9 Reasons California Is Home to the Best Skiing in the U.S.

When it comes to a ski vacation, Colorado or Utah seem to top the list in many people’s minds. Did you know that the Golden State, California, has some of the best skiing in the entire United States, though? From Lake Tahoe to the Boreal Mountain resort, there’s a slope and run for everyone in your party. You can find great skiing in any portion of California — whether you’re in the Northern, Central, or Southern part of California!

Discover nine reasons why California remains home to the best skiing in the U.S. — straight from the minds of travel experts, adventurers, native Californians, and avid skiers.

Great Snowfall

Did you know that some destinations like Mammoth Mountain, Heavenly, and Palisades Tahoe get great natural snowfall? That’s right — Mammoth Mountain in particular receives record snowfalls regularly. In 2023, 20.7 inches fell in 24 hours, creating a new record.

The Donner Pass (named for the ill-fated Donner Party who got lost attempting to make it to California from Missouri) recorded over 650 inches of snow in early 2023, surpassing a record held since 1983.

Variety of Runs

When planning a ski vacation for more than one person, the variety of runs in a resort becomes significantly important — especially if you want to spend time with your friends or family on vacation! At many Californian ski resorts, the runs range from Black Diamond all the way to bunny and practice slopes, meaning everyone in the party has a chance to try their hand at the winter sport, whatever their skill level might be.

“California’s skiing scene is distinguished by its exceptional variety of terrain,” said Matan, the co-founder and CEO of Wertu, an AI sports vacation planning startup. The state boasts both the high-altitude challenges found in the Sierra Nevada mountains and more accessible slopes ideal for beginners and families. This diversity caters to skiers of all skill levels and preferences.”

Family-Friendly Dining

Dining and lodging are almost as important as the variety of runs on a ski vacation, and California makes certain that the entire family has the accessibility they need to enjoy themselves. Take the North Star ski resort, which champions laud as a “multigenerational ski resort” that features condos with kitchens, fireside lounges, pubs, and more. The options at California resorts need to be engaging, immersive, and able to please even the pickiest palate — which they do.

Après-Ski Activities for the Whole Family

Après, or after skiing, events in California also cater to the whole family. California makes itself home to the best skiing and ​​après-skiing events, like live DJs for dancing, kid’s clubs, upscale restaurants, varied shopping opportunities, ice skating rinks, and seasonal or planned events at different lodges. Some of the best resorts for après-skiing fun are the Heavenly Resort and Tamarack Lodge.

A great thing about California resorts is how family-friendly they strive to be,” said Jackson Groves in conversation with AZ Animals. As a professional adventure photographer, Groves has toured his share of ski resorts. “Places like Big Bear, Snow Summit, and Mountain High really put in the effort to welcome folks of all ages. They keep their slopes well-maintained so younger kids can learn safely, and being close to big cities like LA makes them easy day trips for families. A lot of resorts even offer kid-specific classes to get the next generation excited about snow sports.”

Prices

California ski resorts recently jumped on the bandwagon of ticket packages, meaning every dollar you spend toward your ski vacation in California becomes a great deal. Couples packages, family tickets, and season passes provide an all-access key to ski to your heart’s content on impressive slopes at a great price.

Homewood, one of Lake Tahoe’low-keyey and family-friendly resorts, even offers a multigenerational ticket pass that covers seniors, parents, and kids in one.

Thrill Seekers Have Terrain to Explore

As mentioned above, the range of runs at California ski resorts allows thrill seekers and bunny slope enthusiasts to ski in the same place but in very different settings. Mountain High Resort, Mammoth Mountain, Big Bear Mountain, and Red Pull Plaza all have their unique take on terrain, extreme sports, and winter events that push the boundaries of skiers and snowboarders alike.

The Views

The Heavenly lift system will leave you breathless — and not from the challenging runs.

Mountains and lakes within the ski resort acreage in California provide impressive views that will stain your vision with daydreams of white powdery snow slopes, deep blue frozen lakes, and emerald green trees laden with dust. You can even sit high on a lodge’s deck overlooking a lake to watch the sunset.

Rachel Sanchez, the founder of travelbugrachel.com and a passionate Californian, shared a personal story with AZ Animals about why she thinks California has the best skiing in the U.S.

“As a native Californian, I vividly remember my first ski trip to Big Bear Lake. The crisp mountain air, the panoramic views of the San Bernardino National Forest, and the exhilarating rush down the slopes created an indelible memory. What struck me most was the fusion of natural beauty and cultural richness, making California’s skiing experience truly unmatched.”

Midweek Slumps

What’s better than a slope to yourself? During the middle of the workweek — between Tuesday and Thursday — many tourists travel and locals are at work. As such, when you book a ski trip from weekend to weekend, you’ll have impressively empty slopes during the middle of your trip. Hear the crunch of the snow as you slalom in and out of obstacles and trees, enjoy a run to yourself, and avoid long lines with these California hidden gems.

Unique Nightlife

South Tahoe, in particular, has unique and fun nightlife for young adults and parents to indulge in while on a ski vacation in California. Because the state line between California and Nevada runs through South Tahoe, resorts in the area take on an interesting mix of relaxed ski resort by day, casino nightlife life by night. The energy of nearby San Francisco (and the locals that come to have fun on the weekends) makes Californian ski vacation nightlife one of a kind.

The Best Skiing in the Golden SWith

WIth your choice of slopes, ticket prices, nightlife, and lodging, it’s hard to deny that California is home to the best skiing in the U.S. Northstar California, Mammoth Mountain, and Heavenly Mountain Resorts have all made the reader’s-picked list of the Best Skiing in North America, so take it from peers — these resorts are can’t miss for any avid skier.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Salameh-dibaei/ via Getty Images