Cross Country Skiing in California – XC Skiing Hotspots in Southern California & Northern California
Cross country skiing opportunities in California can be found in both Southern California and Northern California. Southern California cross country ski trails are a bit less predictable for snow conditions than the Northern California cross country ski trails. In Southern California the cross country skier can find groomed trails at the Rim Nordic Ski Area in Running Springs, CA which is part of the San Bernardino Mountains. This area, situated near Big Bear, gets snow, but check with the xc ski area first to make sure there is enough of the white stuff to ski on. The Los Padres National Forest, also in Southern California offers cross country skiing, just north of Los Angeles.
Northern California is the cross country skier’s paradise for XC skiing. One of the premier locations for skiing is Mammoth Lakes, California. A cross country skier in Mammoth can ski on both groomed nordic trails as well as backcountry multi-use trails. Tamarack cross country ski area offers more than 35 miles of groomed trails, and is situated in the Lakes Basin area of Mammoth. The nordic ski trails are groomed daily. Cross country skis can be rented or purchased from Brian’s Bicycles and Cross Country Skis tel. (760) 924-8566, situated in town. Brian has been in business for over 30 years and offers great service. Groomed by the Forest Service, the Obsidian Dome cross country ski area offers free xc skiing and is situated 13 miles north of Mammoth Lakes on Highway 395. The Forest Service also grooms over 100 miles of multi-use trails throughout the Mammoth Lakes region. These trails are groomed weekly, and can be used by recreational xc skiers, snowmobilers, and those loving to show shoe. Mammoth Lakes gets considerable amounts of snow during the winter season and snow conditions are reliable.
