About Mountain High California Ski Resort

Did you know that just 90 minutes away from sunny Los Angeles, California, a snowy ski resort lies nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains?  Mountain High, which is actually three resorts in one, has a wide variety of of lifts and trails to appeal to all sorts of ability levels.  If you are looking for a California ski resort with skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, Mountain High California resort is ideal.  Each resort is complete with ticket windows, rental departments, sport shops, restaurants and more. No matter where you start, your single Mountain High ticket is good at all three areas and traveling from resort to resort is easy with our free shuttle service. Shuttles load in front of the ticket windows every five to ten minutes, seven days a week.

Traditionally the West Resort is the first area to open in Southern California. Here you will find everything from wide-open beginner areas to gladed tree skiing hideaways to challenging black diamond trails. Many fun terrain features can also be found and Mountain High offers everything from small, beginner-type jumps on Creekside to competitive-sized features on Conquest. The West Resort has a young, energetic feel, but there's more to it than just jibs and jumps. West is home to the resort's Children's Learning Center, the Bullwheel Bar and Grill and the Monster Music Stage where fashion shows, movie premieres and live performances are held on a regular basis. Night skiing is also available 7 nights-a-week peak season from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

The East Resort offers the greatest vertical in Southern California serviced by a single high-speed quad. Its long, groomed, cruising trails make it perfect for carving, but it is also home to the Olympic Bowl, the longest, steepest bump run in the region. The top elevation is 8,200 feet, which is comparable to the Big Bear resorts. After a quick ascent on the Mountain High Express, you'll find an additional 20 acres of beginner terrain plus the Grand View Bistro, Mountain High's gourmet mountaintop restaurant.

Kids love the North Resort because it caters to families and introductory skiers with another 70 acres of lower-leve terrain. Formerly Ski Sunrise, Mountain High North is located across from the West Resort and operates on peak weekends and holidays. This resort also includes the North Pole Tubing Park with up to 12 lanes and two moving carpets.

What to Do at Mountain High: Attractions & Activities

Mountain High offers exciting activities the whole family can enjoy and this Southern California ski resort is home to world-class competitions that attract thousands of spectators each winter.  In January 2012, the Nike Chosen Series was held at Mountain High and ten of Nike’s top riders battled it out under the lights, smoke, and music with mind-blowing action for all those who attended.  Kids love the annual Easter egg hunt, and parents will be thrilled to know that over $5,000 in tickets and discounts are hidden around the mountain.  The Enhanced Family Learning Center helps students understand the basic concepts of skiing such as turning, stopping, and balancing.  Mountain High’s new Magic Forest is fun for all ages, and by focusing on the environment around them, students are provided a more natural and interactive learning experience.  Off-season activities in Wrightwood include:

  • Hiking
  • Disc golf
  • Dining
  • Sightseeing
  • Shopping

From breakfast nooks to BBQ pits, you’ll find culinary delights in the quaint village of Wrightwood, CA. 

What to Expect (Temperature, Weather, Etc)

Temperatures in the mountains average 20 to 30 degrees colder than the cities, but staying warm is easy. The best choice is water-resistant, layered clothing that can be added or removed as the weather changes. It is always best to be prepared as conditions can and do change rapidly at high elevations. If your clothes are not water resistant, a water repellent spray can be applied. With your equipment, be sure to include warm gloves and a hat or beanie. Remember, the majority of your body's heat is lost through your head. A simple beanie can do wonders to keep you warm, especially during a storm or periods of snowmaking. Ultraviolet rays are more powerful at high elevations as well. Regardless of skin color or complexion, everyone needs to wear protective sunscreen and UV-certified sunglasses even on overcast days since ultraviolet rays can penetrate the cloud cover. Should you forget any of these important items, the Mountain High Sport Shops, located at both resorts and in the town of Wrightwood, carry the latest in clothing and equipment for winter enthusiasts.

Mountain High provides the most accurate and up-to-date snow reports in the region. We offer Real Time Cameras, daily photos and weekly videos to give you the broadest view of the conditions. It is important to check the Mountain High Snow Report before traveling to the resort, because the weather may be completely different from that it is at home. Santa Ana winds, for instance, blow warm in the valleys but cold and dry in mountains causing temperature differences of up to 40 degrees. Your view from home is also of the southern or sunny side of the mountain where snow rarely lasts. Mountain High is located on the north side where powder stays for long periods of time making the snow report even more important. To keep you abreast of the conditions, Mountain High also offers the Powder Alert, a free email service that details upcoming storms, recent snowfalls, special events, ticket deals and much, much more.

Discounts and Promotions

Mountain High wants you to have access to up-to-the-minute information about ticket deals and limited-time offers. Buy a season pass to Mountain High and upgrade to the VIP Powder Alliance pass for only $49 more and explore all 14 resorts!

Mountain High offers discounts of up to 30% for groups of 15 or more.  Groups also receive one free lift ticket ($69 value) for every 20 tickets purchased. Check out Mountain High’s Tickets and Passes page for more information on discounts, special rates and prices. Mountain High’s Season Pass sale is going on now. This “anytime” season pass is good any day or night the resort is open during the season and pays for itself in just five visits!

History

Read Mountain High’s fascinating history and you’ll soon learn why this southern California ski resort is one of the top 25 ski resorts in the United States in terms of skier visits.  Come see why so many snow and ski lovers are choosing Mountain High as their Southern California winter destination.