Chester Ski Road Climb

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and roads people like to ride draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: no bike crashes were reported along the climb from 2021–2025.

How long and steep is the Chester Ski Road climb?

2.4 miles (3.9 km) at 4.4% on average, climbing 551 ft (168 m) from 4,560 ft to 5,112 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 6.8%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 40.28582, -121.26022, and tops out at Ski Hill at 40.29244, -121.29045.

Is Chester Ski Road paved?

Yes, by its OpenStreetMap tags.

How is the category worked out?

From the climb's shape only: length in metres × average grade (%) of 16,000 or more for Cat 3, 32,000 for Cat 2, 64,000 for Cat 1 and 80,000 for HC. It describes how hard the climb is, not traffic or crashes.

Where does this data come from?

The climb is found from OpenStreetMap roads and USGS 3DEP elevation (every climb, not a list of famous ones). Access is from OpenStreetMap tags; gates and closures change, so obey posted signs. Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted where their map location is within 100 ft of the climb. The forecast is from the National Weather Service.

• Chester Juniper Lake RoadCat 3 · 5.1 mi at 3% · 817 ft · starts 2.3 mi away
• Humbug RoadCat 1 · dirt · 9.6 mi at 4.7% · 2,385 ft · starts 10.0 mi away
• Prattville Butt Reservoir RoadCat 3 · 3.2 mi at 3.7% · 627 ft · starts 10 mi away
• Old Haun RoadCat 2 · 4.1 mi at 5.1% · 1,119 ft · starts 12 mi away
• State Highway 36 EastCat 3 · 3.7 mi at 4.8% · 942 ft · starts 14 mi away
• Lassen TrailCat 3 · 3.4 mi at 3.4% · 610 ft · starts 15 mi away
• Seneca RoadCat 2 · 3.8 mi at 6.4% · 1,270 ft · starts 15 mi away