Where the boards are

So you’re one of those people who loves the thrill of wind in your

face while cascading down a steep incline of white powdery bliss. Just

because you live in sunny Southern California doesn’t mean you have to

make a pilgrimage to Colorado or Washington to make that thrill a

reality. Several local resorts offer ample snow for boarders and skiers

alike.

Mountain High in Wrightwood is just a 75-minute drive up Interstate

15. Although skiers will seriously be in the minority here, all are

welcome. The 1,600-foot vertical rise and the 220 acres of skiable area

make this the highest vertical of the local resorts.

Sure, the snow hasn’t been all that great this season, but that is no

problem when you’re dealing with a mountain that has snow makers covering

95% of the hill.

The snowboard park offers rails, fun boxes and jumps for those who are

just starting to catch air and those who are seasoned veterans.

Lift tickets are less than $40, and if you stop by any Ralphs

supermarket you can get a ticket for $29.

Another local stop is the ever-popular Snow Summit. To all you jibbers

out there, this is the place to go. The park was voted the best in North

America by Transworld Snowboarding magazine. With four half pipes, this

is definitely the place for all you shredders to be.

About a two-hour drive and in Big Bear Lake, Summit is a lot more

scenic than Mountain High. The drive up there is a long and winding road,

so people who tend to get carsick should beware.

The snow coverage up there is pretty good right now, and the

snow-making machines are working overtime. The vertical is about 1,200

feet, and the skiable area is roughly the same as Mountain High at 230

acres. The longest run offered is Westridge, which is just more than a

mile.

Lift tickets at Snow Summit are between $30 and $40 for a full day.

If you’re willing to drive a little farther and stay for more than a

day, the best place to go is Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes. The

six-hour drive is worth it for those who love to hit the slopes.

The mountain lives up to its name with a vertical of 3,100 feet and a

skiable area of more than 3,500 acres. This is a big-time resort, folks.

For you older people, this place usually has a lot more skiers than the

first two resorts.

The conditions are incredible most of the time, with lifts all over

the mountain. Although lift tickets are almost $60 a day, Mammoth is

worth the price.

All three resorts offer equipment rentals and lessons. See you on the

mountain.