Southern California, a land often associated with sun-kissed beaches and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, harbors a surprising secret: a thriving winter sports scene. Just a short drive from the Pacific coastline, the majestic mountains surrounding Los Angeles transform into snow-dusted playgrounds during the winter months, offering a diverse range of skiing and snowboarding experiences. Imagine yourself carving down powdery slopes in the morning and catching a sunset surf session in the afternoon – a quintessential Southern California experience that blends the best of both worlds. This unique juxtaposition makes the region a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure in all seasons.
The mountains surrounding Los Angeles offer a spectrum of winter sports destinations, catering to every taste and skill level. From sprawling, highly developed resorts boasting a plethora of lifts, meticulously groomed runs, state-of-the-art snowmaking capabilities, vibrant nightlife, and ample lodging options, to smaller, more intimate ski areas with minimal amenities and untouched backcountry terrain, Southern California’s winter landscape is as varied as its iconic coastline. Whether you’re a seasoned professional seeking challenging slopes or a beginner eager to learn the basics, you’ll find a winter wonderland to suit your needs.
For those planning multiple ski trips throughout the season, consider investing in the Ski California Gold Pass. This coveted pass grants access to a remarkable 32 downhill and cross-country resorts across the state, providing unparalleled flexibility and value for avid skiers and snowboarders. Whether you choose to use it yourself or share it with friends and family, the Ski California Gold Pass unlocks a world of winter adventures.
Let’s delve into the details of some of the best skiing and snowboarding destinations in Southern California, each offering a unique blend of terrain, amenities, and atmosphere:
Big Bear: A Winter Playground
Big Bear Lake, nestled in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains, reigns supreme as the most popular ski and snowboarding destination near Los Angeles. While not the closest ski area to the city, Big Bear boasts a winning combination of two distinct ski resorts, a diverse culinary scene, a wide array of locally owned accommodations, and a plethora of other winter activities. This makes it an ideal destination, particularly for families seeking a comprehensive winter experience. The two premier ski and snowboarding resorts, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, operate under the umbrella of Big Bear Mountain Resorts. A single lift ticket grants access to both resorts, and a convenient free shuttle service facilitates seamless transitions between the two, allowing you to explore the unique offerings of each mountain.
Snow Summit: Situated closest to Big Bear Lake Village, approximately 104 miles (or a little over two hours) from Los Angeles, Snow Summit caters primarily to skiers. Its terrain features longer runs and fewer terrain park elements compared to Bear Mountain, making it a favorite among skiers of all levels. The Family Park, located on the west side of the resort, is particularly popular with beginners and children, offering gentle slopes that are ideal for honing fundamental skills. One of Snow Summit’s standout features is nighttime skiing, offered on weekends and holidays, providing a unique and exhilarating experience under the stars.
Bear Mountain: In contrast to Snow Summit, Bear Mountain is a mecca for snowboarders, renowned for its extensive and ever-evolving terrain parks. The resort’s youthful vibe attracts a predominantly young adult and teenage crowd, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere centered around "The Scene" – the collection of bars, snack bars, restaurants, and shops located at the base of the mountain. Unlike Snow Summit, Bear Mountain does not offer mountaintop dining options, so those seeking a midday meal will need to venture over to Snow Summit. Additionally, Bear Mountain does not offer night skiing, prompting some to hop over to Snow Summit for a few runs under the lights after a day on the slopes.
Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood: Convenience and Variety
Mountain High Resort, situated near the charming town of Wrightwood on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains, stands as the closest full-service ski and snowboarding resort to Los Angeles, just 86 miles away. Its proximity and convenient access to on-site dining, equipment rentals, and nearby lodging make it a popular choice among locals. Furthermore, many appreciate the ability to bypass traffic and delays by driving around the mountain to reach the resort.
Mountain High is comprised of three distinct resorts, each offering a unique experience: West Resort, East Resort, and North Resort. A single lift pass grants access to all three, and a free shuttle service connects them, allowing you to seamlessly explore the diverse terrain. However, it’s important to note that snowmaking capabilities cover only 80 percent of the runs, which can lead to limited trail availability, especially early in the season. Before heading to Mountain High, it’s wise to check the trail status to ensure your desired runs are open.
While Mountain High may not boast the scale or the most modern amenities of some world-renowned resorts, it offers a solid skiing and snowboarding experience, particularly after a good snowfall. Advanced skiers can find challenging technical runs, while beginners can take advantage of specialized programs, including classes for seniors, adaptive programs for learners with special needs, and winter weekend ski day-camps for children and teens.
Each of the three Mountain High resorts offers a distinct terrain, atmosphere, and operating hours. The West Resort, the largest of the three, features 34 trails and eight lifts, offering the most technical trails and unique terrain features for progressive riders and skiers of all skill levels. The East Resort boasts the longest trails and breathtaking views overlooking the Mojave Desert. The North Resort, the smallest of the three, features 10 trails and only one lift, and is open only from Friday to Sunday during peak season.
While most visitors opt for a day trip to Mountain High, Wrightwood offers a selection of motels and rental cabins, and the nearby town of Phelan provides additional hotel options, approximately 20 minutes away. Despite being 30 miles farther than Mt. Baldy or Mt. Waterman, Mountain High often takes only a few minutes longer to reach from Los Angeles, thanks to the less demanding mountain driving.
Snow Valley: A Family-Friendly Escape
Snow Valley Mountain Resort, located just outside of Running Springs, halfway between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake on Highway 18, offers a delightful combination of technical trails and beginner terrain, making it a popular choice for families and groups with diverse skill levels. Its lower elevation, approximately 1,000 feet lower than Bear Mountain, means that Snow Valley typically receives snow later in the season compared to the resorts in Big Bear. With snowmaking capabilities covering only half of its trails, trail availability can be limited early in the season.
Despite these factors, Snow Valley, just 91 miles from Los Angeles, is known for being more economical, more friendly, and less crowded than the Big Bear resorts. This is partly due to the lack of adjacent lodging options, requiring visitors to drive to Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, or San Bernardino for overnight accommodations. The limited lodging also translates to fewer non-ski recreation activities available.
However, these perceived shortcomings can be a blessing for those seeking a less crowded, reasonably priced resort within two hours of Los Angeles. In addition to its 28 trails for skiing and snowboarding, Snow Valley features a dedicated Snow Play Area for sledding (sleds provided) and offers nighttime skiing on Fridays and Saturdays during peak season. A special afternoon-evening lift ticket caters to teens arriving after school on Fridays, and an after-school program is available for children in first through eighth grades.
Refreshments are available at the base area Sun Deck, and the nearby town of Running Springs offers a selection of restaurants.
Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts: A Backcountry Adventure
Mount Baldy Ski Lifts, nestled in the Angeles National Forest of the San Gabriel Mountains, ranks as the second-closest ski area to Los Angeles, after Mount Waterman. Mt. Baldy, a nickname for Mt. San Antonio, offers a unique blend of challenging terrain and stunning natural beauty.
Located approximately one hour and 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and roughly an hour and a half from Los Angeles beaches (without traffic), Mt. Baldy provides the closest skiing option to the coast. If you’re up for the "surf-to-ski" challenge, the closest beaches are Seal Beach and Newport Beach in Orange County, a 60-mile (one hour, 20 minutes drive time) journey.
Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts offers downhill skiing and snowboarding across 400 acres, much of which is backcountry, accessed via four older lifts. Locals consider this to be one of the best skiing areas for residents of the region, with 13 of its 26 runs classified as advanced or expert.
Some visitors find the vintage Sugar Pine Chair Lift up to the Notch, the area between the two peaks with restaurants, charming in the summer. However, the 15-minute ride can be a bit cold and unsettling in the winter.
If you’re an advanced skier who can visit mid-week after a good snowfall and possess the expertise to ski your way back to the parking lot, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate Mt. Baldy, where skiers dominate the slopes but advanced snowboarders can also find plenty of enjoyment.
Skiing and snowboarding lessons are available, and equipment rental includes the basics. While not ideal for beginners, Mt. Baldy Ski Area does offer beginner lessons. Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Mt. Baldy is a popular destination for mountain climbing and snowshoeing, attracting peak baggers from across the region. With only a handful of guest beds available in Mt. Baldy Village, most visitors opt for a day trip.
Mt. Waterman Ski Lifts: A Hidden Gem
Mount Waterman, situated in the San Gabriel Mountains, is a lesser-known day ski and snowboarding area near Los Angeles, cherished by those who frequent it. Located just 47 miles from City Hall, it’s the closest skiing to Los Angeles and boasts a rich history, with the first rope tow installed in 1939.
Mt. Waterman relies entirely on natural snowfall, resulting in years where insufficient snow prevents it from opening for the entire season.
Mt. Waterman features three chairlifts serving 24 runs, most of which are advanced or expert level. Its unique "upside-down resort" layout places the amenities at the top of the chairlift instead of the bottom. Non-advanced skiers will need to ride the chairlift back down to the parking lot, as all the bottom ski runs are expert level. The beginner and intermediate slopes require a bit of a trek further up the hill.
During the season, Mt. Waterman Ski Area is open on weekends, holidays, and Powder Days, eagerly anticipated by locals. When the base is deep enough to cover the rocks and a fresh layer of powder blankets the slopes, skiing Mt. Waterman is a truly exceptional experience.
If you’re planning to ski Mt. Waterman, it’s essential to bring your own gear or rent it before you drive up, as there are no rental facilities available. If the lifts are running, restrooms, phones, ski patrol, food, and drinks are available at the Warming Hut at the top of Chair 1.
Rim Nordic Ski Area: Cross-Country Paradise
Cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing, has experienced a surge in popularity, leading to the development of dedicated resources. Rim Nordic Ski Area, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains across the street from Snow Valley on Highway 18, stands as the first and only cross-country ski area in Southern California with machine-groomed trails for Nordic skiing, skating, and snowshoeing.
Rim Nordic Ski Area offers lessons and rentals for traditional cross-country skiing, ski-skating, and snowshoeing. In the off-season, the resort transforms into a venue for mountain bike racing and trail running events.
While there is no restaurant on-site, a small shop sells snacks, souvenirs, and cold-weather gear, and a snack bar is located across the street at Snow Valley. A few guest beds are available in Running Springs, but the nearest lodging is approximately 20 minutes away on the west side of Big Bear Lake.
Mt. Pinos Nordic Skiing: A Backcountry Adventure
Mt. Pinos, the highest point of the San Emigdio Mountains in Ventura County’s Los Padres National Forest, offers a completely bring-your-own (BYO-DIY) ski and snow-sport experience. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are the dominant activities, with limited downhill skiing opportunities due to the absence of lifts.
There are no lessons, no equipment rentals, and no amenities beyond portable toilets. The Mt. Pinos Ski Area operates as a collaborative effort between the National Forest Service and the all-volunteer Mt. Pinos Nordic Patrol, which runs a base station on weekends in a building near the parking lot.
The reference point is the Chula Vista Campground or Parking Lot at the very end of Mt. Pinos Road, approximately 21 miles from the Frazier Park exit off Interstate 5 at the top of the Grapevine. Depending on weather and traffic conditions, it’s about an hour and a half from Los Angeles.
In addition to a trail map, a National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park your vehicle. Both can be obtained at the Nordic Base on weekends or at the ranger station in Frazier Park.
Before heading up, check for current Kern County road closures, as roads are not always cleared after snowfall.
The best skiing and snowboarding in Southern California provide a great break from beach time during an LA vacation.
