What it costs
On weekends and holidays the two lower front lots need a preferred permit until 11am. A season permit costs $300, and a limited number of daily permits sell first come, first served for $30 per car, cash only. The site doesn’t describe the other lots.
Until we confirm
Check China Peak’s own site before you go: www.skichinapeak.com.
When the rules apply
From Dec 19, 2026 or when Chair 1 opens, whichever comes first (weekends and holidays)
When spots open
Season permits for 2026–27 were mailed out starting Nov 1.
Book or pay
Good to know
- Holiday periods are Dec 19–31, Jan 1–3, Jan 15–18 and Feb 12–15, and the resort says they may change.
- First-time lesson packages tell you to park in the back lots.
Where this comes from
- https://www.skichinapeak.com/preferred-parking, checked Nov 11, 2026
- https://www.skichinapeak.com/first-timers, checked Nov 11, 2026
- We tried https://www.skichinapeak.com/preferred-parking but couldn’t read it, so we’ll check it by hand.
- We tried https://www.skichinapeak.com/faq but couldn’t read it, so we’ll check it by hand.
Rules change during the season. If the resort’s page says something different from ours, go by the resort.
Other resorts in California (outside Tahoe)
- Snow ValleyReservationParking ticket needed on paid dates: $25–30 · Running Springs, California
- Big Bear Mountain Resort (Snow Summit and Bear Mountain)PaidPaid upper lots $30–40 · free remote lots + shuttle · Big Bear Lake, California
- Dodge RidgePaidPaid main lots · free overflow · $40 preferred · Pinecrest, California
- Mountain HighPaidPaid: $30, free lower lot at West · Wrightwood, California
- Mt. BaldyPaidPaid daily parking · free with a season pass · Mt Baldy, California
- Mammoth MountainFreeFree · paid Preferred spots at each lodge · Mammoth Lakes, California
Every California (outside Tahoe) resort · Compare resorts by parking