Your Complete Guide to Skiing in California
Practical insights on 19 ski resorts across California, with honest reviews and planning advice for your next ski trip.Sunshine skiing with Lake Tahoe's stunning alpine lake setting.
Why Choose California for Skiing?
What Makes California Special
- ✓Lake Tahoe
- ✓Diverse terrain
- ✓Sunshine skiing
- ✓West Coast culture
Best For
- •Sunshine skiing
- •Diverse terrain
- •West Coast lifestyle
Peak Season: January to March
19 Ski Resorts in California
From beginner-friendly slopes of Snow Valley through to the advanced terrain of Kirkwood
19
Resorts
279
Total Lifts
1,402
Total Trails
32,345ac
Skiable Area
Filter & Sort Resorts
Showing 19 of 19 resorts
Bear Valley
10
Lifts
75
Trails
1680 ac
Resort Size
6,601ft
Base
8,501ft
Summit
1,900ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
11%
40%
45%
4%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Big Bear
11
Lifts
29
Trails
198 ac
Resort Size
7,139ft
Base
8,806ft
Summit
1,667ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
20%
33%
33%
14%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Boreal
7
Lifts
34
Trails
380 ac
Resort Size
7,198ft
Base
7,700ft
Summit
502ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
23%
33%
44%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
China Peak
10
Lifts
52
Trails
1400 ac
Resort Size
7,031ft
Base
8,707ft
Summit
1,677ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
16%
57%
19%
8%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Dodge Ridge
12
Lifts
67
Trails
862 ac
Resort Size
6,601ft
Base
8,199ft
Summit
1,598ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
20%
40%
40%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Heavenly
26
Lifts
97
Trails
4800 ac
Resort Size
6,568ft
Base
10,066ft
Summit
3,497ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
8%
62%
25%
5%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Homewood
8
Lifts
67
Trails
510 ac
Resort Size
6,230ft
Base
7,881ft
Summit
1,650ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
15%
40%
30%
15%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
June Mountain
7
Lifts
43
Trails
1500 ac
Resort Size
7,546ft
Base
10,089ft
Summit
2,543ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
16%
40%
28%
16%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Kirkwood
15
Lifts
85
Trails
2300 ac
Resort Size
7,799ft
Base
9,800ft
Summit
2,001ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
12%
30%
38%
20%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Mammoth Mountain
31
Lifts
150
Trails
3500 ac
Resort Size
7,953ft
Base
11,053ft
Summit
3,100ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
15%
48%
24%
13%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Mountain High
17
Lifts
59
Trails
290 ac
Resort Size
6,601ft
Base
8,199ft
Summit
1,598ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
25%
40%
30%
5%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Mt Baldy
4
Lifts
26
Trails
800 ac
Resort Size
6,499ft
Base
8,599ft
Summit
2,100ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
20%
40%
20%
20%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Mt Shasta Ski Park
6
Lifts
32
Trails
425 ac
Resort Size
5,499ft
Base
7,536ft
Summit
2,037ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
20%
55%
25%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Northstar
20
Lifts
100
Trails
3170 ac
Resort Size
6,329ft
Base
8,609ft
Summit
2,280ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
13%
60%
20%
7%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Palisades Tahoe
41
Lifts
279
Trails
6400 ac
Resort Size
6,201ft
Base
9,049ft
Summit
2,848ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
13%
33%
30%
24%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Sierra at Tahoe
14
Lifts
47
Trails
2000 ac
Resort Size
6,640ft
Base
8,852ft
Summit
2,211ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
25%
50%
25%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snow Summit
16
Lifts
27
Trails
240 ac
Resort Size
6,998ft
Base
8,199ft
Summit
1,201ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
19%
48%
26%
7%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Snow Valley
13
Lifts
30
Trails
240 ac
Resort Size
6,801ft
Base
7,841ft
Summit
1,040ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
32%
13%
41%
14%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Sugar Bowl
11
Lifts
103
Trails
1650 ac
Resort Size
6,883ft
Base
8,383ft
Summit
1,499ft
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
15%
45%
28%
12%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Planning Tips for California
From Our Research
Tahoe gets busy on weekends - consider weekday trips
How It Compares: Reliable sunshine and diverse terrain options
Planning Questions
Best time to ski in California?
January to March typically offers the best conditions. Check individual resort pages for specific timing and current snow reports.
How do these resorts compare globally?
Reliable sunshine and diverse terrain options
What is the best ski resort in California?
For beginners, Snow Valley offers excellent learning terrain, while Kirkwood provides the most challenging slopes for advanced skiers. Check our detailed resort profiles below for specific recommendations.
Can I ski multiple resorts in California?
California has 19 ski resorts. Check individual resort pages for information about multi-resort passes and connections between ski areas.