California

The Most Challenging Ski Resorts in North America

The toughest ski resorts in North America will turn your idea of what a physical trail can be upside down. In this piece, we call out the 10 most extreme mountains out there—and explain why they’re so difficult.

North America Is Having a Historically Bad Snow Year So Far. Here’s What This Means.

Every major US and Canada ski resort has had a slow start to the season. In this piece, we go through each region one by one and explain the current situation on the ground.

North America’s Ski Season Has Seen a Significant Rebound. Will It Last?

A series of very wintry weather events have given much needed jump starts to ski seasons across Canada and the US. However, a number of less-than-ideal factors have reared their ugly heads over the past few weeks.

Epic Passes Debut for 2024-25 With Minimal Changes and Higher Prices

Access will remain similar to last year, meaning Epic’s terms will likely continue to undercut its main competitor, the Ikon Pass, although prices have increased across all levels of passes.

Ikon Pass Debuts for 2024-25 with Minimal Changes; Crystal Back to Unlimited

Despite some fears stemming from its pending acquisition by Alterra, Arapahoe Basin remains a non-unlimited partner on Ikon’s full and Base Pass products.

Epic vs. Ikon vs. Mountain Collective vs. Indy: Which Should You Choose?

With Ikon Pass prices going up after April 14—and the chance to secure Epic Pass buddy tickets expiring after April 10—we’ve compiled all you need to know to make a decision on your next multi-resort pass product.

Mount Shasta Ski Park

The only decently-sized California ski area north of Tahoe offers limited lift lines and stunning views of the Southern Cascades, but it’s hurt by uncompetitive infrastructure and a bizarrely-integrated recent expansion.

Dodge Ridge

The closest ski area to the Bay Area offers lower traffic than Tahoe, but it’s hurt by limited snowmaking and outdated lift infrastructure.

Homewood

While this Tahoe hill can’t hold its own overall against the destination resorts, it boasts an astonishing, one-of-a-kind mountain aesthetic.

China Peak

While it’s no substitute for a true destination ski resort, this Central California mountain offers admirable terrain variety within a convenient driving distance of Fresno.

Sugar Bowl

This California resort can’t match the acreage and vertical drop of competing Tahoe mountains, but it stands out with trails for all ability levels and an extremely demanding expert footprint.

Bear Valley

This Northern California resort has interesting terrain for skiers and riders of all ability levels as well as a unique and isolated feel, but it lacks the infrastructure to fully compete with the best resorts in the state.

Northstar

This family-friendly resort offers excellent grooming and a top-tier terrain park, but expert and above-treeline terrain is lacking.

Sierra-at-Tahoe

While it can’t boast the same crazy lake views, striking terrain, or expansive base village as some other Tahoe areas, this moderately-sized resort offers reasonable prices and a local feel.

Kirkwood

This relatively undeveloped mountain isn’t for everyone, but its striking aesthetic, local feel, and extreme terrain are tough to match.

Heavenly

This Lake Tahoe area offers some of the most beautiful slopes we’ve seen anywhere. A few logistical problems diminish the resort’s size advantage.

Mammoth

This massive resort offers a highly competitive experience only hours from Southern California, although variable weather patterns may not make it the best place to fly to.

Palisades Tahoe

Two of Tahoe’s best ski areas have now been linked as one continuous lift-served destination, but the resort still functions as two separate mountains in many ways.