Andy e-mailed the other day, asking: "I am new to California, living in Monterey……I was an avid skier growing up and now want to get my kids into it. I’d like to stay away from the high dollar places in Tahoe. Can you recommend a mountain/area?"

It occurs to me that he's probably not the only person around who might be looking for skiing off the beaten track, so I'll share with you the advice I gave him. It's pretty simple, really. Try the ski areas in the national parks, especially Badger Pass at Yosemite. Southern Californians may also enjoy the cross-country skiing at Frazier Park, just off I-5. Click on the link above to find other locations.