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Best ski resorts in California (2026-27)

The best ski resorts in California, ranked by how often it snows, how much snow falls and how much vertical there is: Heavenly, Palisades Tahoe, and Sugar Bowl.

How we rank: snow days (40%, 10 seasons of daily weather), resort-reported average snowfall (30%) and vertical drop (30%), each scaled within this list. It doesn't weigh price, crowds or lodging; see the picks below for those angles. Details

Best for…

The top 15

  1. 1. Heavenly California

    Score 81
    Snow days
    43
    Avg snowfall
    360"
    Vertical
    3,527 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Epic Pass · best time to ski · where to stay · things to do

  2. 2. Palisades Tahoe California

    Score 78
    Snow days
    44
    Avg snowfall
    400"
    Vertical
    2,850 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Ikon Pass · best time to ski · where to stay · things to do

  3. 3. Sugar Bowl California

    Score 78
    Snow days
    50
    Avg snowfall
    500"
    Vertical
    1,500 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Independent · best time to ski

  4. 4. Sierra-at-Tahoe California

    Score 75
    Snow days
    42
    Avg snowfall
    480"
    Vertical
    2,212 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Ikon Pass · best time to ski

  5. 5. Mammoth Mountain California

    Score 73
    Snow days
    37
    Avg snowfall
    400"
    Vertical
    3,100 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Ikon Pass · best time to ski · where to stay · things to do

  6. 6. Kirkwood California

    Score 68
    Snow days
    46
    Avg snowfall
    354"
    Vertical
    2,000 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Epic Pass · best time to ski · where to stay

  7. 7. Boreal California

    Score 63
    Snow days
    52
    Avg snowfall
    400"
    Vertical
    500 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Independent · best time to ski

  8. 8. Northstar California

    Score 60
    Snow days
    36
    Avg snowfall
    350"
    Vertical
    2,280 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Epic Pass · best time to ski · where to stay · things to do

  9. 9. Dodge Ridge California

    Score 59
    Snow days
    45
    Avg snowfall
    300"
    Vertical
    1,600 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Independent · best time to ski

  10. 10. Homewood California

    Score 56
    Snow days
    34
    Avg snowfall
    400"
    Vertical
    1,651 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Independent · best time to ski

  11. 11. China Peak California

    Score 51
    Snow days
    36
    Avg snowfall
    300"
    Vertical
    1,679 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Independent · best time to ski

  12. 12. June Mountain California

    Score 48
    Snow days
    28
    Avg snowfall
    250"
    Vertical
    2,545 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Ikon Pass · best time to ski

  13. 13. Mountain High California

    Score 16
    Snow days
    12
    Avg snowfall
    –
    Vertical
    1,600 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Independent · best time to ski

  14. 14. Bear Mountain California

    Score 15
    Snow days
    15
    Avg snowfall
    100"
    Vertical
    1,665 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Ikon Pass · best time to ski · where to stay

  15. 15. Snow Summit California

    Score 9
    Snow days
    14
    Avg snowfall
    100"
    Vertical
    1,209 ft
    Snow next 7 days
    0.0"

    Ikon Pass · best time to ski

Plan a trip to Heavenly

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How we rank

  • Snow days (40%): days with 1"+ of new snow, November to April, from our powder day odds study.
  • Average snowfall (30%): resort-reported annual totals with sources, from our snowiest ski resorts list.
  • Vertical drop (30%): summit minus base elevation.
  • Each measure is scaled from the lowest to the highest resort in this list, then weighted. Resorts missing too much data aren't ranked. Price, crowds, terrain mix and lodging aren't scored, so use the picks above and each resort's page for those.

Questions

What is the best ski resort in California?

Heavenly ranks first on Snow Way's score, which combines snow days (10 seasons of weather data), resort-reported annual snowfall and vertical drop. Palisades Tahoe and Sugar Bowl are next.

Which California ski resort gets the most snow days?

Boreal: about 52 days of new snow a season.

Which California ski resort gets the most snow?

Sugar Bowl: about 500 inches a year (resort-reported).

Which California ski resort has the most vertical?

Heavenly: 3,527 ft from base to summit.

What is the best California ski resort for beginners?

Northstar: Northstar, 13% beginner terrain.

What is the best California ski resort on the Epic Pass?

Heavenly: #1 overall.

What is the best California ski resort on the Ikon Pass?

Palisades Tahoe: #2 overall.

More lists: Best ski resorts in the US · Best ski resorts in North America · Best ski resorts in Colorado · Best ski resorts in Utah · Best ski resorts in Vermont · Best ski resorts on the East Coast

Cite this data

Free to use with a link back. Suggested citation:

Snow Way, "Best ski resorts in California (2026-27)," November 8, 2026, https://snowway.app/best-ski-resorts-in-california

Licensed CC BY 4.0. Journalists: reach Justin through the about page.