All 28 California Ski Resorts Ranked by Region
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California is home to twenty-eight ski resorts. Winter in California is the perfect time to explore new resorts and create unforgettable memories.
From Tahoe to the rugged peaks of Northern California to the gleaming slopes of Southern California, there’s no shortage of top-rated ski resorts in California to choose from.
So, where do people in California go to ski?
For a snowy escape up north, Heavenly is an unbeatable choice boasting unreal views of Lake Tahoe as you ski. For a Central California escape that won’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with China Peak. Meanwhile, Big Bear reigns supreme in Southern California for its accessibility for advanced skiers.
No matter which region you visit, a winter wonderland of snow-capped peaks awaits!
Here are the best California ski resorts ranked by region based on size, slopes, snow, and amenities.
The Best Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts
With sixteen different ski resorts within its forty-mile radius including three in Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the ski capital of California. This area offers destination ski resorts including lodging and villages, lodge-only resorts, and day ski areas with no lodging available.
1. Heavenly Mountain Resort
Heavenly Mountain Resort is located on the California-Nevada border and offers breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe while you ski. The destination resort features over 4,800 acres of skiable terrain and is a great place for both beginner and advanced skiers. It also offers the highest elevation of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts.
2. Palisades Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley Ski Resort) is the largest ski resort in California. The destination resort features over 6,000 acres of skiable terrain and is a great place for both beginner and advanced skiers. It also offers luxury slopeside lodging and amenities. It has two bases including the former Alpine Meadows Ski Resort which merged with Palisades in 2011.
3. Northstar California Resort
Northstar California Resort is a destination resort that features over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and is a great place for both beginner and advanced skiers. It also offers a variety of non-skiing activities such as snowshoeing, ice skating, and fat tire snow biking.
4. Sierra-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe is a day ski area offering some of the cheapest passes near Tahoe. Sierra offers 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, as well as a variety of backcountry options for those looking to explore beyond the groomed runs.
5. Homewood Mountain Resort
“280 steps lift to lake” Homewood Mountain Resort is another destination resort with views of Lake Tahoe as you ski. It is also known for its beginner and family-friendly passes for beginner skiers.
6. Sugar Bowl Resort
Sugar Bowl Resort is just a short drive from Lake Tahoe. The lodge-only resort offers a variety of ski trails for all levels of skiers as well as snow tubing.
7. Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort features over 2,300 acres of skiable terrain with a small village. It is a destination resort often rated as one of the best places for advanced skiers.
8. Donner Ski Ranch
Donner Ski Ranch is one of the oldest ski resorts in California, and is one of the few family-owned and operated ski resorts. It is a day ski area offering rentals, lessons, and a restaurant.
9. Boreal Mountain
Boreal is another day ski area that is also home to the year-round Woodward indoor action sports bunker. It offers many youth programs and camps as it operates as a Summer Camp in the off-season.
10. Soda Springs
Located directly off the 180, Soda Springs is the closest ski resort to the Bay Area. It is a family-friendly day ski area with a large tubing and children’s snow play area.
11. Tahoe Donner
Not to be confused with Donner Ranch, Tahoe Donner is “the best place to begin.” It is a small, beginner-focused day ski area.
12. Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area
Part of Sugar Bowl’s resort village, Royal Gorge is North America’s largest cross-country ski resort. Skate, snowshoe, or use the dog run. Royal Gorge has 6,000 acres of trails featuring warming huts throughout the trail system.
13. Granlibakken
Granlibakken is a lodge that has a “modestly sized” ski hill on the property, including a snow school and rental shop. Another beginner-friendly hill, Granlibakken is the cheapest lift ticket in Tahoe.
The Best Northern California Ski Resorts
From the rugged Shasta Cascade to Mammoth Mountain – one of the top-ranked ski resorts in the country – Northern California offers a range of spectacular skiing experiences.
1. Mammoth Mountain
Located on the eastern side of the Sierras, Mammoth is regarded as one of the best ski resorts in the country and is widely considered the best ski resort in California. The quality of snow, altitude, range of slopes, and amenities makes it one of the top places to ski in California. Due to its elevation, Mammoth has one of the longest seasons in the country, often from late October through late May.
2. June Mountain Ski Area
June Mountain is also on the eastern side of the Sierras near Mammoth Lakes. Compared to Mammoth, June Mountain is less crowded and offers more beginner-friendly terrain with the same incredible views. Kids under 12 ride free.
3. Bear Valley
Halfway between Tahoe and Yosemite, Bear Valley is an uncrowded resort due to its location. With backcountry trails and slalom courses, Bear Valley is great for advanced skiers.
4. Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort
Just east of Modesto, Dodge Ridge is the second-closest ski resort to the Bay Area. It has a family lodge, beginner lessons, and over 800 skiable acres.
5. China Peak Mountain Resort
Just 90 minutes east of Fresno, China Peak is the 10th biggest ski resort in California. It has a small lodge, rental shop, and restaurant. The closest town to China Peak is Shaver Lake.
6. Mt. Shasta Ski Park
With a brand new ski lift, Mt. Shasta is expanding its trails and offerings. Shasta is unique because you get to ski on a volcano, which is also the largest (by volume) mountain in the lower 48. Plus due to its size, Shasta offers one of the best mountain views
7. Badger Pass Ski Area (Yosemite)
Also known as the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area, Badger Pass is one of the only ski resorts located within a National Park. It is a beginner-friendly day ski area with ten runs, and it is also a cross-country ski area. The cross-country ski to Glacier Point is a bucket list trail.
8. Coppervale Ski Area at Lassen College
With eight trails, a half pipe, and one lift, Coppervale Ski Area is run by Lassen Community College.
The Best Southern California Ski Resorts
Most of the ski resorts near Los Angeles are nestled high in the San Bernardino Mountains and offer a variety of scenery and terrain for skiers and snowboarders.
1. Big Bear Mountain Resort
Big Bear is one of the most popular ski resorts in Southern California. The resort features two mountains to choose from- Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Snow Summit is larger and offers night sessions, while Bear Mountain has a bigger learning area and features southern California’s only half pipes.
2. Snow Valley Mountain Resort
Snow Valley is located in the San Bernardino Mountains and is one of the oldest ski resorts in Southern California. It also offers a variety of amenities, including a tubing hill, terrain park, and cross-country skiing trails.
3. Mt. Baldy Resort
Mt. Baldy is located in the San Gabriel Mountains and has a lodge and restaurant. It is also home to a large snow play area for all levels of skiers and snowboarders
4. Mountain High Resort
Once three separate resorts, Mountain High is now one resort with skiing, snowboarding, and a large snow play area.
5. Mt. Waterman Ski Lifts
Mt. Waterman is the closest ski area to Los Angeles and is also one of the most affordable ski areas. It has three chair lifts and operates with natural snow only.
6. Alta Sierra Ski Resort
Alta Sierra Ski Resort (formerly known as Shirley Meadows) is the closest ski resort to Bakersfield. While it is in the Sierra Nevadas, it is still considered Southern California. It caters to beginner to intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
7. Rim Nordic Crosscountry Ski Area
Rim Nordic is across from Snow Valley and is the only cross-country ski area in Southern California. It has a rental shack and warming hut, as well as lessons and snowshoe trails.
Ski Resorts in California Map
FAQ
Mammoth is widely regarded as the best ski resort in California for its quality of snow, altitude, range of slopes, amenities, and long season.
There are 28 ski resorts in California.
There are 22 ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada mountain range including three in Nevada.
There are sixteen ski resorts within forty miles (90 minutes) of Lake Tahoe, including three in Nevada.
Dating back to the 1800s, Johnsonville’s Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl is the oldest ski resort in California. It shut down due to lack of funding in 1998. Badger Pass is the oldest resort still in operation.
Palisades Tahoe is the largest ski resort in California with over 200 kilometers of ski slopes.
Yes! Known as the California Double, you can ski in the morning and surf the pacific ocean on the same day in California.
With a single hill, Granlibakken is California’s smallest ski resort. Alta Sierra is the second smallest ski resort.
There are three cross-country ski resorts in California: Royal Gorge, Rim Nordic, and Badger Pass.
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