It may surprise you to learn that California ski resorts are one of the top attractions on the West Coast.
Skiing may not initially come to mind when picturing sunny California, but there are dozens of great California mountain towns home to big, popular resorts. There are also smaller resorts tucked away in the state’s snow-capped mountains that locals love.
I’m a Southern California local who’s spent a ton of time riding the best slopes in winter. In this article, I’ll share my picks for the 9 top ski resorts in California so you know just where to get your winter sports fix:
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9 Best California Ski Resorts
Mammoth Mountain
⛷️ Luxury resort with many lodging options.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Where to Stay Near Mammoth Mountain | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Mammoth Mountain is a popular winter sports paradise located in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. Mammoth Mountain has slopes suited for all ages and skiing and snowboarding instructors on-site.
Searching for adventure? Enjoy snowmobile rides and cross-country skiing. Try the adrenaline-pumping Mountain Coaster for a high-speed journey through the mountains. Or admire breathtaking views from the Panorama Gondola.
Mammoth Mountain lodging is incredibly comfortable. And multiple resort lodges are compatible with the Ikon Pass Holder’s 20% off. The Juniper Springs Resort and the Mammoth Mountain Inn are a couple of these.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: November 10
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 25 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 8,900 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 11,053 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Bishop: 50 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Heavenly Ski Resort
⛷️ Best views of Lake Tahoe from a California ski resort.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
You must check out Heavenly Ski Resort if you’re passing through Northern California.
This Lake Tahoe ski resort has 360-degree views of the stunning lake and picturesque Sierra Nevada peaks. One of the greatest views of Lake Tahoe is from the Heavenly Resort gondola ride that both skiers and tourists can enjoy.
Aside from its beauty, winter adventurers flock to Heavenly Resort for its variability in ski runs and lifts. There are 4,800 skiable acres at Heavenly Ski Resort, with some slopes crossing the state line between California and Nevada.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: November 21
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 18 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 6,255 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 10,067 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Sacramento: 2 hours
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Mountain High Resort
⛷️ Best resort for first-timers.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Mountain High is my go-to resort in Southern California. It’s a smaller ski resort nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains about an hour and 45 minutes outside of LA. Mountain High is a wonderful resort for first-timers with great beginner hills.
Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and other forms of snow play at this secluded resort. The resort also caters to kids with its Yeti’s Snow Play area, which is reserved for sledding.
The Grand View Lodge is a prime place to relax by the fire after hitting the slopes all morning. Take a break from all the activity to sip delicious craft beers before trying your luck on the slopes again.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: November 30
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 5 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 6,600 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 8,200 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Los Angeles: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $$
Big Bear Mountain Resort
⛷️ Best resort for families.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Things to Do in Big Bear Lake | Best Places to Stay | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Hitting the slopes at Big Bear Mountain Resort is a true California local experience. Big Bear is one of the best towns in California surrounded by the San Bernardino Mountains. Come here if you’re searching for one of the best ski resorts for families.
Big Bear Mountain Resort boasts high-altitude dining, night ski sessions, holiday races, photo spots, and a family-friendly innertube riding park. The resort is also only 5 minutes away from Big Bear Alpine Zoo, which is a hit for kids and adults alike.
Big Bear Mountain is one of the top things to do in San Bernardino, meaning this popular resort can get crowded. But there’s an easy option to escape the crowds. Head to Snow Summit, the sister resort only a short distance away, if Big Bear’s crowds are too much to take.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: November 26
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 10 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 7,140 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 8,805 feet
- 🚗 Distance from San Bernardino: 1 hour 15 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $$
Mt. Baldy Ski Resort
⛷️ Closest resort to Los Angeles.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
I grew up going to Mount Baldy Ski Resort, so it’s one of my all-time favorite ski resorts. The resort is located in Los Angeles County, and it’s about an hour from the heart of downtown.
This small and intimate resort is one of the best because of its competitive prices and beautiful skiable terrain. Another one of Mount Baldy Ski Resort’s desirable features is its top-notch restaurants on the mountain. You can count on an excellent apres-ski here.
A ski vacation to this local resort will be one for the books, and there are plenty of top Mt. Baldy rentals to make it a perfect weekend getaway.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: December 9
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 14 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 6,500 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 9,500 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Los Angeles: 40 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
⛷️ Best ski resort for inexperienced skiers.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Things to Do in Mount Shasta | Where to Stay in Mount Shasta | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Mt. Shasta is one of the most stunning areas in the state. Mount Shasta looms over the city, and skiing in this area is a highly coveted winter activity. Plan to stop here on a California road trip during winter.
Come to Mt. Shasta Ski Park for its beautiful views and winter sports and stay for its laidback atmosphere and excellent amenities. There are hills for skiers of all experience levels. Mt. Shasta Park also has affordable ski equipment rentals and delicious food options.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: January 10
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 17 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 5,500 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 7,536 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Chico: 2 hours 20 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $
Palisades Tahoe
⛷️ High-end resort with ample amenities.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Palisades Tahoe, also known as Squaw Valley, is one of the best ski resorts in the South Lake Tahoe region. It’s surrounded by alpine meadows and breathtaking skiable terrain making Palisades Tahoe a California ski trip must.
While there are slopes for everyone and plenty of beginner runs, advanced skiers love the technical slopes and steep grades of some chutes. Palisades Tahoe also has plenty of lodging options like The Village at Palisades Tahoe, which offers pristine views of the snowy mountains.
Palisades Tahoe has some of the longest ski runs out of all California ski resorts, making this a top option for powder hounds everywhere.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: November 22
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 18 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 6,201 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 9,050 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Sacramento: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Badger Pass Ski Area
⛷️ A local California favorite.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Did you know there is a ski resort in Yosemite National Park? Badger Pass Ski Area is a lesser-known ski resort, but it’s one of the most beautiful in the Golden State.
Badger Pass Ski Area offers visitors amazing views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can take lessons at Badger Pass Ski Area if you’re a beginner. Experienced skiers can go for a cross-country adventure.
There are some extreme terrain slopes as well as tubing and snowshoeing areas for the whole family to enjoy at Badger Pass Ski Area. This is one of the most unique ski resorts and it doubles as a great way to explore an epic California national park.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: December 15 (opening delayed due to lack of snow depth)
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 3 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 7,200 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 8,000 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Fresno: 1 hour 50 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort
⛷️ Best for varied slope options.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is a Sierra Nevada ski resort in Norden, California on the south side of Lake Tahoe. This is one of the best resorts for fewer crowds and breathtaking views.
Sugar Bowl is also one of the oldest California ski resorts. It’s home to California’s first chairlift and the first ski gondola on the West Coast. The present-day slopes are 17% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 38% advanced, meaning there’s something for everyone.
Visitors can enjoy on-mountain dining, classy lodging, and endless entertainment in the nearby town in addition to skiing at this top Lake Tahoe ski resort.
- 📅2023-2024 Opening Date: December 1
- ❄️Average Annual Snowfall: 18 feet
- 🎿Elevation at Base: 6,883 feet
- 🏔️Elevation at Summit: 8,383 feet
- 🚗 Distance from Sacramento: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🚠Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
FAQs About California Ski Resorts
How many ski resorts are in California?
There are 34 working ski resorts in California with nearly 800 miles of combined ski slopes.
Where do people ski in Cali?
People ski in all parts of California. There are ski resorts throughout Northern and Southern California. The most popular areas for skiing in California are Lake Tahoe and Mammoth.
Is Mammoth or Tahoe better for skiing?
Both Mammoth and Tahoe are great places for skiing. Mammoth sits at a higher elevation than Lake Tahoe and has drier snow than Tahoe. The slopes are also slightly steeper in Mammoth than in Lake Tahoe.
Where is the best snow in California?
Big Bear,Mammoth Mountain, Yosemite National Park, and Lake Tahoe receive the best snow in California. You can find perfect snow in many areas of California’s mountains in the winter.
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I hope you have fun exploring these top ski resorts! If you’re looking for more fun-filled excursions to do during your stay in California, check out my things to do in California guide next. Happy skiing!
