Winters at the Yosemite Inn | Lodging at Big Creek Inn Bed and Breakfast

Yosemite becomes an even more magical place in winter. The Inn is located at an elevation of 5000 feet. We routinely accumulate ten to fifteen feet of snow!

Only 22 miles from the Inn, Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snow-boarding, snow-shoeing, snow-tubing, equipment rental and a renowned ski school. Surrounded by a pine and oak forest, the pristine slopes of Badger Pass welcome both novice and accomplished ski enthusiasts. Generally open from mid-December to mid-March, Badger pass is an affordable full-service winter recreation area with five readily available lifts, an outdoor observation deck, food service and a ski shop.

At Curry Village on Yosemite’s valley floor, you can ice skate amid the winter splendor of Half Dome and Glacier Point. An outdoor fire ring provides warmth and the Curry Village Store stocks everything you need to roast smores around the fire.

Surrounded by snowcapped views of Half Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls, the historic Ahwahnee Hotel is even more spectacular in winter. With its grand but inviting public rooms and giant stone fireplace, the Ahwahnee is the perfect spot for a warm drink or a relaxing lunch on a crisp winter day.

Winter in the Sierra is breathtakingly beautiful, but poses a particular challenge—winter driving. From November through April, the California Highway Patrol and the National Park Service require drivers to be prepared for winter road conditions. Four wheel drive vehicles must have mud/snow tires and all vehicles must carry chains/cables. If you plan to rent a vehicle, opt for a 4-wheel or all-wheel drive. Most car rental companies, however, do not provide chains. There are several vendors in Fish Camp and Oakhurst (13 miles south) that sell chains, ranging from $30 to $120 depending on tire size. Be sure to ask about the vendor’s refund policy on unused chains.

Yosemite Inn at Big Creek is the perfect cozy retreat in winter. Dining is quite close by. The Inn also has a whole house back-up generator—very handy during a snow storm. Winter evenings are a leisurely time to relax in your room and enjoy a movie from our extensive collection. That is, if you can take your gaze from the beautiful snow covered meadow outside. With the lowest rates of the season, and the fewest visitors, winter in Yosemite is an experience not to be missed.

Winter in Yosemite