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❄️ Winter day trips

Snow day trips near SoCal

19 places to ski, snowboard, tube or just play in the snow within a couple hours of LA and OC — Big Bear, Wrightwood, Mountain High, Mt. Baldy and the free roadside spots in between. Find the closest and filter for free snow play.

Your area

16 spots within 60 miles of 92692

Ski & snowboard45 mi

Mt. Baldy Resort

Mount Baldy · Ski & snowboard

The steepest terrain in SoCal with a scenic chairlift and lodge dining; chains often required on Mt Baldy Rd.

🗓️ Dec–Apr, snow-dependent

💵 $$ lift ticket

Get directions →
Snow tubing & play51 mi

SkyPark at Santa's Village

Skyforest · Snow tubing & play

A 230-acre adventure park — holiday Santa's Village plus tubing (40"+), little-kid sledding and ice skating; book online.

🗓️ Dec–early Jan + when snow falls

💵 $$ ticketed (~$59–79)

Get directions →
Free52 mi

Wrightwood Roadside Snow Play (Hwy 2)

Wrightwood

Free public pullouts before/after town; buy a $5 Adventure Pass at Mountain Hardware — small lots fill fast.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

Get directions →
Snow tubing & play52 mi

Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park

Running Springs · Snow tubing & play

SoCal's oldest tubing park at ~6,500 ft; call ahead (it closes in rain/snow), and confirm it's operating this season.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

💵 $ ~$20/hr + parking

Get directions →
Free snow play52 mi

Idyllwild County Park Snow Play

Idyllwild · Free snow play

A county park that becomes a popular sledding spot after snowfall; parking sells out on snow weekends.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

💵 $ day-use fee

Get directions →
Ski & snowboard53 mi

Mountain High Resort

Wrightwood · Ski & snowboard

The closest full ski/snowboard resort to LA & OC, with three areas; buy lift tickets online in advance.

🗓️ Nov–Apr, snow-dependent

💵 $$ lift ticket

Get directions →
Snow tubing & play53 mi

Yeti's Snow Play (Mountain High East)

Wrightwood · Snow tubing & play

Family tubing lanes plus a scenic sky-chair ride to 8,200 ft; weekends/holidays, daily over Christmas break.

🗓️ Thanksgiving–mid-Mar, snow-dependent

💵 $$ ticketed

Get directions →
Free53 mi

Kratka Ridge Pullout

Angeles Crest Hwy (Hwy 2)

An informal roadside sledding pullout at ~7,500 ft; Hwy 2 often gate-closes for snow — check Caltrans.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

Get directions →
Free53 mi

Green Valley Lake / Rim Snow Play

Green Valley Lake

Roadside USFS sledding and snowman-building along Hwy 18; an Adventure Pass is required when snow is present.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

Get directions →
Ski & snowboard53 mi

Mt. Waterman

Angeles Crest Hwy (Hwy 2) · Ski & snowboard

An old-school chairlift ski area at ~8,030 ft that only opens with natural snowfall — check status first.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, natural snow only

💵 $$ lift ticket

Get directions →
Ski & snowboard54 mi

Snow Valley Mountain Resort

Running Springs · Ski & snowboard

SoCal's longest-running ski area (since 1924), now Alterra-owned, with an expanded beginner area and a tube park.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

💵 $$ lift ticket

Get directions →
Snow tubing & play54 mi

North Pole Tubing Park (Mountain High North)

Wrightwood · Snow tubing & play

SoCal's largest tubing facility — up to 10 lanes and two moving carpets; under-36" not permitted.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

💵 $$ ticketed

Get directions →
Free56 mi

Mount San Jacinto State Park

Idyllwild

Snowshoeing and sledding in high country; the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a no-driving way to reach snow.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

Get directions →
Snow tubing & play59 mi

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain

Big Bear Lake · Snow tubing & play

Winter snow tubing (~$40 adult) plus a year-round bobsled slide; no reservations — buy on-site.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

💵 $$ ticketed

Get directions →
Ski & snowboard59 mi

Snow Summit (Big Bear)

Big Bear Lake · Ski & snowboard

SoCal's best beginner facilities (on the Ikon Pass); buy lift tickets online — it sells out on peak days.

🗓️ Nov–Apr, snow-dependent

💵 $$ lift ticket

Get directions →
Snow tubing & play60 mi

Grizzly Ridge Tube Park

Big Bear Lake · Snow tubing & play

A magic-carpet lift to four 300-ft groomed lanes; riders must be 42" tall — book via Big Bear Mountain Resort.

🗓️ Dec–Mar, snow-dependent

💵 $$ ticketed

Get directions →
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Before you drive up: snow here is weather-dependent — a sunny day in OC can mean bare ground in the mountains. Check live conditions and Caltrans for chain controls (carry chains!). Free roadside snow-play areas in the National Forests need an Adventure Pass to park, and the big tubing parks fill up — arrive early or book ahead.

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