Looking for the closest ski resort to Los Angeles or Orange County? Southern California skiers can reach several mountains in roughly 1½ to 2½ hours, depending on where you start, traffic, weather and mountain road conditions. Mt. Baldy and Mountain High are among the closest options for many LA-area skiers, while Snow Valley, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are popular choices from Orange County. Below, compare nearby resorts by approximate drive time and what each mountain is best for.
See the Opening Dates for California Ski Resorts
Closest Ski Resorts at a Glance
| Resort | Approx. Drive From OC | Approx. Drive From LA | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Baldy | 1–2 hrs | 1–1½ hrs | Close-to-LA skiing, experienced skiers |
| Mountain High | 1½–2½ hrs | 1½–2 hrs | LA day trips |
| Snow Valley | 1½–2½ hrs | 1½–2½ hrs | Beginners and families |
| Snow Summit | 2–3 hrs | 2–3 hrs | Families, varied terrain |
| Bear Mountain | 2–3 hrs | 2–3 hrs | Terrain parks, freestyle |
Drive times are approximate and can increase significantly with traffic, snow, chain controls and mountain road conditions. Check current road and resort conditions before leaving.
Southern California Ski Resorts Within About 3 Hours
Mt. Baldy Resort
Location: 8401 Mount Baldy Road, Mount Baldy, CA
Approx. drive from OC: 1–2 hours
Approx. drive from LA: 1–1½ hours
Best for: Experienced skiers and one of the closest mountain options to much of Los Angeles
Official website: Mt. Baldy Resort
Mt. Baldy’s proximity makes it attractive for Southern California day trips, but natural snowfall, weather and road conditions can have a major effect on operations. Check the resort’s current lift and terrain status before making the drive.
Mountain High Resort
Location: 24510 CA-2, Wrightwood, CA 92397
Approx. drive from OC: 1½–2½ hours
Approx. drive from LA: 1½–2 hours
Best for: Convenient Los Angeles-area day trips
Official website: Mountain High Resort
Mountain High is one of the most accessible major ski areas from Los Angeles. Because terrain and operating areas can vary by season and conditions, check Mountain High’s current mountain report rather than assuming all resort areas are operating.
Snow Valley
Location: 35100 CA-18, Running Springs, CA 92382
Approx. drive from OC: 1½–2½ hours
Approx. drive from LA: 1½–2½ hours
Best for: Beginners, families and a shorter Big Bear-area drive
Part of: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Official website: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Snow Valley is now one of Big Bear Mountain Resort’s three Southern California mountains, together with Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. It is particularly well suited to beginners and families, with lessons and snow-play options offered during the winter season.
Snow Summit
Location: 880 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Approx. drive from OC: 2–3 hours
Approx. drive from LA: 2–3 hours
Best for: Families and a broad Big Bear ski experience
Part of: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Official website: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Snow Summit is one of Big Bear’s primary ski destinations and is a practical choice for families who want more of a full-day mountain experience. Check current operations and night-session availability before your trip.
Bear Mountain
Location: 43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Approx. drive from OC: 2–3 hours
Approx. drive from LA: 2–3 hours
Best for: Freestyle skiing and snowboarding, terrain parks
Part of: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Official website: Big Bear Mountain Resort
Bear Mountain shares Big Bear Mountain Resort access with Snow Summit and Snow Valley. Its terrain has traditionally appealed strongly to freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Check current terrain, lift and park status before visiting.
Mt. Waterman
Location: Angeles Crest Highway, Angeles National Forest
Approx. drive from OC: About 2 hours or more
Approx. drive from LA: About 1½ hours or more
Best for: Experienced skiers when the mountain is operating
Official website: Mt. Waterman
Mt. Waterman is a small, natural-snow ski area whose operating schedule can be limited by snowfall, road access and other conditions. Treat it as a conditions-dependent option rather than assuming regular daily resort operations, and confirm status directly before traveling.
Best Ski Resorts for a Day Trip From Orange County
For most Orange County skiers, the most practical day-trip choices are Snow Valley, Mt. Baldy, Mountain High, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Snow Valley can save some driving compared with continuing farther into Big Bear Lake, while Snow Summit and Bear Mountain provide a larger destination experience. The best choice depends on your starting city, skill level, snow conditions and traffic.
California Ski Resorts Worth the Longer Drive
The resorts below are not among the closest ski resorts to Los Angeles or Orange County, but they can be worthwhile for a weekend or multi-day California ski trip.
Mammoth Mountain
Location: 10001 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Approx. drive from OC: 5½–7 hours
Best for: Multi-day ski trips and extensive terrain
Official website: Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth is substantially farther than Southern California’s local mountains, but its large ski area and long winter season make it a popular road-trip destination. Plan it as a weekend or longer trip rather than a typical Orange County day trip.
Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort
Location: 1 Dodge Ridge Road, Pinecrest, CA 95364
Approx. drive from OC: 6½–8 hours
Best for: Sierra skiing outside the Tahoe area
Official website: Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort
Dodge Ridge is located in the Stanislaus National Forest and works better as an overnight destination from Southern California. The old phone number on this page was incorrect; current resort information should be obtained directly from Dodge Ridge.
Bear Valley Mountain Resort
Location: 2280 State Route 207, Bear Valley, CA 95223
Approx. drive from OC: 7–8½ hours
Best for: A quieter Sierra getaway
Official website: Bear Valley Mountain Resort
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Approx. drive from OC: 8–10 hours
Best for: Lake Tahoe views and destination skiing
Official website: Heavenly Mountain Resort
Sugar Bowl Resort
Location: 629 Sugar Bowl Road, Norden, CA 95724
Approx. drive from OC: 8–10 hours
Best for: A classic Tahoe-area ski trip
Official website: Sugar Bowl Resort
Sugar Bowl is a historic Sierra ski resort near Donner Summit. The previous copy’s broad superlatives about cross-country mileage, snowfall and being the country’s only snowbound village have been removed because they are unnecessary to deciding which resort is closest to Southern California.
Palisades Tahoe
Location: 1960 Olympic Valley Road, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Approx. drive from OC: 9–10½ hours
Best for: Large destination ski trips
Official website: Palisades Tahoe
Boreal Mountain Resort
Location: 19749 Boreal Ridge Road, Soda Springs, CA 95728
Approx. drive from OC: 9–10½ hours
Best for: Tahoe-area skiing and snowboarding
Official website: Boreal Mountain Resort
What Is the Closest Ski Resort to Los Angeles?
There is no single answer for every part of Los Angeles County, but Mt. Baldy and Mountain High are generally among the closest conventional ski options for many LA-area residents. Your actual travel time depends heavily on where you start, traffic, weather, chain requirements and mountain road conditions.
What Is the Closest Ski Resort to Orange County?
Snow Valley, Mt. Baldy and Mountain High are among the closest ski areas for many Orange County residents. Snow Valley is often a practical option because it is reached before Snow Summit and Bear Mountain when approaching the San Bernardino Mountains from much of Orange County. Actual drive times vary substantially by your starting city and winter road conditions.
Closest Ski Resorts FAQs
Can you ski near Los Angeles?
Yes. Mt. Baldy, Mountain High and the Big Bear Mountain Resort mountains are all within driving distance of Los Angeles, making skiing and snowboarding possible as a day trip when traffic and road conditions cooperate.
What ski resorts are within about two hours of Los Angeles?
Mt. Baldy and Mountain High can be around two hours or less from many parts of Los Angeles under favorable conditions. Snow Valley can also fall near that range from some starting points. Winter traffic and chain controls can add considerable time.
Is Big Bear or Mountain High closer to Los Angeles?
Mountain High is generally closer to much of Los Angeles than Snow Summit or Bear Mountain in Big Bear Lake. However, your exact starting point and traffic can change the comparison.
Which Southern California ski resort is best for beginners?
Snow Valley is a strong beginner and family option and is officially recommended by Big Bear Mountain Resort for beginners and families. Lessons and beginner terrain are also available at other major Southern California resorts.
Can you take a day trip from Orange County to Big Bear?
Yes. Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are common day-trip destinations from Orange County, although winter traffic and mountain conditions can turn a roughly two-to-three-hour drive into a much longer trip. Leave extra time and check road conditions before departing.