Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Ski China Peak that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Ski China Peak stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Ski China Peak review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Ski China Peak
Total (2.8)
A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
The resort is a local resort catering to skiers and riders from the central valley and central coast of CA. The runs are pretty fun with lots of pitch changes and curves. There are hardly ever any lift lines, which makes up for the slow lift setup. The longest run, Academy, is apparently the longest green trail in CA, although it would be a blue anywhere else. Plus the long cattrack runout at the bottom of Academy is annoying. Beginner terrain is lacking, with only one green trail that should be blue and some blues that should probably be single-blacks. Staff has been friendly this season. HWY 168 can get a bit sketchy on pow days. Not much apres if you're into that. If you're taking the family, be aware that there is a fair bit of alcohol and marijuana use on the lifts. It's better this season than in years past, but there are probably better family-friendly hills out there. Due to how far south in the Sierra the resort is, snow can be hit-or-miss. If it's good, it's as good as tahoe. But when it's a bad snow year, it's pretty dismal. Runs get icy quickly after a storm.
Daruis Jones
OK china peak could be a great resort. Good and fun terrain. But 1st of all they were open for like half the season this year because the road was closed. They should have had snow cats out on the 168 helping the cal trans. Then they didn't clear 8ft of snow of the roofs and expected it to be fine. But their power box callasped and so for the rest of the year their lifts only worked half the time on the generator. You pay 4 bucks for a fountain drink and don't even get a refill truly a rip off. I asked the park crew why they close the feature before 4 and he blew up on cussing me out and told me to get some common sense. They're not open tuesdays and wenesdays for some reason. They wait till the the morning to groom instead of grooming all night unlike every other resort. for sure the shitiest resort in California. China Peak needs new management now. I really want to talk to the manager to see what goes through his or her mind. Nothing. If you have the chance to go anywhere else do it. Don't waste your money at china peak.
Bekah WIlson
China peak is my home resort. Its virtually empty on powder days. The tree runs are unmatched during these days. Runs are short, but empty. Never any lift lines. I never remember how little beginner terrain there is until you take a friend. There is essentially only one green run with two off shoots. The rest of the mountain is blue mainly. Keep expectations low, be prepared for slow lifts, but on a powder day this place is nuts. Don't every stay at the inn, it is dirty/sketchy. Stay in Shaver Lake and make the drive up. Then you can walk to the few restaurants/bars there. Low expectations but high fun
Victoria Hudges
I wish I can get a refund or at least half my money back because I paid online for snowboards and lift, in total costing $126. I got there and there was no snowboards left, they proceeded to give me ski WITHOUT the ski poles and tell me that’s how it supposed to work for beginners like what? I struggled the entire time while waiting for snowboard. I didn’t get a snowboard until the last 2 hours that I got left. I am extremely disappointed and wouldn’t want to go back, rip off and a waste of money.
Ben Siebert
I've skied this resort for 40 years now, but have skied dozens of the best resorts in the US. I've been bored at many resorts, but never at China Peak. You get off the run, and you are immediately on the run. There's no traversing a long way to get to the run like Heavenly, Park City, or most other resorts. Great beginning runs that are still interesting enough for advanced skiers to have fun. But China Bowl and The Face are as steep and challenging as anything you'll find anywhere except for the most radical chutes. There are NEVER any lines, so though the runs are kind of short (1700 vertical feet), you are on the lift back up within 30 seconds. The facilities are limited but friendly, but no apres-skiing scene at all.
Kelly undefined
Is China peak so money hungry that they stay open during a shelter in place order... this is a non essential business that refuses to close for the greed of money... why do i say this because they are not even honoring the black pass that people already purchased to ski at all resorts...oh they say they are taking precautions closing the dining and bar area but what about the lifts and the rental equipment that aren't sanitized properly... the people that work there are forced to stay because they won't be able to collect unemployment if they quit... just think this place place is booked how many people in one location then go home to different counties and can possibly spread the virus to their families... wake up China peak think of lives not money!!!
Adam Roush
I normally dont complain too much, but I visited here last year 2019 and stayed at their lodge for 3 nights, and the lodge bar every single night was packed with employees hogging the entire bar even the manager, some red beard dude can't remember his name, it was next to impossible to even get the bartenders attention for a drink and to order dinner. The worst costumer service I had experienced in sometime.
Just a professional suggestion I would never allow my employees to do such a thing when there are guests spending a large amount of their hard-earned to stay there.
Robert Claassen
Do NOT take kids to this place. There's only one green down the mountain and it is a narrow and flat "s" shaped run called Academy. It is dangerous, as many steep slopes dump right into it and it isn't very wide. There was an impassible run with no indication that it was closed at the top. Found out it was impassible the hard way. Didn't see a single ski patrol person all day. There was no one to even tell that runs needed to be closed. Lady behind ticket sale counter said she would tell someone, but was rude. The two dudes running the ski rental shop, could care less. Maybe just late in season, but this place is dangerous, understaffed and has a very bad run layout. We're black diamond expert skiers. This place is UNSAFE!
Andrew Metz
This place is seriously mismanaged. They run only half of their lifts for no good reason other than to save money. They claim runs are groomed when they haven't been touched in days, just asking for injuries. And their lifts are the slowest I've ever seen.
Steve
A lot of these bad reviews were during droughts or after heavy snow. (weather is not their fault) China peak is a great mid size resort that won’t brake the bank. It has a lot of off piste terrain, a lot of solid Run. Just wish they had express lifts. It’s not much of a “resort” like the Tahoe or Colorado resorts but great skiing and best for day trips, one nighters.
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