What It’s Like Backcountry Skiing One Hour Away From Downtown Los Angeles

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated 4/22/24

It's true—Los Angeles, California, isn't usually thought of as a ski destination. Instead, when the city is named, images of crowded highways, sunny beaches, and tanned celebrities come to mind.

This video from Mediocre Amateur should change that perception a bit.

In the video, Mediocre Amateur embarked on a backcountry skiing mission to Mount San Antonio, which, depending on the traffic, is about an hour's drive from downtown Los Angeles.

As it turns out, the backcountry zone Mediocre Amateur hit isn't the only skiing opportunity near Los Angeles. There are also lift-accessed options like the Mt. Waterman Ski Lifts and Mt. Baldy Resort, which are less than two hours away by car.

I know, I know, to all the Los Angeles skiers and boarders, this isn't news to you, but you have to admit that, from a perception standpoint, relatively accessible skiing and Los Angeles are an odd couple.

In fact, from a pure hours-driven to ski slope access standpoint, the city is almost on par with some places more commonly associated with mountains and skiing, like Denver, Colorado.

Of course, there are dramatic differences between Mt. Baldy Resort and, say, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado. But the point remains: skiing often exists in the places many of us would least expect. Heck, even Scotland.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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