Skiing in California

Skiing in California can be a winter wonderland or a typically California-sunny experience.  Spring skiing conditions will often bring out bizarrely-dressed, fun loving Californians as well as some scantily-clad exhibitionists.   Whether you choose the north, central or southern part of this vast state, you will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy winter sports in the Golden State. 

Web Site:   www.skicalifornia.com.

• SKI CALIFORNIA
• Big Bear Mountain Resorts
• Lake Tahoe
• Mammoth Mountain
• Mt. Shasta

BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORTS  

• Bear Mountain
• Snow Summit

Web Site:   www.bigbearmountainresorts.com

In Southern California, within a few hours drive from the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, try skiing in the San Bernardino Mountains at Big Bear Mountain Resorts, which includes Bear Mountain and Snow Summit,   Don’t worry about the sun melting all that white gold, there is plenty of snowmaking equipment to make sure that ski season in Southern California will not disappoint.   It’s hard to believe how close you are to Los Angeles, Hollywood and the surfing beaches of the Pacific Ocean when you are in the mountains of Southern California but that’s one reason why so many people want to be there!  You will find plenty of terrain for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers, as well as boarders.  You will find runs with views of Big Bear Lake, and also night skiing.   If you are driving make sure you pack snow chains as sudden snowfalls make chains or snow tyres mandatory.  You are likely to be stopped and checked if conditions are bad, so don’t take a chance and ruin your trip.  

Bear Mountain

The Terrain Park at Bear Mountain is recognized as one of the most progressive around with 150 jumps and 80 jibs, a half pipe and a super pipe.  There is plenty of room for beginners to practice. 

www.bearmountain.com

Passes are interchangeable between Bear Mountain and Snow Summit with a free shuttle service, so skiers and snowboarders have the best of both worlds.    The two areas combined offer 26 lifts, 430 acres, more than 55 runs and an incredible array of parks, pipes and rails. 

Snow Summit 

www.snowsummit.com

Mountain Information:
Skiable acres: 240  (Skiable miles 18)
Total lifts: 12
Top Elevation: 8,200 feet
Base Elevation: 7,000 feet
Vertical drop: 1,200 feet
Terrain levels: 10% beginner, 25% low intermediate, 40% intermediate, 25% advanced
Longest run: 1.25 miles
5 year snowfall avg. 100 inches
Terrain parks and half pipe

Other ski areas in Southern California include Angeles Crest Resorts, Big Air Green Valley, Buckhorn, Wrightwood, Mountain High, Mt. Baldy, Ski Sunrise and Snow Valley.

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LAKE TAHOE

North Shore: 

• Alpine Meadows
• Squaw Valley
• Sugar Bowl
• Northstar
• Donner Ski Ranch
• Granlibakken

South Shore:

• Heavenly Valley
• Sierra-at-Tahoe
• Kirkwood

Web Site:   www.tahoebest.com

One of the most well known areas for skiing in California is Lake Tahoe.   Lake Tahoe is also known for its casinos, luxury hotels and nightlife, as well as the beautiful lake.   The area is divided into the North Shore and South Shore.  The North Shore tends to have the tougher runs with resorts such as Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl along with less intimidating resorts such as Northstar, Donner Ski Ranch and Granlibakken.   The south shore of Lake Tahoe offers Heavenly Valley, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood.  There is too much information on these wonderful ski areas to detail here, so check them out for yourself on the above web site.

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MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN

Web Site:   www.mammothmountain.com.

Located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California, this is a huge ski area with almost 4,000 acres of varied terrain with bowls, good powder and great après ski and nightlife in the village! It is a five hours drive north of Los Angeles, through the Mojave Desert, close to Yosemite National Park.  Due to its elevation it is usually the first resort to open in California and you can enjoy spring skiing conditions at Mammoth through July!  The ski area at June Mountain is close by as well as Tamarack Cross Country Ski Centre.   

Mammoth has snowmaking all the way to the top (approx. 11,000’) to ensure that conditions are always good.    However, with an annual snowfall of around 400” there is not too much need to worry.

Skiable acres: 3,500
Vertical drop: 3,100’
Lifts: 28  (including 9 express quads and 2 gondolas)

For snowboarders all of the mountain’s trails are open, plus three terrain parks, three pipes, eight runs and 75 acres.  

Other ski areas in Central California include Badger Pass, Bear Valley, Cottage Springs, Dodge Ridge, Montecito-Sequoia, Shirley Meadows and Sierra Summit. 

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MOUNT SHASTA

• Mt. Shasta Ski Park

Web site:   www.skipark.com

Located in Northern California in the Cascade mountain range, Mount Shasta is the second highest volcano in the U.S.   The city of Mt. Shasta lies at the foot of the mountain and is an area of spectacular scenery with plenty of winter sports activities.  There is a Beginner Terrain Park and a separate Terrain Park for intermediate and advanced skiers with 800’ vertical.   The area also includes 30 kilometers of cross country ski and snowshoeing areas.    There are lessons for all types of skiing, including telemarking.  Other ski areas in Northern California include Cedar Pass, Coppervale and Gold Mountain. 

Mountain Statistics:

Annual snowfall: 275 inches
Skiable Terrain: 425 acres
Vertical Feet: 1,390
Trails: 31
Lifts: 3 triple and 1 surface
Night skiing: 14 trails, 3 lifts
Levels: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% advanced
Longest run:  1.75 miles
Halfpipe: 300 feet

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