Best Ski Resorts for Every Level in Bakersfield, California, United States

Bakersfield, United States, Bakersfield, Activity-Based Travel Pages, Best Ski Resorts for Every Level

Best Ski Resorts for Every Level in Bakersfield, California, United States

1. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

A popular choice for advanced skiers, Mammoth offers extensive expert terrain and the longest ski season in California.
  • Extensive Expert Terrain: Mammoth has some of the most challenging runs in the state.
  • Longest Ski Season: Mammoth remains open late into the year, often until July.
  • Proximity to Bakersfield: While not in Bakersfield itself, Mammoth is a manageable drive for those looking for an advanced skiing experience.

2. Bear Mountain Resort

Ideal for intermediates, Bear Mountain offers a variety of groomed runs and a terrain park.
  • Variety of Groomed Runs: Bear Mountain has a good mix of long, cruising runs and shorter, steeper options.
  • Terrain Park: The park at Bear Mountain is well-regarded among freestyle skiers.
  • Close to Los Angeles: Bear Mountain is easily accessible from Bakersfield, making it a convenient choice for many.

3. Mount Baldy Ski Area

Mount Baldy is a great option for beginners, with gentle slopes and an affordable lift ticket.
  • Gentle Slopes: Many of the runs at Mount Baldy are beginner-friendly.
  • Affordable Lift Ticket: Compared to other resorts, Mount Baldy's lift ticket prices are relatively low.
  • Near Bakersfield: Mount Baldy is the closest ski resort to Bakersfield, making it a popular choice for local skiers.

4. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Sierra offers a mix of beginner and intermediate terrain, as well as an excellent learning area.
  • Learning Area: Sierra's learning area is large and well-organized, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Mix of Terrain: Both beginner and intermediate skiers will find runs to suit their abilities at Sierra.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Sierra is a bit further from Bakersfield than some other resorts, but it's still a manageable drive for a weekend trip.

5. Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Known for its challenging terrain and deep snow, Kirkwood is ideal for advanced skiers.
  • Challenging Terrain: Kirkwood has some of the steepest and most difficult runs in California.
  • Deep Snow: Kirkwood consistently receives heavy snowfall, making for excellent powder skiing conditions.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: While farther from Bakersfield than some resorts, Kirkwood's unique terrain makes it worth the drive for advanced skiers.

6. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Squaw Valley offers a wide range of terrain suitable for all levels, as well as a vibrant village.
  • Wide Range of Terrain: From gentle beginner slopes to expert-level chutes, Squaw Valley has something for everyone.
  • Vibrant Village: The village at Squaw Valley offers dining, shopping, and nightlife options for skiers.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Squaw Valley is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its extensive terrain makes it a popular choice for many.

7. Heavenly Mountain Resort

Heavenly is a great option for intermediates, with plenty of groomed runs and stunning views of Lake Tahoe.
  • Plenty of Groomed Runs: Heavenly has a large selection of well-groomed, cruising runs.
  • Stunning Lake Tahoe Views: The views from the slopes at Heavenly are among the best in the area.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Heavenly is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its unique setting makes it worth the drive for many.

8. Alpine Meadows

Alpine Meadows offers a mix of challenging terrain and beautiful, open bowls for intermediate to advanced skiers.
  • Challenging Terrain: Alpine Meadows has some steep and challenging runs for intermediate to advanced skiers.
  • Beautiful, Open Bowls: The open bowls at Alpine Meadows offer incredible views and exhilarating skiing.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Alpine Meadows is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its unique terrain makes it worth the drive for many.

9. Northstar California Resort

Northstar is ideal for families and beginners, with a dedicated learning area and plenty of easy runs.
  • Dedicated Learning Area: Northstar's learning area is large and well-organized, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Plenty of Easy Runs: There are plenty of gentle, easy runs at Northstar for beginners and families.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Northstar is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its family-friendly atmosphere makes it a popular choice for many.

10. Sugar Bowl Resort

Sugar Bowl offers a mix of challenging terrain and beautiful, open bowls for intermediate to advanced skiers.
  • Challenging Terrain: Sugar Bowl has some steep and challenging runs for intermediate to advanced skiers.
  • Beautiful, Open Bowls: The open bowls at Sugar Bowl offer incredible views and exhilarating skiing.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Sugar Bowl is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its unique terrain makes it worth the drive for many.

11. Soda Springs Mountain Resort

Soda Springs is a great option for beginners, with easy runs and a dedicated learning area.
  • Dedicated Learning Area: Soda Springs' learning area is large and well-organized, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Easy Runs: There are plenty of easy runs at Soda Springs for beginners.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Soda Springs is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but it's still a manageable drive for a weekend trip.

12. Homewood Mountain Resort

Homewood is ideal for intermediates, with plenty of groomed runs and beautiful lake views.
  • Plenty of Groomed Runs: Homewood has a large selection of well-groomed, cruising runs.
  • Beautiful Lake Views: The views from the slopes at Homewood are among the best in the area.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Homewood is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its unique setting makes it worth the drive for many.

13. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area

Tahoe Donner is a great option for beginners and families, with easy runs and a dedicated learning area.
  • Dedicated Learning Area: Tahoe Donner's learning area is large and well-organized, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Easy Runs: There are plenty of easy runs at Tahoe Donner for beginners and families.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Tahoe Donner is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but it's still a manageable drive for a weekend trip.

14. Diamond Peak Ski Resort

Diamond Peak is ideal for intermediates and families, with plenty of groomed runs and a dedicated learning area.
  • Plenty of Groomed Runs: Diamond Peak has a large selection of well-groomed, cruising runs.
  • Dedicated Learning Area: Diamond Peak's learning area is large and well-organized, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Diamond Peak is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its family-friendly atmosphere makes it a popular choice for many.

15. Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort

Royal Gorge is perfect for cross-country skiers of all levels, with a variety of trails and beautiful scenery.
  • Variety of Trails: There are many trails to choose from at Royal Gorge, suitable for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers.
  • Beautiful Scenery: The scenery at Royal Gorge is stunning, with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
  • Distance from Bakersfield: Royal Gorge is a bit further from Bakersfield than some resorts, but its unique cross-country skiing experience makes it worth the drive.