When the white stuff blankets the landscape at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, quiet descends over the landscape. Although park roads close when the snows start. That doesn’t mean an end to your exploration of this national park. In fact, if you enjoy skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing, then winter is a great time to visit Lassen.
A ranger-led cross-country ski tour at Lassen Volcanic National Park / NPS file
The park enjoys up to 30 feet (9 m) of snowfall, on average. While the main road through the park is closed, you can still travel 2 miles (3.22 km) from SR-44 to the Loomis Plaza near Manzanita Lake in the north, and 5 miles (8.05 km) north of SR-36 to the Kohm Yah- mah-nee Visitor Center in the Southwest Area. From there, winter activity options are wide open.
You can cross-country ski and snowshoe through the park. Be aware there are no groomed routes in Lassen, nor are there any equipment rentals or lifts. Routes in the Manzanita Lake Area are recommended for beginner/intermediate-level skiers, while the routes in the higher-elevation Southwest Area are more strenuous and recommended for intermediate/advanced-level skiers. Whichever direction you enter the park, sticking to the park road is the best choice for beginner/intermediate skiers and snowshoers.
Feel like a little sledding? Check out the slopes in both areas. According to the park, sledding is the number one cause of visitor injury in the winter, so choose a slope right for you/your group. The Southwest Area will have steeper slopes. Those slopes in the Manzanita Lake Area will be gentler. Check out snowplay suggestions and advice for both the Southwest and Manzanita Lake areas.
If you intend to backcountry ski or snowboard, you’ll be entering avalanche terrain and should understand avalanche safety and plan accordingly. Also, a permit is required for backcountry camping and is available online through recreation.gov.
For more detailed information, maps, a list of what is and is not open/available, and suggested ski/snowshoe routes, check out the 2021-2022 Lassen Volcanic Winter/Spring Guide (the 2025 guide will be out in spring 2025).
