Photo courtesy Mountain High.
To win an Anytime Mountain High Season Pass (that you can upgrade to a VIP pass with Powder Alliance privileges), see details at the end of this post. The giveaway is open to everyone.
What do you know about Mountain High Ski Resort in Southern California?
I recently asked an L.A.-based friend about skiing there. His reply, “I’ve not skied there for years. Too many punk snowboarders.”
Then he added, “But I’ve got a friend who skis there with his family. Why don’t you ask him?”
So I did.
He and his young children ski Mountain High a lot.
Why?
Because of the value pricing, the proximity to Los Angeles, the high quality instruction and the variety of terrain.
He didn’t mention punk snowboarders.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
Skiing in the Land of Sun and Sand
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
Seventy-five minutes from Los Angeles, Mountain High is the closest ski resort to a city better known for surfing than skiing. Yet when you look at the statistics, Mountain High offers a lot.
Located at 6600 feet, Mountain High is actually comprised of three, adjacent and distinct resorts. The highest summit of 8200 feet is found at the top of East Resort, giving that area a vertical drop of 1600 feet. Altogether, there are 290 acres of skiable terrain within a permitted area of 515 acres. There are 14 lifts, including two high-speed quads, and 75% of the terrain is intermediate or advanced.
Mountain High receives an average of 132 inches of snow each winter, plus 80% of the resort has snowmaking, meaning that Mountain High has a long season, usually from mid-November through April.
A Triple Treat
Of the three resorts, the West Resort is the first to open each season, and this is where you might find the “punk snowboarders.” Home to Mountain High’s terrain parks and features, it’s known for it’s progressive technical trails. Concerts, night-skiing, and competitions feature at West Resort. Think young, energetic and vibrant.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
East Resort has some of the longest trails in Southern California, including cruisers as long as 1.6 miles. East has a single high speed quad which features startling views of the arid Mojave Desert and a mountain top restaurant. Plenty of cruising terrain is interspersed with moguls and glades to challenge skiers and riders alike. Think alpine scenery, varied terrain and natural beauty.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
The North Resort is the newest addition to Mountain High. Located directly across from West Resort, it is super convenient for families. With 70 acres of beginner terrain, it’s a perfect place to practice, especially as I am told that it is “never crowded.”
North is also where you’ll find the North Pole tubing park, a destination in itself. Think families, slipping and sliding and lots of laughter.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
Features for Families
So why would a family come to Mountain High? In addition to terrain for all abilities and convenience (no mountain passes, few winding roads), Mountain High is a great place to learn to ski or ride.
The Childrens’ Sports Center, for kids ages 4-12, expanded this season and is now a one-stop spot for rentals, ticketing, reservations and lessons. Access to the Children’s Center has also been improved for beginners with a new magic carpet at the West base.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
Also new this season, the learning area at Mountain High has been shaped into terrain-based teaching features which guide skiers and riders gently over banks, berms and more, allowing gravity to help beginners learn how to get the feel of their skis and boards naturally and easily.
For young snowboarders, Mountain High has partnered with Burton, to create a Burton Youth LTR Center. Burton Youth LTR Centers utilize innovative teaching techniques and equipment, including Riglet reels, so that skills like balance, weight transfer and edging can be learned more quickly.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
It’s All About Timing
Clearly, the ski and ride school at Mountain High is a big draw, as it should be. But my favorite family feature has nothing to do with the snow, and everything to do with the lift tickets.
Mountain High lift tickets are sold in blocks of time or by points. The Flex tickets are available for 4 or 8 hour blocks, meaning that you can arrive at 10:30 in the morning, purchase a four-hour ticket and ski until 2:30.
This is so much better than having to pay for a ½ day ticket that expires at a certain time. I mean, who among us, hasn’t arrived late to the mountain? During peak season, the resort is open until 10:00 p.m. five nights a week. You could work all morning, arrive at 2:00 p.m. and still ski or ride your legs off.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
Point tickets work more like debit cards. Buy a certain number of points and ski all season until they’re gone. Points are deducted each time you ride a lift and can be shared by family and friends.
Also, if your family can ski midweek, check out the new family discount package: for $89 (midweek, non-holiday) get one adult lift ticket, one 12 & under lift ticket and two $10 vouchers for lunch. Lessons and rentals can be added for just $30 per person.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
Season Pass Giveaway
Want to ski Mountain High this season? Want to ski it for free?
The good folks at Mountain High have generously donated an Anytime Season Pass to one reader of the Brave Ski Mom.
The Anytime Season Pass is good for skiing and riding any day, any night and anytime at Mountain High. Right now, it’s priced at $349.
Or, you can leave a comment and try to win it for free.
To double your chances, like Brave Ski Mom on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
One winner will be chosen from all entries received in a random drawing on Tuesday November 12th.
While the Anytime Pass is a super good value, it gets even better if you upgrade to a VIP season pass. The VIP pass is good at Mountain High and 11 other Powder Alliance resorts across the Western U.S. Other benefits at Mountain High include early ups, specials for friends and family and free tubing park tickets. The VIP pass is currently $399.
So here’s the deal: If you’re the winner, you can take the Anytime Pass for free or upgrade to the VIP pass for $50. That $50 will get you skiing at Crested Butte (CO), Schweitzer (ID), Snowbasin (UT), Stevens Pass (WA) and more. If you’ve got a road trip in you, VIP is the way to go.
And if you don’t win, you can still save with this Anytime Season Pass discount code (braveskimom). Buy a season pass during November with this code (braveskimom) and it will set you back only $299.
So there you have it.
Mountain High is three resorts, with plenty of room for everyone, no matter what your style. It’s got an excellent ski and ride school. It’s convenient and a great value.
Just like I was told.
Enjoy!
For more information on Mountain High, including details for first-time visitors, please visit the Mountain High Family Blog.
Photo courtesy Mountain High.
To facilitate this post, Mountain High donated one Anytime Season Pass for a giveaway. I received no compensation. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Ellen!
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Hi Kristen! Jennifer from MommyHiker.com throwing my hat into the Giveaway pot!! I already love you on facebook and follow you religiously on twitter 😀 Thanks for the awesome giveaway and my fingers are crossed!!
Thanks so much Jennifer! Thanks for the follows, too. I always enjoy keeping up with what you’re doing at http://www.mommyhiker.com! Good luck!
I have been a southern California resident for over 24 years – a transplant from Colorado where I was spoiled by the ski slopes that I grew up and learned on. When I moved here I tried Mountain High a few times and then, I have to admit, I snobbishly traveled the extra half-hour to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. After reading the Brave Ski Mom’s latest blog, though, my eyes have reopened toward Mountain High. My five-year-old is (finally) ready to learn, and I can’t think of a better place or atmosphere for her downhill education than the local Mountain High. Thanks Kristin!
So excited for you to get your 5 year old started downhill! Whether she rides or skis, Mountain High sounds like a great place to learn. And you can brush up on your skills if you want to, with the midweek family package!
Enjoy!
Be aware, James. The North and East resorts are rarely open during the year. Usually, it’s the West resort, period. At the West, the upper “expert” trails are, again, rarely open. Mid-week, things are good. No crowds and lots of elbow room. Weekends are another story. LOADED with idiots on snowboards who’ve taken the time to learn how to go mach one, but not learned to steer, at all. My eight-year-old has been passed within inches by stupid chest-beaters with no awareness of other skiers/boarders or responsibility on the hill. It’s not downright dangerous, but I’d keep my eye out on a busy day.
It’s true that it’s nice to have night skiing so close to home. I may have actually logged more runs under the stars than under the sun, last season. I’ve kept a season pass for the past two years and bought one again, this year.
It’s a good place to do laps and keep up your technique while you can’t live closer to regular/better skiing. I’d leave it at that. Bring your family, but don’t count on using the North resort. And, if you’re headed over to the East, bring your rock skis. Because when they open it, they open it too early, before there’s any real cover. I took a major core shot over there, last year.
It’s OK. It’s not great. Watch your kids and you’ll do alright.
Thanks for the input Dan. I always appreciate honest opinions.
Well, well, well. I guess I’m going to have to give Mountain High another chance. It’s been years since I’ve skied it, and, like James, I gave up on it. It sounds like I would be foolish NOT to try it again. I especially like the sound of their ski school for my two girls. Thanks for shining a light on SoCal Kristin!
You bet David! I’d like to try Mountain High myself. I think the changes incorporating terrain-based learning and the Burton LTR Center make it a no-brainer. Why not use the state-of-the-sport instructional methods?
I’m not in SoCal but in NorCal and find any excuse to head south 🙂 Would love to test out skiing as a family!! Follow you on FB and Twitter 😉
Thanks Melissa! This would be a great excuse to head south and take the entire family! Thanks for the follows, you’re entered twice!
I haven’t been to Mt. High in years, and not because of the punk snowboarders. I would love to take the kids there. New follower on Twitter (@justanotherhat).
Thanks Romina! You’re in twice! Good luck, enjoy the season and enjoy Mountain High!
Good article Kristen! Love Mountain High, as you know, and looking forward to opening day!
Which will be here soon! Have a great ski season and thanks for your input!
Love that you can upgrade to a VIP pass and can ski at some of our favorite ski areas like Stevens Pass and Bridger Bowl.
I know! Isn’t that awesome? The Powder Alliance is such an incredible value for passholders. It’s definitely worth the $50 upgrade. Good luck!
Thia revved me up (as if I needed it ) to teach mylittle guy to riride this year. Continually thinking snow!!
That’s something we have in common: continually thinking snow! Good luck teaching your little fellow! Enjoy!
I’d really love to make a trip down there and check this place out. It sounds alot like Snobowl Ski and Bike Park in Elko, NV.
OOH! There’s a tip: I’ve not heard of Snobowl, in Elko. Thanks! And good luck.
Would love to win as we do have a trip planned to Colorado. We ski SoCal all the time and the pass would be handy! Love the blog
That would be perfect! Ski your home mtn and score some Powder Alliance tickets! Good luck!
Never gotten a chance to visit Mountain High. Angelino born and raised and am too loyal to snow summit. Heard Mountain High is just too crowded and not big enough. Maybe I could visit it up to 30 times this year with a free pass, but without a free pass I doubt I’ll ever go there…
I’ve never been there either, so I have no first hand beta for you! Good luck, though!
I would like to win a pass 🙂 I like Mt High because theres ess driving involved
Less driving is always good! Good luck!
Would love to win. My girls ages 7 and 5 started to learn last year at Mountain High. (I started to learn to snowboard. You’re never too young to start.) These passes are just what we need.
Yes they are! Good luck and enjoy skiing with your daughters!
Ive been a long time rider of mountain high, my heart lies here! I feel as though mountain high has improved greatly over the past 5 years, and I’m happy to see someone trying to promote that. I know too many people who ‘gave up’ on mountain high and won’t give it another chance.
Hope to win my pass this year, if not, keep on keeping braveskimom!
It’s good to love your local mountain! Also nice to hear that you like the changes. Good luck!
Will need to check it out this season! Thanks for the info!
You bet! Good luck!
Unfortunately I think i fall into the category of “punk snowboarder” and my presence on the mountain might offend some people; but I just started snowboarding 3 years ago and I fell in love with it and with my home base MT. HIGH. People complain about the crowds but I’ve purchased 2 season passes before and being able to sneak up there during off times is like having your own local private mountain! I use to love racing up the mountain on weekdays then coming back to L.A. in time for my restaurant server shift. Unfortunately with college tuition the way it is now i wont be able to afford a season pass, so no Mt. High this season. Great article though! HOPE I WIN!
I’ve got nothing against punk snowboarders! Good luck in college and good luck in the giveaway, too !
Hey there! Can’t wait to hit the slopes with all of y’all
Thanks for entering! good luck!
I have been riding here for the past six years. Unfortunately this is the first year I have not been able to get a pass. Started riding here and hopefully I can continue the tradition! Thanks for the giveaway and great article!
You are welcome! Good luck!
Mountain High Rules!
Cheers!
Fingers crossed, I’m trying to be out there as much as I can this season!
Sounds like a good goal
I got into snowboarding last season. I rented every time I went to Mt. High. It set me back almost $200 in rentals alone. This year, I finally saved up enough to purchase my FIRST board! I’m so excited! Now I just need a season pass so I can put this board to use ;D. I just liked your FB and am now following you on Twitter. I hope that’s enough to get me picked.
You are entered three times! Good luck and thanks!
After years of abandoning the slopes, I am planning to reconnect with them this winter. Mountain High was always good to me in my 20’s, therefore to reestablish that relationship in my 30’s will be quite an experience. Thank you for writing this article and reminding us of its beauty and at the same time teaching us how we never stop learning something new.
I love your comment Janis. Enjoy the upcoming winter!
My kids and I absolutely love Mt High, but I often get a heart wrenching pain telling them, “Sorry guys, not this weekend.” while trying to come up with a good reason why simply because it’s too hard to say “Because Daddy just can’t afford it.”…So my fingers are crossed that this could really help out this year…Thanks for the chance!
Best of luck to you and your kids. Happy to provide the opportunity.
I love Mt HIgh! But yes, there are too may “punk snowboarders” that ruin the experience. They should have some staff out there to monitor those people. Maybe after the second warning they get kicked out. Either way, it’s not something that happens every time and it’s nothing that will keep me off the mountain. I think of snowboarding year-round so I can’t wait to get up there.
Thinking about it year-round…and here comes winter! Good luck and thanks for the mountain safety suggestion.
I would love to win this season pass. I’ve just started snowboarding and I would love to win this pass. This article is spot on about what mt. high has to offer. There is so much to do there and the point system is a great for beginners to just buy a few runs.
Hope I win this season pass! Thanks for the giveaway!
I think the point system is amazing! Enjoy!
That is awesome that you are giving away a season pass! I would love to win one! 🙂
Best of luck!
Hi there. I’d love for this to be the year that my daughter finally loves to ski as much as I do. It’s frustrating to drive up, buy tickets, and then have her have a fit and lose time and money. I am staying optimistic, though. One day it’ll happen! The pass would help~
Ellen, I promise you, it will happen one day! Good luck!
Both of my kids learned to ski at Mt High and now its a tradition for our family!
I love that! That’s one of the great things about small resorts. They do feel like family!
Grew up with Mountain High as my local mountain. Sadly, I haven’t been able to go in the past few years (poor college kid :P)
Okay College Kid! If you win, you’ll have no excuse! Good luck!
Great article! Information is right on the spot! I’m an intermediate snowboarder and Mt. High was great with the proximity and the cheap prices! Thanks for the giveaway! Always wanted getting a pass!
Good luck to you Timothy!
Mt. High is awesome. Very close distance from anywhere in southern California. Overall awesome terrain park. College is keeping me busy until Mt. High opens up but every time I go to my classes I peak out the window and the mountains are right there, and always reminds me of shredding. Winter is coming! And I cant Wait!
That is so amazing. Living in Southern California and looking out the window at snowy peaks! It’s coming !
The drive is easy and the night skiing is great. I love going up there after work.
Night skiing is a huge advantage. Really extends the day and gives you more opportunities. Enjoy!