One of the Sierra Nevada’s best underrated gems is the small alpine town of Bishop, California, which offers a sunny climate in the valley while simultaneously acting as a gateway to some of the area’s best snow.
It takes about five hours to reach Bishop from Los Angeles by car, but you’ll be rewarded with scenic snow-covered views of the Eastern Sierra and Mount Whitney during the journey.
Would you make the trip to Bishop? Keep reading to find out why it’s worth it.
How’s the winter weather in Bishop?
Bishop’s location in a valley at the base of the mountains makes for nearly year-round sunshine — an average of 335 sunny days per year, in fact. With winter highs reaching about 50-60°F and limited snowfall, the town is a comfortable and relatively accessible place to stay during the winter.
However, the mountains around Bishop often receive heavy snowfall, making for fantastic views in town and numerous opportunities for winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing.
So far for the 2025-26 winter season, the surrounding mountains have seen decent but below-average snowfall. Ski areas are up and running regardless, and travelers are keeping their eye on the forecast to see if any winter storms bring more snow to the region.
Outdoor recreation around Bishop
While Bishop’s mild weather lends itself to lower-elevation, snow-free recreation such as hiking and fishing, its proximity to the mountains means you’ll still get your fill of skiing, showshoeing, and snow play.
Anglers can enjoy world-class fly fishing all year round in the Lower Owens River and Pleasant Valley Reservoir, and low-elevation hiking trails such as Gem Lakes Trail or Pine Creek Crags remain accessible. Keough’s Ditch hot spring is a great place to take a dip.
Skiers and snowboarders often opt to make the 45-minute drive to Mammoth Mountain, a world-class ski destination in California. Alternatively, hiking areas like South Lake Road, Lake Sabrina, and North Lake make for fun snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
🌐 Learn more: BishopVisitor.com