California is probably the last place you'd ever expect to go skiing, isn't it? The West Coast is known for its eternally sunny weather and tropical warmth. Where in this massive state would you go skiing? Well, up in the mountains, of course! Let's remember that California is rich in natural wonders and they're not just the scenic coasts! There are as many snow-capped slopes in this state, some of which are where you'll find awesome ski resort towns. If you ever want to go skiing in California, keep places like Sugar Bowl, Alpine Meadows, Sierra at Tahoe, and Homewood in mind!
Mammoth Mountain
By its name alone, you can already tell that you'll have a great time in Mammoth Mountain. Located at 11,053 feet above sea level, the resort is one of the highest peaks in the entire state of California. The surrounding
ski resort towns are idyllic and beautiful, especially Mammoth Lakes. It's a quiet lakeside commune where countryside charms are at an all-time high. If you think skiing down Mammoth Mountain is a bit much (which it is for many out there), you can simply enjoy some nature-centric activities in Mammoth Lakes.
Sugar Bowl
What's great about Sugar Bowl is that it's near both Sacramento and the Bay Area (where
San Francisco is). As far as ski holidays are concerned, these don't mean much. But seasoned travelers know that any place near a big city is incredibly convenient. For one thing, you can stay in any of these metropolises before going to Sugar Bowl to ensure that you're well-prepared for the trip. As for the ski resort itself, Sugar Bowl boasts 500 inches of snow every year, ensuring that you'll have an exciting but also safe time skiing.
Alpine Meadows
Alpine Meadows is another of the older ski resorts in California, having opened in 1961. Around that time, the place was most likely all about
Après-Ski and the joys of leisure luxury on the high mountains of the West Coast State. Nowadays, however, Alpine Meadows is more serious about taking care of the environment. There's still a lot of Après-Ski to go around, but the resort itself is more involved with environmental activities. As such, visitors who come here for their ski holidays are encouraged to clean up after themselves, put their litter in the right receptacles, and stay within the designated ski areas.
Sierra at Tahoe
Sierra at Tahoe is perhaps the quintessential ski resort in California. The place boasts 2,000 acres of skiable terrain located 2,212 feet above ground level, not to mention 14 ski lifts on site. With so much on offer, there's no way you can't reach its beautiful slopes and have the ski holiday of your life! The place even has a plethora of restaurants, bars, cafes, and more for Après-Ski, which is also great for non-skiers who still want to have a good time around these parts. And of course, you can't forget the resort's close proximity to the famous Lake Tahoe. It's literally in the name!
Homewood
Also located near Lake Tahoe is Homewood, another small town in the American countryside. Situated on the western shore of the famous lake, Homewood is a small commune that's home to only about 200 residents. At first glance, it looks like a typical American small town with very few establishments on offer. But don't worry! All the fun is up on the slopes, not to mention some pretty incredible lakeside views too! Though all the ski resorts on this list also have amazing views, the ones in Homewood are unlike any other. Even when you're near the peak you can still see Lake Tahoe in all its serene glory!
Kirkwood
On the south shore of Lake Tahoe, you'll find Kirkwood, another of the best places to go skiing in California. While its lakeside appeal doesn't match up to that of Homewood's, it remains an archetypal ski resort with lots of fun to offer. The resort itself has many ski-in and ski-out accommodations, ranging from quaint forest cabins to luxurious chalets reminiscent of the
Swiss Alps. Surrounding them are various hotspots perfect for Après-Ski, including high-class restaurants and cool bars. And if you're worried about the snow, there's no need to fret! Kirkwood gets its fair share every winter!
Northstar California
Many would argue that Northstar California is the best place to go skiing in California and they're not exactly far from the truth. Though the other ski resorts on this list are just as, if not even more exciting, Northstar California is more “complete.” It has everything you'd ever need in a ski resort. Great accommodations? Check! The perfect slopes for skiing? Check! Awesome amenities? Check! Various ski lifts? Check! What's even better is that the resort boasts a whopping 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. With so much land to offer, they've designated specific areas for all levels of skiers.
Big Bear
On the San Bernardino mountains, you'll find the Big Bear ski resort, a southern California winter destination. This part of the state is typically known for its big sunny cities like
Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Diego. Big Bear, on the other hand, is a great contrast to all of that. Not only is it colder than usual here, but it's also a fairly small countryside town where peace reigns supreme. Sure, it gets lively in winter, but it rarely gets so busy that it's practically comparable to the area's sprawling metropolises.
Go skiing in California? Why of course! The state may be known for its sunny destinations but it has its fair share of snow-capped slopes where you can have a wonderful ski holiday! Get to know all about them!
