Kratka Ridge, Ski resort in San Gabriel Mountains, California.
Kratka Ridge is a ski resort in the San Gabriel Mountains at about 7,500 feet elevation with 13 runs and a vertical drop of about 750 feet. The slopes offer terrain for different skill levels and are served by two chairlifts and a rope tow.
Development began in 1950 through Joe Diener and the Angeles Winter Development Association, with the first chairlift completed in 1954. This 1950s foundation made it one of the early organized winter resorts in Southern California.
The name refers to a ridge formation in the San Gabriel Mountains and the site serves day-trippers from nearby Los Angeles who value its proximity to the city. Operations reflect Southern California's approach to winter recreation, where mountain skiing remained a local pursuit rather than a major destination.
The resort is located about 36 miles northeast of La Cañada along Angeles Crest Highway in the mountains. The drive on a mountain road requires caution, especially during winter conditions and tight curves.
One of its two chairlifts dates from the 1954 installation era and remained in operation until 2001, making it a rare preservation of early lift technology. Only a handful of resorts in North America have operated with equipment from this generation for such a long time.
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