The Best Ski Resorts in California (2026)
Lake Tahoe's big resorts, Mammoth's long season, Central Sierra gems and Southern California hills, with 2026/27 passes and driving tips.
California Ski Resorts at a Glance
| Resort | Region | Acres | Summit | Vertical | Avg Snow | 2026/27 Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palisades Tahoe | Lake Tahoe | 6,000 | 9,050 ft | 2,848 ft | 400" | Ikon |
| Heavenly | Lake Tahoe | 4,800 | 10,067 ft | 3,500 ft | About 250–360" | Epic |
| Mammoth Mountain | Eastern Sierra | 3,500 | 11,053 ft | 3,100 ft | 400" | Ikon |
| Northstar | Lake Tahoe | 3,170 | 8,610 ft | 2,280 ft | 350" | Epic |
| Kirkwood | Lake Tahoe area | 2,300 | 9,800 ft | 2,000 ft | 354" | Epic |
| Sierra-at-Tahoe | Lake Tahoe | 2,000 | 8,852 ft | 2,212 ft | 400" | Ikon (limited) |
| Bear Valley | Central Sierra | 1,680 | 8,500 ft | 1,900 ft | 346" | Indy |
| Sugar Bowl | Lake Tahoe (Donner Summit) | 1,650 | 8,383 ft | 1,500 ft | 500" | Mountain Collective |
| June Mountain | Eastern Sierra | 1,500 | 10,090 ft | 2,590 ft | 250" | Ikon |
| Homewood | Lake Tahoe | 1,260 | 7,880 ft | 1,650 ft | 450" | — |
| Dodge Ridge | Central Sierra | 862 | 8,200 ft | 1,600 ft | 400" | Indy |
| China Peak | Central Sierra | About 800 | 8,709 ft | 1,679 ft | 250" | Indy |
| Mt. Shasta Ski Park | Far North | 634 | 7,536 ft | 2,034 ft | 157" | Indy |
| Big Bear Mountain Resort | Southern California | 438 | 8,805 ft | 1,805 ft | 100" | Ikon |
| Boreal | Lake Tahoe (Donner Summit) | 380 | 7,701 ft | 500 ft | 500" | — |
| Mountain High | Southern California | About 200–290 | 8,200 ft | 1,600 ft | 117" | Indy |
Stats mostly follow the California Ski Industry Association (Ski California); some resorts publish different figures, so ranges are shown where sources disagree. Pass access is for 2026/27; check day limits and blackouts before buying.
Lake Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe
California's largest resort, linking Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows into about 6,000 acres, with 43 lifts including the Base to Base Gondola, eight peaks and about 400 inches of snow a year. It hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and often runs one of Tahoe's longest seasons. Palisades is set to open November 25, 2026, and is on the Ikon Pass. Reno-Tahoe International is the closest major airport.
Heavenly
Straddling the California–Nevada line above South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly offers 4,800 acres, a 3,500-foot vertical and famous lake views, plus South Lake Tahoe's nightlife. It's about 60 miles from Reno and opens November 20, 2026. Epic Pass.
Northstar
A family favorite near Truckee with 3,170 acres, eight terrain parks and a pedestrian village, about 38 miles from Reno. Opens November 20, 2026. Epic Pass.
Kirkwood
About 45 minutes south of South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood is known for deep snow and steep terrain, with more than half its 2,300 acres rated advanced or expert. Opens December 4, 2026. Epic Pass.
Sugar Bowl
An independent resort on Donner Summit skiing since 1939, with 1,650 acres and about 500 inches of snow a year. It's home to California's first chairlift and the West's first ski gondola. Mountain Collective.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Off US-50 near South Lake Tahoe, with 2,000 acres, eight terrain parks and tree skiing; it reopened after closures related to the Caldor Fire. It's on the Ikon Pass with limited days.
Homewood and Boreal
Homewood, on Tahoe's West Shore, is known for lake views and has a new gondola under construction, expected in December 2026. Boreal, on Donner Summit, is a small, park-focused area with night skiing and the Woodward Tahoe indoor facility.
Eastern Sierra
Mammoth Mountain
One of North America's biggest and highest resorts, with 3,500 acres, 28 lifts, 10 terrain parks, about 400 inches of snow and a summit of 11,053 feet, California's highest lift-served point. Its season typically runs from early November into May, and in big years it has stayed open into June. It's about 5–7 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco; seasonal flights serve Bishop, about 45 miles south. Ikon Pass.
June Mountain
Mammoth's smaller sister, "California's Family Mountain," with 1,500 acres, a quieter feel and views of June Lake. Ikon Pass.
Central Sierra
Bear Valley
Halfway between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite on Highway 4, with 1,680 acres and a laid-back atmosphere. Indy Pass.
Dodge Ridge
A family-run resort since 1950 east of Sonora on Highway 108, an easy drive from the Bay Area and Central Valley. Indy Pass.
China Peak
About 60 miles east of Fresno above Huntington Lake, with views over the Sierra. Indy Pass.
Southern California
Big Bear Mountain Resort
Bear Mountain and Snow Summit above Big Bear Lake, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. With 28 lifts, six terrain parks and Southern California's only halfpipes, it's a freestyle hub, and Snow Summit offers night sessions. Natural snow averages about 100 inches, so snowmaking does a lot of the work. Ikon Pass.
Mountain High
The closest skiing to Los Angeles and Orange County, about 90 minutes away in Wrightwood, with snowmaking on most slopes, 10 terrain parks and night skiing in peak season. Indy Pass.
Far North
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
Off I-5 near McCloud, with 634 acres, twilight skiing and views of Mount Shasta. Indy Pass.
Best California Resorts for...
| You Want... | Try |
|---|---|
| The most terrain | Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, Mammoth |
| A long season | Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe |
| Families | Northstar, June Mountain, Dodge Ridge |
| Experts and deep snow | Kirkwood, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth, Sugar Bowl |
| Lake views | Heavenly, Homewood |
| Terrain parks | Mammoth, Big Bear, Boreal, Mountain High |
| Close to Los Angeles | Mountain High, Big Bear |
| Close to the Bay Area | Lake Tahoe resorts, Dodge Ridge, Bear Valley |
California Passes for 2026/27
- Epic: Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood (not included on the Epic Local tier).
- Ikon: Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Valley; Sierra-at-Tahoe with limited days.
- Mountain Collective: Sugar Bowl.
- Indy Pass: Bear Valley, China Peak, Dodge Ridge, Donner Ski Ranch, Mountain High and Mt. Shasta Ski Park.
Driving and Chain Controls
Sierra storms often trigger Caltrans chain controls, and drivers must carry chains when they're in effect:
| Control | What It Means |
|---|---|
| R-1 | Chains required, except passenger vehicles and light trucks under 6,000 lb with snow tires on at least two drive wheels (chains must still be carried) |
| R-2 | Chains or traction devices required, except four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels (traction devices must be carried) |
| R-3 | Chains required on all vehicles, no exceptions |
- The speed limit under chain control is 25 or 30 mph.
- Check road conditions on Caltrans QuickMap or by calling (800) 427-7623 before you go.
- Main Tahoe routes are I-80 over Donner Summit and US-50 to South Lake Tahoe; Mammoth is reached via US-395.
- Leave early on weekends and storm days; traffic and closures can add hours.
When to Go
California's season usually runs from November into April, with Mammoth often going into May or June. Big Sierra storms can bring heavy, wet snow ("Sierra cement") and huge totals, with sunny spring days afterward. For 2026/27, announced openings include Heavenly and Northstar (November 20), Palisades Tahoe (November 25), Sugar Bowl and Boreal (around November 27) and Kirkwood (December 4); Mammoth opens in early-to-mid November.
Related Guides
Compare the best US ski resorts, Utah and Colorado resorts and the largest ski resorts. For Sierra snow, see waterproof ski jackets and ski pants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ski resort in California?
Palisades Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain are California's biggest and best-known resorts. Heavenly is famous for lake views, Northstar for families and its village, and Kirkwood and Sugar Bowl for deep snow.
What is the biggest ski resort in California?
Palisades Tahoe, with about 6,000 acres across its Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows sides.
What is the highest ski resort in California?
Mammoth Mountain, whose 11,053-foot summit is California's highest lift-served point.
Which California ski resort has the longest season?
Mammoth typically runs from early November into May and has stayed open into June in big years.
What ski resort is closest to Los Angeles?
Mountain High in Wrightwood is about 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County, and Big Bear is about 2.5 hours away.
Lake Tahoe or Mammoth: which is better?
Tahoe has more resorts close together and is easier to reach from the Bay Area and Reno. Mammoth is one big mountain with a long season and is closer to Los Angeles.
Do I need chains to drive to Tahoe or Mammoth?
Often, during and after storms. Caltrans enforces chain controls (R-1, R-2 and R-3) that can require chains or traction devices, and drivers must carry chains when controls are in effect.
Which California resorts are on the Epic or Ikon Pass?
Epic includes Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. Ikon includes Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth, June, Big Bear and Snow Valley, plus limited days at Sierra-at-Tahoe.