Want to see snow near LA but not sure where to start? Follow this guide for useful tips and information on where to go and how to get ready for family visits to the snow.
What will you find in the “Snow Near LA” Guide?
- Seasonal snow events in and around LA.
- Areas suitable for free or low-cost snow play.
- Snow parks and resorts for various interests and budgets.
- Mom tips to help you choose the right site for your family.
Ready to jump ahead? Click on the Snow Near LA Guide for information on all the local snow sites.
Need some information on how to prepare for a family visit to the snow? Read on.
1.Know the season for snow near LA
Before you head out on your first snow adventure, it’s important to know that Southern California’s snow season is unpredictable. It can come early, late, or not at all. Traditionally, snow season ranges between November and April with most of the snowfall anticipated between January and February.
Can’t wait that long? Consider visiting local events that bring snow to LA, some starting as early as November. You’ll find these events in the Snow Near LA Guide as well.
Here’s how to ensure that there is snow where you’re going:
- Consider sites that makes their own snow if visiting during low snowfall years or if it’s late/early in the season.
- Visit the California Forest Service of the area you’re heading out to for current snow conditions.
- View California Snow Webcams and/or specific snow park/resort webcams for live feed.
- Utilize social media pages of snow parks/resorts for more up-to-date snow status.
2. Make sure you can safely reach and enjoy the site you selected
Now that you know where to go, it’s time to prepare. Due to the distance, weather conditions, and nature of snow parks and resorts near LA, it’s important to take some steps to keep your family safe and ensure you can enjoy a day in the snow:
- Many parks close their doors for the day without advance notice. They may not answer the phone or updates to their websites either. Have a backup snow site in mind, including printed directions, as wifi can get spotty in the mountains.
- Consider investing in snow chains. For less than the cost of a single tire, you can improve the chances of a successful snow visit with your family rather than getting turned away by the California Highway Patrol CHP for lack of chains. Not sure which type you need? Click here.
- Visit Caltrans for specific road updates or call 800.427.ROAD.
- Prepare your vehicle and family for extreme weather conditions with these CHP tips.
- Make sure your car emergency supplies are up to date. Find a suggested list here.
- Keep in mind that many resort amenities such as restaurants are only accessible by a chairlift so plan accordingly for any family member hesitant to use them.
3. Bring the right supplies for an LA snow visit:
In addition to ensuring your family’s safety, it’s important to keep everyone comfortable on this snow trip. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Have car sickness medication, wipes, and a change of clothes for anyone who might feel sick driving up the mountain and for changing into after snow play.
- Bring snacks, food and water with you, and charge/ fill up on gas before you go up the mountain. Lines to put on snow chains or get in and out of parking lots can take time, sometimes hours without access to basic amenities.
- Keep a travel potty for younger travelers as they might struggle to go out in the snow during the long ride. Also, bathrooms at snow sites are often poorly maintained. Bring toilet paper and sanitizer with you.
- Plan for extra entertainment for kids who need it. Between traffic, lines to get in the park or resort, equipment rental, food line, lift line, and lines for actual activities, there are often downtimes in the cold to plan for.
- Visit Pinterest for lists and ideas for family snow gear. My advice? Buy snow clothes one size bigger and don’t bother spending money buying them new if you don’t visit the snow often.
4. Save time waiting in line by planning ahead
Lastly, be prepared for the crowds. Finding snow near LA to play in for an hour or two and visiting Snow Parks and Resorts are two very different experiences. Save yourself time and frustration with these tips:
- Aim to arrive an hour before parks/resorts open. It’s worth it.
- If possible, avoid visiting after a heavy snowfall, on weekends, or during holidays. This is especially true if you are planning on taking skiing/snowboarding lessons with kids.
- Bring cash. Some parks don’t accept any other form of payment.
- Rent gear outside the resort. While you can book gear ahead of time at the resort, they do not guarantee there will be gear in your size when you arrive.
- Anticipate questionable customer service at many locations. Mentally preparing for less-than-ideal service and taking care of as many of your needs ahead of time will make for a better experience and less time wasted trying to get issues resolved by staff.
- Buy low-cost tickets and sign waivers online ahead of time. One thing to keep in mind is that most sites do not provide any refunds, only limited date changes so if it’s your first time visiting, you might want to hold off on paying for expensive services too much in advance.
- Print directions and parking information so you don’t waste time trying to find the correct site or parking lot.
- Eat during off hours to avoid long lines getting on the lift after lunch. Be sure to check the reentry policy if your food is out in the car.
- Leave early. Many sites don’t have parking attendants, and lines to get out of the parking lot can get very long after an already packed day.