Experience the Thrills of Winter Sports in California
California has a long tradition of extreme sports, from surfing monstrous waves at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay to the renegade skateboarding culture born in Los Angeles. However, California’s adrenaline sports aren’t limited to warm days by the beach.
If you’re dreaming of a winter vacation in the Golden State, you can find world-class downhill runs at Mammoth or Lake Tahoe, along with stunning cross-country and snowshoe tracks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Moreover, outdoor ice skating next to the Pacific Ocean in sunny San Diego offers a unique winter experience. Want maximum thrills? Daredevils can learn aerial twists while snow kiting or even ascend a frozen waterfall with ice axes in hand. All you need to know is where to go.
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
A water-sport lover’s dream in summer, Lake Tahoe transforms into a snowy wonderland in winter. This captivating destination features over a dozen resorts across multiple mountains, providing a plethora of challenging downhill runs with massive vertical drops or epic terrain parks.
Notable resorts such as Squaw Valley (famous for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics), Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe, and Northstar near Truckee offer all the amenities anyone could need, including high-speed lifts, equipment rentals, ski and snowboarding schools, restaurants, après-ski bars, and resort hotels with spas. Furthermore, you might find shorter lines and less crowded conditions at smaller, less glitzy ski resorts where locals like to go, such as Homewood on the lake’s western shore.
In the Eastern Sierra, the immense 11,060-ft Mammoth Mountain at Mammoth Lakes attracts a glamorous SoCal ski crowd from LA. Open-bowl skiing, terrain parks for snowboarding, and conveniently located lifts make Mammoth an exceptional winter vacation destination.
Closer to LA, Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains is a family-oriented ski spot that caters well to beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Further off the beaten path, Mt. Shasta Ski Park provides a relaxing environment for families and novice skiers, boasting Northern California’s largest night-skiing operation.
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
The Sierra Nevada offers ample opportunities for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through lush forests with a picturesque backdrop of snow-laden mountains. Nordic skiers can explore over 125 miles of groomed tracks at Royal Gorge, North America’s largest cross-country resort, located near Lake Tahoe. North of Truckee, Tahoe Donner resort features more than 60 miles of cross-country trails with weekend warming huts and occasional night skiing. At Tahoe Cross Country, groomed tracks catering to beginners and intermediate Nordic skiers are available; several trails are even dog-friendly.
In Yosemite National Park, you can evade the crowds while cross-country skiing high above the valley on Glacier Point Rd, which is closed to vehicle traffic during winter. Backcountry enthusiasts can reserve overnight stays in the rustic ski hut at Glacier Point. If that seems daunting, consider snowshoeing with a naturalist guide through Yosemite Valley or amidst the towering giant sequoias, the world’s largest trees.
Further south in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, snowshoe around the enchanting Giant Forest, where Wuksachi Lodge provides equipment rentals. On the back side of the range at Mammoth Lakes, the Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center offers nearly 20 miles of delightful groomed trails weaving around the Lakes Basin. It is recommended to reserve ahead for full moon skiing and snowshoeing tours.
When you think of Palm Springs, less than 100 miles outside LA, you might envision enjoying poolside cocktails under the sweltering Mojave Desert sun. However, Palm Springs is also flanked by mountains that experience snowfall in the winter. Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (operating at reduced service), which ascends nearly 6000ft above the desert floor. There, you can rent cross-country skis or snowshoes from the Winter Adventure Center at the summit, followed by trekking through the fragrant pine forests of wild Mt San Jacinto State Park (currently closed until further notice).
Ice Skating, Sledding & Snow Tubing
During winter, artificial ice rinks appear throughout California’s major cities, including Downtown LA’s Pershing Square and San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza, offering stunning views of the bay. Additionally, there’s a delightful winter skating rink installed next to the beach at San Diego’s iconic Hotel del Coronado.
In Yosemite National Park, ice skating at the outdoor rink in Curry Village is a cherished holiday tradition for families, as you can glide and perform figure eights in the shadow of the majestic Half Dome. For elevated thrills and breathtaking views, the skating rink at High Camp in Squaw Valley sits over 2000ft above Lake Tahoe, where you can warm up afterwards with creamy hot chocolate.
For younger children, numerous ski resorts across California provide enjoyable sledding and snow tubing hills. Around Lake Tahoe, the best-value sledding and tubing can be found at Tahoe Donner, north of Truckee. Close to the bustling hub of South Lake Tahoe, Adventure Mountain features groomed sledding and snow tubing runs. A short drive from California’s Gold Country, the rustic Bear Valley lets kids slide down hills on a sled or a tube.
Near LA at Big Bear Lake, the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain activates the hill for nighttime sledding and offers a heated, enclosed “Magic Carpet” to take you uphill in ultimate comfort. If you have your own sled or inner tube, California’s 18 public Sno-Parks scattered across the Sierra Nevada require just a $5 day pass for challenges.
Biking & Ice Climbing
Mountain bikers have discovered ways to enjoy winter off-season adventures. In the Lake Tahoe area, several local bike shops rent fat-tire bikes for riding on snow, and select ski resorts have embraced snow biking, such as at Royal Gorge. For guided tours, contact California Expeditions in Georgetown, situated on the western edge of Tahoe National Forest. In the Eastern Sierra, the advocacy group Fat Bike Mammoth is committed to opening trails for snow biking, so check their website for current details and available trails.
For ultimate winter challenges, grab an ice axe and discover how to climb frozen waterfalls. Presently, California’s ice climbing hotspot is in the Eastern Sierra at Lee Vining Canyon, near Mono Lake, and around June Lake, just south of Hwy 395 toward Mammoth Lakes. For ice climbing lessons and adventurous guided trips, reach out to Sierra Mountain Center.
This article was originally published in November 2016 and updated in October 2020.
