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Ski Resort and Skiing Guide to California

A Guide to Ski Resort Locations in California

By Betsy Malloy, About.com

Did you know that California and neighboring Nevada always have ski resort listings in Ski Magazine's top 20 American resorts, and many are highly rated for challenge, terrain and grooming? With dozens of ski resort locations, average annual snowfalls over 350 inches (9 meters) and locations to ski all over the state, you can easily find a ski resort to meet your needs.

All of the California ski resort locations are easily accessible by air from anywhere in the state.

Southern Californians with a skiing passion sometimes even go skiing on weekday evenings after work. From Los Angeles, resorts in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains are the closest ski resort areas.

From San Francisco, you can drive to either North Lake Tahoe or South Lake Tahoe. Mammoth Mountain, located on the east side of the Sierras, is a long drive from either city and best reached by air.

Ski Resort Information

  • All the big California ski resorts have snowmaking equipment. The portion of their trails that each ski resort can service varies.

  • The typical California skiing season runs from November through March, but sometimes you can ski until June.

  • If you are driving a rented vehicle, the California Highway Patrol often requires chains on the road to the ski resort. Ask your rental company how to acquire them.

Explore California Travel

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