Please note: This “Know Before You Go” update is as of Jan. 22. Travel restrictions and requirements can change quickly, so be sure and check resort websites prior to travel.

Northern California’s High Sierra is home to world-class ski resorts many circling Lake Tahoe and the Mammoth Lakes. Some of our favorite nearby ski areas are within about a 4-hour drive of the Bay Area, but there also are plenty of choices for flying to Western resort destinations as well.

We have compiled the latest COVID-19 information for driving and flying so you can decide the safest and most convenient ways to enjoy this ski season. Check back often, as we’ll be updating these pages as new information comes in.

OnTheSnow.com invites all of our site visitors to choose their favorite ski resorts in a variety of categories each spring. Resorts listed in this guide are the top choices by Northern California site visitors.

Easy Day or Weekend Trips

 

Luckily, it only takes half a day to get to the slopes in Northern California. Most of our resort picks are about a 4- to 5-hour jaunt from San Francisco so we can leave early in the morning to spend a good part of the day on the snow, return back the same night or stay a day or two before heading back home.

OntheSnow Visitor Drive-To Picks

Bear Valley: Drive time is 4.5 hours.
Dodge Ridge: Drive time is 4 hours.
Heavenly: Drive time is 4.5 hours.
Kirkwood: Drive time is 4.5 hours.
Mammoth Mountain: Drive time is 7 hours.
Mount Shasta Ski Park: Drive time is 5 hours.
Northstar: Drive time is 5 hours.
Sierra-at-Tahoe: Drive time is 4 hours.
Soda Springs: Drive time is 4.5 hours.
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows: Drive time is 5 hours.
Sugar Bowl Resort: Drive time is 4.5 hours.
Tahoe Donner: Drive time is 4.5 hours.

COVID Fast Facts – Day/Weekend Trips

 

When and where do I need to wear a face covering?

Face coverings required virtually everywhere at the resort except when eating or drinking and whenever social distancing is not possible.

Where can I find the most up-to-date information or COVID guidelines?

California
Much of California is under a mandatory stay-at-home order. Regional stay-at--home orders go into effect for 3 weeks if region's ICU availability falls below 15%. Advise 10-day quarantine; some areas (San Francisco and LA County) 14 days.There is a mandatory mask order for those 2 and over (some exceptions apply). Order prohibits staying overnight at ski areas.
 
 
Note: Mammoth Lodging Collection is not accepting reservations for the duration of the advisory.
County
Alpine County (Bear Valley, Kirkwood)
El Dorado County (Heavenly, Sierra-at-Tahoe)
Mono County (Mammoth)
Nevada County (Soda Springs, Sugar Bowl, Tahoe Donner)
Placer County (Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Northstar)
Siskiyou County (Mount Shasta Ski Park)
Tuolumne County (Dodge Ridge)

Destination Resort Fly-To Options

 

Face coverings required virtually everywhere at the resort except when eating or drinking and whenever social distancing is not possible.

OnTheSnow Visitor Picks: These are the most popular resort choices for those coming from the Northern California metro area.

Colorado

Telluride
Vail
Colorado COVID threat level:

Travel restrictions between California and Colorado: None.

The move to COVID-19 red level in many Colorato counties does not affect n-mountain operations. Statewide mask mandate for those 11+. Pitkin County (home to Aspen and other ski resorts) visitors must sign a visitor affidavit and take test within 72 hours of arrival or quarantine for 10 days. Counties under color-coded risk levels through Feb. 6.

Idaho

Sun Valley
Idaho COVID threat level:

Travel restrictions between California and Idaho: Statewide mask mandate suggested but not required.

Montana

Big Sky
Montana COVID threat level:

Travel restrictions between California and Montana: None as of Jan. 19. Masks mandatory in public spaces for those 5+ in public spaces.

Nevada

Diamond Peak
Mount Rose
Nevada COVID threat level:

Travel restrictions between California and Nevada: None. Statewide mask mandate for those 9+.

Oregon

Mt. Bachelor
Oregon COVID threat level:

Travel restrictions between California and Oregon: Current restrictions depend on a county's risk level. Statewide mask mandate outdoors if 6 foot distancing cannot be maintained and in public spaces for those 5+. Out of state travelers urged to quarantine for 14 days.

Utah

Deer Valley
Park City Mountain Resort
Snowbird
Utah COVID threat level:

Travel restrictions between California and Utah: None. Mandatory mask order for those 2+.

British Columbia, Canada

Whistler Blackcomb
British Columbia COVID threat level:

Travel between California and BC: 

Avoid all non-essential travel. Mandatory negative COVID test for those 5+ 72 hours before flying into Canada. International travelers must self quarantine for 14 days and complete ArriveCAN application to enter Canada through Feb. 5.

 
 

Airline COVID Precautions

 

All airlines and airports have instigated stringent disinfectant procedures. Click below for your airline’s COVID page for specifics.
Air Canada
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
Westjet