Go Ice Skating at the Siskiyou Ice Rink

Imagine yourself gliding on a beautiful frozen outdoor ice rink under the snowcapped peaks of Mt Shasta! This epic experience can be had at Mt Shata’s Shastice Park 7 days a week from mid-November through February. Admission and Skate rentals are $10 for adults, and $8 for youth, seniors and active military. Skates can be rented for $2.

Cozy Up with a Warm Beverage

Grab a Hot Cocoa or warming Coffee or Tea drink at one of our many excellent local coffee houses and drive-thru espresso spots. Siskiyou knows how to keep you warm from the inside as you explore during the winter months. Some of our favorite spots to get cozy and caffeinated are Zephyr Books and Coffee in Yreka, Farmhouse Bakery in Etna, Ukonom Gold in Fort Jones, Spill the Beans in McCloud, Theory in Mt Shasta, and Ellie’s Espresso in Weed.

Hit the Slopes at Mt Shasta Ski Park

Siskiyou’s premiere ski resort is located on the southside of stratovolcano Mount Shasta, between the towns of McCloud and Mt Shasta. There are a total of 38 ski trails covering 635 acres of skiable terrain, accessed by 6 lifts. The base area is located at 5,500 feet elevation, so even if you just come to enjoy the après at the lodge and fire pit, you will be sure to feel that you are in the alpine! A Tube Park, Rentals and Lessons are all available for beginners and for those more intermediate and experienced shredders, Gray Butte Chair, installed in 2023, opened up higher elevation terrain and access to some of the most epic backcountry spots on the mountain. “The Ski Park” as locals call it, is independently run and definitely has a family vibe you just got to check out!

Attend a Holiday Event

Holiday events are all the buzz around Siskiyou this time of year and each community has its own spin on things. McCloud hosts Winter Fest every weekend December with a kids day, Yuletide bazaar and a special showing of the movie the Polar Express. Mt Shasta is home to the annual Winter Magic event with an ugly sweater run, horse and carriage rides and a holiday parade. Yreka hosts Discover Siskiyou’s own signature event, the Night of Lights. This evening combines an outdoor holiday market with downtown shopping, a tree lighting and lots of free fun for families and kids. Check out the events calendar for more holiday events.

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Christmas Menu Items

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Hit the Slopes

Mt. Shasta is often referred to as Siskiyou’s crown jewel, and for good reason. This majestic giant surveys nearly all of Siskiyou County. In the winter months, it becomes one of the best spots to get some great skiing or snowboarding runs in, regardless of skill level. Head to Mt. Shasta Ski Park to traverse the park’s over 400 acres of skiable terrain. You can take lessons from the experts before zipping down the mountain, and all ages are welcome, so it’s a great stop for anyone traveling with the family. Or, head to the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, where you’ll find access to over a dozen ski trails and a cozy base area for unwinding afterward.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous — and you’re confident on a pair of skis — you can also venture further into Siskiyou’s beautiful natural landscape and try your hand at backcountry skiing. While we don’t recommend this for beginners, it can be a great way to explore Mt. Shasta, provided you follow all safety precautions. Bunny Flat Trail provides backcountry adventurers a chance to forge out into the surrounding wilderness of the mountain, where you’re sure to find breathtaking views and a truly unforgettable experience. For a gentler ski experience that still allows you to escape into nature, you can also head to Sand Flat Trail for prime cross-country skiing trails.

Totally Tubular! Snow Tubing & Sledding Opportunities

If you’re a little intimidated by the prospect of tackling the mountain slopes, no problem! There are plenty of places to get the same thrilling rush of flying down a snowy hill without having to strap into a board. In addition to its numerous skiing and snowboarding slopes, Mt. Shasta Ski Park boasts a large snow tubing hill, perfect for kids, adults and everyone in between. Or, for a BYOS (bring your own sled, of course!) experience, head to Snowman’s Hill, a designated sledding hill that offers sledders 300 feet of fast-paced downhill thrills.

Snowmobiling

Another great way to experience Siskiyou’s wild backcountry is atop a snowmobile. Snowmobilers can choose from one of three interconnected snowmobiling parks, each with warming huts, restrooms, designated parking areas and both groomed and ungroomed snowmobiling trails. At Deer Mountain Snowmobiling Park you’ll find everything you need for your snowmobiling adventure, including rentals, guided lessons and more, courtesy of Fun Factory Snowmobiling. Pilgrim Creek Snowmobiling Park and Doorknob Warming Hut Snow Park both offer hundreds of miles of adventurous trails to embark on as well.

‘Tis the Season

You can’t help but fall a little in love with the holidays if you’re spending them in Siskiyou. Get into the holiday spirit with some festive activities, like ice skating at Shastice Park. Take in the winter scenery at this fully outdoor ice rink, which welcomes skaters of all ages and experience levels.

Instead of buying a Christmas tree, start a new holiday tradition this year and head out into the snow-covered forests of Siskiyou to find your tree. Christmas tree cutting permits are available all December, and an afternoon spent searching for your perfect tree will be sure to make this holiday a standout. For our guide on how to find and cut your Christmas tree, check out this blog.

Even if you aren’t planning to take a Christmas tree home, it’s worth putting on your warmest winter boots and hiking some of Siskiyou’s best trails. In the winter, Lake Siskiyou might be too cold to swim in — but the views you’ll find along the trail loop make it a must-stop. Hedge Creek Falls or the McCloud Falls, both beginner-friendly waterfall hikes, are also excellent (and Instagrammable!) trails to wander in the colder months.

Plan Your Getaway

Whether you’re needing a cozy escape in the winter months or you’re planning your travel adventures for the new year, California’s real North is waiting for you. Plan your escape today and see what epic adventures could be in store.

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Expect charming carriage rides, cookie decorating, face painting, live balloon art and magicians, and delightful crafts ranging from rock painting to ornament making. Kids can drop off letters to Santa—each one earning a donation to Make-A-Wish through the Macy’s Believe campaign—and meet him in person at the Mercantile or local museum.

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Activities often include a Victorian tea hosted by the McCloud Hotel, decorated house and church tours, and seasonal craft bazaars. Visitors enjoy tree-lighting ceremonies, carolers, choir performances, and themed character breakfasts featuring Santa, Frosty, the Grinch, and more.

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McCloud Vintage Christmas delights guests with its nostalgic charm, creative seasonal events, and small-town hospitality—perfect for families or anyone seeking a sprinkle of old-fashioned holiday magic.

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