Industry News
Mt. Shasta Ski Park, the northernmost ski area in California, has closed for the rest of the 2025-26 season after unseasonably warm weather and one of the state’s worst snowpacks in a decade forced the resort to call it quits early. The locally owned Indy Pass ski area announced Tuesday that the warm forecast and lack of snow made continued operations impossible.
The park’s short season lasted only 55 days, five short of its 60-day guarantee, so season pass holders will receive credits valid for next winter. Having closed temporarily on February 9, Mt. Shasta Ski Park closed again on March 2 before ending its season entirely on March 10. The resort typically stays open through early or mid-April.
“This is the update we were hoping to avoid, but unfortunately due to a rapidly deteriorating snow pack, the Mt. Shasta Ski Park will be suspending operations as of Monday, 3/2 until we receive more snow. The forecast through mid March isn’t looking promising, but if it turns around our team will do everything we can to get you back on the slopes. Until then, pray for snow and believe in Miracle March!”
– March 2 statement
This winter has proven especially difficult for ski resorts across California and the broader West. December’s delayed openings, followed by persistent warmth, left many mountains relying on thin, melting bases. Statewide, the Sierra Nevada snowpack sits at less than half its historical average—the leanest since 2015, according to California Department of Water Resources data.
Nearby Mt. Ashland, just north across the Oregon border, also paused operations this week pending additional snowfall. Both resorts opened later than usual, after Christmas, only to endure multiple mid-season closures caused by rain and record temperatures.
The National Weather Service predicts temperatures in Mount Shasta City will reach 70°F early next week, while Redding could see highs in the 90s—nearly 25 degrees above seasonal norms. With no storms in sight, the snow on Shasta’s lower slopes has vanished, leaving brown dirt.
Despite the abrupt end, Mt. Shasta Ski Park plans to host a season wrap-up party this Saturday, March 14, complete with a St. Patrick’s-themed celebration and scavenger hunt.
