Southern California's Closest Ski Resorts To Los Angeles That Are Worth The Trip

When people picture Southern California, the images that percolate are typically of endless golden beaches, palm trees swaying in the wind, and the iconic Hollywood sign and tourist areas. It's where surfboards outnumber snow shovels, where celebrity sightings at your local coffee shop are common, and where the laid-back flip-flop culture is grounded in the Mediterranean-like climate. But even in this sun-soaked coastal paradise, there is a passionate crowd chasing the winter powder on the slopes. It turns out that you don't have to escape to Colorado or Tahoe for a solid ski session. Southern California has some surprisingly accessible resorts right in its backyard, many just a short drive from the hub of Los Angeles.

We've rounded up five standout options that balance proximity to LA, quality terrain, accessibility to new and advanced skiers, and things that make a memorable spark for visitors. They aren't the most popular ski resorts in the West, but they still deliver. The list includes Mt. Baldy for a no-frills experience; Mt. Waterman for a locals-only vibe; Mountain High Resorts with its versatility among three areas; Big Bear Mountain Resort, which also offers a large alpine playground; and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, stretching the definition of close but delivering world-class skiing for those willing to go a bit further. 

Found in the San Gabriel Mountains, Mt. Baldy is one of the quickest escapes from LA's urban sprawl and is ideal for a spontaneous escape to the snow. It sits about 50 miles from downtown, and the drive can take just under an hour without traffic.

The mountain's base sits at 6,500 feet and rises to 8,600 feet, offering a respectable 2,100 feet of vertical drop. Its skiable terrain is spread out over 800 acres across 26 trails, serviced by four double chairlifts. The average annual snowfall hovers around 40 inches, most piling up in February and March, and the resort relies heavily on natural snow. The season can vary, but when the conditions are right, Mt. Baldy is great. And, it's often one of the first places in Southern California to get snow.

Rentals are available on-site, but with limited inventory, it is recommended to book online in advance when purchasing your lift ticket. This guarantees availability and comes with a bit of a discount. You can book a private group or solo ski and snowboard lesson to brush up on your skills. Mt. Baldy is unpretentious and old school; it doesn't have massive crowds or flashy amenities, just raw mountain energy. The Top of the Notch Restaurant, which can be reached at the top of a 20-minute ride up the Sugar Pine Chairlift, serves brews and bites at 7,800 feet — open on the weekends only.

Mt. Waterman is for skiers who prefer their mountain or resort experience to be stripped down and authentic. Waterman offers a no-nonsense resort that is remarkably close to the heart of LA. It's about 50 miles north in the San Gabriel Mountains, and the drive clocks in at an hour without traffic. The resort has a modest scale in its somewhat unusual setup, with the lodge situated at the summit.

Gear-wise it is bare-bones. There are zero rentals on-site, so visitors need to bring their own skis, boots, boards, and the rest. This keeps things simple and cheap, and adult lift tickets sit at just $70 for an all-day pass. Lessons are available, but true to Waterman fashion, they're basic and short. This resort isn't geared towards families or newbies but is better for experienced skiers who have their own gear. It feels like a local's secret, and this ski hill has been delivering fun for more than 80 years.

Visitors rave about the uncrowded slopes, calling it their go-to for last-minute powder dumps. They're only open on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and only when there is snow. Sometimes, during extreme drought, they don't even open for the winter ski season. It is advised to check in on their website or snow phone before heading up. Their summit reaches over 8,000 feet, with a 1,030-foot vertical drop across 150 skiable acres. They have three chairlifts that serve the trails with mostly advanced terrain: 60% expert, 20% intermediate, and 20% beginner. For those Southern Californians who love to shred down the hill for a cheap price, this is the place for you. 

If you desire variety, Mountain High Resort is the place for you. It offers a trio of skiable mountains that are incredibly accessible from LA. Found just 80 miles east in the San Gabriel Mountains along State Route 2, the drive takes about 90 minutes without traffic. 

Mountain High Resort features three different locations at their resort with only a mile between: North, West, and East, all catering to different mountain enthusiasts. West Mountain caters to more experienced skiers with technical steeps and a world-class terrain park full of jumps and rails. East offers an alpine feel with long groomers, moguls, gladed areas, and an incredible view of the Mojave Desert from the Grand View Bistro. East also offers other opportunities to experience the mountain, like tubing or a scenic chair ride up the mountain. North is the best place for families, with 70 acres of gentle terrain and the region's largest snow tubing park. A single ticket is good for both East and West resorts.

The tallest of the mountains is 8,200 feet high, delivering 1,600 feet of vertical drop. The resort is spread out across 290 acres, 59 trails, and 14 chairlifts and breaks down into 25% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 35% advanced. It's a great place to learn some tips for ski and snow beginners, as rentals and lessons are available. People love how accessible all the different areas are and how much diversity it adds to the resort. 

Big Bear Mountain Resort sits about 100 miles east of LA. The two-hour drive takes visitors up the San Bernardino Mountains and out to Big Bear Lake. The resort combines three mountains into one for a total of 748 skiable acres: Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountain, each offering something unique.

Snow Valley's summit is 7,841 feet with a vertical drop of 1,041 feet. It spans 240 acres, with 32 trails and nine lifts. It is ideal for families with gentle runs and the area's only lift-served tubing park. Snow Summit has a summit of 8,200 feet, a vertical drop of 1,041 feet, across 320 acres and 33 trails. Snow Summit is best for intermediate skiers with numerous groomed cruiser trails and incredible views of Big Bear Lake. Bear Mountain is the tallest of them all, reaching 8,805 feet, with a vertical drop of 1,665 feet. It offers 198 skiable acres spread out over 26 trails and seven chairlifts. 

Bear Mountain is best for advanced skiers and those looking to practice their freestyle skiing with world-class terrain parks, Southern California's only halfpipes, and freestyle features. Rentals and lessons are plentiful, from groups to privates to kids' ski school and advanced programs. This lakeside city is a great destination for a West Coast winter getaway.

While it does push the "close" boundary, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area earns a spot on this list, albeit at the end, due to its epic scale that justifies a longer jaunt from LA. At 300 miles north in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the drive takes approximately five hours along the scenic Highway 395. Mammoth is remote, but the isolation adds to the adventure, and it makes for a great weekend getaway.

Mammoth Mountain's stats are legendary. Its summit reaches 11,053 feet, the highest in California, and it gives riders a 3,100-foot vertical drop. Its skiable terrain is spread out across 3,500 acres (which is more than all of the above resorts combined). A whopping 180 trails are available by 25 chairlifts with terrain for all skill levels. It has something for everyone. The mountain boasts an average of 350 inches of snowfall and 300 sunny days per year, with an incredibly long season that typically stretches from November to June.

In addition to the above stats, the mountain's massive terrain park makes it legendary. With 10 in total and more than 100 features, jumps, and two halfpipes that attract Olympic-level snow athletes. Rentals are available, and lessons cater to every skill and ability. The après-ski parties on the weekends at Canyon Lodge are famous, with DJs, Champagne, and giveaways from the mountain pro shop and its sponsors. If you're up for the road trip, Mammoth Mountain offers big resort experiences where Southern Californians can chase world-class runs without leaving the state.

To create this list, we searched OnTheSnow for top-rated resorts in Southern California, with a strong emphasis on the resorts closest to LA. This information was cross-referenced with user reviews for real-world insight on experiences. Feedback from traveler reviews and bloggers was factored in, as well as numerous "best of" lists regarding standout ski areas in Southern California. Priority went to the resorts that had the most reliable snow, positive atmosphere, visitor appeal, and proximity to LA.