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The Best Mountain
You've Never Seen.

Southern California's newest ski resort. Palomar Mountain. 6,100 feet. Opening Winter 2026/27.

Yes, really. A ski resort. In San Diego.

Welcome to the Impossible

A ski resort where palm trees meet powder.

Mirage Mountain Resort is rising on the north-facing slopes of Palomar Mountain, 6,100 feet above San Diego County. Ski by day. Stargaze by night. Question everything you thought you knew about Southern California.

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By The Numbers

The Stats Don't Lie.
(okay, the “palm trees” one is aspirational)

0 ft
Summit Elevation
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Vertical Drop
0 min
From San Diego
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Planned Runs
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World-Famous Observatory
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Other Resorts With Palm Trees at the Summit

What We're Building

Three Good Reasons to Believe.

The Mountain

22 runs across 280 skiable acres. North-facing slopes that hold snow like a secret. Terrain from bunny hill to "why did I do that."

Send it.

The Observatory

Palomar Observatory has been mapping the universe since 1948. Now it's your après-ski plan. Ski all day, contemplate the infinite void of space all night.

Whoa.

The Lodge

Timber frame. Stone fireplace. Chili that will be on the stove from day one until the heat death of the universe. No velvet ropes. No dress code. Just warmth.

Cozy.

Awards & Recognition

The Industry's Paying Attention.

Before a single lift has spun for the public, Mirage Mountain is already being called Southern California's next great ski destination. Here's what the critics are saying.

2026

#1

Ranked Ski Resort

Best Ski Resorts Near San Diego

San Diego Ski GuideSee Ranking
2025

#1

Ski Resort in Southern California

Annual Industry Rankings

SkiSoCalSee Ranking
2025

Best Infrastructure

A masterclass in modern resort engineering — fastest lift network, zero-wait connectivity

The Ski AwardsSee Ranking
2025

Golden Eagle Award

For Environmental Excellence

SkiSoCalSee Ranking
2025

Best Family Ski Resort

Southern California

SkiSoCalSee Ranking
2024

Best Beginner Terrain

California

SkiSoCalSee Ranking

Our Timeline

Sun-Kissed Slopes Since... Recently.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was this. But we're faster than Rome.

OCT2024
Announced
MAR2025
Approved
JUL2025
Broke Ground
NOW
Lifts Going Up
DEC2026
Opening Day

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

What We've Been Up To

LODGE

Apr 2, 2026

Lodge Furniture Arrives

Custom timber tables, leather armchairs, and 200 feet of bar top arrived this week. The Warming Hut is starting to feel like a place you'd actually want to sit down in.

CONSTRUCTION

Mar 14, 2026

Snowmaking Passes Final Test

All 180 fan guns fired simultaneously for the first time. Pressure held across every zone. 60% of skiable terrain can now be covered in under 36 hours.

LIFTS

Feb 20, 2026

Stardust Express First Test Run

The flagship high-speed quad carried its first passengers -- a handful of very nervous engineers. 2,400 feet of cable, zero issues. The mountain has a heartbeat.

LIFTS

Jan 10, 2026

All Lift Towers Installed

The final tower for the Boucher Platter was set into place this morning. Four lifts, 28 towers, all cabled and tensioned. Next up: safety inspections and test runs.

MOUNTAIN

Dec 18, 2025

First Natural Snowfall on Runs

Six inches overnight on the upper mountain. The freshly shaped runs held snow exactly as designed. The north-facing aspect is doing its job.

LIFTS

Nov 5, 2025

Hale Lift Tower Installation Begins

Helicopter drops started at dawn for the summit chair. Named after George Ellery Hale, this lift will take riders from mid-mountain to the top of everything.

LODGE

Oct 12, 2025

Lodge Timber Frame Topped Out

The last beam was placed on the Warming Hut today. 12,000 square feet of timber frame, stone, and glass. The topping-out ceremony involved a small tree, a flag, and a lot of cheering.

LIFTS

Sep 8, 2025

Lift Towers Arrive On-Site

Fourteen flatbed trucks wound their way up Palomar Mountain Road carrying the first batch of steel towers for Stardust Express. Neighbors were... interested.

MOUNTAIN

Aug 15, 2025

Trail Clearing Complete

22 runs shaped across 280 acres of north-facing terrain. From gentle groomers to steep chutes, the mountain now has a personality. Grading crews earned every dollar.

MILESTONE

Jul 1, 2025

Official Groundbreaking

Shovels hit dirt at 6,100 feet. The governor, the county supervisor, and about 300 very sunburned supporters showed up. Construction is officially underway.

LODGE

Jun 10, 2025

Lodge Foundation Poured

450 cubic yards of concrete went into the ground for the Warming Hut foundation. The base lodge footprint is real now -- not just lines on a blueprint.

PERMITS

Apr 22, 2025

County Issues Construction Permits

San Diego County officially issued the full construction permit package. Every environmental, zoning, and safety review passed. Green light across the board.

PERMITS

Mar 5, 2025

Governor Signs Resort Approval

The governor signed the Palomar Mountain recreation development bill. A ski resort in Southern California now has the full backing of the state. History made.

PERMITS

Jan 18, 2025

Environmental Study Approved

After 14 months of review, the environmental impact study received final approval. Water usage, wildlife corridors, and erosion plans all cleared. The biggest hurdle is behind us.

MILESTONE

Oct 15, 2024

Mirage Mountain Announced

We told the world we're building a ski resort on Palomar Mountain. Southern California's first. The internet had opinions. We had blueprints.

Limited Availability

Be Here From the Beginning.

The Eternal Snow Founding Member Pass. Unlimited skiing, priority access, your name on the wall. Limited to the first 1,000.

$449for the inaugural season

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