Being able to ski just an hour outside of sunny Los Angeles is a real treat. Whether you are in LA for business or pleasure, tacking on a trip to the slopes will make the trip all that more enjoyable. And it is very easy to do.
In Wrightwood, California in the San Gabriel Mountains east of Los Angeles, Mountain High is easy to reach from Los Angeles within an hour and there is little mountain driving to battle before getting there.
It can get crowded on the weekends because it is so accessible from San Diego and Los Angeles, so plan to arrive before 8 am to get in comfortably and miss the lines. If you can, ski during the week. It is a day-trip kind of resort and would be a breeze to go back and forth to.
Tip: to avoid the lines to buy lift tickets at Mountain High you can purchase them ahead online or at Sports Chalet in Los Angeles.
Mountain High is a convenient cluster of 3 different ski resorts. The mountain is skiable in three parts. The west side (main resort) has short runs and jumps. The east side has long groomed runs. And both sides have ski rental and ski lessons available, parks for freestyle boarding, intermediate and bunny slopes. The north side has narrower trails yet is good for intermediate and bunny levels. You can take their shuttle bus between the different areas.
The area is especially popular with snowboarders. You can take snowboarding lessons there called 3 Peat, which gives you a lesson, equipment rentals and then 8 hours of ski lift passes. Then come back and enjoy night boarding!
They also offer tubing and night skiing. The small lodge has ski food and is a good place to get warm and meet people.
Lodging abounds in Los Angeles, and since it is such a short drive away is the best way to go. Stay in LA, revel in the big city atmosphere, and then still have the ability to day-trip to the slopes at Mountain High.
Before heading back to LA, stop in Wrightwood for some great Mexican food at Mexico Lindo & Seafood. It's a great little place to regroup and have nourishment before the drive back.
Accommodations in Los Angeles are so varied that there is really something for every budget. Travelers on a budget can take a look at the Best Western Canoga Park Motor Inn. A typical motel on the outside, it is connected to a 24 hour bowling alley---surely a perk for a traveling family! The prices are affordable and there is a continental breakfast served in the lobby. There's also a very very cute B&B called Hollywood Bed & Breakfast with an outdoor pool, loads of atmosphere, with homey rooms and breakfast included. It is a perfect example of a Hollywood Hills bungalow. Then for a higher budget, think about the deluxe hotels right downtown. The Four Seasons. The Ritz. The Omni Los Angeles. All have superb services, fabulously comfortable rooms and great food on the premises.
