Comparison of California ski resorts facts for kids

California is famous for its sunny beaches, but it also has amazing snowy mountains! These mountains are home to many fantastic ski resorts. Whether you love skiing fast or snowboarding with friends, California's resorts offer something for everyone. Let's explore some of the coolest places to hit the slopes!

California's Awesome Ski Resorts

California has a wide range of ski resorts. Some are huge, with lots of trails. Others are smaller and perfect for learning. Each resort offers unique features for a fun day in the snow.

Big Mountains for Big Adventures

Some resorts in California are super big. They have high peaks and long runs. These are great for experienced skiers and snowboarders.

• Mammoth Mountain is one of the tallest. Its peak is over 11,000 feet high! It has a huge vertical drop of 3,100 feet. This means you can ski down for a very long time. Mammoth also boasts 150 trails and 25 lifts.
• Heavenly Mountain Resort is another giant. It has the largest skiable area, covering 4,800 acres. Its peak is over 10,000 feet. Heavenly offers a massive 3,500-foot vertical drop. It has 97 trails and 28 lifts.
• Squaw Valley USA is also very large. It has 3,600 skiable acres and 170 trails. Its peak is 9,050 feet high. Squaw Valley offers a 2,850-foot vertical drop. It has 29 lifts to take you up the mountain.
• Kirkwood Mountain Resort is known for its deep snow. It has a peak elevation of 9,800 feet. Kirkwood offers a 2,000-foot vertical drop. It has 2,300 skiable acres and 65 trails.
• Northstar California is a popular choice. It has a peak of 8,610 feet. Northstar offers 2,904 skiable acres. It has 93 trails and 19 lifts.

Where the Snow Piles High

Some California resorts get tons of snow every year. This means amazing powder days for skiing and snowboarding!

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Sugar Bowl get the most snow. They both average 500 inches of snow each year! That's over 40 feet of snow!
• Squaw Valley USA and Alpine Meadows also get a lot of snow. They both average 450 inches annually.
• Sierra-at-Tahoe gets about 480 inches of snow. This makes it a great spot for powder.
• Many other resorts like Mammoth Mountain, Boreal Mountain Resort, Donner Ski Ranch, Homewood Mountain Resort, Soda Springs, and Tahoe Donner all get around 400 inches of snow each year.

Great Value Skiing

Skiing can be expensive, but some resorts offer more affordable lift tickets. These are great options for a fun day without breaking the bank.

• Mount Shasta Ski Park offers tickets for around $49. It has 32 trails and 425 skiable acres.
• Boreal Mountain Resort has tickets starting at $52 on weekdays. It has 41 trails and 380 skiable acres.
• Donner Ski Ranch offers tickets for about $45. It has 52 trails and 435 skiable acres.
• Soda Springs Mountain Resort is very affordable at about $36 per ticket. It's a smaller resort with 15 trails.
• Tahoe Donner offers tickets for around $41. It has 10 trails and 120 skiable acres.
• Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park costs about $42. It has 10 trails and 90 skiable acres.
• Cedar Pass Ski Area is one of the most affordable at $20.

Smaller Gems for All Skill Levels

Not every resort needs to be huge. Smaller resorts can be perfect for beginners or families. They often have a friendly atmosphere.

• Mount Shasta Ski Park is a great mid-sized option. It has 32 trails and a 1,435-foot vertical drop.
• Alpine Meadows offers 100 trails and 2,400 skiable acres. It's a good size for many skiers.
• Homewood Mountain Resort has 60 trails and 1,260 skiable acres. It's known for its beautiful lake views.
• Sugar Bowl has 94 trails and 1,500 skiable acres. It's a classic California ski spot.
• Bear Valley offers 67 trails and 1,680 skiable acres.
• Dodge Ridge Ski Area has 62 trails and 832 skiable acres.
• June Mountain is a good size with 35 trails and 500 skiable acres.
• China Peak has 45 trails and 1,200 skiable acres.
• Bear Mountain and Snow Summit are popular in Southern California. Bear Mountain has 24 trails and Snow Summit has 30 trails.
• Mount Baldy Ski Lifts has 26 trails and 800 skiable acres.
• Mount Waterman has 27 trails and 150 skiable acres.
• Mountain High has 59 trails and 290 skiable acres.
• Snow Valley Mountain Resort has 29 trails and 240 skiable acres.
• Very small resorts like Alta Sierra (6 trails), Buckhorn Ski and Snowboard Club (5 trails), and Kratka Ridge (13 trails) offer a more intimate experience.

No matter your skill level or budget, California's ski resorts offer amazing opportunities to enjoy the snow. Grab your skis or snowboard and hit the slopes!