9 min
Updated: Jan 5
(Updated for 2023) ⛷️☃️ Get ready for winter fun with this comprehensive guide to the best snow destinations near Los Angeles! From ski resorts to snow parks, this list of 21 top spots has something for every winter adventurer. Whether you're an experienced skier or just looking for some snow play, these locations have it all. Check out the best places to hit the slopes, enjoy sledding, and make unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Find the perfect place for your next snow adventure, all conveniently located near LA. Book your trip today and let the snow games begin!
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The closest ski resort to Los Angeles is Mountain High Resort, located in the San Gabriel Mountains, approximately 80 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Other nearby ski resorts include Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, both located in the San Bernardino Mountains, and Mount Baldy Resort, located in the San Gabriel Mountains.
24510 Highway 2
Wrightwood, CA 92397
(888) 754-7878
Mountain High is one of the closest ski resorts to Los Angeles. Mountain High is actually three resorts in one: East, West, and North, each with different terrain to challenge a wide variety of expertise. If you are looking for a California resort with skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, Mountain High California resort is a perfect choice.
In addition to fun activities for the whole family, this awesome ski destination hosts annual competitions that attract skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts from all over the country. You can also learn to ski, and snowboard here with the very best instructors and terrific lesson programs.
8401 Mt Baldy Rd.
Mt Baldy, CA 91759
(909) 982-0800
Mt Baldy Resort is another quick mountain getaway, only 20 miles outside of Los Angeles. The mountain features 4 Chair Lifts providing access to more than 4000 acres of terrain to accommodate all skill levels. If you are new to skiing, they offer lesson sessions that allow you to learn at your own pace.
Tubing packages include a round-trip scenic lift ride on the Sugar Pine chairlift and a 90-minute tubing session. You can also get a ride on the Sugarpine Chair Lift, and arrive at the top of the Notch at 7,800ft. The Top of the Notch provides a unique dining experience overlooking Southern California.
To check to see if Mount Baldy has snow right now, click here.
35100 State Hwy 18
Running Springs, CA 92382
(909) 867-2640
From the steeps of Slide Peak to long cruising intermediate trails to the region’s best beginner terrain to Southern California’s only chairlift serviced sledding area, Snow Valley has something for everyone during winter. In addition to their fantastic terrain, Snow Valley’s Learning Centers offer lessons for all ability levels and ages. On Fridays through Sundays and during holiday periods, enjoy a scenic chairlift ride followed by a thrilling downhill sled ride.
Our Favorite spot to eat near Snow Valley Mountain is Blondie’s Grill & Bar located in Arrowbear just up Highway 18 from Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. It is a family-style restaurant featuring fresh homemade food on the mountain.
San Bernardino National Forest
Running Springs, CA 92382
(909) 867-2640
Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park is an outdoor family recreation attraction located in the San Bernardino National Forest. Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park is Southern California's largest & oldest snow tubing park. They offer snowy slopes for downhill rides on individual snow tubes that are specially designed with a belly strap and handles. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes are available at 6500 feet above sea level.
43101 Goldmine Drive
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 866-5766
Bear is approximately 1.5 to 3 hours from Los Angeles and Orange County and is a great place for beginners if you’ve never skied before. Bear is where you’ll find Southern California’s only halfpipes, the Red Bull Plaza, The Scene. It is also home to the largest learning area in SoCal, backed by professionally certified instructors that make learning easy, fun, and natural.
Here you can get private lessons, group lessons, adventurer lessons, and more. With a state-of-the-art snowmaking system and grooming fleet, you can count on Bear for great conditions all season long. After you are done with having fun, you can count on different dining options nearby this resort.
880 Summit Blvd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 866-5766
Snow Summit is a premier family-friendly SoCal destination famous for its skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Drop-in at 8,200 feet, with over 240 acres of skiable terrain and 27 trails of all ability levels. Covered with a state-of-the-art snowmaking system, and a lift system of 11 lifts (+ 5 moving carpets), Snow Summit is among the most visited ski resorts in Southern California. You and your kids, as young as 4 years old, can also get various types of ski and snowboard lessons based on your skills.
28200 CA-189
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
The lake and Lake Arrowhead Village are only 2 hours from Los Angeles and it transforms into a winter wonderland during winter. You can play snowballs, go snowboarding, and ice skate at Silver Bell Arena at SkyPark Santa's Village. The village has many restaurants and shops that you can enjoy while at the Village. You can make a weekend trip out of it and stay at one of the nearby cabins.
42825 Big Bear Blvd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 585-0075
Big Bear Snow Play offers the longest runs in Southern California, serviced by a Magic Carpet uphill lift that eliminates the tiring uphill struggle through snow. Lift-assisted inner tubing lets you and your kiddos conserve your energy for the thrilling downhill twists and turns and not walking uphill. And this winter, you can enjoy Night Tubing at the resort.
Big Bear Snow Play opens for after-dark tubing sessions Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday periods from 5-9 pm. You can also enjoy a real racing experience at Big Bear Speedway. Big Bear Speedway has 17 single karts and six doubles that have two steering wheels and two brake pedals for training or parent riding with a child.
Snow Play at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
800 Wildrose Lane
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 866-4626
The Magic Mountain Recreation Area at Big Bear Lake, home of the world-famous Alpine Slide, offers plenty of fun snow play during winter. Getting to the top of the hill is easy since they have the Magic Carpet uphill lift that is covered in plexiglass for your comfort. Start your day with a scenic chairlift ride that includes panoramic views of beautiful Big Bear Lake, and the surrounding mountains. Then navigate your way down with your own individually controlled sled with Teflon runners and ball bearing wheels. You can also enjoy tubing and snow play with magic carpets.
29358 Rim of the World Hwy #18
Skyforest, CA 92385
Go sledding and play in the snow on this beautiful 30-acre land near Arrowhead. Heaps Peak Arboretum is free to visit, and you can picnic a the picnic tables while your kids enjoy the snow. The parking is only $5 per day. Just make sure to take your sledding boards before you go because there are no stores around to purchase them. Park your car, get a daily pass, and stay as long as you want.
24510 California 2
Wrightwood, CA 92397
(888) 754-7878
The Yeti's Snow Parks are open weekends & holidays at both the East and North Resorts with tubing, sledding, snow play, and scenic sky chair rides. Slide down 10 lanes in the tubing park or meet the Yeti & friends in the new snow play zone. Activities include ice skating, a snow climbing wall, the Yeti’s cave, and snowshoeing.
10001 Minaret Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(760) 934-0745
Mammoth Mountain is worth the 4-5 hour drive north for the skiing opportunities you’ll never forget at this snow-driven place. There’s nothing more fun than ripping down a run with style to spare. Skip the hiking, catch a lift to the top, then bomb down as fast as you dare in one of the high-speed snow tubes. Mellow cruisers and hard-chargers alike will find big fun exploring tree-lined trails and massive meadows with the snowmobile adventures.
From Skiing, and tubing, to mountain and nature tours, you can find them at Mammoth Mountain. Get your kids started off right with small lesson groups where kids are matched up based on age and skill level. No matter your kid's current skill level, they are guaranteed to learn sound skiing or snowboarding fundamentals.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
10001 Minaret Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(800) 626-6684
Skip the uphill hike and catch a lift to the top, then bomb down the groomed lanes as fast as you dare in a high-speed snow tube. Woolly’s Tube Park is all-time fun for all ages with a large snow play area and a heated deck with a snack bar offering hot cocoa and adult beverages. Start with a snowman, shred on a surf sled and top it off with a tube ride on Woolly’s Merry-Go-Round.
We highly suggest you check the websites for each resort before making your plans to check the snow conditions and opening hours.
34580 Lockwood Valley Rd
Frazier Park, CA
Mount Pinos is only two hours drive from Los Angeles where you can find free snow play areas. There are three snow play areas around the Mount Pinos area. Click here for details on all the cool places in Mount Pinos where your kids can find snow.
25905 CA-243,
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549
Almost 3 hours drive from Los Angeles, Mount San Jacinto State Park is a beautiful park for finding snow in nature. Activities include snow play, sledding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. However, Mount San Jacinto State Park does not groom snowbound trails, and there are no stakes or tree blazes that mark the trails, so you must traverse them with GPS.
Depending on which side of the park you visit, you should call either the Idyllwild Ranger Station or the Long Valley Ranger Station to inquire about snow conditions.
1 Tram Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest rotating tram car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During winter, The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you to the mountain where you can play and even camp in the snow. Campers can enjoy a truly unique experience at the top of the Tram during the winter. At an elevation of 8,516 feet with brisk temperatures, snow camping is at its best in the San Jacinto Mountains.
10678 Sunrise Hwy,
Mt. Laguna, CA 91948
Mount Laguna receives the most snowfall in all of San Diego County from November to the first week of June. At over 6000 feet above sea level, Mount Laguna is one of the most popular places to see snow coming from the San Diego area. In the winter enjoy sledding, cross-country skiing or simply playing in the snow. You can also rent a motel room or cabin at Mount Laguna for as low as $80 per night.
Every year in November and December you can experience multiple winter themed PowderPak synthetic tubing lanes built directly onto the giant hills of The Old Lodge at Montecillo De Leo Politi Park, only 5 minutes from Downtown LA! Hop on a tube and fly through twinkling light archways, decorated trees, and falling snow! (Closed at this time)
(323) 964-6331
Every year in December Kidspace Children’s Museum hosts 5 days of snow days. You can build snowmen, make snow angels, and learn the science involved in snow. You can also enjoy live performances as well as the chance to make winter-themed art. (check before you go)
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, California 92626
This giant wonderland features ice tubing down a 9 lane, 50-foot mountain of real ice, a massive snow play and slide area with fresh snow blown in daily, ice skating on SoCal’s largest outdoor ice rink under the stars in the middle of Winter Fest OC, nightly Christmas tree lighting celebration with a parade of the Winter Fest OC characters, fireworks and snow flurries, plus a must-see experience with Santa and his reindeer flying over the fairgrounds through Christmas Eve during the nightly Christmas tree celebration.
10 W Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
Snow N Glow 2021 is the perfect winter playground: you can build a snowman, enjoy s’mores, drink hot chocolate, and so much more. Gather your friends and family and celebrate the holidays in Southern California’s very own Winter Wonderland. There will be fresh-made snow daily, and REAL snow tubing and the most unique thing about this event is that you can snow tube across the street from the beach!
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To find out how many inches of snow there is today throughout California, click here.