California Ski Resorts

California has the largest population of any state in the U.S, and it may just boast the biggest personalities in the ski world. Thanks to a wide variety of terrain spread out across the state, California skiers and snowboarders often travel up to eight hours to get their fix of snow.

Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains provide easy access from Los Angeles to resorts like Bear Mountain, Snow Summit and Mountain High. Farther north, the Sierra Nevada range is the most popular ski destination in California. Mammoth Mountain in the Eastern Sierra has steeps and bowls for a variety of skill levels. Within the Sierra Nevada, the Lake Tahoe region has the most concentrated amount of ski areas in all of California. On the lake’s north side, Squaw Valley’s steeps and cliffs will suit the extreme skiers while Sugar Bowl receives enough snow to satisfy most powder hounds. On the south side Heavenly offers luxury slope side accommodations and Kirkwood provides a broad range of advanced skiing and snowboarding terrain.

Skiing in California

Is There Skiing Near Los Angeles?

The ski resorts nearest to Los Angeles include the following:

• Mountain High


• Mount Baldy


• Snow Valley


• Big Bear/Snow Summit

What California Ski Resorts Get the Most Snow?

• Kirkwood – 500 inches


• Sugar Bowl Resort – 500 inches

Which California Ski Resorts Are Best for Beginners?

Many California resorts have features for beginners. Some of the best, however, are the following:

• Squaw Valley


• Mammoth Mountain


• Northstar at Tahoe


• Sugar Bowl Resort

Click on any resort below to receive ski and snow reports for California resorts, or click on the other tabs for information regarding California resort stats, chairlift information, user reviews and more.