Mountain High Resort

Details

Written by: Jim Walker

Last Updated: 20 Aug 2012

Mountain High is Southern California’s most popular winter resort and home to not one, but three distinguished mountains. Even though they are only a mile apart, they offer stunning differences in both terrain and provide amenities for every member of the family. The West Resort is filled with a seemingly endless assortment of technical trails and skillfully-designed terrain features for freestyle riders of all ages and abilities. It is the most youthful of the three areas and the site of many on-hill contests, promotions and live performances. It is also Southern California's only local resort open seven nights a week. The East Resort boasts the longest trails in the region serviced by a single high-speed quad. It is also known for its thrilling moguls, gladed tree skiing areas and breathtaking views of the Mojave Desert. Rising as high as 8,200 feet, the East Resort offers traditional skiers and snowboarders a true alpine experience without having to journey far from home. Mountain High's new North Resort offers 70 acres of beginner terrain perfect for families and introductory skiers. It is also home to the North Pole Tubing Park, the largest tubing area in Southern California. Formerly Ski Sunrise, Mountain High North is located directly across from the West Resort and operates Friday through Sunday peak season. Mountain High is southern California's most popular winter resort with 3 separate mountains, 61 trails, and 16 lifts.

Mountain

Mountain High is three resorts in one. The East Resort offers 1,600 vertical feet of uninterrupted corduroy plus exciting steeps like the Olympic Bowl, Southern California's steepest, longest bump run. Its highest point provides the perfect setting for the Grand View Bistro, the mountain's gourmet restaurant which sits amid 40 acres of fantastic beginner terrain. Reaching the top of the West Resort now takes less than 4 minutes on the Blue Ridge Express which provides access to terrain for all abilities and is the site of the adult and children beginner programs. It has several gladed tree areas, ideal slopes for freestyle skiing and riding, and a variety of black diamond trails to suite the more aggressive visitors. The West Resort is also the only area in Southern California to offer night skiing and snowboarding 7-nights a week. Over 85% of the West Resort is lit including the terrain park and a competition halfpipe. Plus each night there are numerous activities such as movies, concerts, vendors and live radio remotes. The North Resort is perfect for kids and families with 70 acres of gently rolling beginner to intermediate terrain and historic, log cabins that are great for exploring. Plus, for those who aren’t quite ready for the slopes, it is home to the North Pole Tubing Park, the largest tubing area in Southern California. All three areas are can be accessed with a single lift ticket and there are free shuttles waiting to take you back and forth.

Families

Mountain High's Children's Academy offers ski and snowboard lessons for children ages 4 to 12. Private snowboard lessons are available for children of all ages. All sessions at the Children's Academy include lift tickets and rental equipment. Lessons are available in both Full-Day and Afternoon sessions, and all packages include a lift ticket, rentals, snack or lunch, and an individualized progress card. Full-day enrollment is recommended for younger children as experience has shown they progress more rapidly and retain a greater amount with a full day of lessons.

Eating Out

For on-mountain dining the East Resort has the Grand View Bistro at its summit while the Angeles Crest Cafe and the Goldrush Grill are both located at the base. The San Andreas Grill opened for the 2000/2001 season with a completely original menu of steak, chicken and pasta. At the base of West Resort theres the San Gabriel Grill and the Base Lodge Cafe. The nearest town, Wrightwood 5km/3 miles has a range of dining options.

Apres

Mountain High is the only local mountain to offer night skiing every night of the week. Eighty five per cent of the West Resort is lit including the terrain park and their competition halfpipe. When finished ski or snowboard up to the Bullwheel Bar & Grill where you can take a seat by the fire place and warm up to mouth watering entrees. Wrightwood 5km/3 miles also has a wonderful choice of restaurants and bars.

Boarding

Mountain High is home to the Faultline Terrain Park where world-class features are located throughout the west resort.