2 California ski resort roads ranked among ‘sketchiest’ in the US. Where are they?
A pair of California ski resort access roads with scenic views of pine trees and mountain peaks are among the “sketchiest” in North America, according to SnowBrains.
The ski news site surveyed its readers about the “most daunting and dangerous routes to ski resorts” in the United States and Canada, receiving more than 500 comments.
“From steep inclines and hairpin turns to icy surfaces and unexpected snowstorms, sketchy roads can turn a simple drive into a white-knuckle experience,” SnowBrains said.
Powder Mountain in Utah had the most hazardous access road for ski enthusiasts in North America, according to the SnowBrains survey, published Sept. 9.
Roads leading to Mount Baldy and Kirkwood Mountain Resort also made the list.
Here’s where they ranked and why:
Why is Kirkwood Mountain ski resort road dangerous for drivers?
Kirkwood Mountain Resort in the Sierra Nevada is about a two-hour drive from Sacramento via Highway 88.
“The route winds through dramatic mountain landscapes, dense pine forests and along steep canyon edges, with sections often blanketed in heavy snowfall,” SnowBrains said, earning it a No. 6 spot on the site’s list of risky ski resort routes.
Drivers must brave “a series of sharp turns, steep grades and narrow passages that can be daunting in icy or stormy conditions,” the site said. “Chain controls are frequently in effect, and the road is prone to closures during severe weather.”
The resort’s website touts Kirkwood’s close proximity to Sacramento and the Bay Area for a “snowy California vacation.”
Still, officials encourage visitors to plan their routes, check road conditions with the California Department of Transportation, and have tire chains at the ready because the area tends to “remain hazardous” during and after winter storms, according to the resort’s website.
What makes Mount Baldy access road risky for travelers?
Mount Baldy ski resort, a 45-minute drive from Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains, has long attracted outdoor enthusiasts.
However, getting there can be tough for even the “most confident drivers,” according to SnowBrains.
“The winding mountain route leading to Mount Baldy is notorious for its sharp switchbacks, steep inclines, and lack of guardrails in some sections,” said SnowBrains, which ranked the road at No. 5 on its list.
In the winter months, snow, ice, and fog often reduce visibility and traction along the road, turning the drive into “a challenging test of nerves,” the ski site said.
Where are the most sketchy ski resort roads in North America?
These are the most sketchy ski resort access roads in North America, according to the SnowBrains survey:
- Powder Mountain, Utah
- Bogus Basin, Idaho
- Ski Apache, New Mexico
- Mt. Baker, Washington
- Mt. Baldy
- Kirkwood
- Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Silverton, Colorado
- Winter Park, Colorado
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "2 California ski resort roads ranked among ‘sketchiest’ in the US. Where are they?."
