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SB Snow Days
updated: Nov 30, 2012, 10:36 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

Snow Days for Santa Barbarans. Wondering where Santa Barbarans typically go to experience the snow. We are very snow-inexperienced beach bums, but our kids are getting older and we'd like to take them someplace for cross-country skiing/snow shoeing/sledding. Suggestions on where to go and smart items to stock up on welcomed.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 348742	2012-11-30 10:44 AM
I moved to Santa Barbara 16 years ago to get the hell away from the snow, and I have absolutely no wish to see it, shovel it, slide my car in it, or freeze in it again.
COMMENT 348754	2012-11-30 10:53 AM
Frazier Park up I-5 is where I used to take my kids.
COMMENT 348757	2012-11-30 10:55 AM
Don't bother with Mountain High or Mount Baldy unless they get a LOT of snow. Otherwise you'll end up with with ice or slush and neither is pleasant, especially for snow-newbies. I've always loved June Mountain and the 6 hour drive is worth it for me, but they are closed this season. I can't justify that same drive + cost of lodging + Mammoth Mountain lift ticket prices, but I know a lot of people swear by Mammoth. I've never been to Big Bear, but hear it's okay. All of these areas should have non skiing or snowboarding activities for younger kids, like sledding or snow shoeing. Depending on the rain/temps this winter, we might get snow up in our own mountains, and a 20 minute drive up 154 will let your kids experience snow dusted trails to make foot prints in. Excited to see other Edhatter's recommendations, I'm looking for a new snow spot to fill June Mountain's void this season!
COMMENT 348758	2012-11-30 10:55 AM
if my iPhone5 maps would work correctly, I would say Big Bear, but it looks like I am headed to Magic Mountain... /sigh
COMMENT 348760	2012-11-30 10:59 AM
Mount Pinos is probably closest. Stay at Pine Mtn Club... many vacation rentals. Only 1.5 hours or so out of Ojai (may be longer but it's such a fun drive/ride that time flies) .... take Hwy33 north to Lockwood Valley then right on Cuddy Valley to Pine Mtn Club.
COMMENT 348761	2012-11-30 10:59 AM
Palomar Mountain, Big Bear or Angeles National Forest are all nice.
COMMENT 348768P	2012-11-30 11:06 AM
The Santa Barbara Zoo http://www.sbzoo.org/event-calendar#snow
COMMENT 348797	2012-11-30 12:02 PM
Snort it.
COMMENT 348798	2012-11-30 12:04 PM
Lake Tahoe, Yosemite Valley/Badger Pass, Mammoth Mountain. If good winter conditions exist in Yosemite Valley, we'll often stay there at Yosemite Lodge or The Ahwahnee Hotel and ski, x-country ski and snowshoe at Badger Pass and Yosemite Valley. And, of course, the outdoor ice rink at Curry Village is magical at night under a blanket of glistening snow when illuminated by a full moon!
COMMENT 348815	2012-11-30 12:32 PM
Mammoth, but I get amazingly affordable accomodations and don't pay for lift tickets cuz I don't ski or board.
COMMENT 348829P	2012-11-30 01:03 PM
Mammoth.
COMMENT 348833	2012-11-30 01:05 PM
Charlie Sheen's house...
COMMENT 348836P	2012-11-30 01:14 PM
Lake Arrowhead is less than 3 hours from SB. Fun place for kids to play, but no skiing right there.
COMMENT 348839	2012-11-30 01:16 PM
There is a great place that is not well known It is called Pondeosa It is in the south sierras and up out of porterville/ camp nelson lots of cabins and homes to rent lots of trails and snow mobiling don not forget the redwoods they are so pretty in the snow, There is hardly a sole to be seen up there Good food and resonable rental rates also just a 4 hr drive great for the weekend or a mid week trip, It is very peacfull compared to anywere in the state As for the day trip frazer park area it is a 3.5 hr drive the back way 33 or less than 2 hrs going to I 126 to I 5. The mt pinos area is full of little problems the ventura thing and you are not aloud to park onlong the road so many tickets are given out daily Not what i call relaxing Looks like it will be a month before we get any resonable low leavel snow,6000 ft ,,Best of luck to you
COMMENT 348851	2012-11-30 01:40 PM
I LOVE Ponderosa! We got stuck in the snow there on Memorial Day one year! Wonderful place, and the lodge is awesome.
COMMENT 348855	2012-11-30 01:52 PM
There will be 10 TONS of SNOW at the Buellton Winterfest this weekend. The day starts out with Breakfast with Santa (free to kids under 10) and festivities throughout the day. Snow will be ready for slipping and sliding from 4-8pm on the Avenue of Flags. Light parade and caroling at 6 and Christmas Tree lighting at 7. Come on over to Buellton and frolick in the snow. Additional information available at www.buellton.org.
SHOREBIRD	2012-11-30 02:00 PM
When I miss snow I watch the Weather Channel for a few minutes. That's all I need.
AUNTIE S.	2012-11-30 02:03 PM
Isecond Mt. Pinos, also Mt.Abel. You can make it a 2-day trip and stay overnight at the Cuyama Buckhorn. Adventure!
COMMENT 348865	2012-11-30 02:03 PM
Lake tahoe!!!! But if you are wanting a quick fix, the santa Barbara zoo is having a snow festival this Sunday along with other fun things to do. I believe it starts at ten. Not sure how old your kids are but maybe this helps.
COMMENT 348923	2012-11-30 03:18 PM
OP says thank you for the thoughtful replies. Thinking of more than a day trip, so the Yosemite/Badger idea sounds really good. Liked the Charlie Sheen suggestion too though!
COMMENT 348926	2012-11-30 03:19 PM
Had a friend that use to own a cabin at Ponderosa, loved it, went many times
COMMENT 348947	2012-11-30 03:39 PM
wrightwood - three easy hours
EDHATBARBARA	2012-11-30 03:43 PM
I've had a wonderful time at Yosemite -- their 4 seasons resort in West Yosemite has wonderful condo and house rentals just a few minutes outside of the valley floor. Also, the Tenaya Lodge, outside the southern entrance is terrific, too! Have fun!!
COMMENT 348961	2012-11-30 04:07 PM
I've seen snow on figueroa mountain. Got stuck in mud but made it thru!
COMMENT 348994	2012-11-30 05:19 PM
Have skied and boarded figueroa.
COMMENT 349192	2012-12-01 10:46 AM
Maybe once a year we get local snow and you can try Camino Cielo for snow play. However, it is dangerous because people go up there with no snow chains, no 4 wheel drive, no snow experience, etc. and there are a number of accidents. My Dad owned a cabin @ Pine Mt. Club, so we always went cross country skiing on Mount Pinos, Frazier Park. There are ski rental places, but call around and try to find metal edges because it can get icy on top and wind blown. Pack backpacks as if you are camping - socks, extra dry clothes, hand and toe warmers, granola or energy bars, water or gatoraid. Keep warm drinks in the car and blankets. The further away you get up the trail from the parking lot, the better the snow due to LA tourists who trample all over the trail. It is gorgeous and worth the effort of leaving here at 6 a.m.
COMMENT 349194	2012-12-01 10:50 AM
We own a place in Green Valley Lake on the way to Big Bear. It is 200 miles there but worth it. No crowds no traffic and only 30 minutes from skiing at Snow Valley for skiing, boarding or sledding.
COMMENT 349267P	2012-12-01 02:25 PM
just a little farther than Camp Nelson is Sequoia Nt'l Park, on 198. (via Paso Robles-Visalia-Three Rivers) You'll need chains but lots of opportunities for x country and snowshoe around Giant Forest, and there's a small ski run good for beginners too. Lodging in the park, or at the base in Three Rivers. Very low key but can be crowded with locals on holidays like MLK. Nothing like seeing giant sequoias with a mantle of snow. Cross country takes some practice--you might want to go somewhere with groomed trails. It's a lot of work to break your own in soft powder. Don't forget snow saucers, wool glove liners and extra wool socks, and waterproof pants--no jeans! (Wool keeps you warm even when wet!) I'll never forget the poor student years when we got waxed chicken boxes from the butcher, deconstructed them into rough toboggans, and had so much fun !

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