California Ski Resorts

Snowboard And Ski Resorts California

There are over 25 charming ski and snowboard resorts located throughout California. The ski and snowboard resorts are varied in nature and can attract families and professional skiers alike. Many ski resorts in California also promote environmentalism, through awareness and implementing green technology to run their operations. The ski season for snowboard and ski resorts in California usually extends from November through March, though depending on snowfall and snowmaking capabilities, some resorts can extend their seasons through April or longer. The he average annual snowfall for California resorts can be up to a formidable 350 inches (9 meters).

Northern California Ski Resorts

The northernmost ski resort is on Mount Shasta Ski Park. The resort is located on Mount Shasta, a volcano in the Cascades mountain range. The ski terrain is largely intermediate, 55%, with 20% and 25% of the terrain rated for beginner and intermediate skiers, respectively. Most of the northern California ski resorts are concentrated near Lake Tahoe, located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Many of the skiing areas are located about 150 miles east of San Francisco. In addition to being convenient and providing a wide range of terrains, the area around Lake Tahoe is especially scenic. Tourists are drawn to the area year around to enjoy the variety of activities and vibrant resort towns found all around Lake Tahoe. Many of the northern California ski resorts are relatively small, though two of the larger resorts are Heavenly and Squaw Valley.

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Southern California Ski Resorts

Mammoth Mountain ski area is the largest ski resort in southern California. Mammoth Mountain itself is actually a volcano, which also holds a large amount of snow. This allows the resort to have one of the longest ski seasons in California; it opens earlier than most resorts and operates until the fourth of July. It is located just southeast of Yosemite National park. The ski area has over 150 runs, with terrains rated 25% beginner, 40% intermediate, 20% advanced and 15% expert. There are a handful of smaller ski resorts located just east of Los Angeles, approximately a two hour drive away from the beach. The closest resort to Los Angeles is Mount Baldy ski lifts, located on Mount San Antonio, which has 26 runs. Especially for the ski resorts closer to Los Angeles, the ski season can sometimes be a bit shorter and more sporadic than resorts further north at higher elevations. These ski resorts also depend heavily on snow making.