There are two ski and snowboard parks in the area, Mt. Shasta Ski Park, located on the south side of Mount Shasta off of highway 89 and Ashland Ski Park, located on Mt. Ashland just off of Siskiyou Summit on Interstate 5.

Mt Shasta Ski Park has 3 triple chairlifts and one surface lift, gaining access to 32 groomed runs and a man made ski and snowboard terrain park. There are great turns to be had on any of the groomed runs or off run through the trees. Mt. Shasta Ski Park is open daily from 9am to 4pm and offers night riding after 4pm Wednesday thru Saturday (conditions permitting).

Mt Ashland Ski Park has 4 chairlifts which access 23 runs in addition to its acres of glades. . The ski area is open 9am to 4pm daily and is open for night riding from 3pm to 9pm (conditions permitting).

The backcountry possibilities in Northern California are limitless with Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, The Siskiyous, The Trinity alps, The Marble mountains and all of the other surrounding mountains.

The snow conditions are a huge factor in what terrain is accessible through out the year. In a good year with deep snow pack there is boarding available all year around. Some years the season is limited to the winter and spring months. Avalanche conditions can also pose a problem for those accessing the backcountry. Large storms in northern California can deposit huge amounts of snow in very little time, often resulting in unstable and dangerous mountain slopes. There are many other factors that can cause snow instability and lead to avalanche. There are a few sites that provide information on avalanche danger and are a good resource when making decisions on where and when to venture into the backcountry.

The right equipment is essential for successful backcountry excursions specifically when the powder is deep. There are a few options available to a person choosing to snowboard that can help to keep you a float and prevent post-holing. Snow shoes work but are not as energy efficient as either approach skis or a split board. Approach skis are shorter skis that you can strap to your backpack for the ride down the mountain. They can be home made, this is done by cutting down a regular sized pair of skis. Some ski companies manufacture approach skis and can be purchased at retail shops. Split boards have come a long way and are becoming for functional. A split board is a snowboard that can be split in two and used as approach skis. They are efficient for breaking trail and offer an excellent ride down the hill leaving your pack lighter.