
635 acres, 38 trails, 275 inches annual snowfall. Independently owned Northern California resort below Mount Shasta volcano.
Mt Shasta Ski Park operates 38 trails across 635 acres on the southern flanks of the 14,179-foot Mount Shasta volcano in Northern California. The resort spans 1,676 to 2,297 metres elevation with 621 metres of vertical drop. Annual snowfall averages 275 inches with snowmaking covering 44% of terrain. Terrain distribution is 20% beginner, 45% intermediate and 35% advanced with the longest run extending over 2 miles.
The ski area spreads across four volcanic buttes, each served by dedicated lifts. Marmot Ridge hosts beginner terrain and a small park, whilst Douglas Butte accesses advanced glades and steeper runs. Coyote Butte serves intermediate and advanced terrain plus a large terrain park. Grey Butte, added in December 2022, tops out at 7,536 feet and includes Richard's Way, the resort's first double-black run.
This family-owned operation delivers a community feel with uncrowded slopes and close-in free parking. The base lodge sits at 5,500 feet within Shasta-Trinity National Forest, providing views of the massive stratovolcano looming 6 miles to the north. Twilight skiing operates Thursday through Saturday on 14 trails accessed by two lifts extending operations until 8pm.
Mt Shasta Ski Park is an Indy Pass partner resort offering two free days to passholders. Season passes start at $299 with a 60-day guarantee, whilst daily tickets range from $59 to $69. The resort suits families, powder seekers and intermediates looking for affordable, accessible California skiing without destination resort crowds or prices.
Mt Shasta Ski Park covers 425 acres (172 hectares) on the southern flanks of the Mount Shasta volcano, with 32 runs dropping about 2,040 ft (621 m) from a 7,540 ft (2,297 m) summit to a base near 5,500 ft (1,676 m). Intermediates dominate at 55%, with 25% advanced and 20% beginner, and no terrain rated expert. The mountain is spread across several volcanic buttes, each with its own chairlift, so skiers move between separate pods rather than sliding through one continuous face. That layout keeps the lower slopes uncrowded.
Marmot Ridge holds the longer beginner runs and a small park, Douglas Butte offers advanced glades and steeper lines, and Coyote Butte adds more glades plus the larger terrain park. Grey Butte, the highest pod, has intermediate to advanced runs with plenty of gladed pockets, including Richard's Way, the only double black on the mountain. Tree skiing is the real draw when storms arrive. Mt Shasta Ski Park suits families, intermediates and glade fans who want quiet slopes and big views of the volcano without the lift lines of Tahoe.
The 2025-26 season opened 19 December 2025 and closed 11 March 2026 after 55 operating days. Typical seasons run mid-December through early April depending on snowfall and temperatures. The resort guarantees 60 operational days to season passholders, offering rollover credits when falling short. This family-oriented area remains flexible with opening dates tied to natural snow and snowmaking window availability.
Annual snowfall averages 275 inches at the 5,500 to 7,536-foot elevation band. February historically receives the heaviest accumulation, contributing the bulk of seasonal totals. The entirely south-facing exposure creates spring-like conditions much of the season, with snow quality best immediately following storms. Snowmaking supplements 44% of terrain, ensuring base coverage across core runs when natural snow proves inconsistent.
January through February offers peak powder conditions and the most reliable base depths. March brings warmer temperatures but longer daylight for twilight operations. The 2025-26 season proved challenging, with warm spells and rain causing temporary closures in February and March before the final shutdown. Storm cycles deliver quality conditions, though lower elevation makes the resort vulnerable during lean winters compared to higher Tahoe areas.
Twilight skiing operates Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3pm to 8pm on 14 trails. Night operations cover terrain off Marmot and Douglas lifts, adding hours for locals and visitors maximising slope time. The resort hosts seasonal events including terrain park competitions and family programmes. Adult day tickets range from $59 regular to $69 peak, with night skiing priced at $35 to $45.
Mt Shasta Ski Park sits in Siskiyou County on private land within the checkerboard ownership pattern of Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The base area lies 6 miles south of Mount Shasta's 14,179-foot summit and 10 miles east of Interstate 5 along State Route 89. The resort operates between the city of Mount Shasta and the town of McCloud, surrounded by volcanic buttes on the stratovolcano's lower southern flanks. Mount Shasta is the second-highest volcano in the Cascade Range behind Mount Rainier.
The city of Mount Shasta (population approximately 3,400) sits 20 minutes west with lodging, dining and services. McCloud lies 10 minutes east, whilst Dunsmuir is 25 minutes south. The area offers a mix of basic inns, hostels and three-star hotels. Sacramento sits 4 hours south, Eugene 4 hours north, and the San Francisco Bay Area approximately 4.5 hours southwest via Interstate 5.
From Interstate 5, take Exit 736 to State Route 89, drive 6 miles east, then turn left onto Ski Park Highway for the final 7 miles to the resort. Road access crosses national forest land via Forest Route 88. The drive from Redding takes 90 minutes covering 60 miles north on Interstate 5. Winter tyre chains are required during storms, with Caltrans providing road condition updates online.
Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) is the nearest commercial airport 83 miles south with 90-minute drive time. Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in Oregon lies 103 miles north requiring 110 minutes. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) sits 200 miles southwest with 4-hour drive time but offers more flight options. Major international gateways include San Francisco and Portland, both requiring 5 to 6-hour drives. No scheduled bus or rail service reaches the resort directly, though Amtrak serves Dunsmuir 25 miles south.
Hotels and lodges near Mt Shasta Ski Park, powered by Stay22.

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Mt Shasta Ski Park's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 19 through March 11. That window is roughly 82 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in California, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
Mt Shasta Ski Park lists about 425 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 32 named runs (172 hectares alongside 425 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
Trail grading at Mt Shasta Ski Park breaks down roughly as 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
Mt Shasta Ski Park operates 6 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 3 triple chairs, 2 surface lifts, and 1 quad chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
Base elevation at Mt Shasta Ski Park is about 5,499 ft (1,676 m), with the summit around 7,536 ft (2,297 m), giving roughly 2,037 ft (621 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
Mt Shasta Ski Park averages about 199 inches (505 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Mt Shasta Ski Park is affiliated with the Indy. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$35 to US$69, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Mt Shasta Ski Park so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Mt Shasta Ski Park. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Mt Shasta Ski Park sits in California, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.