10 Best Places to Find Snow in California by Regions

Golden, warm, sunny, surfers’ paradise – California doesn’t really fit the description as one of the best places to find snow and winter wonderland in the U.S. But fear not, these 10 places let you experience fresh snow in all regions of California. From sunny southern towns to dreamy northern landscapes, the winter wonderland in the Golden State might be a rare but not an unheard phenomenon. 

Last updated: December 9, 2021

Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations, roadsanddestinations.com

10 Best Places to Find Snow and Winter Wonderland in California by Regions

Nothing prepares you for the winter with its gusty winds and holiday vibes more than cozy clothes, hot drinks, and snowdrifts. Spread all over the towns and forests, these piles of snow compensate for the cold weather. In fact, they do their magic and make the winter look appealing and welcoming. 

For that reason, even California can’t resist this idyllic winter wonderland and reserves some room for the snow and wintry activities. Who said you can’t ski, snowboard, and have snowball fights in the Golden State?

Although places to find snow in California are numbered, there is no reason to skip the winter season altogether. For those who can tolerate lower temperatures and are quick to bundle up, here are the best winter getaways with the snow-piled hills and mountains in California.  

Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations

The Best Places to Find Snow in Southern California

1. Big Bear Lake

You don’t need to wish long for the snow and seasonal activities at Big Bear Lake, a prime winter destination in Southern California. Located about two hours away from Los Angeles, this mountain community keeps its doors open for all snow-thirsty residents of Southern California. Whether you long for the white mountains with their ski and snowboard opportunities or are eager to lace up your skates and hit an ice rink, Big Bear has solutions for all your winter quests. 

With the Big Bear Mountain Resort and Big Bear Ice Arena, the snow in California is just a short drive away. For the fun winter activity, try snow tubing at the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. Considering that the snow covers the ground of the Big Bear area from December to April, you can enjoy this favorite winter getaway in Southern California all season long.  

Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations

2. Lake Arrowhead

The closest wintry neighbor of Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead is also ahead of the game when it comes to the snow in Southern California. Warm and pleasant most of the year, this high-altitude lake in the San Bernardino National Forest turns into a winter wonderland from December until February. This is the best time to hit the slope and enjoy the fun outdoor activities and crisp winter weather while they last. The Lake Arrowhead area averages 19 inches of snow per year, which is quite impressive for Southern California. 

READ MORE: What You Need to Know before Visiting Lake Arrowhead

3. Frazier Park

For the closest place to dig your feet in the snow near Los Angeles, look no further than Frazier Park. Brimmed with unorganized and free snow play areas, the place can get pretty busy with city dwellers looking for a winter getaway. Equipped with nothing else but warmer jackets and gloves, these visitors happily trade sunny beaches for a round of snowball fights and a few clumsy snowmen.

On average, Frazier Park doesn’t boast the deepest snow in California. Nevertheless, its white blanket is thick enough to keep the winter wonderland fun rolling. For sledding and snowboarding, check out the snow areas near Mount Pinos in the Los Padres National Forest. 

READ MORE: The 7 Best Places to Find Snow near Los Angeles

The Best Places to Find Snow in Central California

4. Mammoth Mountain

Central California is an absolute winner based on the number of places where you can find the snow. From the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains to ice-covered alpine lakes in Mono County, the place is popular with winter enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

The most favorite attraction here is Mammoth Mountain. This world-renowned ski resort averages 400 inches of snowfall and 300 days of sunshine a year. With such winter appropriate conditions, you can enjoy the snow and the best skiing in California well into spring months. 

Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
Snow in Central California: Mammoth Mountain

5. Mammoth Lakes

Hidden in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the quintessential town of Mammoth Lakes keeps its wintry mood from late September until late May. Although exceptions happen on a yearly basis. A couple of years ago, I celebrated my birthday, which is in June, hiking in the snow in the heart of California. 

Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
Snowy slopes in and near Mammoth Lakes in Central California
Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
Winter wonderland in Central California: Mammoth Lakes

6. Yosemite National Park

Snowy mountain peaks, frozen waterfalls, mounds of snow everywhere you look – sunny California certainly transforms into a winter wonderland in Yosemite National Park. And with this new look comes a myriad of winter sports. From skiing to snowboarding and snow tubing, the park keeps all its visitors busy and entertained.

The Curry Village Ice Skating Rink, set in the heart of Yosemite Valley, however, goes a step further. It lets you perform your best winter ice dance while gazing at snow-covered Half Dome in the distance.  

Yosemite - Roads and Destinations
Snowy winter wonderland in Central California: Yosemite. Photo by Jeremy Bishop
Yosemite - Roads and Destinations
The best snowy winter getaways in Central California: Yosemite. Photo by Devon Hernandez

7. Sequoia National Park 

In Sequoia National Park, you will find not just the snow but also some of the tallest trees in California and the largest tree in the world. And what can be better to stare at in the winter than the towering giants covered with puffy blankets at their tops and crisp white carpets at their feet?

The snow season in Sequoia National Park lasts from December until May. During this time, a soft, white quilt, about 40-45 inches thick, covers the park’s ground, which leads to winter road closures. The areas that remain open, though, offer an abundance of ski and snowshoe trails to traverse in a California’s winter wonderland.

Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
Snowy winter getaways in Central California. Photo by Michael Liao
Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations

8. Kings Canyon National Park

While you can visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in one day most of the year, the winter conditions and heavy snowfalls put a halt on your travel plans. A section of the highway that connects both of these parks remains closed during this time.

This, however, doesn’t have to prevent you from enjoying the snow and beautiful winter in Central California. To start off, go for sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Finish your winter adventures in Kings Canyon with snowball battles and spectacular views of Grant Grove Village.

Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
When it just starts snowing in Southern California, Central California turns into a real winter wonderland by that time

The Best Places to Find Snow in Northern California

9. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is by far one of the most popular winter getaways in the Golden State. This part of California where piles of snow cooperate with astounding views of the glistering lake makes the winter season look so magical. Home to picturesque Emerald Bay State Park, the area is filled with such fun activities as skiing, snowmobiling, and ice skating.

The snow season in Northern California usually starts in early October. The fresh powder envelopes the highest peaks of the Lake Tahoe area, signaling of a quick arrival of the heavy snowfalls. The last snow of the season falls in June. However, the new layers of the winter wonderland often stop coming only in May.

Lake Tahoe - Roads and Destinations
Snowy mountains in Northern California: Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe - Roads and Destinations

10. Eldorado National Forest

The late fall bring the first snow and marks the beginning of the winter season in the Eldorado National Forest in Northern California. And like in some other parts of this region, the magical time of the year can endure until June here.

For the winter-loving residents of California, it only means more snow to have snowball fights, build snowmen, and sled until they can’t move. Apparently, even the Golden State can’t resist the joy and magic of the winter with its heavy snowfalls.

 Winter - Roads and Destinations
Snow in Northern California: Eldorado National Forest
Places to find snow in California - Roads and Destinations
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