Nordic skiing in SoCal

jimk

jimk

Active member
My neighbor is a casual alpine and X-C skier. He's going to Los Angeles next week and has one week to tool around the state with his son. He just asked me if there is any good X-C skiing in California right now. It sort of doesn't look like it, but anybody have any suggestions? Bear VAlley near Tahoe, Snow Valley near San Bernandino, Tamarack near Mammoth all seemed to be closed right now, but not sure?
Thanks.
 
Not SoCal but even Kirkwood XC does not appear be open. Email or call to be sure. https://www.kirkwood.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/cross-country.aspx

Near the summit of Mt Rose Highway was where we hiked and skied on snow covered sand during 1975-76 drought. Carson Pass past Kirkwood has a SnoPark and some coverage. Neither would be groomed trails.

Equipment rentals may be available in Truckee. Tahoe Donner has been making snow for XC and Royal Gorge has limited XC trails open. Both are near Truckee.
 
SoCal Nordic has always been limited and I'm sure is even more so in recent years due to most locations being near the base of the alpine ski areas. Mt. Pinos is a more gradual 8,000 foot peak several miles west of the Tejon summit of I-5. I've never been there but it has been used historically for Nordic skiing.

In the Sierra Royal Gorge is one of the largest Nordic areas in the US but at 7,000 feet it's likely extremely marginal now. Tamarack at Mammoth is at 9,000 feet, by far the highest in the state. If it's not open, I'd say no place would be worth visiting right now. I'm guessing manmade refrozen snow is highly undesirable on edgeless Nordic skis.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I think neighbor is likely headed up the coastline past Santa Barbara?
 
jimk said:
Thanks for the feedback. I think neighbor is likely headed up the coastline past Santa Barbara?
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Good idea. Better to enjoy the impressive scenery of the Central Coast than the current sad state of the ski areas.
 
jimk said:
Thanks for the feedback. I think neighbor is likely headed up the coastline past Santa Barbara?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately The Pacific coast highway has been closed since last winter’s storms.
Link

So you cannot get to the best parts like Big Sur and Pfeffer. I don’t think there’s an ETO - tried to do it this fall. Unless you backtracked - don’t no exact closure point.
 
Tony Crocker said:
I knew it was closed in the summer but thought it might be open by now.
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Yeah, it’s a bit crazy.

California Highway 1 fully open?

The state's transportation agency, Caltrans, estimates that the road, technically State Route 1 and often signed as the Cabrillo Highway, will fully reopen in late spring or early summer 2024, at the cost of nearly $100 million.3 days ago

Article
 
The Angeles Crest Highway to Mt. Waterman closed during the February 24-25 storm and did not reopen until Oct. 31. The section above the Mt. Wilson turnoff is still closed, requiring a detour via upper Big Tujunga to reach Chilao, Waterman, Islip Saddle, etc.
 
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