Cozy lodging with fireplaces, warm comfort food and gorgeous views make Siskiyou a great place to stay during the winter – especially because your days can be filled with tons of winter wonderland adventures. Just about every kind of winter activity you can think of can be done in Siskiyou, but here’s a round up of some of its ultimate snow adventures that should be on everyone’s winter adventure bucket list!
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
Siskiyou is lucky enough to have its own ski park, so if you’re coming here in the winter for snow adventures you can’t miss skiing or snowboarding the fifth highest peak in California at Mt. Shasta Ski Park. Featuring over 400 acres of skiable terrain on 32 trails along with night skiing, two terrain parks, snow tubing, and backcountry skiing. The ski area lies about 6 miles south of the Mount Shasta summit, providing breathtaking views of the immense volcano, as well as great nearby adventure lodging options like the Inn at Mt. Shasta and Summit View Inn. You can also take advantage of Siskiyou’s proximity to the Mt. Ashland Ski Area in Southern Oregon and ski two mountains in one weekend, using centrally-located Yreka as your home base! For more lodging ideas, visit here.
Nordic Ski Center
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are just two of the unique experiences that can navigate you through some of Siskiyou’s backcountry areas. Head on over to the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center to explore their expanded 7.5-mile network of packed trails. You can rent snowshoes and lightweight gear there or at any one of the several stores in the area. You’ll have a great time laying your own tracks on the snowy trails of Mount Shasta’s backcountry. For advice on how to make the most of a snowshoe adventure there, visit here.
Deer Mountain Snowpark
Exhilarating, breathless and thrilling are just some of the words used to describe snowmobiling the backcountry in Siskiyou. Deer Mountain Snowpark is a winter adventurer’s paradise with over 250 miles of snowmobile trails leading you deep into Siskiyou forest areas and providing you with stunning views of the wilderness and natural habitat. To rent snowmobiles, check out Fun Factory Rentals that offers equipment as well as guided tours.
Snowman’s Hill
Once a ski jump, Snowman’s Hill is now a designating sledding and tobogganing hill on Highway 89 on the road to McCloud. It has an average run length of 300’ so is sure to delight anyone looking for a thrill, and depending on snowfall, can be enjoyed for snow adventures all winter into May. There is also ample parking, restrooms and weekend crowds so it might be better suited for slightly older children.
Castle Lake
Make your way to Castle Lake to experience one of California’s best ice fishing locations. The 47-acre lake is 120 feet deep next to a steep rock wall. Ice fishing here is truly a rewarding snow adventures experience! Don’t forget to dress warmly and bring a lawn chair. It’s also another great place to snowshoe. Check out more about that here!
Ice Skating at Shastice Park
Siskiyou even has its own ice rink – in fact it has the largest outdoor ice rink on the west coast that comes with breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Shasta, the Eddys and Black Butte. Located in Shastice Park behind Mount Shasta High School, it’s open November through March. On Saturday and Sunday you can even join a pick up game of ice hockey. Skate rental and hot drinks available on-site.
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Starting with the weekend of Thanksgiving, many people get a permit and make snow adventures of going out into the woods and cutting down their own Christmas Tree. There’s nothing like a fresh cut tree to fill your house with a great woodsy smell plus they last longer than a lot tree, since trees from a lot are typically cut several days or weeks before reaching the lot. Typically, the best time to cut your own tree is between late November and mid-December since well-watered trees can usually hold its needles for 3-4 weeks. For advice on how to pick a tree and where to get a permit, visit here.
Escape to California’s north for perfect snow-filled adventures. Book your trip today! For tips on driving on in winter conditions, visit here.
