.
2 Days of Games and Fun for all ages - Cornhole, Giant Jenga and more.
Kids Horseback Rides ($10) offered by Aspen Meadow Pack Station. (Saturday Only)
Free morning yoga sessions (Sat & Sun) offered by Sierra Flow Fitness.
Agility Training offered by Sierra Flow Fitness

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort Transitions To New Owners

After 45 years of ownership The Helm Family Leaves Dodge Ridge in Good Hands

Announced August 16, 2021

Read The Full Press Release

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort Transitions To New Owners

After more than four decades of family ownership, Dodge Ridge Ski Resort, on the Stanislaus National Forest, will have new owners this month. Owners Frank and Sally Helm have decided to retire, having operated the resort as one of the few remaining family-owned ski resorts in the country. Sally Helm, CEO of Dodge Ridge, announced Monday, August 16th, 2021 that the new buyers will be Invision Capital, owners of Mountain High Resort in California, and Karl Kapuscinski, President and CEO of Mountain High Resort.

Founded in 1950, Dodge Ridge has remained a family-owned and operated resort with only two owners throughout its distinguished history, beginning with Earl Purdy, who founded the ski area. The Helm family purchased Dodge Ridge in 1976, setting in motion a new era for the area. Under the leadership of Frank Helm, Dodge Ridge became a progressive and sustainable business for Tuolumne County by continually expanding its market and carrying out significant capital improvements. During the first two decades, the Helms tripled the resort’s skiable acreage by making key lift installations. As part of their commitment to continual growth, they also completed a $6 million expansion in 2007, which included the addition of the 16,000 sq ft Family Lodge. The Helms, in partnership with the US Forest Service (USFS), have received approval for a lift-accessed mountain biking plan, which is ready for development under the new ownership.

The Helm’s love and passion for the resort created a community that thrives to this day, and they are truly grateful to the generations of loyal skiers and riders who have graced this mountain for so many decades. The success and growth of the resort has had so much to do with the staff who have made the resort run year after year and the Helm family is incredibly thankful for the employees, both past and present, who have made this Central Sierra gem the wonderful experience that it is.

“The new owners truly appreciate the family-oriented culture that has made this resort special for over 70 years and the existing Dodge Ridge team will continue to deliver the guest-focused culture our visitors have come to expect,” said CEO Sally Helm. Jenni Smith will remain as General Manager leading the team with new President and CEO Karl Kapuscinski. He brings over 30 years of ski area operations experience.

The new ownership will assume control of all facilities as well as the USFS Special Use Permit, which includes 862 skiable acres, with 1,600 vertical feet, 68 trails, and 12 lifts, along with the operation of the Pinecrest, Clark Fork, and Brightman Flat USFS campground complexes.

Though under new ownership, 2021/22 Dodge Ridge season pass holders will continue to enjoy unlimited access to all lifts and skiable acres every day of the season. Additionally, Dodge Ridge will now become a partner resort of the Powder Alliance, which will provide free skiing and riding perks at 15 other partner resorts throughout the western United States, Canada and Japan.

“Dodge Ridge is one of those extraordinary skiing and riding experiences that comes with a lot of passion and a lot of history coupled with a great mountain vibe that's really warm and friendly. We think it's critical to maintain the very core of the resort and its personality and identity, and that's going to be our goal from day one. We are extremely proud that Sally and Frank chose us as the new owners of Dodge Ridge and please stay tuned as we look forward to future announcements and developments," said Kapuscinski.

Thank You From The Helm Family

For 45 Years of Family Owned + Family Loved + Family Built Skiing and Riding!

To our friends and families,

It is with great admiration and affection that we write to you today to let you know that after 45 years of ownership, Dodge Ridge Ski Resort has been purchased from the Helm Family by Invision Capital, owners of Mountain High Resort in California, and Karl Kapuscinski, President and CEO of Mountain High Resort.

Spending our winters and summers with you has truly been the joy of our lives as we’ve watched generations of families and friends return year after year to grace the slopes of Dodge Ridge. There is no more profound or rewarding thing we know than to have shared these memories with all of you.

Our family’s decision to sell was an emotional one to make, but we’re confident that the new ownership will carry on what we've built and will be a great opportunity for all Dodge Ridge skiers and riders. We have known Karl for over 25 years and served together on both the NSAA and CSIA board of directors. Our incredibly wonderful team will carry on the Family Loved spirit with Jenni Smith remaining as General Manager.

This mountain will always be near and dear to our hearts and we’ll look forward to watching it continue to flourish in the coming years.

From our family to yours,
Frank and Sally Helm

Photo of Frank and Sally Helm at the opening of Chair 8 in 1998

Photo of Karl & Audrey Kapuscinski and Frank & Sally Helm

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort Drone Policy

Due to safety and privacy concerns, Dodge Ridge Winter Sports Area prohibits the operation or use on or above Resort property of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public- including model aircraft by recreational users and hobbyists- without the prior written authorization from Dodge Ridge. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within the area boundaries. This prohibition extends to any devices launched or operated from resort property, as well as any launched from private property outside of resort boundaries. Please contact a resort representative if you have any questions or if you seek prior authorization to operate any such devices. Any authorized operation of drones on or above Resort property will be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, U.S. Forest Service rules, as well as those policies separately established by this Resort, which may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability. Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your access privileges to the Resort, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any prohibited equipment, and may subject violators to any liability for damages, including but not limited to, damages for trespass, violation of privacy, and physical injuries to persons and/or property, as well as legal fees.