2025-26 California Detail

Updated December 16, 2025

Mammoth had 17 inches snow Oct. 14-15 but it nearly all melted during th ensuing 3 warm weeks. Mammoth delayed its opening for the first time since snowmaking was installed in 1991. From Nov. 14-16 it rained 3.85 inches at Main Lodge with only 4 inches snow. Mammoth opened Nov. 20 after 2 feet new snow. There was a 3 foot base of dense snow above 10,000 feet, so Mammoth opened 39% by Thanksgiving% with snowmaking assistance. Warm December weather has slowed progress, exposing more rocks and closing chairs 13 and 14. The next week will be ugly with high winds and weekend rain to 10,000 feet. But starting in a week heavy snow is expected above 8,000 feet, with greatly improved conditions likely by New Year's.

Southern California had heavy rain past the top of ski areas Nov. 14-16. It snowed 6-9 inches in the San Bernardino areas and 12-20 inches in the San Gabriel areas Nov. 20-21, allowing limited openings at Mt. High and Mt. Baldy. Bear Mt. opened Dec. 4 and Snow Summit Dec. 5. Further progress has stalled in the warm and dry weather.

I consider the local areas worth visiting according to the following criteria (2024-25 summary):

Snow Summit: The Wall, Log Chute, Chair 10 and lower Westridge open. Only upper Summit Run to lower Miracle Mile open.

Bear Mt: Silver Mt. and/or Bear Peak open. Park Run and a few variations open.

Snow Valley: Slide Peak open.

Mountain High: East as well as West open. West opened 16% Nov. 22, 26% since Dec. 6.

Mt. Baldy and Mt. Waterman: A natural snow base of at least 4 feet. Baldy opened the beginner gulch and limited terrain on Thunder Nov. 22.

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