Mount Waterman, Ski resort in San Gabriel Mountains, California, US
Mount Waterman is a ski resort in the San Gabriel Mountains of California, sitting between roughly 7,000 and 8,000 feet (2,100 and 2,450 m) in elevation. Three chairlifts serve 27 runs across the mountainside, with most of the terrain oriented toward advanced skiers.
The resort opened in 1939 with a basic rope tow, then added one of California's earliest chairlifts in 1941. That early investment helped establish organized skiing in the broader Southern California region.
Mount Waterman is one of the few ski areas in Southern California that relies almost entirely on natural snow, which gives it a different feel from many other resorts. Skiers who come here are often from the Los Angeles area and tend to appreciate the no-frills setup.
The road up requires winter tires or chains during snowy periods, so it is worth checking conditions before leaving. Parking fills up fast on weekends, so arriving early makes the day much smoother.
Mount Waterman sits only about 30 miles (50 km) from Los Angeles, making it one of the closest ski areas to a major American city. On good snow days, some visitors leave the city in the morning and are on the slopes by midday.
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