Stunning California Skiing
While California is best known for its beaches, laid back surfers and movie stars, the sunshine state also offers some of the best skiing in the nation. Just a few hours from the coast, you’ll find exhilarating mountains, majestic scenery and sun-filled powdery slopes.
Top Rated Ski Resorts Near San Francisco, CA
World-class skiing can be found throughout the state, from Northern California’s Lake Tahoe all the way down to the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California. Here we’ve concentrated on some Northern California ski resorts that are on par with what you’d find in Colorado and Utah.
Palisades Tahoe
Deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, about 3 and a half hours from San Francisco, the premier ski resort Palisades Tahoe overlooks the shimmering emerald-blue Lake Tahoe. Here you’ll enjoy long ski runs, stunning views, lots of sunshine and powdery snow as well as luxurious lodging and restaurant options. Together with the neighboring Alpine Meadows ski resort, there’s 6,000 acres of skiable terrain and 270 runs, the majority of which are intermediate and black diamond trails.
Heavenly Ski Resort
As the name implies, the views at this California ski resort are simply heavenly. Between three and four hours from San Francisco at the California and Nevada border, Heavenly sits in the snow-capped mountains surrounded by pine forests overlooking Lake Tahoe. With 97 runs over 4,630 skiable acres, it is the largest ski resort in the Lake Tahoe area. It has runs for all abilities, including a good variety of intermediate slopes and beginner classes, as well as double-black diamonds with thrilling 1,600-foot chutes and two challenging terrain parks.
Kirkwood Ski Resort
The steepest slopes and the deepest powder can be found at Kirkwood, making this remote resort best suited for experienced skiers. Diehard skiers and snowboarders come to this 2,300-acre resort for its extreme terrain. Perched on the Sierra Crest peak, it’s farther away from South Lake Tahoe than the other Tahoe resorts, but offers a more peaceful, unspoiled alpine experience with challenging runs. More than half of the resort’s 86 runs are rated for advanced and expert skiers. Lodging options are a bit more limited, but an excellent choice is The Mountain Club which offers modern amenities and ski-in, ski-out accommodations.
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
Mount Shasta is a snow-capped volcanic peak that soars to an impressive 7,500 feet. About four hours from San Francisco, the ski park at its base offers 425 acres of skiable terrain with 32 downhill ski trails. It also has two terrain parks and many awe-inspiring cross-country trails as well. Advanced skiers can enjoy thrilling off-trail backcountry skiing, complete with rustic accommodations at the Backcountry Cabins. Other accommodations can be found in the nearby towns of Mount Shasta, McCloud and Dunsmuir.
Sugar Bowl Resort
This quaint and historic ski resort is the Lake Tahoe area ski resort that’s closest to San Francisco. It offers some of the powderiest slopes with an annual average of 500 inches of snow fall. Its 1,650-acres of skiable terrain cover four mountain peaks of Donner Summit. The 103 trails wind through spacious pine-lined glades, offering spectacular mountain views and shelter from the wind. But perhaps the most charming part of the resort is The Inn at Sugar Bowl, an old-fashioned European-style lodge that offers ski-in, ski-out accommodations and a fine-dining restaurant.
Stunning California Ski Racks
Northern California not far from San Francisco offers some of the most stunning Skiing you’ll find in the country. Make sure your skis are ready for your next adventure with Log Ski Rack. Our high-quality, hand-crafted ski and snowboard storage racks are both beautiful and functional. Made from northern white cedar logs, they provide stunning, practical ski storage for homes, cabins and ski resorts. Shop our ski racks online now and enjoy free shipping to California. Like our style but have different storage needs? Contact us for a custom designed ski rack.
