An avalanche of winter options

Winter is upon us. We know this not because there was a marine layer for a week or because the sun sets a couple hours earlier, but because, just two short hours away, park managers are crafting jibs around the clock and the shred-addicted are waxing their boards.

Just because we go to class in flip-flops doesn’t mean that we cannot partake in Southern California’s increasingly well-known snowboarding scene. After last winter’s less-than-stellar snowfall, park managers are stepping up to the plate with bigger, better and crazier features. Forecasts for powder aren’t so bad, either. Whether you’re a practically sponsored pro who’s been riding since you were a grom or a cold surfer without a wetsuit, Southern California’s mountains have a lot to offer.

According to Scotty Vine, a Big Bear local who now rides for StepChild, Nomis, Rome, DC and Forum, the best parks are at Big Bear, Mammoth and Mountain High. Transworld Snowboarding Magazine named Bear Mountain, a two-and-a-half hour drive from San Diego, the third best park in North America. Northstar-At-Tahoe and Bear Mountain also made the top 10. Mammoth scored second for best pipe and third for overall best resort—not bad for a resort with an average 300 days of sunshine per year.

When filming Child Support, StepChild’s new snowboard video, Vine traveled from Whistler to Finland but said that fresh powder can be had in Southern California; you just have to know where to look.

“Mammoth is the best place for powder,” he said, “and Bear, like, twice a year.”

Mammoth kicked off its season Nov. 10 with only one run open and less than a foot of base. However, it debuts the new $6.5 million lift that covers more than a mile in six minutes, a six-seater chair called

“Cloud Nine.” This year, Mammoth will attract its fair share of pros
with contests including the West Coast Invitational and the Peanut Butter and Rail Jam. For those more interested in riding and less interested in crowds, June Mountain is only a 30-minute drive from Mammoth.

For those stoked on contests or just getting psyched to ride, Mission Beach's “Beanies and Bikinis” contest is just down the street. On Nov. 24, Belmont Park will be covered with 22 tons of manmade snow. The $25,000 purse attracts pros from across the nation, and the event is free to attend. (In case you’re wondering, the “bikinis” part is a fashion show after the event at the WaveHouse.)

So, whether you’re into events, parks, backcountry or just riding with your homies (as we call them here in SoCal), local resorts have a lot to offer.

Big Bear
12 lifts
Features: Superpipe, 80 jibs, tree bonks, junkyard creations—pretty much anything you can imagine
Two-and-a-half hours away
$41 a day
Little known fact: There’s a side jib park in a canyon with an old VW bus where locals go to smoke pot and make out. You’ll just have to find it for yourself.

Mammoth
29 lifts
Features: Three parks (one beginner), rails, fun boxes, 80-foot jumps, a superpipe and half-pipe
Seven hours away
$64 a day
Little known fact: Park and buy your tickets at Eagle Lodge to skip the lines, and head over to chairs 12, 13 and 14 on the back side on crowded days.

Mountain High
13 lifts
Features: Night skiing, five terrain parks, one snow skate park and a half-pipe.
Two hours away
$57 day, $35 night
Little known fact: None. What you see is what you get.