For great skiing many Californians go up the coast to Lake Tahoe but one of my favorite snow destinations is located actually in Los Angeles & just a 90 minute drive away.
Mount High boasts 3 resorts as well as the North Pole tubing park (weekends only)
Located just outside the town of Wrightwood where you can find reasonably priced accommodation, as well as good food and an ‘après ski’ beverage!
Not only is Mount High close it’s also pretty cheap with ski passes, lessons & rentals at really reasonable rates especially for beginners
My favorite package for the adult learner is the 3-Peat, a three-visit beginner program for ages 13+ that can be completed any three days of the season, non-holiday. And each day includes:
-1 Hour & 45 Minute Lesson (improve 1 ability level each day)
-Rental Equipment (skis or snowboard)
-Lower Mountain Lift Ticket ($12 upgrade to all mountain ticket available after 2nd and 3rd lesson)
*The 3-Peat is not available at the resort.
I did this package a couple of years ago, going up on non-holiday weekdays & found myself in class with only 1 or 2 others!
We love the kids school too where for $95 they get a full day of lessons, rentals, lower ski pass as well as lunch & snack!
Tobogganing is not allowed anywhere on Mt High property but finding a good slope isn’t hard.
From where we live on Mount Washington we have a great view of the San Gabriel Mountains so can see when there is a good snow cap, or check the website for snow fall. When it rains here (LA) is usually snows there. Mount High does have good snow machines but to get the true winter feel we like it best when the whole village is under a white cover.
Getting there is an easy 90 min drive and 45-60 minutes of which is on highway so the weather conditions on the mountain don’t affect much of the drive, and even once you make the Wrightwood turn off the assent is gentle and straightforward.
*bring chains just in case
If you don’t mind a 6am start you can drive against the traffic, get to mount high, sort your tickets and rentals and be on the slopes by 9am.
The slope closes at 4pm and then reopens for night skiing at 5pm we like to stay for dinner then drive home after traffic around 7pm
For an overnight there are lots of reasonably priced hotels and cabins are available at
http://www.mthigh.com/mountain/lodging also check around VRBO and Airbnb
Dress in layers, it may be 32 degrees early in the morning and late afternoon but frequently by noon we have peeled down to a tee shirt.
Don’t forget the sunscreen, not only face and arms but don’t neglect the less obvious spots like back of necks and ears. My ear has only just recovered from our last trip earlier this month!
I’m always amazed how just 1 day in the mountains sends me home both energized and relaxed feeling like I’ve been on vacation!
Where’s your favorite snow destination?
Sunny Sleevez 
I used to live in LA and enjoyed the skiing there also. Used to hit Big Bear and even Mt. Baldy on occasion. What is my favorite destination? Vail. But CA, especially Lake Tahoe, has some great skiing.
Reblogged this on Sykose.
Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog, I lived in LA a while – Pasadena – and first tried skiing in the San Gabriel’s, now I’m in Scotland we go to Aviemore!!! not much danger of too much sun here – even when it’s sunny we are still very wrapped up against the wind.
I just love how in CA you have access to beach and mountains. Big Bear is our favorite place-my husband asked me to marry him there 😀
Oh how romantic 😀
Funny, a friend of mine was just telling me about this two days ago.