Cross Country Skiing in California and Nevada

Map | Ski Areas | Backcountry Skiing | Resources
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Map of California Ski Areas

California has about two dozen cross country ski centers most of which are located in the Sierra Range. A dozen nordic centers surround the Lake Tahoe region, including Nevada's only two commercial nordic centers. Skiing is also available on certain trails at California Sno-Parks where where cars are required to have a Sno-Park pass in order to park.

Map of California

Cross Country Ski Areas in California

Location	Length	Nbr of Ratings	Average Rating
1 Coffee Creek Ranch	28 km BC
2 Mount Shasta Ski Park	25 km
3 Lassen Volcanic NP	30 km BC
4 Dodge Ridge Ski Area	11 km
5 Eagle Mountain	85 km
6 Royal Gorge	328 km	2	5.0
7 Clair Tappaan Lodge	10 km
8 Tahoe Donner	85 km	2	4.2
9 Squaw Creek Ski Resort
10 Northstar-at-Tahoe	65 km
11 Lakeview XC Ski Area	65 km
12 Diamond Peak	35 km
13 Spooner Lake	67 km
14 Camp Richardson Resort	35 km	1	4.0
15 Lake Tahoe Winter Sports	8 km
16 Hope Valley	60 km BC
17 Kirkwood Ski Resort	80 km
18 Bear Valley	60 km
19 Tioga Pass Resort	BC
20 Yosemite NP	45 km
21 Goat Meadow Trails	30 km BC
22 Tamarack	3 km	2	4.0
23 Sierra Meadows Ranch	25 km
24 Coyote Nordic Trails	55 km BC
25 Montecito-Sequoia Lodge	25 km
26 Rim Nordic Ski Area	12 km
27 Palm Springs Nordic Ski Area	10 km

Trail ratings are submitted by visitors to this site who have skied the trails and thus are subjective. You can rate the trails at an area that you have visited by clicking on the "Rate this Area" link found under that area's listing.

Index of California and Nevada XC Areas

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Backcountry Skiing

California's Sierra Mountains offer plenty of opportunities for backcountry skiing. Pick up a map of backcountry trails at the nearest ranger station before heading out as maps are seldom available at the trailhead. There are plenty of guidebooks describing the many areas for backcountry skiing. When skiing in backcountry areas, it is especially important to follow the basic winter safety precautions.

Backcountry huts and lodges are available at several locations:

Pear Lake Ski Hut, Sequoia National Park - reservations are made by a lottery system conducted by the Sequoia Natural History Association
Sierra Club operates several huts and lodges throughout California
Meiss Hut - located at 8,500 feet, a three-hour ski from Carson Pass in the Tahoe Basin
Ostrander Ski Hut - a 10 mile ski from Yosemite's Badger Pass in Yosemite National Park
Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area, near Lake Tahoe has two log cabins accessible only by ski.
Tioga Pass Resort, 2 miles east of Yosemite National Park is accessed by a 10-km ski and 2,600-foot climb. Two cabins and a dormitory, meals provided.

CAUTION Avalanche Danger: Before skiing on backcountry trails in mountainous areas, take the necessary avalanche safety precautions.
Mount Shasta Avalanche Advisory | Central Sierra Avalanche Info | Cyberspace Avalanche Bulletin | Westwide Avalanche Network

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XC Skiing Resources

California Sno-Parks - brief descriptions of each of the 20-odd sites in the state.

Mountains and Peaks Near California Sno Parks - description and a link to a topo map for each Sno-park, as well as a list of interesting peaks within a 4-mile radius.

California XC Clubs | XC Events