Affordable Ski Areas in California

Its time to hit the slopes and charge downhill. If your ready to go skiing but find yourself operating on a budget this year then let us suggest some great budget minded ski areas in California. All of these ski areas have the highest quality slopes and provide all levels of skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to improve their ability. These are my picks for the most ski areas in California that give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Mt. Shasta Ski Park, Mt. Shasta California
Mt. Shasta Ski Park is one of the more northern ski areas in California and has been opened since 1985. Mt. Shasta was built on top of the old Mt. Shasta Bowl ski area that was destroyed by avalanche in the 1970s. According to their website, Mt. Shasta welcomes 1.5 millions skiers per year. Mt. Shasta makes itself affordable to the skier by offering a buy 3 lift tickets get the rest of the season for free pass. Mt. Shasta also offers a guaranteed learn to ski package for beginners in your family who don't know if they will ever learn to ski. If you are willing to stay a short drive away from the mountain I would recommend the Oak Tree Inn in Dunsmuir. Located about 14 miles from Mt. Shasta lodging begins at about $100 per night.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood California
Located in the eastern portion of California Kirkwood Ski Resort is close to Tahoe and offers skiers a taste of some of the most beautiful terrain and ski areas in California. Kirkwood offers challenging trails for every level of skier as well as ski schools for children and adults. Kirkwoods season usually runs from December through April and if you want to really take advantage of some savings make sure and stay at Kirkwood in early to mid December and late March. Conditions are still excellent in those seasons and will offer about 80-90 percent of its slopes. Lift tickets start at just $59 dollars for the day. One of the coolest lodging experiences you can have for an affordable ski trip is to bring your own RV along with you. Kirkwood offers an affordable option RV park with full hook ups and rates that start at $25 per night.

Mountain High Resort, Wrightwood California
Mountain High Resort is one of the easiest to reach ski areas in California. Mountain High boasts on its website that there is no mountain driving involved in order to reach the mountain. This is great for those of you who are fearful of the tall, narrow, and slick roads that often lead up to the great ski mountains. Mountain High is extremely affordable for the skier as they have lift tickets for 4 hours of skiing that start at just $50 bucks. Other promotions throughout the year will let you purchase multiple ski packages that will take your lift and rental rates to under $30 bucks a day. Mountain High has teamed up with the local Best Western to offer very affordable rates as a package that will run you somewhere south of $150 a night.

There are some truly beautiful ski areas in California, and plenty of ways to see them on a budget. Grab your cash and go.