The Best Ski Resorts for Off-Piste in California

Looking for that perfect powder stash or untouched backcountry terrain? Our off-piste rankings reveal the resorts where you can escape the crowds and find fresh lines. These rankings come straight from our Snomad community - genuine skiers and boarders who've tackled these slopes themselves. We only include resorts with sufficient feedback to ensure you're getting reliable insights. Think differently about a resort we've listed? Share your own experiences and help fellow powder hunters find their next adventure.

Fancy checking out how these resorts stack up in other categories? Explore our rankings for Powder Zones, Expert Skiers, or Tree Skiing to build a complete picture of your dream destination.

Best Ski Resort for Off-Piste in California: Kirkwood - Off-Piste Rating 4.66

Kirkwood's off-piste terrain gets consistently glowing praise from our community. One Snomad user who's been skiing there since childhood points to "all sorts of fun bowls and off-piste options that open up the whole mountain, with many out-of-the-way ones going untouched most days!" The backcountry terrain stands out with its technical chutes, natural drops, and lava rock formations that give the mountain its unique character. "The tree lines you can find once you know the mountain are unmatched. Steep, deep, and always a blast," writes Chase, an intermediate skier. Perfect for those wanting to push their boundaries without the crowds.

#2 Palisades Tahoe - Off-Piste Rating 4.60

Palisades Tahoe offers world-class off-piste terrain that consistently impresses our users. Tyler, an expert snowboarder, highlights how the mountain has "steep trees" and "great groomers" across two connected resorts. Advanced riders praise the legendary chutes, endless bowls, and cliff drops that make this resort stand out. One Snomad community member liked that the mountain offers "life-threatening terrain" for those seeking the ultimate challenge. The varied landscape provides everything from powder-filled tree runs to technical high-alpine routes. As Fiona, who works at the ski school, mentions, she's "always finding new terrain to explore and fun lines to try."

#3 Mammoth Mountain - Off-Piste Rating 4.22

Mammoth Mountain's off-piste terrain is consistently praised by our users as exceptional. One Snomad community member liked the "excellent steep chutes and cornices" while others highlight the vast off-piste areas where you can "create your own kind of fun." The mountain offers everything from challenging tree runs to open bowls for more adventurous skiers and snowboarders. Guy, an expert snowboarder, particularly recommends the foot-accessed Hemlocks chutes and the tree runs in the Dragons Back area. However, a word of caution from one experienced snowboarder – if venturing into the backcountry trees, bring a GPS as it's easy to get disoriented.