MAIN Sports Ski Resorts California Ski Resorts, Snowboarding

Dude!

Get ready for winter in sunny California where there's plenty of mountain areas to play, ski and snowboard.

Although most noted for its sandy beaches, winter sports fans in the Golden State have plenty of opportunities to find acres of white stuff at higher elevations.

Los Angeles, in fact, is famous among fun lovers as THE place where you can go beach surfing in the a.m. -- then head up to the mountains to ski or snowboard by lunchtime -- and sip on hot cocoa in front of a blazing fireplace by dusk.

In world-class ski resorts like South Lake Tahoe and Yosemite up north, Mammoth Mountain (near San Francisco and three hours from LA) in central CA, or in the snow covered San Bernardino Mountains in southern California --- local ski and snowboarding buffs can usually hit the slopes from autumn to spring.

Getting to LA area ski or snowboarding resorts:

Snow Summit Bear Mountain - 43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake; (909) 866-5766. Take the 210 Freeway east to state highway 30, to the 330, to 18 heading east into Big Bear Lake. Drive time: 2 hours.

- Very near Bear Mountain. 880 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake; (909) 866-5766. Directions and drive time same as for Bear Mountain.

Snow Valley - 35100 California Highway 18, Running Springs; (909) 867-2751. Take Interstate 210 east from Los Angeles to 30, continue east to 330, then to 18 heading east. Follow signs to the resort on the right. Drive time: 1 1/2 hours.

Mt. Baldy - Mt. Baldy Road, Mt. Baldy; (866) 754-2253. From Interstate 210 east, exit Mountain Avenue. Go north on Mountain to resort. Drive time: 1 hour.

Mountain High - 24510 California 2, Wrightwood; (888) 754-7878, Take 210 east to Interstate 15 north, then California Highway 138 west, turn left on 2. Drive time: approx. 1 hour.

More about California ski resorts around the Web:

Ski California - Check out a directory of resort guides, snow reports, related news and Instagram feeds, ski safety tips and advice, and related resources.

Snow Conditions & Ski Report for California - Weather and snow conditions with base depths, info on open trails and ski lifts, related photos and webcams.