Traveling to China Peak Resort after Thanksgiving is a tradition for many Central Valley families, including Brandon Daniels and his two little ones.
“It’s fun you get to fly down the mountain and there is nothing like it,” he said. “Have some memories and get to teach them to have fun and be active.”
These sisters from Visalia also love to gear up and hit the slopes and say they’re ready to take full advantage of their season passes after day one.
“It was really fun. The snow is good. It’s a good first day of the season.” Sisters Trista Hulsey and Leah Dekedan said. “It’s kind of cool to see the little kids doing it because I’m like ‘wow they are kind of better than me’ and it’s humbling!”
ABC30 Sky View drone video captures several others enjoying the mountain on this sunny Friday.
Owner Tim Cohee and his son Troy say it’s been all hands-on deck to get the resort ready.
Troy says every year poses a different challenge.
“Despite mother nature not really throwing us much of a bone this season, we’ve made some snow with the marginal temperatures we’ve had, we’ve patched together a trail and we’ve got a little bit open,” Troy said.
Across the golden state, only five resorts opened this weekend, coming as a surprise to the Cohee family who have been in the industry for decades.
Troy says they’re hopeful for more snow and cold temperatures moving forward.
“We’ve got some more work to do on the trial currently open and we want to get chair 2 and chair 1 open and a whole lot others,” he said.
The resort also remodeled part of the day lodge and will offer new opportunities and spaces for beginners.
“Once the season really kicks into gear, we are planning on opening our first turn center in the far side of mainstream. A 200-footer carper. A private learning area,” Troy said.
The resort will be open every weekend until the end of December, when they’ll be in full swing for winter.
You can stay up to date with changes at the resort on their Facebook page or website.
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