June Lake News

Jill Grahek and SKYTIME pilot Edward Roski fly over the Lakes Basin on Jan. 18 (before last week's snowstorms.

Dodge Ridge in the central Sierra opened Wednesday with 45 of 67 runs, the latest opening for the ski resort since the drought of 1999-2000. So did Donner Ski Ranch, the little family-owned park above Donner Pass, with a $25 lift ticket to spark launch day.

For most of us, mountain cabins and ski huts may conjure up images of unassuming forest retreats, no-frills log homes and the simple comfort of a makeshift wood-burning fire.