Surf to Ski Day - Itinerary
Completed March of 2024. California, USA. Huntington Beach —>Snow Summit.
Photo Credit: Orthopedic’s Garden
While my bucket list Surf to Ski (& Snowboard) experience was memorable, it didn’t feel much like an easygoing postcard, relaxing with my feet in the sand or cruising around in a classic beached-out woody with a surfboard on top. 8’ soft top surfboard was included with my surfing class. Hauled all my snow gear on a flight and then into the back of a rental. Adjusted to the altitude traveling from sea level to an elevation of 8,200 feet. Water temp was 58°F. Felt like I was doing 2 hours of HIIT workouts at a time. But I got it done! Phew!!
I had wanted to do a Surf to Ski Trip in the Same Day ever since I heard it was a thing and it’s been on my bucket list since. Not the easiest task being from the Midwest. Surf City USA was a great venue to get it done!
This itinerary might not apply to many people, but in case anyone who stumbles upon this is wondering, here is a breakdown of the logistics involved to complete my Surf to Ski/Snowboard Day. AKA: Same Day Sea to Snow - and when in CA, aptly called the California Double. On this page you’ll find info from my trip including: locations, travel, weather/conditions, gear, training tips, and more! Because like most resources on this website, I could have used a reference like this during my research.
Photo Credit: Google Maps; Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach, CA, to Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake, CA.
Plenty of time to eat a hearty lunch to-go and let my hair dry.
2.5 hour drive to and UP into the mountains. Notice the squiggly bits and hairpin turns at the top of the map. Heed the slow turn warnings.
LOCATIONS
SURF: Huntington Beach, California https://www.surfcityusa.com
Lodging: Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort - right across the street from the Huntington Beach Pier and HB Surf School on Pacific Coast Highway.
Surfing Class: HB Surf School - private lesson - (Reservation Required; includes rental of Surfboard and Wetsuit). When surfing somewhere new, I leave it to the local experts. Wetsuit is a must.
SKI: Big Bear Lake, California https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com
Lodging: Holiday Inn Resort - The Lodge at Big Bear Lake, an IHG Hotel
Skiing/Snowboarding: Snow Summit Ski Resort (Purchase lift ticket at the ticket window or online for pick up at a ticket kiosk or window)
TRAVEL
Flight: Flew to Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
Drive: Rented small SUV from LAX airport and drove 50-60 minutes to the hotel in Huntington Beach, CA. Paid for daily parking at Kimpton Shorebreak Resort.
2.5 hour drive from the sea, up to 7,000 ft at the base of Snow Summit Ski Resort, part of the Big Bear Mountain resort. Parked in their free lot. Then free parking at the Holiday Inn Resort in Big Bear Lake.
Ski/Snowboard bag, boot/helmet bag, luggage containing clothing for the beach AND the mountain (swimsuit, shorts, t-shirts plus snowboard socks, snow pants, etc.) - The weirdest trip I’ve ever packed for.
WEATHER/ CONDITIONS/ WEBCAMS
March 25, 2024
SURF: @ Huntington Beach, CA
Air Temp: Morning of was about 50°F by the time I was in the water at 8:30AM, per Apple Weather.
Water Temp: Surf report (below) listed the water temp as 58°F. Other than the first couple of steps into the water barefoot, my full length 3/2 wetsuit kept me warm. No complaints.
Conditions: Used an app called Surf Captain for daily surf conditions. (See image below for screenshots.) Live conditions also on their website: https://surfcaptain.com/forecast/huntington-beach-california
Webcams: Huntington Beach Pier South: https://hbcams.com/webcams-huntington-beach-south-of-pier/
Monthly AccuWeather Forecast
SKI: @ Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake, CA
Temp: A little warm for all the gear and activity level. Still plenty of snow but temps in the 40s Fahrenheit. Can get into the 50-60s in March. I believe the week I went was the LAST week of the season.
Conditions: Sunny, clear. It had snowed the previous week and was forecasted a few days later. Clear driving conditions but no new snow fell during this trip. Mountain report & road conditions: https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/mountain-information
Webcams: Snow Summit: https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/webcams/snow-summit
Monthly AccuWeather Forecast
Surf Captain app screenshots for Huntington Beach at 8:00AM, March 25, 2024.
TIMELINE
7:00AM - Woke up, checked conditions, light breakfast, stretching.
8:00AM - Exited Kimpton Shorebreak Resort to walk across street to HB Surf School.
8:15AM - Started slightly laborious process to get into a full length 3/2 wetsuit. 8’ soft top longboard selected for me by instructor.
8:30AM - On the beach doing pop-up prep work on the board. In the water shortly after. About 1.5 hours of surfing.
10:00AM - Done surfing! Returned wetsuit. Walked back to hotel.
10:30AM - Had time to shower while the hubby packed up the car. Grabbed some to-go food for the ride.
11:00AM - Checked out of Kimpton Shorebreak Resort. Hit the road.
1:30PM - Arrived at Snow Summit Ski Resort. Got lift ticket from the ticket window. Started getting snow gear on.
2:00PM - On the mountain! 2 hours of skiing/snowboarding.
4:00PM - Lifts closed.
5:00PM - Checked in to The Lodge at Big Bear Lake/Holiday Inn.
6:00PM - Pizza!
Photo Credit: Orthopedic’s Garden; Kimpton Shorebreak Resort Surf Report in lobby; Snow Summit Trail Map at peak.
TRAINING
I followed my own advice! Check out the Orthopedic’s Garden pages for Surf Training and Ski Season Prep! Tons more info there.
I also had access to a donation-based Yoga on the Beach Session the day before. Located at Lifeguard Tower 14 (north of the Huntington Beach Pier), hosted multiple times daily. Free registration recommended on MeetUp, tipping of the instructor encouraged. Check website or socials for schedule.
GEAR
SURF:
Swimsuit; Sunblock; Pony Tail Holder; Full length 4/3 or 3/2 Thickness Wetsuit (included with HB Surf School lesson); Surfboard (included with HB Surf School lesson)
SKI:
Winter Coat; Snow Pants; Snowboard Socks; Mittens; Goggles; Helmet; Ski/Snowboard Boots ( I own an APEX boot system, like snowboard boots with ski bindings so I can alternate easily); Skis/Snowboard (I’m a snowboarder turned skier - so I used both)
Photo Credit: Orthopedic’s Garden; Huntington Beach & Snow Summit Ski Resort, March 2024
FOOD
Other than some quick fuel the morning OF my Surf to Ski day, there’s no shortage of good food in California! Take your pick!
Quick and light breakfast of a middle-aged champion :-)
Naked smoothie drink, KIND Breakfast Protein Bar, and ibuprofen. Water, shades, and HotHands (just in case - didn’t need them); plus a soundtrack from a No Doubt Tragic Kingdom vinyl - because, when in Orange County!
Huntington Beach Food Stops
Bobasaur (boba tea); Duke’s (lovely fish dinner); Java Point (quick morning-of breakfast); Pacific Hideaway (inside Kimpton Shorebreak Resort); Sandy’s Beach Shack; Sugar Shack Cafe (breakfast); The Longboard Restaurant & Pub; Zero Zero 39 Pizzeria
Sooooo many more great options can be found @ the Visit Huntington Beach website.
Big Bear Lake Food Stops
Cafe Crepe; Fire Rock Burgers & Brew; Teddy Bear Restaurant (breakfast); Village Pizza
Surf to Ski Day. Done & Done!
Injury-free, might I add!
Disclaimer: I am not a surf-ER. I have surfed. I won’t offend legitimate surfers by calling myself one. I am slightly above novice-level and have always taken a lesson, camp, or rented a surfboard (from local businesses @ touristy sites) when I’ve had the opportunity.
PRODUCT CONSIDERATIONS
Gua-sha Stainless Steel Massage Tool - for post-activity recovery - or quick use in the car between heats
Myofascial Cupping Set - easy for travel
Surf Captain app - free
Travel Yoga Mat - for Yoga on the Beach and pre/post activity stretching in hotel
TIPS
Take into account the change in altitude and hydrate well! You’re starting off at nearly 0 feet/sea level, and traveling to 7,000 feet at the base of Snow Summit Ski Resort, up to 8,200 feet elevation at the mountain peak. It. Was. Exhausting. For me at least.
Call ahead. I had a great chat with Bill from HB Surf School before my trip and, being from out-of-state and barely above novice skill level, wanted to confirm that my plans were do-able. Yes, they were.
While it was a pain to bring my own ski/snowboard gear, precious time would have been spent waiting for rentals and it’s already a tight timeline.
Credit given to my husband for driving, hauling my things, and helping me into my gear so I could make this experience happen. Travel buddy is a bonus!
I called this my “first attempt” at a Surf to Ski day. I knew that there were environmental factors that were out of my control. Stormy weather. Unsafe water conditions. Snowy roads. Warm weather and, therefore, lack of good ski conditions. For some reason everything fell into place and I got it done on my first attempt. Good luck!
Photo Credit: Orthopedic’s Garden, Photo Worthy Scenic Signage @ Jacks Surfboards, Huntington Beach, CA