Wrightwood, CA – August 25, 2025: Mountain High Resorts in Wrightwood is eagerly preparing for the 2025/26 season with more than $500K in improvements. These include increased snowmaking, new grooming equipment, new teaching programs, and the return of the Discovery chairlift. Known for being Southern California’s closest winter resort, Mountain High is ready to open any day after November 1st, weather permitting, and expects to be the first resort open in the region.
Increased Snowmaking
Mountain High has one of the largest snowmaking systems in the country. This year, more than $150K was invested in new, Technoalpin TT9 snow guns, primarily at the mountain’s East Resort. These low energy fan guns improve the mountain’s ability to make snow and use less energy when doing so.
The resort also automated the snowmaking “pumping system” at its West Resort. This is the culmination of multiple years of adding automated snowmaking equipment and now allows resort operators to make snow completely remotely, leading to quicker start-ups and later shut downs.
Says Mathew Bailey, Assistant Mountain Manager, “Mountain High’s snowmaking system has never been better. With full reservoirs, we are ready to start skiing just as soon as it gets cold and plan to be the first resort open in Southern California.”
Over the past few years, the installation of new low/mid energy snowguns has radically reduced Mountain High’s annual diesel consumption. Today the resort uses just 1% of what it did 10 years ago. With these improvements and the extensive water supply, Mountain High expects to have both its East & West resorts open before Christmas.
New 2025 Prinoth Bison X Winch Cat
A new Bison X Winch Cat from Prinoth replaces Mountain High’s 2011 version and is expected to b 2-3 times more productive. For guests, this means better snow conditions on the resort’s steeper slopes.
The Bison X is Prinoth’s most versatile machine to date. It can be used to groom long-lasting slops, build any type of terrain feature, and lay smooth trails. Not only does it have the power to climb the steepest runs but it also has the most features they offer for terrain park building. The X has twice the range of motion on the X Blade, and extended tiller movements making it easy to work on park transitions. Distance measurement tools, LED lights, and rearview cameras, also help X operators prepare and maintain park features with greater efficiency.
The jewel in the Bison’s crown is its impressively low emissions. This snow cat is the cleanest snow groomer in its class meeting the world’s highest emission standards (Stage V). This is made possible by its proprietary exhaust treatment systems with SCR catalytic converter, oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filters.
Discovery Chairlift Restored
The Discovery Chairlift at the top of Mountain High’s East Resort has been restored and is ready to reopen. This chair accesses terrific beginner terrain at 8,200 ft with unmatched views of the Pacific Ocean. Repairs included new haul rope, refurbished lift shack, new chair pads, and a new communication line.
1st Turn – California Learn To Ski/Ride Center
Mountain High, along with its Cali Pass sister resorts, introduces 1st Turn, the best way to learn to ski and ride in California. 1st Turn is focused on every step of the learning process from your first day to developing skills to enjoying the entire mountain.
Our unique pricing format allows guests to continue at discounted rates that extend far beyond their first day. Whether students pick up the basics in an hour or a day, our progressive pricing gives them the ability to move at their own pace.
Upon completion of the First Turn Program, guests are eligible for discounts on season passes, rentals and additional lessons to keep them progressing each time they hit the slopes.
The First Turn program is offered at all 4 California Mountain Resort Co resorts, conveniently close to all major cities in the state; Mountain High in Southern California, China Peak in Central California, Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley in the North and South Bay.
For complete details visit our dedicated first timer website this winter, 1stTurn.com
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Beyond the major improvements, there are subtle enhancements throughout the resort to make the guest’s experience even better. These include comfortable Drop-Off zones, Gorilla Carts (towable wagons), and renovations to the Foggy Goggle, Mountain High’s slopeside bar.
For more information on seasonal improvements or to schedule an interview please contact John McColly, VP Of Sales & Marketing, at (760) 316-7803 or john@mthigh.com. Follow Mountain High Resorts on Instagram @mthighsnow, and Facebook.
Mountain High Resorts is Southern California’s closest winter destination located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County. The area consists of three separate mountains (East Resort, West Resort, and North Resort) and offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding winter sports school and three Yeti’s Snow Parks. Night skiing and snowboarding is available Wed-Sun peak season and snowmaking covers more than 80 percent of the slopes. Mountain High traditionally operates from mid-November to mid-April. Visit www.mthigh.com for more information. Mountain High is an equal opportunity service provider operating under an Angeles National Forest special use permit.
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