This review is specifically in regards to snow sport season. When Mt. Waterman (only 30-miles up the ACH) opens, that's a very special occasion because they really only get to open for skiing once every 3 to 5 years because of a wide variety of factors; they do not make any snow and rely fully on mother nature, the winter can be very harsh on the mountain roads, which cuts them off a lot of times, one year a forest fire took out their phone lines, etc etc etc... it's always something. Therefore, you can't plan to go to Mt. Waterman, you just have to be ready to run when they do open! This resort may not share the polish of the other local resorts, but the entire staff is a class act and they're all just ON IT when it comes time to opening with very little notice. The people who come out are all so appreciate of the staff and you can hear everyone telling the staff thank you, etc all day, as well as chatter amongst themselves. People are generally very, very happy to be there and don't worry about the minor inconveniences that they might bitch about at the other resorts. Everyone has to get there and enjoyment while they're there because you really never know when you might be there again. The chairs are older and slower, but extremely well maintained and they get you up the slopes! Come and enjoy it anytime you can. As far as summer, the hiking trails and views are awesome and they have summer recreational sports as well, but winter is the special time to visit. read more

See all

Boarded here on a snowy day with my friends, empty lift lines, friendly staff, very rustic feel, on a nice snowy day it's definitely worth the trip up. read more

Mount Waterman Ski Lifts - Ski Resorts Near Me - La Canada, California

See all

Mt Waterman is truly the greatest, local ski resort in the L.A.area. One hour from Burbank. "Snow from heavens, not from hoses" is their slogan and its exactly that. They do not blow snow. So the resort relies solely on Mother Nature! This year has been pretty exceptional. Open on weekends only, unless otherwise reported on their snow phone and/or website or Facebook page. There are 3 chairlifts. The Face of the mountain is experts only and can be closed if deemed unsafe (ice is generally the main culprit). The other two lifts are located at the top back of the mountain and have easy to intermediate runs. The runs tend to be a lot shorter in the back, but bonus... this place is never too packed. From what others have said, this mountain is better for skiers, and you'll see a good amount of them here. But snowboarders do come here too. As well as day hikers or those just looking to sit by a roaring fire on the top of a snow capped mountain. Lift tickets are $50 all day (ski/snowboard). $40 half day, after noon. $20 non ski user. They also offer season passes. Parking lot can fill up fast on weekend days, but there are several small lots just up and down the road. I always recommend having an ADVENTURE PASS , but it is not required in their lots. But the sheriff's will have your car towed if you park over the white lines, so keep that in mind...it's a long way to any tow yard! read more

It's been closed for years, but is a great overlooked snow shoeing spot. The ghostly remnants of a once bustling ski resort set the scene for great views and adventure. The hiking/shoeing loop that takes a leisurely 3-4 hours. Though it's closed, one of the chair lifts was still eerily working. And we say one person snowboarding, but he had cross country skied up. He had the whole slope to himself! Lots of places to park in little pull outs on the road. Bring snacks and water. read more

Mount Waterman Ski Lifts - Nice and quiet place to hike. - Ski Resorts Near Me - La Canada, California

Mt. Waterman Ski Area You'll hate it if you want fancy You'll hate it if you don't like rustic You'll hate it if you want the easy way down You'll hate it if you don't like to ski the trees, fast Me...   I love it I've been wanting to come here for over 20 years and finally made it in late February after some epic dumps.  It reminds me a little of the front side of Mt Baldy.  It also reminds me of Mad River Glenn in Vermont  (Ski It If You Can), chair 6 at Whiteface near Lake Placid before the Olympics "improved" it and renamed the upper lift, and chair 22 at Mammoth.  I particularly like the front face and the glades.  The glades, when I went, rivaled any of the glades skiing I've done, including Kitzbuhell in Austria. Not for the faint of heart, but it has my vote for some of the best expert skiing around.  It's just a shame that it took me so long to get here. read more

See all

Haven't been for a long time but it was fun and super close. The steep mogul run that descends into the parking area is either a fun challenge or a good reason to ride the chairlift down. It was pretty old school, kinda like mount baldy but it was very chill and relaxing. read more

Mount Waterman has been a favorite place to ski since I first skied there at age 10 in 1967. I can't wait for the Angeles Crest Highway to reopen. Next season I want to introduce my granddaughter to Chair #2 - she'll be the 4th generation to learn that "The Face is the Place!" and that "Snow [comes] from Heaven Not From Hoses." Whether bumps, bowls, cruisers, or trees, Mt. Waterman packs in much variety. Be sure to bring a grill and grillables for the "Waterman Beach" at the base lot with a bird's eye view of Robyn's Run aka Waterman #3. read more

I haven't been to Mt. Waterman since the 1997 El Nino winter, when I first moved to LA. I was so impressed, I told myself I could definitely live in SoCal as I was starting to get really serious about my passion for snowboarding. Fast forward to the next year where there was a drought nicknamed El Nina. Sparks would shoot out from under my board as the edges of my ride would go over pebbles and rocks on the bare patches of the run. Located off the Angel Crest Highway, this is the closest resort to Los Angeles and is less than an hour away. It's a really small resort, with only 3 chairs, but it has terrain for all levels. Some trails do get narrow, so try not to make wide turns. They don't open every year, last I was there, they do not make snow, so the conditions were always amazing after a storm. If you get a chance and it's open, don't miss this local spot. Rumor has it, they're opening next Friday the 1st of February 2008, you better believe, I'll be there Saturday! ------------------- Update: Finally made it here 3/2. My memory has failed me since it was a decade ago when I first came here. Chair 1 is right off the freeway. Not much parking. It is so slow, one of my board buddies was saying he can run up the mountain faster. Chair 2 is uncomfortable, they should put some cushion on the wooden slits. It's also high from where you unload, my short self had to jump off of the lift. Their website lists the wrong prices. It's actualy $45 for a full day and $35 for half. Because the conditions were so bad with high gusts of wind and ice concrete, we were given a full refund. I might come back after a storm because the tiny resort doesn't get as much traffic, although you won't get up the chair lifts as fast, you won't have to wait to load. The owner was a really nice guy and came out and thanked us for coming and cared enough to get feedback on our experience. read more

Mount Waterman Ski Lifts - large trail map, taken from www.skiwaterman.com with permission - Ski Resorts Near Me - La Canada, California

The pirate radio of ski resorts. Shocked it's still survived all these years. Not for the bougie or the feint of heart. True grunge.

A hidden gem for local skiers and snow boarders! I've been coming to this mountain on and off for over 40 years, and little has changed. It still offers the best skiing and snow boarding that's only an hour away from the Glendale/Burbank area. Only natural snow so weather and the road conditions determine if they're going to be open. Usually open only on weekends, so make sure to check ahead of time. Burgers and dogs and drinks usually available at the warming hut, but make sure to bring a sandwich just in case. It's always been a family style operation because it takes a lot of love for this place to keep it going, and those that come get that same feeling. No equipment rentals, not many amenities, only 2-3 lifts, but plenty of great skiing and boarding, and "the face" below chair 1 is probably have some of the most challenging slopes in all of SoCal. read more

See all

This was my first day visiting this place and I have to say that I was very impressed. With 15 inches of new snow and a decent natural base underneath, it felt like Wolf Creek CO on an opening day after a 55 inch dump. I got fresh tracks all day, and there was hardly anyone there on a saturday. I never thought it was possible to drive from downtown L.A. to powder in just 1 hr. I am however, a pretty advanced snowboarder. The terrain on the front side of the mountain accessed by lift 1 is expert only and I believe that there's no easy or "catwalk" way down. Chair 2 features some intermediate and beginner terrain but it opened later in the day. Chair 3 wasn't open. I noticed people downloading chair 1 so that is an option. Just make sure chair 1 isn't the only lift open if you're a beginner, otherwise you'll be in over your head. I did hit a couple rocks and stumps while riding the trees, but nothing that gave me a core shot so I wasn't too worried. I'm sure this place would be INSANE if they'd had another couple feet of snow. Now juma, sorry buddy, but I've gotta give you some grief. First of all its La Nina, not El Nina that you're talking about. Also, slow chairs mean less tracks on the runs and I'm sorry, but that statement about walking up the mountain and racing the lift is ridiculous. Good luck doing that in the snow I was in yesterday, you'd be post holing the whole way up. read more

This place feels like a little hidden secret. I'm only 4 years into life here in LA and when I asked my local friends who grew up here about Mount Waterman, not a single one knew what or where it was... It's about 1 hour drive from the valley. Just north of La Canada. The drive up is beautiful and really feels like you're a world away from LA. read more

So i've skied every resort in socal except for this one and now its crossed off my list. I wish i had come here sooner because this place has more challenging terrain then found in big bear. The terrain difficulty is up there with mt baldy. The runs are all short, but if you are the type that likes off piste skiing the trees are spaced pretty wide so you can make your own run. The main issue with this place is that it needs natural snow to open and the parking lot is pretty small. read more

The best experience!!!! Come early ,traffic is terrible when you try to go past noon , we went to the mountain by 9am not crowded . read more

Mount Waterman Ski Lifts - Serenity - Ski Resorts Near Me - La Canada, California

Still no snow this year so far, to use my groupon to ski at Mt. waterman will become my dream now. I bought some tickets from groupon, (also available at livingsocial, CBS local, and i believe other sites too), even it won't expire until end of 2012, but I'm afraid if I can use them or not or request refund. It's mid Jan now but Mt. Waterman hasn't open for 1 days during this season, it's El Nina year, no rain in Jan and not enough rain in Dec for them to open, AND THEY DON'T MAKE SNOW because they have no machine to make snow. I only able to go at weekend because I have to go to work during weekday, if they receive enough rain during the weekday, I can't go, but it maybe 80F during weekend when the snow already melt (it's So Ca temperature), I keep praying there are more big storm in the coming 2 month otherwise, i have to wait for end of the year and see if I can use them. Warning: Groupon is selling the mt waterman coupon again. Consider the following condition before you buy, and there is no refund or exchange. 1. check how many days Mt. Waterman open during 2011-2012 or end of 2012 ski season, the answer is ZERO. 2. Groupon or others has fine print say "subject to weather", they will not responsible if they don't ever open because the weather condition. if Mt Waterman never open during the season, good luck with the groupon and they will not care. 3. Since Mt. waterman DO NOT make snow, like there web site said "pray, pray, pray", beside pray, you can't do anything, 'cos money is in there pocket. 4. If you don't have a SUV or larger car, make sure your car fit all the ski equipments before you buy groupon, because mt. waterman don't have equipment rental, you need to bring your own, buy your own, or rent it from sport chalet or else and drive all the way from your rental place to Mt. Waterman. if you forgot to check Mt. Waterman condition before you rent, good luck, after you rent your stuff, bring it to Mt. Waterman, and they said they don't have enough snow and not open, then all you can do is bring it back to the place you rent, return the equipment and lost 1 day equipment rental fee, then pray. 5. if you go to school or work like me, busy during week day and maybe some weekend, you should prepare some vacation off, because weather don't come in every weekend, if they open during weekday, you better take a day off to go, otherwise coupon site said, mt. waterman did open, and you can go during those days. you need to be very flexible on your schedule if you ever buy those coupon, because mt. waterman pray for snow storm, and snow storm not necessary come in holiday or weekend. 6. Road condition is not so easy to drive like the way to Mt. high or bear mt., bring snow chain all the time in case it snow after you ski. 7. LA has several very cold storm in the last few weeks, it's less than 50F or in low 50F during day time, everyone else like mt. high, snow valley, big bear are opened, but Mt. waterman can't open because they don't have enough snow, pray, pray and pray. Think of these condition before you buy a contract from the coupon site, i am so disappoint because i bought groupon in late fall in 2011, i was never able to use it because they never open, and groupon has been very helpfull to suggest to give it away to someone else and won't do anything else. i was so excited when i bought it, but after one season, i already give up my hope on my $$$, and bought a ticket to mt. high and big bear during winter break. Good luck everyone. read more

Love Mt. Waterman! This place is only for people who want to know what skiing in So Cal was like in the 1960's. Great family culture and the face of the mountain is a real Black Diamond run. 3 chairlifts so you can get it all in about 3 hours. read more

This is the most underground ski resorts I have ever seen. The lifts are powered by diesel engines as there is no grid here. Parking lot is small and there are always cool crews tailgating. The vibe is more family like rather then business like - it actually seems to be run nonprofit (as there is no way such a small operation will turn any profit i guess). Terrain is great and the snow stays fresh long as there is never many people riding - there are great out of bounds possibilities and Hwy 2 makes it very convenient to hike/drive back to the lifts from the back country runs. The place is oriented towards advanced riders, but there are easy slopes on chair number 2. Mt.Waterman is only operated on weekends and season lasts usually several weeks - but on a powder day the riding is as good as anywhere in the world. The drive up there - now that it leads through the burn areas of the Tujunga Canyon is possibly the most dramatic drive in California. read more

Great Place. I went for the first time last Friday. Pros: It is close to LA, good snow, good people working there, no lift lines. Cons: The lifts are old and slow, the runs are for novice and expert. All in all..........great place and will definitely return. I am shocked by how many people DON'T know about this place. Viva Mt. Waterman! read more

Took my family up there last Sunday 2/12/17, it was GREAT!!!! Lots of snow, very helpful and friendly staff, close to home making it perfect for a late morning trip and best of all it did not cost me a fortune. My family had fun in the snow while I relaxed by the fireplace in the warming cabin eating a burger, sipping on a beverage, and chatting it up with new friends. Totally impressed and definitely going back soon. read more

Most vertical anywhere in So. Cal! All natural snow so it's not open too often these days. Today was the first opening in 6 years. So worth it though! I love Mt Waterman!!!! read more

If you get a chance to ski Waterman, take it. This is the most unique, fun place to go in SoCal for sure.

I was very excited about boarding at Mount Waterman for the first time on 2.27.11. I heard there were road closures due to heavy snow and ice over the last few days, so before I drove about an hour from home I checked both mountwaterman.org and called their phone number to get the latest road conditions. Both the website and hotline updates that morning promised that the roads would be open and resort would be operational. We started driving up the mountain around 9am but found CHP had closed the road. We waited until 11am at which time CHP was predicting the road might open around 1pm. Long story short, CalTrans does not know how to deal with snow in Los Angeles, and the good folks at Mt Waterman don't seem to care that skiers and boarders will rely on their road condition reports. Instead of wasting the day I could have gone to one of the other local ski resorts. Update: came back on an open day and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and small crowds. This would've been a great small mountain to learn as a kid. But, needs a solid winter storm or three to open... and when do we have those anymore? read more

I mostly ski and snowboard in Tahoe and Mammoth, but I had heard about Mt Waterman from a friend and went for the first time yesterday during opening weekend. I had to take a detour from Sunland because part of Hwy 2 near La Canada is still closed due to mud slides. The detour wasn't bad at all and probably only added 15-20 minutes, making the whole trip from West LA less than an hour and a half. Amazingly, the parking lot is just 10 steps from Chairlift One. There was fresh snow with good coverage because of the storm last week, and all three chairlifts were open. The slopes were well groomed and practically empty. The terrain was mostly beginner and intermediate, but I did ski down the Face all the way to the parking lot, which was challenging (supposedly a double black diamond). For a ski resort, lunch was a bargain at $2 for a bowl of chili and $5 for a polish sausage. The full day lift ticket was $50, but I definitely got my money's worth doing 15+ ski runs in about 4 hours with virtually no lift lines at all. This is definitely a hidden gem for skiing/snowboarding in LA, compared to Baldy and Mt High, which don't get nearly as much natural snow and are usually far more crowded. read more