Mount Shasta, California

Mt Shasta Ski Park is a small, cheerful, modern ski area nestling up to the towering volcano Mount Shasta (14179ft). You'll find well-manicured slopes with beautiful views, fine, powdery snow, and (hopefully) sunny skies. Location wise, it's some 295 miles north of San Francisco, 7 miles off Interstate 5 on Hwy 89.

Beginners will feel very much at home. It's welcoming, friendly and not at all overwhelming. The Marmot Ridge area is absolutely superb for novices, with 6 long, low-angled, uncrowded tree-lined trails. The ski school is so confident of their staff's training skills, and the suitability of the terrain, that it offers a 'Guaranteed to Learn' Introductory package (but surely we all know of very bumbling newbies that could definitely claim!)

If you're an intermediate, start the day by warming up on the easier runs on Marmot Ridge (6150'), then head over to Douglas Butte (6600') to test yourself on more difficult trails, like North Saddle and Highland Glide.

For better skiers, there's a great variety of steeper trails, both off Douglas Butte, and Coyote Butte (6880'). Since the resort is rarely mega-busy, the trails tend not to be skiied out, and can offer excellent snow conditions(often compared to the best Colorado powder). Mount Shasta's also brilliant for back-country skiing, or even ski-mountaineering, so if you're really tough, the challenge is on your doorstep!

Riders hang out at the Revolution Terrain park, with an super selection of rails, jumps, step-down jumps, plus a 300ft halfpipe.

The kids' program consists of active skiing/boarding sessions for smaller children. For first-timers, there's 'Shasta Snow Kids', and improvers can go to 'Coyote Kids', then 'Snow Tiger Kids'.

Accommodation is about a 10 minute drive down the valley, in Mount Shasta town, or nearby Dunsmuir, and includes a good range including hotels, motels and rentals.