California's Mt. Shasta Ski [& Snowboard] Park

Misty Mountain Hops, Pops, and Drops at This Hidden Gem of a Spot

Aug 12, 2025

There are places on this earth that act as conductors, or lightning rods, for spiritual and cosmic energies, drawing to them strange and inexplicable occurrences. They incite mystics and seekers in pursuit of enlightenment or escapism. Egypt has its pyramids, England its crop circles, Peru the Nazca Plains, and for North America, it’s Mt. Shasta in Northern California. Considered one of seven sacred peaks in the world, it is said to be the home of the city of Telos.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Shasta is special—to say the least. I’ve been riding here since Winter 1994, and I wrote the intro above that same season. I pulled it from a newsprint copy of a Sacramento scene ’zine, Heckler. Whether I’m returning year after year or after long lapses in between, it is a consistent geographical proposition of promise, praise, and play.

I’ve explored more here than any other resort in my years of riding. Its phenomena are compelling, drawing you to the power and grace of a majestic mountain. There’s magic afoot. BIG medicine. And most often, mid-winter POW potentially blesses the humble little resort of Mt. Shasta Ski Park, tucked into the timberline on the southeastern slope of this dormant volcano, with a height of 14,162’.

It has reminded some well-traveled visitors of Japan, on occasion, with a similar quality of snow. February tends to receive the greatest accumulations of the winter, contributing to their respectable average annual snowfall of 275”. Yet, aside from a general passerby’s curiosity, this zone seems to be often missed ... simply because it’s disregarded as a destination. Seeking out pow stashes, ripping and riding steeps, trees, groomers, and hitting cat tracks with some light traverses, there are curiously uncommon lines that live outside conventions, so your own experience may likely be unique and unified in stoke.

The overall vibe is a mellow one: a combination of the metaphysical meets the State of Jefferson movement—activists and separatists, SoCal transplants, lurkers, and ex-loggers, coexisting reasonably. Icons of the sport like Craig Kelly, Terry Kidwell, and Rob Morrow sought shred revelry in the backcountry in the early ’90s. Matt Kass (Danny’s brother) bagged a TransWorld SNOWboarding cover when a pipe was present at the Park. More recently of note is Sleepy Scott Stevens, though…

During Summer 2022, the Ski Park saw installation of the Gray Butte quad, which affords an elevation gain with a vertical rise of 1,144’ and an additional 211 acres of lift-accessed terrain (and 450 acres of backcountry). It’s one of only two lifts installed then across the U.S. that opened all-new terrain that season and is the culmination of 15 years of budgeting and planning.

HOW TO GET THERE

Mt. Shasta Ski Park is located a few miles from Interstate 5, just off Highway 89, between Mt. Shasta proper and the town of McCloud, in the Siskiyou National Forest. It’s an approximately 4-hour drive from the north Bay Area and a 6-hour drive south from Portland.

If you’re planning to fly in, the closest airport is Redding Municipal - RDD (83 miles, 1 hr 30 min), followed by Rogue Valley International Medford - MFR (103 miles, 1 hr 50 min drive time).

WHAT’S IT COST

Single-day lift tickets: [2025/26 prices yet posted]

@mtshastaskipark | Website: skipark.com

WHERE TO STAY

Summit View Inn

Formerly a LOGE Camps location, I can’t speak to the quality of accommodations offered by its new proprietor-owner (though they do intend to maintain it as it was set and staged by its predecessor). However, a few years back, this was the absolute best option in town for an après hang and a good night’s sleep.

“Located on the flanks of California’s most magical peak, this is your ultimate adventure outpost: Take your pick from a variety of lodging options: hotel rooms, hostel bunks, or camping; an amply outfitted communal kitchen, fireside lounge, auxiliary gear room, and in-room boot dryers.”

Website: summitviewinn.com

LOCAL SHOP

Sportsman’s Den

Forget something, need a rental or a repair? They can fix you up! Located in the town of Mt. Shasta , they’re open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their number is (530) 926-2295 | Website: sportsmansden.com

This post honors a smaller resort that I hold great appreciation for, one that hopefully inspires your own investment in the well-being of its mountain community. Mt. Shasta’s pull isn’t just in the snow or the terrain; it’s in the way the mountain itself resonates, offering a promise of something extra—be it a fresh line, a moment of peace, or a feeling of belonging. And if you’re lucky enough to feel into it, you’ll find that it’s an experience you’ll want to return to often.