Winter is the least busy and possibly most beautiful season in Yosemite. The crowds go home, frost coats the trees in the morning, fog freezes, waterfalls start flowing only to freeze at night and snowstorms coat the park in a white blanket. The wildlife comes out and hotel rates go down.
If you get up early on a cold morning, you may see Yosemite Falls frozen solid and hear the loud, cracking sounds the ice makes as it breaks loose and plummets to the ground. Near the Falls, you might even see an even rarer phenomenon: frazil ice, a spongy mass of ice crystals that flows like water and sometimes overflows the creek bed.
Yosemite weather can be cold, especially at the higher elevations, and winter is California's rainy season, which means snow in the mountains. Find the average weather in Yosemite and check snow reports, river water levels, road conditions and more at the National Park Service website. The Yosemite Valley is at 4,000 feet elevation and even if it snows, it seldom stays very long. At higher elevations, more snow accumulates and it can stay all winter long.
The Badger Pass ski area opens as soon as enough snow accumulates. It includes a terrain park and lots of beginner and intermediate slopes, making it a good place for kids and others just learning to ski. A free shuttle goes there from the Valley.
Yosemite in Winter: Special Events
Three of Yosemite's most popular events occur in winter:
Bracebridge Dinners: A Yosemite winter tradition since 1926, the Bracebridge is the ultimate Christmas feast. The four-hour pageant features entertainment from more than 100 cast members coupled with a seven-course meal to create an unforgettable experience. Contrary to what you may read elsewhere, enough performances are held to accommodate almost anyone who wants to go, and the lottery reservation system was suspended several year ago.
Chef's Holidays: Held in January and February, these events features cooking demonstrations and a dinner prepared by some of the country's most prominent chefs. Go for it all, or just enjoy the gala dinners served on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Vintner's Holidays: Held in late October and November, this event features wines and winemakers, wine-tasting seminars and a gourmet dinner prepared especially to complement featured vintners' wines.
If you get up early on a cold morning, you may see Yosemite Falls frozen solid and hear the loud, cracking sounds the ice makes as it breaks loose and plummets to the ground. Near the Falls, you might even see an even rarer phenomenon: frazil ice, a spongy mass of ice crystals that flows like water and sometimes overflows the creek bed.
Yosemite weather can be cold, especially at the higher elevations, and winter is California's rainy season, which means snow in the mountains. Find the average weather in Yosemite and check snow reports, river water levels, road conditions and more at the National Park Service website. The Yosemite Valley is at 4,000 feet elevation and even if it snows, it seldom stays very long. At higher elevations, more snow accumulates and it can stay all winter long.
The Badger Pass ski area opens as soon as enough snow accumulates. It includes a terrain park and lots of beginner and intermediate slopes, making it a good place for kids and others just learning to ski. A free shuttle goes there from the Valley.
Yosemite in Winter: Special Events
Three of Yosemite's most popular events occur in winter:
Bracebridge Dinners: A Yosemite winter tradition since 1926, the Bracebridge is the ultimate Christmas feast. The four-hour pageant features entertainment from more than 100 cast members coupled with a seven-course meal to create an unforgettable experience. Contrary to what you may read elsewhere, enough performances are held to accommodate almost anyone who wants to go, and the lottery reservation system was suspended several year ago.
Chef's Holidays: Held in January and February, these events features cooking demonstrations and a dinner prepared by some of the country's most prominent chefs. Go for it all, or just enjoy the gala dinners served on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Vintner's Holidays: Held in late October and November, this event features wines and winemakers, wine-tasting seminars and a gourmet dinner prepared especially to complement featured vintners' wines.
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