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For the adventurous winter sports fanatic, there are some truly
stunning reasons for seeking the real treasures of the High Sierras…
and in wintertime they’re more white than gold. For the modern day
skiing ‘49er, the cry is “…there’s snow in them there hills!”
The concept of California as a winter holiday destination may seem
strange. It’s likely that images of bronzed, athletic surfers on the
beaches of Orange County or the perfectly groomed golf greens of Palm
Springs will be more familiar when you hear of the Golden State. Even
the Golden Gate Bridge or the Hollywood Sign are likely to be the West
Coast icons that first spring to mind. Don't underestimate the
incredible on-mountain winter offerings here though!
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Lake Tahoe
 Once
in the mountains you’re bound to agree that, by any measure, the
resorts around Lake Tahoe share the most dramatic of scenic backdrops.
Set against the feet of the towering peaks that make up this fabulous
winter playground are the pure, piercing blue waters of the lake
itself. For those who’ve never visited the area, the brief glimpses or
sweeping vistas you get from just about every run will add another
dimension to your experience, but the superlatives don’t end with the
views! The ski areas themselves reach high elevations… in just about
every sense. The highest ski peak among the resorts is found in
Heavenly. At 3,500 feet, it has the largest vertical drop on the West
Coast and its skiable area reaches 4,800 acres.
A visit to the Tahoe area is all about choices, and here you’ll be
forced to make a lot of enviable ones! By pre-purchasing the Tahoe
interchangeable lift ticket, you can ski or ride any of the seven
largest ski resorts in the area… in fact the area as a whole offers
more ski resorts and terrain than any other North American destination.
You can choose quiet calm and luxury in five-star resort lodging
comfort or the frantic fun of rooms in the excellent-value casinos…
fine-dining or fast-food… cabernet or chardonnay… steep ‘n deep or wide
‘n easy… take the family or travel with friends… any way you want it,
the perfect option lies here.
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Mammoth Mountain
 An
easy drive south of Reno International Airport is Mammoth Mountain. Set
on the eastern side of the High Sierras, Mammoth is California’s
favourite mountain resort, and is ranked third most frequented resort
in the whole United States. Mammoth, originally established as a gold
mining town, has since gained prominence for another kind of treasure -
its incredible skiing terrain and its staggering beauty. It offers
year-round world-class activities, lodging and amenities and this year
they’ve invested more than $11 million dollars in upgrading and
improvements on and off the mountain. A new chairlift and a new terrain
park are top of the list of upgrades, and you can choose to stay in
highly-convenient on-mountain properties or enjoy the friendly local
ambience while staying in the town of Mammoth Lakes itself.
Whatever your choice of on-mountain action may be for the day,
you'll have many alternative choices for winter fun. You can enjoy a
snowmobile excursion or cross country exploration. Have lunch with a
spectacular scenic view then finish your day with dinner at the
Village, followed with dancing and live entertainment.
You’ll find a wide variety of fine dining options and fun-filled
nightspots here… there’s even a popular micro-brewery in town where
they brew “Beer as Big as the Eastern Sierra”!
Best time to visit California for skiing and snowboarding is during
February when snow is guaranteed. California traditionally benefits
from extensive snow better than the Rockies and the Pacific North-West
and should be on the top of your list for winter sports activities. For
additional detailed information on snow in California, please visit www.visitcaliforniasnow.com. |
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Click on the interactive maps below for more information |
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Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
California is a mecca for snowshoers and cross country skiers who
relish a good workout amidst the quiet of an alpine forest. You can
find a wealth of opportunities throughout the state on trails leading
off the highways or roads. Or, you can enjoy one of the resorts that
cater to cross-country aficionados.
• Try snowshoeing or cross-county skiing in northwestern
California along the hundreds of miles of little-traveled trails in
Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Or, if you prefer groomed trails, Royal
Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, near North Lake Tahoe is the largest in
North America.
Family Fun in the Snow
Families can discover all forms of snow play up and down the state,
from ice skating at an Olympic rink overlooking Lake Tahoe, to an
outing in a horse-drawn carriage on a crisp, starry night. In addition,
California has dozens of great sledding sites, including 19 sno-parks,
which are located off major highways.
• For a unique winter experience, ascend 2.5 miles up
the sheer face of Mt. San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Deep in the desert, you’ll find the frozen stuff—and the Winter
Adventure Center, which rents showshoes, cross-country skis, and snow
tubes. For a more traditional experience, tour Yosemite nestled in
blankets atop a two-horse open sleigh, courtesy of Yosemite Trails Pack
Station.
Skiing and Snowboarding
California boasts elite downhill skiing and boarding. While the
focal point is the Lake Tahoe area, you can find great runs at Mt.
Shasta, Mammoth Mountain and even on the Southern California slopes.
• The Lake Tahoe Ski Area is packed with dozens of
world-class resorts. The High Sierras’ varied terrain offers plenty of
challenges for the beginner on up to the black diamond enthusiasts. One
Tahoe favorites is Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics. But
that’s just a start—whatever your fancy, from luxury digs to shredder
casual, you can find it here.
• In South Lake Tahoe,
Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Sierra-At-Tahoe are mountain resorts well worth
a visit. If you find yourself headed to the north side of Lake Tahoe,
you will find Northstar, Sugar Bowl, Mt. Rose, Alpine Meadows, and
Boreal, among others.
• From Bear Valley to Mammoth
Mountain, the Central Sierras offer outstanding snowboarding and
skiing. Families flock to the Stanislaus National Forest, home to Bear
Valley and Dodge Ridge. South of Yosemite, Mammoth Mountain is the
favorite snow getaway with over 3,500 acres of steep chutes, open bowls
and well-groomed trails.
• North and South of the
Sierras, California boasts challenging downhill terrains and
full-service resorts. Mt. Shasta, at 14,162 feet, looms over
California’s northern reaches and throughout the winter, snowboarders
and skiers flock to the Mt. Shasta Ski Park. While, just a few hours
from Los Angeles and San Diego, resorts in the San Bernardino National
Forest offer unmatched terrain at the Snow Summit and Bear Mountain
resorts.
UK & IRISH SKI TOUR OPERATORS
Looking to plan the perfect Lake Tahoe winter vacation? Visit Ski
Lake Tahoe's preferred tour operators to ensure you get the ski
vacation of a lifetime. Here's a list of those operators:
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United Kingdom 
Republic of Ireland
Experiences 