California, Usa · Powder Alliance
Mountain High
290 acres across 3 mountains, 59 runs, night skiing 7 nights weekly. Just 90 minutes from LA in California's San Gabriel Mountains.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
28 Nov 2025
Closes
15 Mar 2026
Days open
107
Annual snow
10ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mountain High operates across 290 acres in the San Gabriel Mountains, spanning elevations from 2012 to 2499 metres with 487 metres of vertical drop. The resort comprises 59 runs across three distinct areas – East, West, and North – with terrain split 25 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate, 30 percent advanced, and 5 percent expert. Goldrush, the 2.6-kilometre run at East Resort, holds the distinction of being Southern California's longest trail. Snowmaking covers more than 80 percent of terrain, supplementing an annual average of 3 metres of natural snowfall, whilst the resort claims consistent early-season opening as the first Southern California area to operate each winter.
West Resort dominates with terrain parks featuring obstacles like the Slayer Box and Paradox, plus The Reef glade zone when snow depth allows. East Resort delivers a contrasting alpine character with long groomed runs, Olympic Bowl mogul field, and sweeping views across the Mojave Desert. North Resort, formerly Ski Sunrise, offers 70 acres of beginner-intermediate terrain and Southern California's largest tubing park with up to 12 lanes, operating Fridays through Sundays during peak season. The Discovery Chairlift at East Resort summit provides access to 20 acres of beginner terrain at 2499 metres elevation.
Night skiing operates seven nights weekly during peak season until 10pm, primarily at West Resort with more than 85 percent of terrain illuminated. Free shuttles run every five to ten minutes between East and West bases, with single tickets valid across all three mountains. The Bullwheel Bar and Grill anchors West Resort's lively base scene with live music and events, whilst Grand View Bistro at East summit serves sit-down dining at 2499 metres. Wrightwood, 5 kilometres east, provides overnight accommodation from budget cabins to multi-bedroom rentals, though the resort itself offers no lodging.
Mountain High participates in the Powder Alliance, granting passholders three free days at 14 partner resorts worldwide. The Cali Pass delivers unlimited access here plus Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge, and China Peak. Season passes start at $399 USD, with daily tickets ranging $69-89 USD depending on date, whilst night sessions run $45-55 USD. The resort suits Los Angeles day-trippers seeking accessible terrain variety, terrain park riders drawn to West Resort's features, and families attracted to North Resort's dedicated learning zones and California's value-driven pricing structure.
1,598ft
Vertical
59
Runs
290 acres
Skiable
10ft
Annual snow
Powder Alliance
Pass
The Terrain
59 runs across 290 acres skiable
Mountain High spreads 59 runs across 290 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 15 beginner runs to find your feet and 21 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
59
runs
59 runs across 4 grades
Beginner15 runs · 25%
Intermediate24 runs · 40%
Advanced18 runs · 30%
Expert3 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Mountain High
Mountain High operates from late November through mid-March, with the 2025-26 season running 28 November 2025 to 15 March 2026. West Resort typically opens first in Southern California due to higher base elevation at 2133 metres and extensive snowmaking infrastructure, often operating before Thanksgiving. The season spans approximately 108 days, shorter than northern counterparts but reliable given comprehensive snowmaking coverage. Night skiing runs Wednesday through Sunday during peak periods, extending operational hours seven nights weekly when conditions allow.
The resort receives an average 3 metres of natural snowfall annually, with February historically delivering peak accumulation around week four of the month averaging 12 centimetres per snowfall event. Snowmaking covers more than 80 percent of terrain, enabling operations despite Southern California's Mediterranean climate and lower natural snow totals compared to Sierra Nevada resorts. The 2025-26 season recorded 112 centimetres of total snowfall by March. Elevation advantage at East and West summits approaching 2500 metres helps retain snow quality, whilst North Resort's reliance on natural snow limits operational days.
January through February offers optimal powder conditions following storm cycles tracking across Southern California, whilst March delivers spring corn snow and warmer temperatures. Weekday visits avoid weekend crowds that swell from Los Angeles and Orange County, with Thursday attracting locals for fresh snow before weekend tracking. December holiday periods from 20 December through 4 January rank as busiest, alongside Martin Luther King weekend and Presidents' Day weekend mid-February. Early-season November conditions depend entirely on snowmaking, with natural terrain limited until late December.
Oktoberfest runs weekends 4-19 October at West Resort, attracting thousands annually as Wrightwood's largest festival. Terrain park competitions including rail jams and freestyle events punctuate the calendar, whilst family programming features Easter egg hunts hiding $5,000 in prizes and discounts. The H2O Winter Surf/Snow Classic and various USASA sanctioned events draw competitive riders. Summer operations include disc golf on three nine-hole courses at North Resort, plus camping, events, and seasonal festivals, though mountain biking has paused as of 2026.
Season 2025 - 2026
28 Nov 2025
Opens
15 Mar 2026
Closes
107
Days open
10 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Mountain High, and where to stay
Mountain High sits in the San Gabriel Mountains within Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California, despite proximity to the San Bernardino County line near Wrightwood. The three resort areas stretch along State Route 2 west of Wrightwood township, with base elevations ranging 2012-2194 metres and summit reaching 2499 metres at East Resort. The San Gabriel range forms a dramatic transition between the Los Angeles Basin to the south and the Mojave Desert stretching north and east, with resort terrain offering desert vistas rare for ski areas.
Wrightwood, population 4,525, sits 5 kilometres east at 1809 metres elevation, providing the nearest services, dining, and overnight lodging for visitors. The mountain town operates year-round as a recreation gateway, with the resort located along State Route 2 approximately 5 kilometres past Wrightwood when approaching from Highway 138. Los Angeles lies 145 kilometres southwest, whilst San Diego sits 3.5 hours south via Interstate 15. Orange County communities including Anaheim reach the resort in 75 minutes. The Antelope Valley cities of Palmdale and Lancaster lie close enough that West Resort's night lighting remains visible from the desert floor.
State Route 2, known as Angeles Crest Highway through this section, provides primary access from Los Angeles via Interstate 210 in La Cañada Flintridge, climbing 66 kilometres through the San Gabriel Mountains with no mountain driving chains required under normal conditions. From the Inland Empire and desert approaches, Interstate 15 North to Highway 138 West connects to State Route 2, delivering visitors in 90 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. The Highway 138 junction sits 20 minutes from Interstate 15. No petrol stations operate along the 90-kilometre stretch between La Cañada and Wrightwood.
Ontario International Airport lies 63 kilometres south, requiring approximately 45 minutes driving time, making it the closest commercial service. Los Angeles International Airport sits 90 minutes southwest, whilst John Wayne Airport in Orange County and Hollywood Burbank Airport both fall within 90-minute range. Rally shuttle service operates regular runs from Los Angeles area, whilst most visitors drive personal vehicles. No rail service reaches Wrightwood, and public transport options from airports require multiple transfers exceeding five hours, making rental cars or shuttles essential for airport arrivals.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mountain High, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert
A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.
26 Aug 2026
Thredbo Is 'On the Table' as EVT Reviews Its Whole Business
Thredbo is officially 'on the table.' EVT Limited, owner of Australia's most decorated ski resort, has hired Rothschild & Co to review its entire corporate structure - and confirmed Thredbo isn't off limits, even as it books a stronger year of earnings. The resort's own valuation has nearly halved after a brutal 2026 season, and speculation is already running toward Vail Resorts, Alterra, or a New Zealand operator picking it up. Here's what EVT actually said, and who could buy it.
25 Aug 2026
Ski-E-O! Is the Ski Resort Tycoon Game We Didn't Know We Needed
I'm not a gamer. I'm a skier and snowboarder who happens to have a laptop. So when a ski resort management game called Ski-E-O! landed on Steam, I wasn't expecting to lose an afternoon to it - but here we are. Real mountain terrain, a full weather system, storms that roll in and wreck your snow base, avalanche danger, and enough depth to make RollerCoaster Tycoon feel simple by comparison. Early access lands in November. Here's what a few hours in the free demo actually looks like.
23 Aug 2026
Sugar Bowl, California, Rebuilds Its Historic Village Gondola
The rumours are true: Sugar Bowl is tearing out its Emerald gondola, in place since 1983, and replacing it with a new 8-person Doppelmayr system - nearly doubling uphill capacity to 1,800 people an hour. It's the fourth generation of a gondola line that dates back to 1953, when Sugar Bowl became the first resort on the West Coast to run one at all, and it's just one piece of a $100 million overhaul touching lodges, parking and snowmaking. Here's what's changing, and what's staying the same.
23 Aug 2026
Two Confirmed Dead as Search Continues After Swiss Alps Fire
The death toll from Thursday night's fire at Restaurant Beverin in Thusis, Switzerland, has begun to firm up. One Swiss outlet, citing Graubünden Cantonal Police, reports that two of the five people initially reported missing have now been confirmed dead, leaving three unaccounted for. The building's collapsed stairwell and structural instability have slowed recovery efforts throughout. Here's what's changed since the fire broke out, and what's still unconfirmed.
22 Aug 2026
Live webcams
5 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Mountain High's live webcams
Check live conditions across Mountain High with 5 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- East Summit8,199ft
- The Mountain High webcam at East Summit delivers stunning panoramic views from SoCal's highest ski terrain at 2499 meters elevation. This mountain high live cam offers a unique perspective of both the resort's advanced runs and the sweeping Mojave Desert landscape below. Essential for checking summit conditions and visibility, this live snow cam showcases the dramatic high-altitude skiing just 90 minutes from Los Angeles.
- Yeti's Snowplay6,598ft
- One of Mountain High ski resort's most popular live cams, this feed showcases the family-friendly snow play area at 2011 meters where winter fun comes alive. Watch visitors enjoy the tubing runs and beginner terrain through this Mountain High webcam focused on this dedicated learning zone. This live snow cam captures the welcoming atmosphere that makes this Southern California's premier family destination.
- WSC Bullwheel6,998ft
- Part of Mountain High's network of webcams, this vantage point from the West Resort's upper terminal at 2133 meters captures real-time views of the resort's most popular runs and terrain park features. The mountain high live cam stream keeps you connected to current conditions and park activity. This Mountain High web cam provides essential visibility across the diverse terrain zones.
- Borderline8,199ft
- The Mountain High ski resort webcam at Borderline provides an eagle-eye view of advanced terrain from the summit at 2499 meters. This strategic camera placement gives visitors a clear look at upper mountain conditions and the majestic San Gabriel range through this live snow cam. Monitor visibility and snow quality before tackling challenging slopes at this high-elevation SoCal destination.
- West Base6,998ft
- Monitor current conditions through this Mountain High webcam positioned at the West Resort's main base area at 2133 meters. This essential mountain high live cam feed shows real-time lift operations and base area activity, perfect for planning your visit to SoCal's premier winter destination. The live snow cam delivers crucial information about crowds and weather before you make the drive up from Southern California.
Mountain High snow cams FAQ
How often do Mountain High snow cams update?
All Mountain High snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Mountain High.
Which Mountain High webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation East Summit webcam at 2,499m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Mountain High webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Mountain High lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Mountain High snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Mountain High snow cams?
Check Mountain High webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Mountain High lift tickets?
Use our Mountain High webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Mountain High webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Mountain High snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Mountain High intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.