From chilly slopes to surfable waves, these American towns offer the unique opportunity of combining two thrilling outdoor activities in a single day. Grab your board and skis for the journey of a lifetime in these contrasting destinations where hills meet shores.
Whether you are a seasoned player or simply one who craves new challenges, these dual-sport destinations indicate that in America, you truly can have everything.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles does justice to the old saying that you can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon, with the Hollywood Vinyl District the perfect base of operations for this exotic escapade. The city offers iconic surfing at Malibu’s Surfrider Beach, named the first World Surfing Reserve in 2010, a mere 30 minutes from downtown.
Following surfing, drive 90 minutes to Mountain High Resort within the San Gabriel Mountains, with terrain suitable for all levels and Southern California’s largest nighttime skiing facility.
San Diego
San Diego presents perfect conditions for the “California Double” with sunny beaches and easy access to snowy peaks. Late morning sessions at spots like La Jolla Shores or Oceanside offer soft waves for beginners and harder breaks for veterans.
A two-hour drive east brings you to Big Bear Mountain Resort in the San Bernardino Mountains, home to Southern California’s only superpipe and diverse terrain across Bear Mountain and Snow Summit.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz provides reliable, quality waves that could make it hard to head out for the mountains. The renowned boardwalk is part of this surf town, and there are plenty of breaks that cater to every level of experience.
Drive four hours from a morning session to Lake Tahoe and find Squaw Valley, some of the best terrain around. The resort provides stunning lake views and a memorable beach-to-mountain day trip.
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San Francisco
The Bay Area provides access to both excellent surf spots and world-class skiing. Ocean Beach delivers challenging waves for experienced surfers, while beginners can head to more forgiving spots like Linda Mar in Pacifica.
After surfing, snow enthusiasts can drive approximately three hours to reach Tahoe-area resorts like Kirkwood, Sierra-at-Tahoe, or Dodge Ridge. While the drive is longer than from Southern California cities, the payoff is access to some of California’s best snow conditions.
Portland (Oregon)
Portland offers the ability to surf and ski on the same day, with just a three-hour round trip to the North Oregon Coast for surfing and a similar journey to Ski Bowl on Mt. Hood for skiing. The mountain features night skiing until 10 PM, allowing for a full day of both activities.
The Oregon coast delivers consistent winter swells at spots like Seaside and Cannon Beach, while Mt. Hood’s various resorts provide reliable snow throughout the winter.
Seattle
Seattle sits between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, making it a prime location for same-day surf and ski adventures. Dedicated athletes can start with dawn patrol surfing at beaches near the Olympic Peninsula, then head to Crystal Mountain or Stevens Pass for afternoon skiing.
For a more relaxed approach, stay in the Seattle area and combine a morning surf session at spots near Westport with an evening of night skiing at the Summit at Snoqualmie, just an hour from the city.
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Anchorage
Alaska offers a unique surf and ski experience centered around Turnagain Arm’s bore tide phenomenon just outside Anchorage. This natural occurrence creates waves when tides collide, providing a distinctive surfing experience conveniently close to Alyeska Resort.
The resort receives an impressive average of 669 inches of snow at its summit snow, ensuring excellent skiing conditions. While not traditional beach surfing, this Alaskan adventure delivers an extraordinary combination of mountain and water sports.
Boston
Boston might not immediately come to mind for surf and ski adventures, but this New England hub offers access to both activities within reasonable driving distance. Winter surfers can brave the cold Atlantic waters at Nahant Beach or Nantasket Beach, while skiers can reach mountains like Wachusett in just an hour.
More ambitious travelers can make the drive to New Hampshire’s White Mountains or Vermont’s Green Mountains for bigger terrain after catching morning waves along Massachusetts’ rugged coastline.
Portland (Maine)
Maine offers memorable surf sessions along its seven-mile stretch of coastline at places like Old Orchard Beach, where winter waves can reach ten feet high. After braving the cold Atlantic waters, skiers can take the scenic US Route 302 past glacial lakes to Shawnee Peak, about an hour’s drive from Portland.
Maine’s extended ski season runs into early April, allowing visitors to wait for slightly milder weather on land and sea.
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Montauk (New York)
The eastern tip of Long Island provides access to excellent surf spots with winter swells producing powerful waves at locations like Ditch Plains. After a morning session, adventurous souls can make the drive to Catskills ski areas like Hunter Mountain or Windham, accessible within a three-hour drive.
Though the journey requires commitment, the contrast between the Atlantic Ocean surf and Catskills mountain terrain makes for a memorable single-day adventure.
Honolulu
Hawaii might surprise visitors as a ski and surf destination, but the Big Island makes it possible. The island features world-class surfing along its coastlines, and during winter months, the peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea receive enough snow to allow for skiing after a morning surf session.
While the skiing terrain is limited compared to mainland resorts, the novelty of tropical surfing and high-altitude snow sports in the same day makes this a true bucket-list experience.
Newark
Newark is a strategic base for East Coast surf-and-ski adventures. Morning surfing at nearby New Jersey beaches like Manasquan or Spring Lake can be followed by an afternoon at Mountain Creek Resort, just an hour away.
The Poconos in Pennsylvania offer additional ski options within driving distance. Cold water requires serious wetsuits, but urban proximity to snow and surf makes this combo possible.
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Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara combines Mediterranean charm with excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. The city’s south-facing beaches capture winter swells, providing reliable surf conditions at spots like Rincon and Campus Point.
After a morning surf session, winter sports enthusiasts can reach Mt. Pinos in Los Padres National Forest within a two-hour drive. While smaller than major resorts, the mountain still delivers enough terrain for a satisfying post-surf ski trip.
Denver
Denver might not have oceanfront property, but it does offer the unique possibility of surfing and skiing on the same day. The city has river waves for urban surfing at spots like River Run Park on the South Platte River, while world-class ski resorts sit just an hour away in the nearby Rocky Mountains.
This mountain metropolis allows adventurers to catch river waves in the morning before heading to resorts like Winter Park or Loveland for afternoon skiing.
The Mountain-Ocean Connection
These unique cities represent the best of America’s geographical diversity, where mountain ranges rise near coastal waters. The ability to experience both surfing and skiing in a single day isn’t just about athletic achievement—it’s about appreciating the remarkable natural landscapes that make such adventures possible.
Whether you’re catching waves in warm Hawaiian waters or braving the icy Atlantic off Maine’s coast, these dual-sport destinations offer unforgettable experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.
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