Since 1985, Mt. Shasta Ski Park has distinguished itself with more of a local feel, bypassing the gaudy corporate features at nearby resorts for a more comfortable, down-home vibe that caters to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. In all, it offers 425 acres of skiable terrain and 32 trails that drop 1,435 vertical feet, with the longest run clocking in at 1.75 miles. Best of all, it’s only about an hour north of Redding via Interstate 5 and State Route 89—making it an easy trip when Redding is your home base.

As you make plans to hit the slopes this season, let this guide help you make the most of your time on the mountain—when to go, which runs to hit, how to have fun away from the main trails, and, naturally, how to stay safe this winter.

Skiers and snowboarders routinely boast about the fast-moving lines and lack of overpowering crowds at Mt. Shasta Ski Park. Even so, you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind for knowing when to go to enjoy a quieter experience.

For starters, school holidays—winter break, spring break, Presidents Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in particular—bring families to the mountain. As do weekends, especially the midday hours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

If you’re looking for a quieter mountain experience, aim for a midweek trip—and start earlier in the morning (by 9 a.m.) or later in the afternoon (after 3 p.m.). The resort has twilight skiing on Fridays and Saturdays if you’d like a longer day on the slopes.

Nearly three dozen trails descend the slopes of Mt. Shasta, and it can be tough to know where to start. Here’s a quick guide to making the most of your time on the mountain.

Departing from the 6,150-foot Marmot Ridge, the groomed Blue Grouse is great for beginners—descending nearly 700 feet and offering a fine introduction to Shasta’s gentle terrain. For a slightly bumpier ride, descend the intermediate Telemark trail. More experienced skiers love the Eagle's Flight trail, which leaves from Coyote Butte and offers wide-open views, as well as a moderately steep descent. And the black-diamond West Face challenges skiers with bowl skiing that boasts open terrain, bumps, drops, and other fun challenges.

The runs at Mt. Shasta Ski Park are long and varied enough to keep you all busy all weekend, but other attractions offer a little something for everyone in your family.

The resort hosts a pair of terrain parks, for instance. Silvertip Terrain Park boasts a series of small rails, boxes, tabletop jumps, roller hits, and other fun features—perfect for beginner and intermediate riders. More advanced riders, meanwhile, flock to Revolution Terrain Park, which begins at the top of Coyote Lift. Revolution offers a rail garden dotted with rails, boxes, gaps, spines, and other exciting features.

For something far gentler, check out the resort’s celebrated Mt. Shasta Tubing Hill. The gently sloped hill offers a 300-foot-descent with side-by-side lanes and impressive views of the wider mountainside.

Lift tickets, rental equipment, and lessons can all be bought online in advance on Mt. Shasta Ski Park's website. When you get to the park, remember to bring your reservation confirmation. It can be printed or on your phone - but make sure to download it ahead of time, a service at the park can be spotty. The ski park website also has a great beginners guide for what to bring with you if you're new to hitting the slopes. Most importantly, make sure you come ready to have some fun!

Written by Matt Wastradowski for Matcha in partnership with Redding CVB.