There’s a Pet-friendly Mountain Above Huntington Lake! Here’s why you should visit China Peak…
What is that one thing that you’d give anything to go back to, to experience all over again? For me, it was skiing with my siblings and my dad at Sierra Summit in California. I really never thought about it until recently, but I certainly miss hearing my dad tap his ski poles behind him as he raced by me, making pretend motorcycle noises, like “bah-AP'“ and “nnerr-OOO-mm”. I hope you can imagine those sounds, and I wish I had a recording of my dad saying these things because he said them all the time!
From the left, my sister Meagan, me, my brother Dustin, and my dad Vinnie.
Fun fact! According to my brother, there is a local legend that a China man floated on a log all the way down the Huntington River. I’m unsure if it was an accident, but as the story goes this was the orign story. Contrary to this interesting story, the peak itself was called China Peak long before the ski resort existed. When the resort originally opened in 1958, it was named Sierra Summit, but in 2010 the owners decided to return to the mountain’s historic name to better reflect the area’s identity and roots. Locals had been calling the mountain China Peak for generations, so the name change felt like a homecoming rather than a rebrand.
So when you hear “China Peak,” you’re actually hearing a name that predates chairlifts, lodges, and ski runs—one that ties the resort back to the natural shape of the land and the history of the region. According to geographic naming records, Chinese Peak was named for Yung Lee, a local Chinese shepherd, reflecting the presence and influence of Chinese workers and settlers in the region’s early history (Browning 44).
China Peak Ski Resort has always held a special place in my heart since I was little. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s one of California’s closest and most accessible ski resorts for Central Valley families. With a mix of runs for beginners and seasoned skiers, plus breathtaking mountain views, it’s easy to see why so many people return year after year. Adult day passes start as low as $119 this season, and rentals are straightforward and reasonably priced—$77 for a full-day ski or snowboard rental (including boots and poles), or $60 for a half day.
I visited Fresno at the beginning of December this year for a much more personal reason. After my dad passed in February of 2024, my family finally came together to lay him to rest. Being back home was emotional, grounding, and deeply bittersweet. My siblings and I decided to take a nostalgic trip up to China Peak—something we did often as kids. Our dad was a first responder, and thanks to his work, we spent many winters at this mountain. He was an incredibly gifted skier, the kind who made it look effortless, and being back there without him was hard. But it also felt like a quiet way to honor him. We miss him more than words can say.
Even though it was early in the season and snow coverage was still light—with only a few chair lifts open—the mountain still felt alive. One thing that really stood out to me was China Peak’s accommodation for service animals. I saw several dogs walking alongside their owners near the rental areas and along the surrounding trails. As someone who deeply cares about animal welfare, it meant a lot to see that level of inclusion and accessibility thoughtfully woven into the resort experience.
China Peak isn’t just a ski resort—it’s a place layered with memory, community, and tradition. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning like we did, carrying pieces of your past with you, it’s the kind of place that reminds you why mountains matter. Not just for the snow, but for the stories we bring with us when we climb them. 🤍🏔️
Work Cited:
Browning, Peter. Sierra Nevada Place Names: From Abbot to Zumwalt. Great West Books, 2011, p. 44. ISBN 978-0-944220-23-8.
