Badger Pass ski area gets rain and snow

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- There's plenty of snow on the slopes at Badger Pass but what came down from the sky Tuesday was mostly rain.

The heavy wet snow was good for making snowballs, as a family from Grass Valley discovered. But the skier Christian Phillips, of Washington said the slopes could have been a little better. "They are slow, it's real wet."

But ski school manager Chuck Carter says the heavy wet conditions are welcome. "The wet snow and the rain is increasing the water in the snowpack, and for us as skiiers it's a great base and for you down in the valley it's gonna be some good water this summer."

Along with the rain Badger Pass picked up six inches of snow in the past 24 four hours. There's a 48" base at the lower level and 60" at the top.

The wet conditions will get icy and park ranger Ashley Mayer reminds travelers to Badger Pass and Yosemite to be careful. "It is important when you are coming to the park to have chains in your vehicle and when we are getting snow like we have today there can be chain restrictions in Yosemite National Park ."

Badger Pass is slated to be re-named Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Park on March 1st. Because of a dispute between the Park Service and the company that operates park concessions, Delaware North. Company Spokesperson Lisa Cesaro said it's not settled yet. "Theres a lot of heated discussions about that we will see what happens."

But it's still Badge Pass and folks are enjoying the conditions.