Ski Areas

Los Angeles Local Mountains

  • Mt Pinos has some of the best nordic skiing in Southern California. Take I-5 north from the San Fernando Valley for approximately 70 miles to the Frazier Park offramp. Go west and follow the signs past Frazier Park to the Cuddy Valley/Mt. Pinos turnoff. Turn northwest and proceed about 10 miles to the road up to base of Mt. Pinos. Turn left at the Portero Highway intersection (chains are sometimes required from this point.) The best skiing is usually all the way to the top parking lot (approx. 22 mi). There is a Nordic Ski Patrol building in the parking lot. Ski up the unplowed road that is on the north side of the parking lot. Go early, the parking lot can fill up fast on the weekends. Current Snow Conditions for Greater Frazier Mountain are at http://www.frazmtn.com/fmcoc/snowcond.htm Snow/Road Info. (805)245-3449
  • Angeles National Forest has some backcountry skiing. If you'd like to stop at Mount Waterman you can pay $5 for a one-time lift ticket and then ski down an access road in the back. There are some nice ski bowls behind the lifts. Mt. Waterman is 45 miles north of La Canada on the Angeles Crest Highway. Snow Info. (818)790-2002
  • San Bernadino National Forest has a backcountry trail up past Poopout Hill toward Mt. San Gorgonio. Take I-10 east to the Orange/Highway 38 exit in Redlands. Drive north on Orange and turn right on Highway 38. Follow Hwy-38 approximately 70 miles to the Jenks Lake road . Park approximately 3 miles up the road at the intersection with the gated road. Ski (or walk until there's snow) south up the gated road to Poopout Hill. This is a fun high mountain ski. Rim Nordic Ski Area is a variable location that sometimes does not open. They have groomed trails, rentals, and even lessons. Take I-10 east to I-215. Then go north toward the Mountain Resorts on Hwy 30. Follow the signs on up the mountain to Hwy-18. Go 5 miles east of Running Springs. Snow Info. (909)867-2600
  • Mt San Jacinto has the easiest way of all to get into backcountry ski trails. Take I-10 east and then highway 111 toward Palm Springs. The Palm Springs Tramway road is approximately 12 miles from I-10. Ride the Palm Springs Tram to the top, check in at the ranger station, and then ski south along some easy trails or west up toward Mt. San Jacinto. Snow Info. (760)327-6002
  • Ski Huts in Southern California

    Keller Ski Hut is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, just off Highway 330, five miles north of Running Springs and across from the Snow Valley Ski Area (downhill).  Their are groomed Nordic Cross-Country trails nearby and also four miles away at Green Valley Lake. Elevation: 6,000 feet  Cost per night $5 (Sierra Club members), $7 (Guest) Reservations: See the printed "Angeles Chapter Schedule of Activities"

    Harwood Lodge is located in the San Gabriel Mountains off Mt. Baldy Road, four miles above Mt. Baldy Village, just across from Snow Crest Lodge.  It can be used for a a place to stay after skiing Mt. Baldy or just a relaxing weekend Elevation: 6,000 feet  Cost per night $9 (Sierra Club members), $10 (Guest) Reservations: Call Teri Jones at (818)349-2020

    San Antonio (Mt.Baldy) Ski Hut is located halfway up San Antonio Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains, reached by a steep 2.5 mile trail (2,200' elevation gain) from the  Manker Flats Campground.  Truly a rustic place to "get away from it all", the Baldy Hut makes a good resting place to  ski the Baldy Bowl (be aware of the avalanche danger). Elevation: 8,400 feet  Cost per night $5 (Sierra Club members), $7 (Guest) and a "Day Use" donation Reservations: Call Host in Charge (listed in the Angeles Chapter schedule) for details on a specific weekend or contact or contact the Baldy Ski Hut Committee Chair - Jerry Held at (714)751-8805

  • Mt San Jacinto has the easiest way of all to get into backcountry ski trails. Take I-10 east and then highway 111 toward Palm Springs. The Palm Springs Tramway road is approximately 12 miles from I-10. Ride the Palm Springs Tram to the top, check in at the ranger station, and then ski south along some easy trails or west up toward Mt. San Jacinto. Snow Info. (760)327-6002  

SKI AREAS- Sierras and others

  • Yosemite National Park Very good intermediate and beginning lessons at Badger Pass. You can get maps and trail information at the Badger Pass ski lodge. General Information-(209)372-1000, Lessons and rentals are available at the X-Country Ski Center- (209)372-8444

    Ostrander Lake Ski Hut: This is a trip for advanced experienced skiers. The popular route is the Horizon Ridge trial from Badger Pass ski area to Ostrander Lake. You can take the Glacier Point road to Bridalveil campground and then follow the Horizon Ridge trail. The 9 mile ski with a 1,980' climb takes approximately 9 hours. Hut Reservations are by lottery. For more information, check out their Website at the Ostrander Ski Hut Home Page

  • Mammoth Mountain has some excellent Nordic Ski Trails around it.
    • Twin Lakes. These easy trails wind around the lakes and up toward Mammoth pass. The forest service has marked an area as out of bounds due to natural CO2 seeping into the snow. Tamarack Lodge has information about the Lake George and Lake Mary loops. Tamarack offers X-country ski rentals and lessons(800)237-6879 Tamarack Lodge charges a trail fee to use most of these trails. (Crystal Crag 7.5-Min. USGS Topographic Quadrangle)
    • Minaret Lookout trail. Start at the Hairy Mammoth (full size elephant with a bad hair day) sculpture in front of the main lodge. Take the road that goes under ski lift 11. Head west to the Minaret Lookout point and enjoy the backcountry views. Continue along the trail up toward Deadman Pass (Mammoth Mountain 7.5-Min. USGS Topographic Quadrangle).
    • Rock Creek Lodge has information about Rock Creek Valley.
    • Websites for Mammoth area information:
    • The Eastern Sierra WebPage: All about the Eastern Sierra!!!!  This site contains information about towns and trailheads from Lone Pine to Bridgeport.
    • Sequoia and Kings Canyon-  Usually best in February. Ask at visitors center for trails and their conditions. Winter Road Information Montecito-Sequoia at Sequoia National Park has groomed trail and backcountry skiing. There is a trail fee and they offer lessons and rentals. For more information, call (800)227-9900
    • Lake Tahoe Area
    • Ski Huts in Lake Tahoe area< >Clair Tappaan Lodge is located in Norden, California, near the top of Donner Pass. Norden is just off Interstate 80's Soda Springs exit,  45 minutes west of Reno and 90 minutes east of Sacramento.  Best known for the highest average annual snowfall in the Sierra,  both Alpine and Nordic skiing are close by in the Donner Summit,  Lake Tahoe, and Truckee areas.  Elevation: 7,000 feet  Reservations: Clair Tappaan Lodge, P.O. Box 36,Norden, CA 95724 or call the Manager at (530)426-3632

      High Sierra Back Country Huts Peter Grubb, Benson, Bradley, and Ludlow huts are operated by the Sierra Club and are "rustic basic shelters" located in the  backcountry area of Clair Tappaan Lodge, each about a day's ski apart. The hut system offers an strong intermediate skier a true unspoiled wilderness experience. Elevations: 7,000 - 8,000  feet  Reservations: Clair Tappaan Lodge, P.O. Box 36,Norden, CA 95724 or call the Manager at (530)426-3632

      Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Center This X country ski area near Lake Tahoe is the biggest for track skiing. Great place to learn race skating. Backcountry skiing is not their bag.

    • Mt. Shasta Alpine Lodge, was built in 1922 at Horse Camp, timberline on the south slope of Mt. Shasta (14,162 ft.) in Northern California near the towns of Mt. Shasta City  and Weed (off Interstate 5). The Lodge is off Everett Memorial Highway and reached by trail about two miles in from the Bunny Flats parking lot. Skiers should check in with the ranger station in Mt. Shasta City to  obtain a wilderness permit and expect unpredictable weather. Note: John Muir was once buried alive in a snowstorm on Mt. Shasta and nearly lost his life. Elevation: 8,600 feet  Cost: Donations of any amount (envelopes available onsite) encouraged for the Lodge's maintenance  Reservations: None required; For information, write to: Horse Camp, Sierra Club 85 Second St. 2nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94109 (415)977-5500
  • Colorado ski huts

    There are a series of ski huts between Vail and Aspen. The huts are maintained by and reserved through: 10th Mountain Division huts (Colorado): 10th Mountain Trail Association, 1280 Ute Avenue, Aspen, CO 81611, 303/925-5775