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Skiing in California can be a winter wonderland or a typically
California-sunny experience. Spring skiing conditions will
often bring out bizarrely-dressed, fun loving Californians as
well as some scantily-clad exhibitionists. Whether
you choose the north, central or southern part of this vast state,
you will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy winter sports
in the Golden State.
Web Site: www.skicalifornia.com.
BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORTS
- Bear Mountain
- Snow Summit
Web Site: www.bigbearmountainresorts.com
In Southern California, within a few hours drive from
the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, try skiing in the San
Bernardino Mountains at Big Bear Mountain Resorts, which includes Bear
Mountain and Snow Summit, Don’t
worry about the sun melting all that white gold, there is plenty
of snowmaking equipment to make sure that ski season in Southern
California will not disappoint. It’s hard to
believe how close you are to Los Angeles, Hollywood and the surfing
beaches of the Pacific Ocean when you are in the mountains of
Southern California but that’s one reason why so many people
want to be there! You will find plenty of terrain for beginners,
intermediates and advanced skiers, as well as boarders. You
will find runs with views of Big Bear Lake, and also night skiing. If
you are driving make sure you pack snow chains as sudden snowfalls
make chains or snow tyres mandatory. You are likely to
be stopped and checked if conditions are bad, so don’t
take a chance and ruin your trip.
Bear Mountain
The Terrain Park at Bear Mountain is recognized as one of the
most progressive around with 150 jumps and 80 jibs, a half pipe
and a super pipe. There is plenty of room for beginners
to practice.
www.bearmountain.com
Passes are interchangeable between Bear Mountain and Snow Summit
with a free shuttle service, so skiers and snowboarders have
the best of both worlds. The two areas combined
offer 26 lifts, 430 acres, more than 55 runs and an incredible
array of parks, pipes and rails.
Snow Summit
www.snowsummit.com
Mountain Information:
Skiable acres: 240 (Skiable miles 18)
Total lifts: 12
Top Elevation: 8,200 feet
Base Elevation: 7,000 feet
Vertical drop: 1,200 feet
Terrain levels: 10% beginner, 25% low intermediate, 40% intermediate,
25% advanced
Longest run: 1.25 miles
5 year snowfall avg. 100 inches
Terrain parks and half pipe
Other ski areas in Southern California include Angeles Crest
Resorts, Big Air Green Valley, Buckhorn, Wrightwood, Mountain
High, Mt. Baldy, Ski Sunrise and Snow Valley.
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LAKE TAHOE
North Shore:
- Alpine Meadows
- Squaw Valley
- Sugar Bowl
- Northstar
- Donner Ski Ranch
- Granlibakken
South Shore:
- Heavenly Valley
- Sierra-at-Tahoe
- Kirkwood
Web Site: www.tahoebest.com
One of the most well known areas for skiing in California is Lake
Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is also known for its casinos,
luxury hotels and nightlife, as well as the beautiful lake. The
area is divided into the North Shore and South Shore. The
North Shore tends to have the tougher runs with resorts such
as Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Sugar
Bowl along with less intimidating resorts such as Northstar, Donner
Ski Ranch and Granlibakken. The south
shore of Lake Tahoe offers Heavenly Valley, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood. There
is too much information on these wonderful ski areas to detail
here, so check them out for yourself on the above web site.
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MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN
Web Site: www.mammothmountain.com.
Located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the Sierra Nevada mountains
of Central California, this is a huge ski area
with almost 4,000 acres of varied terrain with bowls, good powder
and great après ski and nightlife in the village! It is
a five hours drive north of Los Angeles, through the Mojave Desert,
close to Yosemite National Park. Due to its elevation it
is usually the first resort to open in California and you can
enjoy spring skiing conditions at Mammoth through July! The
ski area at June Mountain is close by as well as Tamarack Cross
Country Ski Centre.
Mammoth has snowmaking all the way to the top (approx. 11,000’)
to ensure that conditions are always good. However,
with an annual snowfall of around 400” there is not too
much need to worry.
Skiable acres: 3,500
Vertical drop: 3,100’
Lifts: 28 (including 9 express quads and 2 gondolas)
For snowboarders all of the mountain’s trails are open,
plus three terrain parks, three pipes, eight runs and 75 acres.
Other ski areas in Central California include Badger Pass, Bear
Valley, Cottage Springs, Dodge Ridge, Montecito-Sequoia, Shirley
Meadows and Sierra Summit.
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MOUNT SHASTA
Web site: www.skipark.com
Located in Northern California in the Cascade mountain range,
Mount Shasta is the second highest volcano in the U.S. The
city of Mt. Shasta lies at the foot of the mountain and is an
area of spectacular scenery with plenty of winter sports activities. There
is a Beginner Terrain Park and a separate Terrain Park for intermediate
and advanced skiers with 800’ vertical. The
area also includes 30 kilometers of cross country ski and snowshoeing
areas. There are lessons for all types of skiing,
including telemarking. Other ski areas in Northern California
include Cedar Pass, Coppervale and Gold Mountain.
Mountain Statistics:
Annual snowfall: 275 inches
Skiable Terrain: 425 acres
Vertical Feet: 1,390
Trails: 31
Lifts: 3 triple and 1 surface
Night skiing: 14 trails, 3 lifts
Levels: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% advanced
Longest run: 1.75 miles
Halfpipe: 300 feet
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