5 Cheap California Ski Vacations
Cheap California ski vacations are out there. There are lots of ski resorts in the Sunshine State, and many offer affordable lift tickets and great lodging choices. Our website offers several deals and discounts so skiers and snowboarders can save on their California ski vacations. From family-friendly resorts to more challenging terrain, we picked a few cheap ski resorts perfect for a day trip or extended getaway. You always save at Skier Deals! Now, let’s take a closer look at some more affordable California ski vacations:
1. Mt. Baldy
Mt. Baldy – also known as Mt. San Antonio – is the closest ski resort to Los Angeles. The modest ski area is a fantastic day retreat from the City of Angels when it’s time to trade the sandy beach for refreshing, fluffy snow. How does surfing in the mornings and snowboarding all afternoon sound?
Only 45 minutes from L.A. via the 605 to the 210, the ski area is chock-full of notable features. First, the resort presents a nice mix of terrain ranging from easy beginner trails to a run with one of the steepest descents in all of SoCal. Aptly named, “Nightmare” will have you ripping down more than 1,000 vertical feet at a chilling 36-degree slope. Mt. Baldy also has a terrain park, snow tubing, and lots to entertain skiers and snowboarders.
Mt. Baldy has incredible deals on single-day adult lift tickets for day trips to the mountains. The Mount Baldy Lodge has cabins for rent at the center of the village on the mountain, with easy access to skiing and snowshoeing, along with some excellent eats and occasional live entertainment. There are a couple of hotels in Wrightwood to the north. To the south, there are plenty of places to stay in Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga.
2. Mountain High
Mountain High is a little over an hour-and-a-half drive from Los Angeles in the Big Pines Region of the San Gabriel Mountains. The area is rich in ski history and consists of three distinct ski resorts within a mile of each other. The ski area is one of Sothern California’s most popular winter resorts and consistently wins numerous awards for the frequency of core visitors and for generating new participants. When people visit, they tend to go back – a quality that should speak for itself.
Three separate ski areas mean there’s triple the fun at Mountain High – North, South and West. West is the most popular and the most advanced. The West has excellent technical terrain with many good freestyle spots from top to bottom. Trails are geared for skiers of all abilities. The West is also home to night skiing all week long for those looking to take turns under the stars. And, if there’s an incredible concert or après-ski party, chances are it will take place at High Mountain Resort West.
East Resort
The East Resort at Mountain High serves up the highest vertical in the state and provides breathtaking views of the Mohave Desert. From perfectly manicured groomers to glade skiing and bump runs, there are many to challenge more advanced and expert skiers while offering enough wide-open runs for beginners to get their legs under themselves. With runs well separated and well-marked, newbies and experts can share the mountain with limited interaction. It’s the best spot for families and kids.
North Resort
The North Resort has more than 70 additional acres to explore, and it’s an excellent spot for kids and families. There are authentic log cabins to explore, a thrilling tubing park, and some gentle terrain for a leisurely day on the slopes.
3. Mt. Shasta
A ski vacation to Mt. Shasta is less than a 100-mile drive for residents near Redding, California and Medford, Oregon. It’s also not a long car ride from Sacramento and Reno, Nevada. The mountain is the second-highest peak in the Cascades and has one of the most astonishing landscapes in North America. Mt. Shasta serves up more than 30 trails covering 425 acres during the daytime and 300 acres for night skiing. Revolution is an incredible terrain park with several cool rails, a 300-foot super half-pipe and other obstacles.
Get your fill on the mountain but set aside some time to try out a plethora of outdoor activities in the vicinity, like a tubing hill, ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating, dog sledding and snowshoeing. Mt. Shasta has some great hotels and restaurants that are both affordable and nearby. The ski area has some lovely dining at the base of the mountain, and there are lots to choose from in town.
Nearby towns like Dunsmuir and McCloud have additional options. Skiers looking to ski than drive can fly directly to Dunsmuir Municipal-Mott Airport from larger connecting cities. Mt. Shasta Ski Park has cheap lift tickets for adults, kids and seniors.
4. Badger Pass
Badger Pass at Yosemite National Park is the state’s oldest ski area, with roots dating back to 1928. Surrounded by beauty and breathtaking scenery, the resort has blossomed into a favorite winter retreat for Californians. The intimate ski area has 10 runs – smaller but full of excitement with more than 800 feet of vertical drop. Two beginner-friendly terrain parks are a fun diversion for skiers of all abilities. In addition to thrilling downhill skiing and snowboarding, Badger Pass has backcountry ski tours, cross-country, snow tubing and snowshoeing.
A ski getaway to Badger Pass at Yosemite National Park is about beauty and natural wonder. It’s an ideal getaway for San Francisco and Sacramento residents, as both cities are not too far away. There is no slopeside lodging, but there are a few beautiful hotels and inns with comfy rooms, easy access to the ski area, local dining, stunning scenery, and serenity.
5. Sugar Bowl
Located north of the Palisades Tahoe and Northstar-at-Tahoe, Sugar Bowl spans four mountain peaks and has 1,650 skiable acres. This mountain resort is a little lesser known than other ski resorts on Lake Tahoe, but all the resort amenities at its base make for great skiing. With over 40 feet of snowfall annually, Sugar Bowl is a great choice for family vacations year after year.
The historic Sugar Bowl is not to be missed. The mountain experience rivals any other ski resort on Lake Tahoe. With 1,500 vertical feet, the skiing experience is impressive. The resort’s 103 slopes vary in difficulty, and offer each skier a unique experience. Nearly 17 percent is suitable for beginners, 45 for intermediate skiers and 38 percent for advanced skiers. Switching Yard Terrain Park is divided into three separate parks, your child can learn skills and progress.