AboutSteve Springer Expertise I can answer questions about campsites, reservations, things to do and places to go in Yosemite National Park. I can also answer questions about the same for the California State Beaches in Southern and Central California. My nickname is "Kamping Kahuna". No relocation/moving questions, please.
Expert: Steve Springer Date: 10/17/2007 Subject: Cross-country from Curry village
Question How difficult or easy is cross-country from Curry Village? Me and my parents want to stay there for 3 nights in cabins over X-mas day. What do you recommend to see during that three days and is it better to go by walk, cross-country or others?
Answer Hi Jan,
Just to clear up a few things:
-It's rather difficult to cross-country ski from Curry Village when there's no snow: Curry Village is only at 4,000 feet, while Badger Pass ski area is around 7,000 feet at the base. A lot of times, that's the difference between snow and not getting snow.
-At Badger Pass are over 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of machine-groomed track. Cross-country track and skating lanes are groomed from Badger Pass to Glacier Point (a 21-mile round trip), and a three-kilometer track is set to the scenic Old Badger Summit.
So if you are staying in Curry Village (in a cabin, I hope), your best bet is to use the shuttle system to get up to Badger Pass Ski area where there are cross country trails. Also, you can skate at the Curry Village ice rink, which you can walk to.
The Visitor's Center can easily be accessed by shuttle, as can the Ahwahnee Hotel.
If you are in the park, you should attend the Bracebridge Dinner. If you don't have tickets, you may already be out of luck, however.
Don't miss Yosemite Falls, which is awesome even in winter.
On the way to the park (I don't know where you are coming from), you might want to check out the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, which has rides on real logging locomotives.
Also, be sure to check out the Mariposa or Tuolumne Groves of Giant Sequoia trees on your way into or out of the park.
