Opposite to standard perception, there’s extra to the West Coast than all of the sunshine and browsing. Within the winter, California’s pristine pine forests flourish, and snow-capped mountains turn out to be the fascinating ski vacation spot for {couples}, households, buddies, and everybody of all ages seeking to hit the slopes.
Whether or not you’re a newbie or a complicated skier, there’s a resort completely becoming your wants. I’ve spent my winters at quite a lot of California ski resorts for over 20 years and have compiled one of the best of one of the best so that you can take pleasure in.
Able to get began? Listed below are the 7 prime ski resorts in California it is advisable guide on your subsequent snowboarding tour.
P.S. Pleasant reminder to guide every part prematurely to ensure your spot! Tons of of hundreds of individuals go to California ski areas yearly to see our slopes. Don’t wait too lengthy!
In case you are in a rush
Solely have a day or two to discover California’s snow-capped mountains? Listed below are a couple of excursions I like to recommend trying out to take advantage of out of your time in your ski trip.
Listed below are the principle issues to guide prematurely:
And listed here are one of the best lodges: Edgewood Tahoe Resort (luxurious), Lakewood Cabins (mid-range), Midday Lodge (finances)
Right here’s a map of the place all one of the best ski resorts in California are:
1. Begin your journey at Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort
The Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe is an award-winning resort and a fascinating ski location for locals in California. Hundreds of holiday makers come right here yearly to take pleasure in all of the winter actions and take within the gorgeous blue waters of Lake Tahoe.
The terrain varies all through the resort, giving 97 newbie, intermediate, and superior trails to select from. Plus, there are 28 chair lifts throughout the mountain to switch you wherever you please!
Get entry to Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar with a Tahoe Worth Move! US$489/particular person for adults (19 – 64), US$240/particular person for youngsters (5 – 12), US$408/particular person for teenagers (13 – 18)
There are tons of of properties close to the resort and in Lake Tahoe, nice for anybody in search of a comfortable (and heat) keep. I like to recommend Desolation Resort in South Lake Tahoe. It’s solely a 7-minute drive to the resort and the cutest place for each households and {couples}.
PRO TIP: Head to Tahoe Metropolis for one of the best BBQ on the town at Moe’s Authentic Bar B Que! They’ve one of the best consolation meals after an extended day on the slopes.
HACK: Obtain the ski resort’s cellular app to get forward of wait instances, get real-time snowfall forecasts, and navigate the path with the interactive path map. You’ll find yourself maximizing your time on the slopes and getting forward!
The Heavenly Ski Resort can be price trying out in the course of the summer season months. You may benefit from the summer season leisure actions they provide, equivalent to kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, mountain climbing, and extra.
2. Head over to Bear Mountain Resort
Huge Bear is the place flakes of gold had been first discovered within the 1860s! Phrase unfold, and the gold rush rapidly started!
Bear Mountain Resort completely needed to be 2nd on my checklist. That is one other prime ski resort alongside the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California that locals like me escape to for a winter weekend out on the terrain.
There are a few totally different mountains (twin properties) to select from at this resort:
- Bear Mountain: Having the most important newbie ski space in Southern California, a canyon terrain, and many backcountry trails to discover, this one is thought to be younger, stuffed with each kids and skilled snowboarders. I like to recommend this one for hardcore journey seekers.
- Snow Summit: It is a extra conventional and family-friendly, laid-back possibility and is pretty extra standard out of the two!
I like to recommend trying out a comfortable, grand-view lodge on your keep, equivalent to Midday Lodge! This cute alpine-style village on Huge Bear Lake has a full-sized kitchen and a fire so that you can finish the day. Plus, you possibly can conveniently drive over to the ski resort in lower than quarter-hour.
PRICE: Limitless entry passes (with no blackout dates) begin at US$669/particular person for adults (23+), US$569/particular person (13 – 22), US$339/particular person for youngsters (5 – 12), US$29/particular person for youngsters (0 – 4)
3. Proceed your journey at Mt. Shasta Ski Park
Mt. Shasta in Northern California has gorgeous snow-capped mountains within the winter and enjoyable snow actions (snowboarding and snow tubing) to probe for folks of all ages. This a smaller resort compared to Huge Bear and resorts within the Lake Tahoe space however extra intimate for households to discover for his or her first snowboarding journey.
Mt. Shasta Ski Park has a few terrain parks which can be designed for all types of skiers:
- Silvertip Terrain Park: It is a excellent playground for newbie to intermediate skiers who’re nonetheless studying! I favor this park since I’m not essentially the most avid or superior skier.
- Revolution Terrain Park: This excessive terrain park is supposed for intermediate to superior skiers providing options like bins, kickers, and a rail backyard. There are even further options that you would be able to ask for.
What units this mountain other than the remaining is the historical past and religious connection it’s mentioned to have. There are legends and tales handed down about Mt. Shasta from indigenous tribes, the most important being that it’s recognized to be the middle of the Universe.
NOTE: There are hazards at each ski resort and terrain you go to. For one of the best and most secure snowboarding tour, make your go to to the parks earlier than the warmth of the day and hold your pores and skin coated always. Learn extra right here!
PRICE: Season passes begin at US$449/particular person for adults (18 – 64), US$349/particular person for youth (13 – 17), US$199/particular person for junior (8 – 12)
4. Make a journey to Northstar California Resort
Northstar California is one other nice possibility on the other facet of Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, situated in North Lake Tahoe. All Tahoe resorts are well-known for his or her cross-country snowboarding and scenic alpine trails. Northstar is generally recognized to have trails that aren’t too tough for households and first-time skiers.
And because it’s throughout the similar lake as Heavenly Mountain Resort, I’ve to let you already know the distinction between the two resorts as a way to know which is the most suitable choice for you.
Northstar has 93 trails and 16 ski lifts unfold over 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares), whereas Heavenly has 30 ski lifts and 94 trails unfold over 4,800 acres (1,942 hectares). They’re each comparatively giant, however the north resort is thought to have much less difficult trails, whereas Heavenly’s variety in each newbie and intermediate trails speaks to a extra numerous snowboarding viewers. In different phrases, go to Northstar if it’s your first time, and take a look at Heavenly when you get extra comfy!
On your keep, I like to recommend going all out with the gorgeous Gravity Haus Truckee. It’s solely a 7-minute drive away from Northstar Ski Resort, and there’s even a jacuzzi so that you can loosen up in after an extended day of snowboarding within the California mountains.
PRICE: Get entry to Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar with a Tahoe Worth Move! US$489/particular person for adults (19 – 64), US$240/particular person for youngsters (5 – 12), US$408/particular person for teenagers (13 – 18)
5. Guide your journey at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
Mammoth Mountain is the very best snowboarding “playground” in California, with a summit of over 11,000 ft (over 33,500 meters) within the Sierra Nevada Mountain vary. Which means that it sits at a better elevation than Lake Tahoe (and it’s additionally recognized to have drier snow than Tahoe).
It’s proper on the border of Yosemite Nationwide Park, so for those who’re in search of a fast detour whilst you’re on the park, purchase a day go and hit the slopes! Alternatively, take this tour for a day of snowshoeing and go to the Badger Move Ski Space for a smaller mountain expertise.
Much like Heavenly Ski Resort, Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort provides scenic gondola rides! That is a lot enjoyable for everybody.
Their sister resort June Mountain is a way more family-friendly possibility for those who’re in search of a quieter and chill expertise.
Whilst you’re in Mammoth Lakes, I like to recommend staying at The Village Lodge. They’ve 5 scorching tubs surrounded by mountain peaks which is a surprising characteristic at evening whenever you’re at someplace like Mammoth. The celebs at evening are simply magical!
NOTE: Winter season in Mammoth often begins in November and ends in Could! As a result of that is one other certainly one of California’s most fascinating ski locations, I like to recommend shopping for your tickets prematurely for one of the best financial savings and worth.
PRICE: Newbie carry tickets begin at US$89/particular person for adults, US$73/particular person for YA (ages 13 – 22), and US$40/particular person for youngsters (ages 5 – 12)
6. Take your snowboarding to the subsequent degree at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort
One other note-worthy ski resort in California is Palisades Tahoe. This resort in Squaw Valley is famously recognized for internet hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics (for those who’re a historical past nerd like me, you’ll actually admire this one). There are over 6,000 acres (2,428 hectares) of skiable terrain to discover, that means it’s the most important ski resort in California.
Right here, you get spectacular views of Lake Tahoe spanning throughout 2 separate bases related by a scenic gondola trip:
- Alpine Meadows: You get a extra laid-back vibe right here! I like to recommend this for newbie and intermediate skiers.
- Palisades Tahoe: Recognized to be high-energy and legendary for its historical past {of professional} skiers, this has intermediate slopes to superior trails for knowledgeable skiers.
At Palisades Tahoe, you possibly can guide classes with their specialists and prime instructors earlier than formally setting foot on a ski space by your self. They provide personal and group classes for teenagers and adults. Learn extra about it right here.
Whilst you’re at Palisades Tahoe or at different Lake Tahoe resorts, I like to recommend trying out Fireplace Pizza Firm for one of the best pizza on the town. Belief me, you’ll thank me later.
PRICE: One-day passes for each parks begin at US$83/particular person for adults and youngsters ages 5+; Free for teenagers ages 0 – 4
7. Go for a low-key trip at Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a vail owned resort in Lake Tahoe with about 2,300 acres (930 hectares) of terrain to probe for each newbie and superior skiers. Whether or not you’re in search of one thing just a little extra calm or on the tough facet, there’s one thing for everybody right here.
Their longest path is about 2.5 miles (4 km) out of 80 totally different trails to select from. Their web site breaks down the mountain-high terrain actually simply for you:
- 12% newbie
- 30% intermediate
- 38% superior
- 20% professional
Being about 1 hour south of Lake Tahoe, it’s in a less-touristy ski space with fewer lodges to select from. Due to this, I like to recommend staying on the resort for a extra handy journey. There are a couple of lodging choices to select from that are perfect for any sort of traveler.
NOTE: For those who plan on visiting greater than a few instances (and all three Tahe resorts point out right here), take into account getting a season go! You find yourself saving far more $$ ultimately.
PRICE: Get entry to Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar with a Tahoe Worth Move! US$489/particular person for adults (19 – 64), US$240/particular person for youngsters (5 – 12), US$408/particular person for teenagers (13 – 18)
FAQs about California ski resorts
🎿 What are the most important California ski resorts?
Palisades Ski Resort and Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort are the largest California ski resorts offering nice worth to each superior and newbie skiers! They each provide classes for learners and superior slopes for knowledgeable skiers, making them versatile for all types of individuals.
🏔️ What number of California ski resorts are there?
There are over 25 ski resorts in California to select from! I like to recommend any of those 7 highlighted locations for one of the best expertise.
⛷️ Which of the California ski resorts is healthier: Palisades Tahoe or Heavenly?
It relies upon on what sort of snowboarding expertise you’re in search of! Each are giant and well-known for various issues. I like to recommend Palisades for knowledgeable skiers and Heavenly for newbies!
❄️ Which California ski resorts have superior trails?
All resorts have trails for superior skiers, however Palisades Ski Resort has essentially the most superior trails to select from when snowboarding in California.
Conclusion
Able to take your California snowboarding resort recreation to the subsequent degree? Nicely, now you’re! There are such a lot of superb California ski resorts that match each sort of skier within the books. Whether or not you’re simply beginning out otherwise you’re a seasoned skilled, there are ski resort areas and locations right here for each single certainly one of you.
My private favorites from this checklist must be Palisades Ski Resort and Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort as a result of there are SO many issues to do and actions to select from. They’re additionally the preferred resorts and are situated in top-of-the-line locations to see snow in California: Lake Tahoe. As a result of they’re so standard, be certain that to guide all of your tickets and lodge reservations prematurely!
I hope you get pleasure from these ski resorts as a lot as I do! If you find yourself making an attempt out any of those locations, depart me a remark and let me know what you assume.
Xoxo,
Esabel S.
Pin it for later!
Pin it for later!
