I want to be perfectly honest with you. I did not ski until I was fifty-two years old.
My wife Patricia thought I had lost my mind. My son Derek said, and I am quoting directly here, "Dad, that seems like a you problem." But I had driven past the mountains for thirty-one years living in El Cajon, and something about retirement and a bad knee that had finally healed just made me decide that enough was enough.
I took a lesson at Mountain High in Wrightwood. I fell down seven times on the first run. I got back up seven times. By the end of the second day I made it down a green run without stopping and I cried a little bit in my goggles where nobody could see.
I am telling you this because I want you to know that Southern California has excellent options for beginner skiers, and that it is never too late, and that if a fifty-two-year-old retired PE teacher with a formerly bad knee can do this, you can absolutely do this.
Here is what I found, organized for maximum helpfulness.
Mountain High Resort, Wrightwood -- Best Overall for Beginners
Mountain High is where I started and where I continue to recommend that any new skier start. The reason is the North Resort, which is almost entirely beginner and intermediate terrain. Green and blue runs with different characters, so you are not skiing the same run over and over getting bored, which is a real problem at some mountains.
The East Resort has a beginner area as well, plus it houses Goldrush, a 1.6-mile intermediate run that is excellent for when you are ready to graduate. The instructors at Mountain High are certified professionals. I know because I asked mine several times about his certification and he was very patient with me.
Mountain High is about two and a half to three hours from San Diego depending on traffic, and you avoid most of the Big Bear weekend backup. Night skiing is available every night during peak season. I recommend the night skiing once you have your legs under you. There is something magical about skiing under lights that I did not expect.
Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake -- Best for Families
Snow Summit is the gentler of the two Big Bear mountains and the one I recommend for families with young children. The beginner terrain is extensive, both in the base area and on top-to-bottom runs where you can get a real sense of accomplishment without being in over your head.
The Adventure Academy at Snow Summit offers lessons for all skill levels. I have observed their instruction personally and found it thorough. The tube park is also excellent for children or adults who want to enjoy the snow without committing to skis on a given day, which is a sensible option that I wish had been available in my early lessons when I needed more recovery time between attempts.
Snow Valley and Bear Mountain are nearby if your companions want more challenging terrain while you are in your lesson. The lift tickets work across the Big Bear family of resorts, which is a very practical arrangement.
Snow Summit is about three hours from San Diego. Leave by seven in the morning to get good parking and avoid weekend traffic. I say this from experience.
Snow Valley Mountain Resort, Running Springs -- Closest to San Diego
At two hours and forty minutes from San Diego, Snow Valley is the closest major ski resort to our area. This makes it excellent for a first trip, because the driving commitment is lower and you are not exhausted before you even begin.
Snow Valley has 240 skiable acres and 32 trails across all ability levels. The Children's Learning Center offers ski lessons for young beginners. Adults are welcome in the lesson programs as well. I know because I asked.
The terrain parks and black runs are available for companions who ski at a more advanced level, so you will not feel like you are slowing anyone down. The resort has three bars and two restaurants, which is relevant information for apres-ski planning. Three bars at a ski resort is a ratio I find reassuring.
A Note on Mount Baldy and Mount Waterman
I want to briefly mention Mount Baldy and Mount Waterman, not because I recommend them for beginners, but because people ask about them and you deserve an honest answer.
Mount Baldy is primarily an advanced mountain. The lower slopes have some beginner and intermediate terrain, but the resort's identity is steep chutes and challenging runs. If you are brand new, this is not your first mountain. It is, however, excellent to know about for later.
Mount Waterman is a small, no-frills ski area of about 150 acres with 27 runs. It relies entirely on natural snow. The runs are primarily black diamond trails. I visited out of curiosity and respect it enormously as an experience for advanced skiers, but as a beginner location it is not appropriate. I say this with warmth.
My Advice for First-Timers
Take a lesson. I know some of you will read that and say you will "just figure it out" on the mountain. I did this for approximately forty-five minutes before I took a lesson and I am telling you it is not worth the stubbornness. The lesson will save you from developing bad habits and from crying in your goggles, which, as I mentioned, I did anyway but at least it was from joy rather than frustration.
Dress warmer than you think you need to. Rent your equipment the first time. And check road conditions and chain control requirements before you leave home. California's Caltrans website (dot.ca.gov) has real-time updates. Do not skip this step.
The mountain will still be there when you are ready. I promise.
First time on skis? You're going to love it. Mirage Mountain has runs for every level and instructors who have seen it all. (Even the crying-in-goggles part.) Plan your first trip.
Gerald Hoffsteader lives in El Cajon with his wife Patricia and their dog Chester. He has been skiing for six years and considers it one of the better decisions of his retirement. His son Derek has since taken up skiing as well, which Gerald mentions to him at every available opportunity.