Best of California
Best Ski Resorts in California 2026/27: Largest, Highest & for Beginners
By Book & Ski · Sources checked
The short answer
By mapped runs, the biggest ski areas in California are Mammoth Mountain (86 km), Northstar at Tahoe Resort (83 km) and Sugar Bowl Resort (71 km). The highest is Mammoth Mountain, with runs from 3,360 m (11,024 ft); the biggest vertical is at Mammoth Mountain (903 m); and Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort has the largest share of easy terrain (41%).
| Resort | Top elevation | Vertical | Mapped runs | Easy terrain | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Mountain | 3,360 m | 903 m | 86 km | 20% | source |
| Northstar at Tahoe Resort | 2,625 m | 704 m | 83 km | 7% | source |
| Sugar Bowl Resort | 2,550 m | 443 m | 71 km | 26% | source |
| Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley | 2,664 m | 774 m | 67 km | 13% | source |
| Palisades Tahoe Alpine Meadows | 2,589 m | 692 m | 38 km | 4% | source |
| Kirkwood Mountain Resort | 2,942 m | 560 m | 37 km | 12% | source |
| China Peak Mountain Resort | 2,635 m | 492 m | 35 km | 20% | source |
| Homewood Ski Area | 2,403 m | 500 m | 35 km | 15% | source |
| Dodge Ridge Ski Area | 2,482 m | 479 m | 30 km | 8% | source |
| Mt. Shasta Ski Park | 2,298 m | 634 m | 29 km | 23% | source |
Highest ski resorts in California
Higher resorts generally hold snow longer into spring. These have the highest mapped runs in California.
Mammoth Mountain: 3,360 m (11,024 ft) →June Mountain: 3,089 m (10,135 ft) →Kirkwood Mountain Resort: 2,942 m (9,652 ft) →Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort: 2,693 m (8,835 ft) →Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley: 2,664 m (8,740 ft) →Biggest vertical drop
Vertical is the height difference between the highest and lowest mapped runs: a guide to how long the longest descents can be.
Mammoth Mountain: 903 m vertical →June Mountain: 781 m vertical →Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley: 774 m vertical →Northstar at Tahoe Resort: 704 m vertical →Palisades Tahoe Alpine Meadows: 692 m vertical →Best for beginners (most easy terrain)
Ranked by the share of mapped run length graded novice or easy. A big share of gentle runs gives beginners more room to progress; also check where the ski school meets.
Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort: 41% easy (27 km total) →Sugar Bowl Resort: 26% easy (71 km total) →Mt. Shasta Ski Park: 23% easy (29 km total) →June Mountain: 22% easy (27 km total) →Mammoth Mountain: 20% easy (86 km total) →How we chose
“Best” here means measurable: size (km of mapped downhill runs), top elevation, vertical drop and the share of easy terrain, across the 13 ski areas with at least 20 km of runs and five lifts in California. Figures come from OpenStreetMap via OpenSkiMap, retrieved 2026-10-01, and can differ from resorts’ own published numbers.
All ski resorts in California →Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest ski resort in California?
By mapped runs, Mammoth Mountain, with about 86 km and 28 lifts.
What is the highest ski resort in California?
Mammoth Mountain, with mapped runs starting at about 3,360 m (11,024 ft).
Which California ski resort is best for beginners?
By share of easy terrain, Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort (41% of runs graded novice or easy). Also consider ski school locations and lift access.
Official sources
Checked on . Prices and timetables change; confirm with the operator before you pay. How we research.