Local Ski Areas Are Still Beckoning

Record high temperatures earlier this month were a low blow to skiers in the Southland. But winter isn’t officially over until March 21, and there’s still plenty of time to contemplate some fun on the slopes.

Even when Mother Nature fails to powder Southern California’s mountainsides with snow, machines spray a blanket of white for eager schussers at six downhill ski areas. And whenever real snowflakes fall in adequate amounts, four other alpine ski areas are back in business too.

To help you plan a local outing on skis, here is a slope-by-slope report of what you’ll find at the Southland’s 10 downhill resorts.

Best known and most popular are those in the Big Bear area of the San Bernardino Mountains: Snow Summit, Goldmine, Snow Valley, Snow Forest and Ski Green Valley. Head east of the city on Interstate 10 and ascend into the mountains via California 30/330 or 38.

Five other alpine ski areas are closer to the city in the San Gabriel Mountains. California 2, the Angeles Crest Highway, takes you to Mt. Waterman and Kratka Ridge.

That mountain road (if open) also leads to Mountain High and Ski Sunrise near Wrightwood, or get there via Interstates 10 and 15 through the Cajon Pass. Even closer, on the south side of the San Gabriels, is Mt. Baldy.

Several of the resorts offer learn-to-ski packages for $19 to $24 all during the season.

Most have ski schools; daylong lessons for skiers of all levels cost $15-$20, half a day of instruction is $10-$15.

Skiers who arrive at the slopes without equipment can rent skis, poles and boots for $9 to $12 a day; the same gear for children usually is $2 to $3 less.

The Southland’s downhill ski areas usually operate through March; a few hope to extend the season to mid or late April. Before you go to any ski area, call to check on snow depth and conditions of the runs. (Without sufficient snow or good snow-making conditions, some slopes may be temporarily closed.)

In the summary here, the first phone number gives a recorded snow and ski report; the second is to the ski resort office.

SNOW SUMMIT--With 65% of its runs designed for intermediate skiers, this is the Big Bear favorite. (Of the remaining terrain, 25% is for experts, 10% for novices.) The longest run is 1 mile, with the greatest vertical drop 1,200 feet.

You have a choice of nine chairlifts: two quads, one triple and six doubles. Snow Summit makes its own snow and offers night skiing until 10 p.m. The slopes open weekends at 7:30 a.m., weekdays at 8 a.m. Lift tickets cost $23.50, $15 for children 12 and under. Phone (714) 866-4621 or (714) 866-5766.

GOLDMINE--This neighboring Big Bear ski center boasts the Southland’s longest run (2 1/2 miles) and the San Bernardinos’ greatest vertical drop (1,800 feet). Its numerous runs are well-designed for all abilities: 30% novice, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced.

You can ride up the slopes in three triple and five double chairs. Lift tickets cost $22, $10 for kids. Goldmine has snow-making equipment and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone (714) 585-2517 or (714) 585-2519.

SNOW FOREST--As a Big Bear winter sports area since 1939, Snow Forest continues to attract families looking for a day of fun in the snow. Serious skiers pass it by; the longest run is only three-quarters of a mile, the vertical drop just 800 feet.

A triple chair, three rope tows and a poma take you uphill. Lift tickets are $17 weekends (children $13), $15 weekdays (kids $11). Snow is made in the beginners’ area. The slopes open at 8 a.m., close at 4:30 p.m. Call (714) 866-5503 or (714) 866-8891.

SNOW VALLEY--West of Big Bear, four triple and nine double chairlifts take skiers up the slopes to a choice of 35 runs. Longest is 1 miles; highest vertical drop is 1,150 feet.

Daily tickets are $22, children $13. Snow Valley opens at 7:30 a.m. and extends skiing every night to 9 p.m. except Mondays. Snow-making equipment helps maintain the runs, which are 35% each for beginners and intermediates, 30% for advanced. Phone (714) 625-6511 or (714) 867-7182.

SKI GREEN VALLEY--Also west of Big Bear, this small off-the-main-road ski area is popular with families. It’s open weekends and holidays only, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The $12 lift ticket gives you a ride on two pomas and two rope tows. Longest run is half a mile, vertical drop 300 feet. Call (714) 867-2338.

MOUNTAIN HIGH--Near Wrightwood, this resort combines two ski areas (East and West) that offer a total of 42 runs. They can be reached by one quad, three triple and six double chairs as well as a poma. A lift ticket costs $22, $13 for children.

The runs are 50% for intermediates, 25% each for novices and experts. Longest run is 1 1/2 miles, with a 1,600-foot vertical drop. Mountain High has extensive snow-making facilities, and you can ski from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call 460-6911 or (619) 249-5471.

SKI SUNRISE--Also near Wrightwood, this family ski area has 75% of its runs for novices and intermediates. Longest is one mile, the vertical drop 800 feet. You ride up with a quad chair, two pomas and two rope tows. A lift ticket is $18, $10 for kids (rope tows only, $8). Ski Sunrise has snow-makers. It’s open 8 a.m. (8:30 on weekdays) to 4:30 p.m. Phone (619) 249-6150.

MT. BALDY--At this area close to Los Angeles, four double chairs take you to runs that are 40% each for intermediates and experts. It has the Southland’s greatest vertical drop, 2,100 feet, with a maximum run of 1 1/2 miles. Mt. Baldy’s lift ticket costs $22, $13 for children. There’s snow-making in the beginners’ area. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, 8 a.m. to 4:30 weekdays. Call (714) 981-3344 or (714) 982-0800.

MT. WATERMAN--Also in the San Gabriels, this area has 20% of its runs for novices, 40% each for intermediates and experts. The longest run is 1 miles, with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet. Tickets for the three double chairlifts are $18, free for each child with a paying adult. Mt. Waterman slopes are open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone (818) 790-2002 or (818) 796-4360.

KRATKA RIDGE--About four miles east you can ride a double and a single chairlift and two rope tows to slopes that are 30% each for beginners and advanced, 40% for intermediate skiers. Longest run is one-half mile, vertical drop 800 feet. Lift tickets cost $16, $10 for kids. Daily hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (818) 449-1749 or (818) 440-9749.

Because of the changeable weather this winter, call the ski area before your trip to make certain that the lifts are operating and the snow is adequate for the type of skiing you enjoy.