This season, ski local. California’s snowpack is outpacing the highest year on record, and our regional mountains are blanketed in fresh new show. Great news for Circa ski enthusiasts, Southern California boasts some of the best skiing and snowboarding around, and many resorts are just a few hours away from home. For more information, visit Ski California, a non-profit trade association representing 35 ski resorts in California and Nevada. The website covers everything from runs to lift systems, terrain parks, and live weather reports. Be sure to check road conditions before you go.
Mt. Waterman Ski Resort California 2 La Cañada Flintridge, CA 93553
Deemed a national monument, Mt. Waterman is the closest ski lift area to the L.A basin. You can escape the crowds at larger resorts and really get the most out of a powder day at this day ski and snowboard area. With three chair lifts and 25 runs, 65% of the hill is advanced while offering beginner and intermediate runs at the top of the mountain. Ride the lifts up to 8,030 feet, drop into the Upper Bowl, and then carve down tree-lined trails all the way to the base area. Lessons for skiing and snowboarding are also available.
Mountain High 24510 CA-2 Wrightwood, CA 92397
Mountain High is Southern California’s closest winter resort with three great mountains and a world class terrain park only an hour and a half from downtown Los Angeles. Situated in the San Gabriel mountains along State Route 2 west of Wrightwood, Mountain High is one of the region’s most visited resorts. With an elevation of 6,600 feet to 8,200 feet for the Mountain High East Resort, 7,000 feet to 8,000 feet for the West Resort, and 7,200 feet to 7,800 feet for the North Resort, you can explore all three mountains with a single lift ticket.
Big Bear Mountain Resort 880 Summit Blvd. Big Bear Lake CA 92315
Located just 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Big Bear boasts one resort, two mountains, and endless options. With Snow Summit (peak 8,200 feet) and Bear Mountain (peak 8,805 feet), Big Bear Mountain Resort is the premier destination to experience the best snow conditions, longest season, and most rideable terrain in Southern California. All lift tickets are valid for same-day use at both mountains, which means access to over 400 skiable acres, 26 lifts, and more than 55 runs.
Snow Summit’s Night Sessions 880 Summit Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Whether you want to extend your ski day, or simply enjoy the adventure of riding under the stars, you’ll find plenty of thrills at Snow Summit’s Night Sessions. Boasting loads of jumps and jibs to get your adrenaline pumping, skiers and riders will find features to suit their style as they ride through the often less crowded terrain park. As if that wasn’t enough, Westridge undergoes a full evening groom during Night Sessions, giving riders the freshest terrain since first chair.
Mt. Baldy Resort 8401 Mt Baldy Rd. Mt Baldy, CA 91759
Mt. Baldy Resort has been known for decades as hosting Southern California’s best natural skiing and snowboarding terrain. With over 800 acres of skiable and rideable terrain, Mt. Baldy Resort has the most vertical drop in Southern California at 2,100 vertical feet. To compliment the world class alpine terrain, Mt. Baldy Resort also has a state of the art Terrain Based Learning Center and Snow Tubing Park for an introduction to those new to the snow.
Snow Valley Mountain Resort 35100 State Hwy. 18 Running Springs, CA. 92382
Snow Valley Mountain Resort is the oldest continually operating ski resort in Southern California and is also one of four ski resorts in the San Bernardino Mountains. Opening to the public in 1924, Snow Valley featured one of the first overhead cable ski lifts. Riders visiting and skiing Snow Valley have 14 lifts to choose from that rise from the base of the resort to offer access to 32 marked trails which cover a total rideable area of 240 acres. Spread out over two mountains, the base area is best for beginners, the middle of the resort is a great options for intermediate riders, and the summit region on Slide Peak is the best for advanced and expert riders.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area 10001 Minaret Rd. Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Boasting the highest lift-served summit in California at 11,053 feet, Mammoth is the leading four-season mountain resort in the state offering year-round lodging and endless outdoor recreation. Winters are long and legendary – known for some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the United States. You can also explore the scenic Lakes Basin on Nordic skis or snowshoes, ride a gondola to Mammoth’s summit, or try some tubing at Woolly’s Tube Park.
Record storms have deposited over 20 inches of additional snow on the peaks of the Tahoe basin, which is great news for skiers. If you’re planning a Lake Tahoe trip, Ski Lake Tahoe is a good resource, with detailed information for six major resorts including Sierra at Tahoe, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows, Northstar, and Mt. Rose. You can check snow and weather conditions, trail maps, tickets and passes, lessons, rentals, and lodging / dining options.
Photo Credits:
Photo #1: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Photo #2: Mt. Waterman Ski Resort
Photo #3: Mountain High
Photo #4: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Photo #5: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Photo #6: Mt. Baldy Resort
Photo #7: Snow Valley Mountain Resort
Photo #8: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
Photo #9: Heavenly Mountain