About 90 miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles lies a breathtaking winter resort comfortably nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains. Mountain High, Southern California’s closest winter resort, 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 ski resort with skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, Mountain High California resort is the perfect choice. In addition to fun activities for the whole family, this awesome southern California ski destination hosts annual competitions that attract skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts from all over the country.
Top Reasons To Choose Mountain High
Southern California's Closest Winter Resort - Just an hour and a half from LA & Orange County.
Affordable - Besides the money you'll save on gas, Mountain High is less expensive than the Big Bear Resorts and offers a number of money-saving ticket deals.
Great Conditions - Mountain High has an enormous snowmaking system that covers 80% of the mountain. We make snow every night possible to ensure you have the very best conditions.
Lesson Programs - Mountain High is where southern California learns to ski & snowboard. We have the very best instructors and terrific amenities like the Burton Learn To Ride Center.
Night Riding - We're open 7 nights-a-week (peak season) from 5:00pm to 10:00pm so you can ride after school or work.
Terrain Park - The West Resort is filled with exciting terrain features geared towards the whole family.
Location
Mountain High is Southern California's closest winter resort, just 90 minutes from L.A. and Orange County. We share the same elevation as the Big Bear Resorts but there is no mountain driving so it's easy to make a quick trip up for a 4-hour, 8-hour or night session any day of the week. When you choose Mountain High, you are guaranteed to spend less time on the road and more time on the mountain. Please click here for directions to the resort.
Resort Description
Mountain High consists of three separate areas; East, West, and North. Each is complete with ticket windows, rental departments, sport shops, food & beverage facilities and more. No matter where you start, your single Mountain High ticket is good at all places and traveling from resort to resort is easy with our free shuttle service. Shuttles load in front of the ticket windows every five to ten minutes, seven days a week.
Traditionally the West Resort is the first area to open in Southern California. Here you will find everything from wide-open beginner areas to gladed tree skiing hideaways to challenging black diamond trails. Many fun terrain features can also be found and Mountain High offers everything from small, beginner-type jumps on Creekside to competitive-sized features on Pipeline. The West Resort has a young, energetic feel, but there's more to it than just jibs and jumps. West is home to the resort's Children's Sports Center, the Bullwheel Bar and Grill and the Foggy Goggle where fashion shows, movie premieres and live performances are held on a regular basis. Night skiing is also available 7 nights-a-week from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Over 85% of the area is lit including the terrain park.
The East Resort offers the greatest vertical in Southern California serviced by a single high-speed quad. Its long, groomed, cruising trails make it perfect for carving, but it is also home to the Olympic Bowl, the longest, steepest bump run in the region. The top elevation is 8,200 feet, which is comparable to the Big Bear resorts. After a quick ascent on the Mountain High Express, you'll find an additional 20 acres of beginner terrain all serviced by its own quad chairlift. This often overlooked area is perfect for learning and designed to stimulate the heart as well as the head.
Mountain High now offers a third resort with 70 acres beginner terrain catering to families and introductory skiers. Formerly Ski Sunrise, Mountain High North is located across from the West Resort and operates on peak weekends and holidays. This includes the North Pole Tubing Park with up to 10 lanes and two moving carpets.
What to Expect (Temperature, Weather, Etc)
Temperatures in the mountains average 20 to 30 degrees colder than the cities, but staying warm is easy. The best choice is water-resistant, layered clothing that can be added or removed as the weather changes. It is always best to be prepared as conditions can and do change rapidly at high elevations. If your clothes are not water resistant, a water repellent spray can be applied. With your equipment, be sure to include warm gloves and a hat or beanie. Remember, the majority of your body's heat is lost through your head. A simple beanie can do wonders to keep you warm, especially during a storm or periods of snowmaking. Ultraviolet rays are more powerful at high elevations as well. Regardless of skin color or complexion, everyone needs to wear protective sunscreen and UV-certified sunglasses even on overcast days since ultraviolet rays can penetrate the cloud cover. Should you forget any of these important items, the Mountain High Sport Shops, located at all three resorts, carry the latest in clothing and equipment for winter enthusiasts.
Mountain High provides the most accurate and up-to-date snow reports in the region. We offer Real Time Cameras, daily photos and weekly videos to give you the broadest view of the conditions. It is important to check the Mountain High Snow Report before traveling to the resort because the weather may be completely different from that it is at home. Santa Ana winds, for instance, blow warm in the valleys but cold and dry in mountains causing temperature differences of up to 30 degrees. Your view from home is also of the southern or sunny side of the mountain where snow rarely lasts. Mountain High is located on the north side where powder stays for long periods of time making the snow report even more important. To keep you abreast of the conditions, Mountain High also offers the Powder Alert, a free email service that details upcoming storms, recent snowfalls, special events, ticket deals and much, much more.
Traveling to the resort is quick and safe, but snowy conditions do occur so we always recommend carrying chains whenever traveling in the winter mountains. For your convenience, road conditions are updated daily on the website.
Ticketing
Start Here! All tickets, rentals, and lessons are purchased at the ticket windows. From there, proceed to the rental department and then to your lesson, if necessary.
Ticket Windows
West Resort - Located on the West side of the base lodge facing the Blue Ridge Express.
East Resort - Located on the far side of the rental building facing the snow.
North Resort - Located on the front, left corner of the base lodge.
At Mountain High, you may purchase tickets by the hour or by the run for the greatest level of convenience. The Flex Ticket is available in any 4 or 8-Hour block of time to fit your schedule, not ours. Unlike tickets from other resorts, the time of the Flex Ticket doesn't begin until you take your first lift so you're always guaranteed the full value. The Point Ticket, sold in blocks of 500 and 1,000 points, lets you choose the number of runs you wish to take per day. Similar to a debit card, points are electronically deducted with each lift ride. And the Point Ticket is transferable so it can be shared by family and friends.
Rentals
Mountain High offers complete ski and snowboard rentals at all three resorts. All rentals are purchased at the Ticket Windows where you will receive the necessary forms and directions to the closest shop.
Rental Departments
-West Resort - Located across from the base lodge adjacent the parking lot.
-East Resort - Located to the right of the ticket windows.
-North Resort - Located just inside the main lodge.
Lessons
Mountain High's Winter Sports School has one of the highest return rates in the country so you can learn with confidence. We offer the latest teaching techniques and equipment (Virtual Snow) proven to shorten the learning curve and help students progress more quickly. You may choose from a number of group packages or take a Private Lesson where you'll get personalized on-hill attention. For the kids, our Children's Sports Center offers ski and snowboard lessons that teach progressive skills and include both indoor and outdoor activities.
Lessons are available seven days a week at the West Resort and on weekends & holidays at the East Resort. If you plan to take a lesson, it is best to park at the same area. At the West Resort, students meet beneath the Bullwheel Bar & Grill and, at the East Resort, directly across from the ticket windows. Please arrive at the Meeting Area 15 minutes prior to your lesson.
Arrive Early At The Resort! The time you save by starting your day early will pay dividends later. Getting ahead of traffic, finding convenient parking, short lines at the ticket windows and rental shop will set you and your family up for a stress-free and fun time at the mountain. Once you have your lift tickets, lesson coupons, and equipment, take the time to familiarize yourself with the resort! You will need to be at the Winter Sports School meeting area 15 minutes prior to the lesson starting time.
