The snow pack on Mount Shasta each winter creates a haven for downhill skiers, cross-country skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers. The place to go for all this is the Mount Shasta Ski Park (Ski Run Hwy., 530/926-8610, www.skipark.com, Dec.–Apr. Wed.–Sat. 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun.–Tues. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., lift tickets: adults $25–39, youth $15–20, children/seniors $5). This small but fun downhill park has 425 skiable acres, three chair lifts, and a tow rope.

Nearly half the runs are open for night skiing, and the Marmot beginner area makes a perfect spot for beginners of all ages to gain their snow legs (at a fraction of the cost they’d pay in Tahoe). Half-day discount lift tickets and night-skiing-only lift tickets make skiing here even more attractive for snow-loving bargain hunters.

Cross-country lovers can also get their fix at the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center (Ski Park Hwy., 1 mile before downhill park, 530/926-2142, www.mtshastanordic.org, Dec.–Apr., free). With 15 miles of groomed trails, plus ample skiable backcountry, everyone from casual cross-country skiers and beginners to hardcore trail-breakers can have a good time here.