2025-26 California Detail

Updated January 17, 2026

Mammoth had 17 inches snow Oct. 14-15 but it nearly all melted during th ensuing 3 warm weeks. Mammoth delayed its opening for the first time since snowmaking was installed in 1991. From Nov. 14-16 it rained 3.85 inches at Main Lodge with only 4 inches snow. Mammoth opened Nov. 20 after 2 feet new snow. There was a 3 foot base of dense snow above 10,000 feet, so Mammoth opened 39% by Thanksgiving with snowmaking assistance. Warm December weather slowed progress, exposing more rocks and closing chairs 13 and 14. Open terrain dipped to 28% by Dec. 15. The Christmas storm dumped 6 feet, but full operation was delayed after patroller Cole Murphy died in a Lincoln Mt. avalanche. It snowed 43 inches during the first week of January, with full operation on January 6. There has been no snow for 2 weeks but Mammoth remains 3/4 winter snow.

Southern California had heavy rain past the top of ski areas Nov. 14-16. It snowed 6-9 inches in the San Bernardino areas and 12-20 inches in the San Gabriel areas Nov. 20-21, allowing limited openings at Mt. High and Mt. Baldy. Bear Mt. opened Dec. 4 and Snow Summit Dec. 5. Further progress stalled in warm and dry weather. The Dec. 24-26 storm was all rain with just one inch snow at the end, with all areas closed during the storm. Mt. High closed until January 10 due to road damage to Hwy 2 in Wrightwood. Big Bear reopened Dec. 27. The Dec. 31 and Jan. 2-4 storms were also all rain. There is less terrain open in early and mid January than in any of the 50 years I've skied SoCal. Snowmaking resumed with the Santa Anas Jan. 7 but progress opening runs is very slow as daytime temps are warm.

I consider the local areas worth visiting according to the following criteria (2025-26 summary):

Snow Summit: The Wall, Log Chute, Chair 10 and lower Westridge open. Only upper Summit Run to lower Miracle Mile open to Dec. 23. Upper Miracle Mile opened Dec. 30. 21% including Chair 3 open Jan. 10. Upper Log Chute and chair 7 open Jan. 17.

Bear Mt: Silver Mt. and/or Bear Peak open. Park Run and a few variations open to Dec. 23 and after Dec. 27. 31% open Jan. 10.

Snow Valley: Slide Peak open. One run open as of Jan. 10. 13% open Jan. 17.

Mountain High: East as well as West open. West opened 16% Nov. 22, 26% Dec. 6-23. Closed for road damage Dec. 24 - Jan. 9, 23% open Jan. 10.

Mt. Baldy and Mt. Waterman: A natural snow base of at least 4 feet. Baldy opened the beginner gulch and limited terrain on Thunder Nov. 22. Closed to skiing since Dec. 24.

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