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.
Living in Southern California offers up so many choices to ski and ride for a day, a weekend or a vacation. There are plenty of drive-to options as well as lots of choices for flying away to Western resort destinations. SoCal is a vast market, so drive times vary with traffic and where in the region you reside.
We’ve compiled the latest COVID-19 information for driving and flying so you can decide the safest and most convenient ways to enjoy our sport this winter. Check back often as we will be constantly updating this information for you. Stay flexible.
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 Southern California site visitors.
Easy Day or Weekend Trips
We’re more than lucky. The mountain resorts within relatively quick drive time mean we can take off early in the morning and sometimes be on the slopes for first tracks. We can come home when the sun goes down or stay a day or two, perhaps visiting different ski areas each day.
Or we can certainly make the longer, but reasonable drive to Mammoth and June Mountains (5.5 hours) in the High Sierra; a bit farther to the Lake Tahoe resorts (7.5 hours). Our drive time is set from Downtown Los Angeles.
OntheSnow Visitor Drive-To Picks:
San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains; High Sierra
COVID Fast Facts – Day/Weekend Trips
When and where do I need to wear a face covering?
Face coverings are 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?
Destination Resort Fly-To Options
OnTheSnow Visitor Picks: These are the most popular resort choices for those coming from Southern California metro area.
Utah
Travel restrictions between California and Utah: None. Statewide mandatory mask order for those 2+.
Colorado
Travel restrictions between California and Colorado: None. The move to COVID-19 red level in many Colorado counties does not affect ski resort on-mountain operations. Pitkin County (home to Aspen and other ski resorts) requires visitors to complete a health affidavit and provide a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival or face a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Statewide mask mandate for those 10+ in public spaces or on public transportation.
Idaho
Travel restrictions between California and Idaho: None
New Mexico
Travel restrictions between California and New Mexico: State has moved to color-coded framework where a county's restrictions depend on virus risk. Visitors from high risk states must quarantine for 14 days or duration of stay. Statewide mandatory mask order.
Wyoming
Travel restrictions between California and Wyoming: None as of Jan.22. Mask mandate for 12+ in public spaces and on public transportation until Jan. 25.
British Columbia, Canada
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.
