In 2024, Mountain High Resort is celebrating 100 years of winter sports in the San Gabriel Mountains.
It all started in the summer of 1924, when Big Pines Recreation Park was opened, and thousands of Southern Californians began flocking to the mountains to enjoy four seasons of outdoor sports. Mountain High’s resorts are located in the former Big Pines Park, just 3 ½ miles west of Wrightwood.
Big Pines Park was built and operated by Los Angeles County, and in August 1924, county officials declared the park open to the public.
The August 10, 1924, issue of the Los Angeles Times carried nearly a full page of articles, photos, and maps describing the extraordinary features of the park, and announcing “New Mountain Paradise.”
The completion and dedication of the new road from Palmdale into Big Pines Park on July 22, 1924, further confirms the summer of 1924 as the year the park was fully opened to the public.
With a long list of unique outdoor facilities on more than 5,000 acres of alpine forest, and the easiest mountain access for Southern California residents, Big Pines Park became the birthplace of winter sports in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Skiing became popular at Big Pines in the late 1920s, and a professional ski jump facility was installed there in 1929. The first rope tow for skiers was installed in 1937 at Table Mountain, which is now Mountain High’s North Resort.
Big Pines Park was turned over the U.S. Forest Service in 1941, and winter sports in the area continued to blossom, with the development of three unique ski areas within the former park’s boundaries.
The first chair lift in the Big Pines area was installed in 1947 at the Blue Ridge ski resort that would later become Mountain High West. In 1949, the Holiday Hill ski resort was opened, and that facility became Mountain High East.
Mountain High is celebrating the Centennial Anniversary with series of events, activities, and specials that pay homage to the region’s history.
- Season Passes come on a new 100th Year commemorative card.
- New 100th Anniversary collectables such as pins, hats, tumblers, and more.
- Employees will be wearing Throw-Back uniforms to represent the 1940s.
- A Photo Mosaic art piece made from hundreds of historical photos is being placed in the West Base lodge.
- Entrance flags and resort signage tie the mountain into the Centennial messaging.
- On the 100th day of the season, Adult 8-Hour tickets are just $100. (Regularly $149)
- Resort base areas are decorated with historical Photo Stations to take you back in time.
Centennial Celebration, Saturday, January 11th, 2024
Mountain High is holding a huge Centennial Celebration Saturday, January 11th, with both day and evening events.
- First 100 Guests get a commemorative 100th Anniversary neck gator.
- First Chair & Photo Op: The day starts at 8:30am with the First Chair and Photo Op.
- Guests dressed in costume (Old-Timey clothing) receive a discount and get to ride the first chairs up. A commemorative photo is then taken at the top. Note: Ski & snowboard equipment must be current, not historical.
- Costume Contest: 1:00pm Vote for your favorite guy or gal in the Costume Contest. The winner as chosen by audience participation and receives a pair of Mountain High Adult Lift Tickets and a 100th Anniversary goody bag.
- Music: DJs will be playing classic ski tunes from 12pm-4pm.
- History Tours: There will be history tours for local media. This is an on-hill, skiing experience so you must be able to navigate Intermediate terrain.
- A 30 minute Centennial video has been created and will be shown at a Celebration Cocktail Party the evening of December 7th.
Centennial Cocktail Party, Saturday, January 11th, 2024
On Saturday evening, the party adjourns to the Bullwheel from 4pm-8pm where there will be historical ski gear on display, a silent auction, presentations from Historical Society Members, and the viewing of the new 100th Anniversary Video.
- Happy Hour Drink Specials from 4pm-8pm
- Live Music
- Presentations from the President, members of the Historical Society, and more.
- Viewing of the Centennial Video
- Press Event
After 100 years of exceptional developments and historic innovations, Mountain High’s combined facilities set it apart from other resorts with its unique variety of summer and winter activities. We hope you can join us on this special day as we celebrate 100 Years of Adventure.
For more information, please contact John McColly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (760) 221-3945 or john@mthigh.com. Follow Mountain High Resorts on Instagram @mthighsnow, Twitter @mthigh, 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, West, & North) and offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding winter sports school and the Yeti’s Snow Play. Night skiing and snowboarding are 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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