The snow gods rewarded us with some fantastic powder up on Mount Waterman. The recent storm brought about another foot of fresh powder on top of a 3-4 foot base. It seems not too many people thought to come out and enjoy it because there was no wait at the lift lines…don’t you wish it was like that way all the time? Even later in the day when there were plenty of tracks on the slopes, the snow was so soft and forgiving you could cut right through it and make your own line.
Mount Waterman has the same three, no-frills lifts, and still has the lowest lift ticket prices in Southern California at $45.00 for an all-day pass; half-day passes are $10.00 less and start at 12 noon. The ski area has much less acreage than most other ski areas in the San Bernardino Mountains, but the runs are far superior, the crowds are virtually non-existent, and you can’t beat the convenience to Los Angeles.
Not many people know about Mt. Waterman which is in the San Gabriel Mountains and part of the Angeles National Forest along the Angeles Crest Highway. It’s just 55 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, 34 miles north of the 210 freeway, making it a convenient ski area for Los Angeles skiers.
Mount Waterman does not have snow-making equipment so it relies on natural snow. When Mother Nature delivers some decent snow, this mountain can have some the best skiing in Southern California. Most of the ski runs are for intermediate and advanced skiers, but there is a beginner area in one of the bowls at the top. It is a low frills type of ski area with a small lodge at the top that will serve burgers, chili, and beer, so don’t expect the piped in music and other entertainment like other popular ski resort areas; less is better at this place. Mount Waterman comes off more as a skier’s venue where it’s all about skiing or snowboarding, without all the extra fluff and expense.