Skate under the mountain, sled at Snowman's Hill, snowshoe from Bunny Flat, then drive home in daylight to a wood stove in Etna, California.
Some winter mornings in Scott Valley the ridges above town are dusted white, a reminder that real snow is a short drive away. That is the rhythm of a snow day from Blossom Sanctuary. You leave after a slow breakfast, spend the middle of the day in the snow around Mount Shasta, and come home before dark to a quiet house, a full kitchen and a wood stove waiting to be lit. Here is where to go this winter, how long the drives take and the one rule we ask every guest to follow. For dates as they are confirmed, see what's on around Etna on our events calendar.
The winter safety rule
Before anything else: drive in daylight, stay together and check Caltrans QuickMap before every drive. QuickMap shows live chain controls, closures and road cameras. You can also call 1-800-427-7623 for road conditions. Always carry chains that fit your car and know which wheels drive it. Expect about a mile between a "Chains Required" sign and the checkpoint, and keep to 25 to 30 mph with chains on. Pack a scraper, a shovel, a flashlight, water, food and blankets, and keep the tank full. Etna Summit, south of town, is seasonal because of snow, so do not plan winter trips over it.
Driving times from Etna
The usual route is Highway 3 north to Yreka, then Interstate 5 south. In good conditions, plan on roughly:
Yreka: about 35 minutes.
Weed: about an hour.
Mount Shasta (town) and the ice rink: about an hour and a quarter.
Snowman's Hill, the Nordic Center and the Ski Park on Highway 89: about an hour and a half.
Bunny Flat: about an hour and a half, including the 12-mile climb up Everitt Memorial Highway from the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station.
Snow, chain controls and holiday traffic can add a lot to those times, so leave early and give yourself a wide margin to be home before dark.
Skating at the Siskiyou Ice Rink
The outdoor Siskiyou Ice Rink at Shastice Park, 1315 Nixon Road in Mount Shasta, is open from November 14, 2026 to February 21, 2027. You skate with views of Mount Shasta, and skate rentals are available. Session times are on the MSRec calendar. The rink can close for weather, so call (530) 926-1715 before you set out. The gentle slopes at Shastice Park are also good for small children to sled when there is snow (sledding guide).
Sledding at Snowman's Hill
When the snow is in, Snowman's Hill at the Highway 89 summit, across from Ski Park Highway, is the classic sledding stop. It is a big hill with ample parking and restrooms. The local sledding guide says all-wheel drive or chains are a must, and we agree. Bring dry layers for the drive home. There is also snow play at Bunny Flat and at Deer Mountain Snow Park, which has a warming hut (winter recreation list).
Snowshoeing at Bunny Flat
Bunny Flat sits at 6,950 feet on the side of Mount Shasta, about 12 miles up Everitt Memorial Highway from the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station. There is parking and a restroom. The road is usually plowed, but chains may be required. Snowshoeing here depends on snow and usually runs from about December to March. A free, self-issue wilderness permit is needed beyond the trailhead, and you should check the daily forecast from the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center before heading out. If you are new to snowshoes, Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir is an easy outing of under a mile (snowshoe routes).
Cross-country skiing at the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center
The Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, on Ski Park Highway near McCloud, has about 23.5 km of groomed trails for skate and classic skiing, plus a 2.5 km snowshoe trail. It offers day passes, lessons and rentals, a new off-grid guest lodge, and pull-sleds for small children. Its 2026-27 opening depends on snow and has not been announced, so call (530) 926-2142 or check Ski California before you go.
Mt. Shasta Ski Park: projected opening only
Ski forecasting sites currently project Saturday, December 26, 2026 as opening day for Mt. Shasta Ski Park, but that is a projection, not an official date. Other sites still list it as to be announced. Last season the park closed early, on March 10, 2026, after only 55 days because of low snow, so this year's opening will depend entirely on the weather. Passes for 2026-27 are on sale. Text "MSSP Updates" to (844) 596-7275 for alerts, and confirm before you go. Once it opens, the park also has tubing lanes.
Coming home to the stove
The drive back is part of the day. Leave the mountain with light to spare, check QuickMap once more and roll into Etna as the valley goes blue. Then it is the best hour of a snow day: boots off, wet gloves by the warmth, the wood stove lit and the kettle on. The round wooden table beside the stove is the place for soup and bread. Afterward, sink into the cream sectional, or step out onto the lawn for the stars. The blackout curtains and good bedding will take care of the rest. If you would rather stay in the valley the next day, our three days in Scott Valley guide has quieter ideas.
What a snow-season stay costs
From November to February the house is $555 a night, three nights are from $1,090 and a week is $2,000. Cleaning and every fee are included, and the 14% county lodging tax is shown before you pay. For four adults, three nights come to $1,242.60, about $311 each, and a week comes to $2,280, or $570 each. These are founding rates for members of the Sovereign Circle, which is free to join through December 31, 2026.
Good to know
Always: drive in daylight, stay together, check Caltrans QuickMap.
Call ahead: the ice rink at (530) 926-1715 and the Nordic Center at (530) 926-2142.
Projected only: the Ski Park's December 26 opening. Confirm before you go.
Who it suits: up to four adults, or a family of up to six. Children are welcome. No pets.
Questions: text the concierge at 530 572 1122.
Common questions
Is Mount Shasta worth visiting in winter? Yes, if you plan around the weather. There is outdoor skating, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and the mountain itself is at its whitest. Check road conditions before every trip.
How far is Etna from Mount Shasta? In good conditions, the town of Mount Shasta is roughly an hour and a quarter from Etna by Highway 3 and Interstate 5. Snow and chain controls can add time.
When does Mt. Shasta Ski Park open for 2026-27? No official date has been announced. Forecasting sites project December 26, 2026, but it depends on snow, so confirm with the Ski Park before you go.
Do I need chains? Carry chains that fit your car all winter. Chain controls are common on mountain roads around Mount Shasta, and Snowman's Hill calls for all-wheel drive or chains.
Snow by day, a warm house by night. When you are ready, check dates and price your stay, and see what's on around Etna on our events calendar as the season fills in.
Packing for slow mornings? The Vibes Valuta Winter Drop is six pieces in soft neutrals, embroidered in old gold thread: a ringer tee, rib tank, crew and pant, plus a yoga mat and bottle.
