Mt Shasta, California

Height of Resort: 5490ft
Vertical rise: 1390ft
Acres skiable: 425
Lifts: 4



Mount Shasta Ski Park is a great little ski facility tucked up against the mighty (over 14000ft) Mount Shasta. It's too small to be called a resort, and there's no lodging with ski-in ski-out access to the slopes. From San Francisco, it's a 285 mile drive north along Interstate 5 to Mount Shasta town (about 5 miles from the slopes).

Beginners will breath a long sigh of relief when the realisation dawns that here's a low stress, encouraging, enjoyable environment in which to make those first awkward stumbling attempts. The area below Marmot Ridge(at 6150ft) is just made for novices, with long low-gradient trails. The ski school offers excellent first-time lessons, with a gentle patient approach.

Intermediates will enjoy a couple of the slightly steeper trails off Marmot Ridge, but better skiing is found below Douglas Butte (6600ft), with some challenging trails like Highland Glide and North Saddle.

For experts, there's a whole range of plunging runs, both of Douglas Butte, and off Coyote Butte (at 6880ft). The snow can be just as good as the best anywhere, and the day after a good fall, you'll get that super 'floating' feeling, as you head down the chutes on light powder.

Accomodation is about a 10 minute drive down the valley, in Mount Shasta town, or nearby McCloud. There's plenty available for those on a budget, including motels and rentals.

Best Ski Resort's rating : Experts 3 stars out of 5, Intermediates 3 out of 5, Beginners 5 out of 5.