It’s time for Southern California to rack up their skis with our list of closest ski resorts to Orange and Los Angeles Counties in hand. The So Cal “twofer” day of catching early morning waves and hitting the slopes for epic afternoon skiing will be legend this winter. Southern California is home to stunning snowcapped mountains and impressive slopes perfect for beginner or competitive skiers; all just a few short hours away from home.
See the Opening Dates for California Ski Resorts
Snow Valley Mountain Resort
35100 California Highway 18, Running Springs, CA
https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/ – Now a part of Big Bear Mtn Resort
909-867-2751
Distance From OC: About an hour and a half
Snow Valley is a perfect blend of patience and excitement for all ski levels. Snow Valley also has affordable learning centers for kids and adult beginners. There’s plenty of places to frolic in the snow, lounge on the sun deck, or enjoy watching the winter hustle and bustle of energetic skiers.
Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts
8401 Mount Baldy Road, Mount Baldy, CA
https://www.mtbaldyresort.com/
909-982-0800
Distance From OC: An hour to an hour and a half
Mt. Baldy has been conquering the need for speed on the slopes for more than 60 years. It’s a trusted name nation-wide and Orange and Los Angeles County residents flock to Mt. Baldy for its 26 all-natural ski trails with runs of varying difficulty. Mt. Baldy has challenging “experts only” trails making it a top destination for skiers looking to become stronger and more competitive.
Snow Summit Mountain Resort
880 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA
https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/
Distance From OC: About 2 hours
Snow Summit is an exciting resort best known for its thrilling night sessions. It’s a manageable resort for kids, easy-going snow lovers and best of all has a family park offering low key activities.
Bear Mountain Resort
43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA
https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/
Distance From OC: About 2 hours
Bear Mountain Resort is a top choice for skiing near Orange County. The entire family can take beginning and intermediate lessons. More experienced visitors can hit the regular half-pipe or attempt the more challenging super-pipe. It’s a great ski and go resort offering something for every ski enthusiast.
Mountain High Resort
24510 Highway CA-2, Wrightwood, CA 92397
https://www.mthigh.com/site
888-754-7878
Distance From OC: About an hour and a half
Mountain High is three resorts in one located in Wrightwood, CA and offers incredible terrains of varied experiences. East and West Resorts offer more challenging slopes and longer runs. Beginners and families are best suited for the North Resort. Mountain High has many affordable ski packages and is ideal for the occasion when you only have a few hours to enjoy skiing.
Mt. Waterman Ski Lifts
California 2, La Canada Flintridge, CA 93553
http://www.mtwaterman.org/
818-790-2002
Distance From OC: About an Hour and a half
Voted best little secret in Los Angeles County, Mt. Waterman is small but mighty. With only three chairlifts, Mt. Waterman offers lifts to 8,030 feet and skiers can enjoy carving down tree-lined trails to the Warming Hut for firepit magic and aperitifs. Escape the crowds and get the most powder time out of your day.
Mammoth Mountain
10001 Minaret Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
https://www.mammothmountain.com/
800-626-6684
Distance From OC: About 5 and a half hours
Mammoth Mountain is a world famous, grand resort that delivers exactly what you’re looking for in an unforgettable ski vacation. If you’re looking for something truly special, Mammoth Mountain has it. Imagine witnessing one of the highest lift-served peaks in California at 11,053 feet. There’s so much to see and do in this bustling resort filled with immaculate glades, towering halfpipes and powder-filled bowls.
Palisades Tahoe / Lake Tahoe
1960 Olympic Valley Road, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
https://www.palisadestahoe.com/
800-403-0206
Distance From OC: About 9 hours
Formerly known as Squaw Valley, Palisades Tahoe is a premier ski resort offering plenty of slope runs for shy beginners and awesome athletes. Palisades Tahoe is synonymous with snow and its majestic region is filled with breathtaking scenery and unbelievable slopes. Even if you’re not a ski buff, take the tram to the top of the mountain and witness all the winter beauty.
Heavenly Mountain
3860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
https://www.skiheavenly.com/
775-586-7000
Distance From OC: About 8 hours
This is South Lake Tahoe’s best in show resort. Heavenly Mountain is a picturesque snow resort in the Sierra Nevada that never fails to impress skiers or snow frolickers. It’s all about the views at Heavenly Mountain. Guests can choose between steep chutes or rolling glades and Heavenly is home to the largest snow-making system on the West Coast.
Sugar Bowl Resort
629 Sugar Bowl Rd., Norden, CA 95724
https://www.sugarbowl.com/home
530-426-9000
Distance From OC: About 8 hours
Sugar Bowl has been a family owned and operated resort since 1939 and stands alone as the largest cross-country network in North America: 200 kilometers of groomed trails. Discover a powder paradise with 12 lifts that include 5 high speed quads, 1 fixed triple, 1 gondola and much more. Sugar Bowl Village is also the only snowbound village in the United States and with the most snow fall of all neighboring resorts, it’s a sure bet for your next ski trip.
Camino Cielo Ski Area
East Camino Cielo Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
https://www.santabarbara.com/activities/skiing/camino-cielo-ski-area/
Distance From OC: About 2 and a half hours
High above the shimmering waters of the Santa Barbara Channel is a one-of-a-kind coastal ski destination. It’s a “twofer” paradise being the only city in the United States to offer both surfing and skiing. Come discover the snow on the Santa Inez Mountains, one of Santa Barbara’s best kept secrets.
Bear Valley Resort
2280 State Route 207, Bear Valley, CA 95223
https://www.bearvalley.com/
209-753-2327
Distance From OC: About 7 hours
Tucked halfway between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite is the best kept secret in the Sierra. Bear Valley is friendly, relaxing, and visitors are embraced with a chill vibe. Showcasing 360-degree views of the Sierra, Bear Valley is home to Mokelumne Peak, the shining star of the Stanislaus National Forest. Stay in a cozy ski lodge near Bear Valley Village and shuttle easily to Bear Valley Mountain during your stay.
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort
1 Dodge Ridge Rd., Pinecrest, CA 95364
https://www.dodgeridge.com/
806-965-3474
Distance From OC: Abut 6 and a half hours
Dodge Ridge is less crowded and has minimal highway congestion compared to the neighboring routes further north to the Tahoe resorts. This is a smaller place, perfect for families and very affordable. There is plenty of tubing fun at Dodge Ridge.
Boreal Mountain Resort
19749 Boreal Ridge Rd., Soda Springs, CA 95728
https://www.rideboreal.com/
530-426-3666
Distance From OC: About 9 hours
Boreal is a hidden gem known for its night skiing, making it the ideal ski destination for those half-days at the office. It’s the perfect resort for families of beginner skiers with its manageable slopes. When the kids get tired of tubing or skiing, switch it up and enjoy the indoor bmx/skate complex.
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| California Ski Resort Opening Dates | Snow Summit vs. Bear Mountain |
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| Mammoth Mountain | Southern California Winter Vacation Ideas |
