10 Best Places For Snowboarding In California, USA - Updated 2024

Manjiri
Manjiri 
Updated
| 4 min read

Spanning 900 miles (1,448.41 kilometers) from the Mexican border and along the Pacific in the west of the USA, California is a mesmerizing state that most tourists worldwide long to explore. Marvelous Sierra Nevada Mountains, exotic Mojave Desert, scenic cliff-lined beaches, and enchanting redwood forests make it an ideal destination for a relaxing vacation. Alcatraz Island, Los Angeles, and the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco are some of the gems that adorn the US state. Adding a spark of adventure by gliding down icy slopes on a snowboard is sure to make your excursion in California memorable. So, if you are adventure-seeker planning holidays to California, knowing some famous snowboarding destinations will make your holiday experience more enjoyable. Scroll down to find the best places for snowboarding in California, the USA to explore.

1. Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes (from USD 174.0)

Charge down the face of the Mammoth Mountain during your holidays to California by embarking on a snowboarding excursion. Mammoth is known for being the cradle of freestyle inbounds riding so hitting the slopes with a snowboard is sure to gift you a thrilling experience. Learn the best riding techniques from expert snowboarding instructors here. Put on high-spec snowboarding gear, boots, and other snowboarding equipment and race down the snowy tracks with great spirit.

Visited this place?

Mammoth Mountain Premium Ski Rental Including Delivery

Duration: 5 days

2 reviews

2. Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood

Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Source: Photo by user Roman Fuchs used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Share your joy of exploring Kirkwood Mountain Resort with your family and friends by embarking on a snowboarding vacation here when in California. Its 2,000 feet (609.6 meters) vertical drop and over 2,300 acres (930.77 hectares) expanse of terrain make it an ideal destination to hit the slopes riding a snowboard. Covered Wagon, Thimble Peak, The Sisters, Martin Point, and Glow Rock are some of the peaks that abound in the area, offering you an amicable environment for snowboarding. So, gear up with your snowboarding equipment and race down the snowy slopes.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Address: 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646, United States

Website: Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 479 USD

Visited this place?

3. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, Twin Bridges

Sierra-at-Tahoe as viewed from entrance
Source: Photo by Flickr user D Coetzee used under CC0

If you are a nature lover planning a snowboarding vacation in California, make your reservations at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort. Nestled within the enchanting Eldorado National Forest, Sierra is a medium-sized ground for snowboarding and an ideal place to unwind amid spellbinding nature. It features countless steeps and backcountry terrain making it a fantastic destination to hit the slopes. Do not miss exploring the innovative terrain parks and scenic trails when holidaying here.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Address: 1111 Sierra-At-Tahoe Rd, Twin Bridges, CA 95735, United States

Website: Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 8:30am - 4pm

Price: 90 - 199 USD

Visited this place?

4. Alpine Meadows, Alpine Meadows

snowboarding in cali | alpine meadows, alpine meadows
Source: instagram

Well-known for its laidback setting, panoramic lake views, and skiing and snowboarding groups, Alpine Meadows is a perfect hotspot to visit during your winter break. A visit to Alpine Meadows Resort offers exciting challenges to thrill-seekers with various snowboarding opportunities, no matter whether you are a beginner or expert. Tucked amid the scenic Tahoe City and Truckee, Alpine Meadows boasts a beautiful playground for a family vacation and adventure experiences. Ride the snowy slopes tackling the challenging terrain with a snowboard and retreat in the chalet-style lodges as the day ends.

Alpine Meadows

Address: 2600 Alpine Meadows Rd Alpine Meadows, CA 96146

Website: Alpine Meadows

Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)

Visited this place?

California Tour Guide

Stephanie Eley

Stephanie Eley

I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more

Tours by Stephanie

5. Northstar California Resort, Truckee

Northstar-At-Tahoe, Truckee, United States (Unsplash)
Source: Photo by user wilstewart3 used under CC0

Enjoy the winter season to the fullest by booking a snowboarding vacation in Northstar California Resort. It offers you a range of snowboarding escapades that will steal your breath away. Live in the lap of luxury during your holidays here, and hone your snowboarding skills on the snowy tracks. If you are attempting winter sports for the first time, enrolling at the ski school can help you learn and master skiing and snowboarding. Do not miss exploring Lake Tahoe and attractions in its vicinity.

Northstar California Resort

Address: 5001 Northstar Dr, Truckee, CA 96161, United States

Website: Northstar California Resort

Opening hours: 9:30am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 355 USD

Visited this place?

6. Sugar Bowl – Royal Gorge, Soda Springs


Are you planning adventure-filled winter holidays in California? If yes, head out to Sugar Bowl – Royal Gorge, which is North America’s biggest cross-country ski area that encourages you to enjoy winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding. Spanning across 6,000 acres (2,428.11 hectares), it offers 92 well-groomed trails for you to explore. So, head out to Royal Gorge this winter, step on your snowboard, and coast the snowy slopes enjoy sweeping vistas of magnificent peaks of Tahoe.

Sugar Bowl – Royal Gorge

Address: 9411 Pahatsi Rd, Soda Springs, CA 95728, United States

Website: Sugar Bowl – Royal Gorge

Price: 259 USD

Visited this place?

7. Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake

Big Bear, Snow Summit Ski Resort, Helicopter Flight, 2019.01.18 (18)
Source: Photo by user Vahe Martirosyan used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Tucked in the heart of spellbinding San Bernardino National Forest in California, Snow Summit is an outstanding destination to enjoy the sport of snowboarding with your family. Explore its skiable terrain, which spans over 240 acres (97.12 hectares), that offers you 27 trails to slide down while snowboarding. Drop in at 8,200 feet (2,499.36 meters), and hit the slopes experiencing the best thrill on the snowy tracks. Consistent snow conditions and incredible snowmaking systems enhance snowboarding and skiing experiences here every year. So, enjoy the snowboarding season with your family to the fullest by planning a winter at Snow Summit.

Snow Summit

Address: 880 Summit Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, United States

Website: Snow Summit

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat: 8:30am - 8:30pm; Sun: 8:30am - 4pm

Visited this place?

8. Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Big Bear Lake

Bear Mountain @ Big Bear
Source: Photo by Flickr user miheco used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Charge down the snowy Bear Mountain, which is a part of Bear Mountain Ski Resort, during your snowboarding vacation in California. Bear Mountain is well-known as one of the most prominent and innovative destinations, which has promoted winter sports such as snowboarding and skiing for more than 50 years. Speed down the snowy runs by striking a perfect balance with your snowboard. Bear Mountain Ski Resort has exciting activities and fun for guests of all age groups. So, bring your family along during your snowboarding vacation here and create new memories to cherish for the lifetime.

Bear Mountain Ski Resort

Address: 43101 Goldmine Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, United States

Website: Bear Mountain Ski Resort

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 8:30am - 4pm

Visited this place?

9. Heavenly Ski Resort, Lake Tahoe (from USD 44.0)

Make your family holidays in California thrilling by venturing on a snowboarding excursion with your kids at Heavenly Ski Resort at Lake Tahoe. Receive good training from the qualified staff here and hit the slopes of mesmerizing Tahoe on a snowboard. Also, your kids can find beginner-friendly and kid-friendly snowboarding equipment here to race the snowy track. Learn mountain safety tips to make your winter adventure here enjoyable and safe.

Visited this place?

Lake Tahoe Ski or Snowboard Rental with Area Maps, Safety Tips

Duration: 1 day

5 reviews

10. Squaw Valley Resort, Olympic Valley

Squaw Valley Ski Resort (3233520684)
Source: Photo by user Rennett Stowe used under CC BY 2.0

Explore one of the extensive ski areas in the USA by enjoying snowboarding at Squaw Valley Resort. Well-known for its prestigious competitive heritage, the resort is an outstanding destination in California to experience the thrill of winter sports. Enroll into one of the snowboarding programs and hone your snowboarding skills to explore diverse environments. Learn alpine racing, freestyle skills, and big mountain descents safely and skillfully over here. Become a part of the snowboarding team and boost your competitive spirit by developing strong snowboard riding skills. It also proudly has one of the longest ski and snowboarding seasons in the USA!

Squaw Valley Resort

Address: 1960 Squaw Valley Rd., Olympic Valley, CA 96146

Website: Squaw Valley Resort

Visited this place?

Speed down the snowy tracks by snowboarding in California

California is a beautiful state in the USA that a plethora of tourists visit every year. Winter in California is full of fun as it offers you exciting snowboarding opportunities. So, if you are planning to visit California during your winter break, make sure that you explore these best places for snowboarding in California in the USA and race the snowy slopes skillfully.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Manjiri Kochrekar is a travel blogger from India. She loves exploring and learning various destinations, their history, culture, and peculiarities. Writing is her passion, which means she enjoys...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore California
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.