WRIGHTWOOD – (INT) - The Southern California ski season has been a disappointment and there’s little indication of a turn-about. Incoming storms have retreated back to the north.

Ski resort operators are extending invitations for fun on man-made snow.

Mountain High at Wrightwood was shut down December 23rd but is back in business for skiing and snowboarding on five trails. Highways 138 and Route 2 have reopened. Heavy rains on December 24th caused flooding and power failures. Fifty homes were damaged by mudslides.

Big Bear has measured only 6-inches of snow so far this season. Skiers have had to rely on man-made snow when temperatures are cold enough.

On a positive note, the December storms brought so much precipitation to the state that California is 100% drought-free for the first time in a quarter-century, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Below the Big Bear area, a full closure of storm-damaged Route 38 will be imposed January 12th from Mill Creek Road to Hills Ranch Road. The closure covers Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm.

The storm brought nearly 13-inches of rain to the mountains unleashing mud and rock slides and raging torrents of water.

Story Date: January 14, 2026