SKI & WINTER | CALIFORNIA
Sweet ski deals for California resorts
If you want to save money yet still yearn for a jolly slide on the slopes, this is your year to shop around. Here's a selection of what California resorts are offering.
Mountain High
Location: 27 miles northwest of San Bernardino
Acres: 290 (in three areas)
Lifts: 16
Vertical: 1,600 feet (peak, 8,200)
Snow-making: 75%
Deal: "3-Peat" ticket package for beginners, with three days of gear, classes, lift tickets (non-holiday), plus one-day lift ticket at end, for $129; experienced skiers, "6-Pack" package, six eight-hour lift tickets (non-holiday), $179. Free parking near main lodge for carpoolers.
Contact: (888) 754-7878, www.mthigh.com
Snow Summit
Location: Big Bear Lake, 45 miles northeast of San Bernardino
Acres: 240
Lifts: 14
Vertical: 1,200 feet (peak, 8,200)
Snow-making: 100%
Deal: New ski-stay packages, up to 25% off lodging and lift tickets; same carpool discount as Bear Mountain.
Contact: (909) 866-5766, www.snowsummit.com
Bear Mountain
Location: Big Bear Lake, 45 miles northeast of San Bernardino
Acres: 198
Lifts: 12
Vertical: 1,665 feet (peak, 8,805)
Snow-making: 100%
Deal: Check online for carpool special days, when cars with two or more skiers get 10% off every lift ticket, at ski shop, food; same lodging discounts as Snow Summit; ticket good at both resorts (shuttle runs between).
Contact: (909) 866-5766, www.bearmountain.com
Mt. Baldy
Location: 15 miles north of Ontario
Acres: 400
Lifts: 4
Vertical: 2,100 feet (peak, 8,600)
Snow-making: 35%
Deal: Buy Club Card for $129, then ski for $15/day (no blackouts); discount tickets on sale at REI,
Contact: (909) 982-0800, www.shopbaldy.com
Location: 42 miles from Bishop, Calif. (about a five-hour drive from L.A.)
Acres: 3,500
Lifts: 24
Vertical: 3,100 feet (peak, 11,053)
Snow-making: 30%
Deal: Ski-stay packages start at $99/person/night ski-stay packages until Wednesday; similar packages at $119, offered Jan. 4 to 29.
Contact: (800) 626-6684, www.mammothmountain.com
June Mountain
Location: 20 miles north of Mammoth
Acres: 500
Lifts: 7
Vertical: 2,590 feet (peak, 10,090)
Snow-making: N/A
Deal: Five-day lift ticket for ages 24 to 64, $219; ages 19 to 23, $199; 13 to 18, $164; ages 6 to 12 and seniors, $110.
Contact: (888) 586-3686, www.junemountain.com
Sierra Summit
Location: 65 miles northeast of Fresno
Acres: 450
Lifts: 11
Vertical: 1,679 feet (peak, 8,709)
Snow-making: 40%
Deal: Show military or college student ID, Mondays to Fridays, get $10 discount on lift ticket; parents can share one ticket, each gets half a day for just $5 more; midweek ski-stay packages at lodge start at $69 per person, based on two adults.
Contact: (559) 233-2500, www.sierrasummit.com
Bear Valley
Location: 50 miles east of Angels Camp on California 4
Acres: 1,280
Lifts: 11
Vertical: 1,900 feet (peak, 8,500)
Snow-making: 8%
Deal: Regular $59 lift tickets available for $47 at REI (members; $20 lifetime membership), Sports Basement, Helm Sports; at resort, extra-day tickets are $49; ski-stay packages at area lodges online.
Contact: (209) 753-2301, www.bearvalley.com
Heavenly
Location: Lake Tahoe
Acres: 4,800
Lifts: 30
Vertical: 3,500 feet (peak, 10,067)
Snow-making: 12%
Deal: Heavenly Getaway Package from $289; online Peaks card, buy 10 tickets, get one free; $15 discount when ticket bought at Lucky or Save Mart stores.
Contact: (775) 586-7000, www.skiheavenly.com
Kirkwood
Location: 90 miles east of Sacramento, 20 miles south of Lake Tahoe
Acres: 2,300
Lifts: 15
Vertical: 2,000 feet (peak, 9,800)
Snow-making: Four runs
Deal: Midweek ski-stay packages (Sundays through Wednesdays) start at $99 per person for two adults;
Contact: (209) 258-6000, www.kirkwood.com
Alpine Meadows
Location: western side of Lake Tahoe
Acres: 2,400
Lifts: 14
Vertical: 1,802 feet (peak, 8,637)
Snow-making: 7%
Deal: Ski-stay packages start at $69 per person at Sands Regency Casino Hotel; join the Alpine Club for $10 and become eligible for $39 lift ticket specials, a four-pack of adult tickets for $219, and a 10% discount on regular lift tickets all the time.
Contact: (530) 583-4232, www.skialpine.com
Squaw Valley
Location: Lake Tahoe
Acres: 4,000
Lifts: 34
Vertical: 2,850 feet (peak, 9,050)
Snow-making: 15%
Deal: Ski-stay packages start at $108 per person per night (stay for three nights, get the fourth free); ski or ride four days, fifth lift ticket free; college students, $49 ticket, Sundays though Fridays.
Contact: (800) 403-0206, www.squaw.com
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Location: Lake Tahoe
Acres: 2,904
Lifts: 18
Vertical: 2,280 feet (peak, 8,610)
Snow-making: 12%
Deal: Double Whammy Value Pass (some blackout dates), good at Northstar and Sierra-at-Tahoe resorts, $379 (or $299, Northstar only); adult six-pack pass, six tickets, no blackout, $299 before Dec. 15.
Contact: (800) 466-6784, www.northstarattahoe.com.
Sugar Bowl
Location: Off Interstate 80, 80 miles east of Sacramento, or 50 miles west of Reno
Acres: 1,500
Lifts: 12
Vertical: 1,500 feet (peak is 8,383)
Snow-making: 25%
Deal: Buy a Core Rewards card for $19, and you (and two friends) can get $10 off regular lift ticket price of $66; groups of 20 or more get $17 discount on tickets, plus one free ticket, and on your group's third visit, discount reaches $24 off.
Contact: (530) 426-9000, www.sugarbowl.com
McHugh is a freelance writer.
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