Ski & Snowboard at Lassen

Enjoy Lassen's 30 feet of annual snowfall on skis or snowboard.

NPS photo

Lassen receives up to 30 feet of snow each year. Skiing and snowboarding are often possible in winter and spring, or December through May, depending on the snowpack. When planning to ski or snowboard in the park, please note:

• There are no groomed routes in the park.
• There are no lifts in the park. Lassen Ski Area, located above the present-day Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, closed in 1994. The area is still used by backcountry skiers and snowboarders.
• Winter recreation involves risk. Learn more about winter safety and avalanche safety.
  • Using the app offline? Find winter and avalanche safety information under Visiting in Winter.
• Winter route conditions are updated as available.

Cross-country Skiing

The snow-covered park highway is best for beginner to immediate cross-country skiers and can be accessed from the park's northwest and southwest entrances. View winter routes in the Manzanita Lake Area* (beginner/intermediate) or Southwest Area* (intermedia/advanced). Not all winter routes are suitable for cross-country skiing; see route descriptions for detailed information.

*Using the app offline? Find winter route maps and descriptions under Visiting in Winter!

Just south of the park, the McGowan Cross-Country Ski Area in Lassen National Forest also provides additional routes; pets are permitted on Forest Service trails and routes.

Backcountry Skiing/Snowboarding

Lassen's backcountry is recommended only for experienced backcountry skiers and snowboarders. Backcountry travel at Lassen requires entering avalanche terrain. Backcountry users should be avalanche aware, carry avalanche gear, and know how to use it. Lassen does not provide an avalanche forecast for the park.

Gear Rentals

There are no gear rentals in the park. Rentals may be available in nearby communities of Shingletown (northwest entrance), Mineral (southwest entrance), Red Bluff and Redding (both).

Winter Etiquette

Do not walk on ski tracks. Footprints and snowshoe tracks worsen conditions for skiers and using a separate track ensures snowshoers remain clear of downhill skiers.

Yield to faster skiers and/or downhill traffic. Step to side to allow skiers traveling downhill to safely pass. In all other cases, yield to those traveling uphill.

Details

Activity

Skiing

Skiing/Snowboarding

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not permitted on snow-covered routes nor in the backcountry. Leashed pets are permitted in parking areas.

Activity Fee

No

An entrance fee or valid pass is required to enter Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Location

Throughout the Park

Winter route trailheads are based at either end of the winter road closure (southwest area and Manzanita Lake area). There are no designated backcountry ski/snowboard areas, but the southwest part of the park is more popular.

Reservations

No

Overnight trips in the backcountry require a Wilderness Permit reserved through recreation.gov.

Season

Winter, Spring

Whenever the park has enough snow, typically December through April.

Time of Day

Day

Typically day, but overnight stays are allowed for multi-day trips.

Accessibility Information

Parking areas are paved, but may have residual snow/ice from plowing. Both parking areas have accessible restrooms. In winter, the park is covered in deep snow. Trails may have steep and challenging terrain. All non-motorized devices for oversnow travel are welcome.