In summer months, majestic Mt. Shasta is a climber’s paradise, but during the winter months, this volcanic peak in Northern California becomes decidedly more family friendly. Mt. Shasta Ski Park offers up 425 acres of downhill skiing and snowboarding, plus tubing and cross-country trails.
Mt. Shasta Ski Park review:
The ski park is located about a ten minute drive from the quirky town of Mount Shasta, off I-5. In town, families will find good eateries and lodging options, including our favorite: Mt. Shasta Treehouse Inn. The ski park itself is ideal for families with beginners and intermediate skiers, with runs for the experts, too. Here’s how to navigate the mountain:
Everyone will start in the same parking lot and buy tickets and other essentials at the one and only base lodge. From the lodge, skiers and riders have the option of heading uphill on the Marmot (best for solid beginners and intermediates) or Douglas (best for advanced and experts). There’s also the small learning carpet directly from the lodge. In total, there are three triple chairs and two carpets.
Note: If you need to rent gear, this option is available at the lodge. However, the line gets long on holiday weekends! Get there early to avoid the rental shop running out of your size. You can also rent in Redding.
We have expert skiers and riders, but our kids still really enjoy going up Marmot to try their skills at the terrain park off Silvertip. While there are some fairly large elements, most are at the beginner and intermediate level, which suits us just fine. From either lift, you can connect with Coyote Butte lift, which has primarily black diamond runs, a larger terrain park (when there’s enough snow), and one blue square (intermediate) that leads into one green circle (beginner).
Kids will find fun trails and jumps along Panther Creek, in the ‘lowlands’ before reaching the lodge, and nice tree skiing off the top of Coyote Butte. What we like best about Mt. Shasta: the entire mountain is very accessible once you have at least intermediate skiers and riders, and all trails and runs funnel down to the same base area. This makes it easier for older kids to feel some independence exploring the terrain without adults hovering.
Dining at Mt. Shasta:
For a small ski resort, Mt. Shasta has quite a few dining options, including three venues in the main lodge, a BBQ place at the top of Douglas Butte, and a full bar. And like any small ski resort worth its salt, Mt. Shasta welcomes families packing in their own lunches, as well. Lockers are available to rent, or you can do what we do: store lunch on available shelves. We’ve never had a problem.
Lift ticket pricing:
All day lift tickets on weekends are $54 for adults, $30 for kids 8-12, and $12 for kids seven and under (or adults over 70). This pricing is very welcome to parents used to paying big resort prices! Monday-Thursday pricing is even lower. Rentals are available at the lodge.
Directions:
Traveling north or south on Interstate 5 take Exit 736 unto Hwy 89. On Hwy 89 drive 4 miles east, on summit turn left into Ski Park Hwy and drive 4.5 miles to the resort. Mt. Shasta Ski Park is about one hour’s drive from Redding, CA.
