This week marks the start of spring, but not in the high Sierra. The Miracle March snow is the game-changer that will provide a month of top quality skiing, snowboarding and snow play before mild weather takes over in the high country.

For a capsule look at the opportunities as the season crests, we rated the best of Northern California snow-based recreation in 15 categories. If there was a surprise, it was this: In our first try at rating 20 ski areas in Tahoe, the central Sierra and north state, we agreed on the winners in every category. Highlights include Heavenly for best intermediate runs and night life, Mount Shasta for best off-piste snowboarding, and Mammoth Mountain as best all-around mountain.

Here is a synopsis of our winners:

Best all-around mountain:Mammoth Mountain. Skiing Mammoth is like gazing into the solar system, where the farther you look, the more stars you find. Endless terrain and views to die for. Upgrades to on-slope dining and the roving burrito snow cats push it over the top. Located off Highway 203 near town of Mammoth Lakes; (800) 626-6684, mammothmountain.com.

Best intermediate runs:Heavenly. Heavenly's long intermediate runs, often with great views of Tahoe, make it one of the best ski parks for intermediate skiers in America. Double-grooming the runs overnight, at a huge cost, separates their cruisers from anywhere else. Located in South Lake Tahoe, (800) 432-8365, skiheavenly.com

Snowboard and half pipe:Northstar at Tahoe. Northstar built a massive half-pipe for Shaun White that is simply epic. It's open to the public except when cordoned off for special training (like when White shows up) and competitions. The terrain parks sprinkled around the resort are outstanding for all levels. Visitors might sit for hours and watch the spectacle, the in-air ballet that tops the NBA's high flyers as the best show around. Alpine Meadows and Mammoth get honorable mentions. Located off Highway 267 in North Tahoe; (800) 466-6784, northstarattahoe.com.

Nightlife:Heavenly. Its location near casino row in South Lake Tahoe means Heavenly provides skiing and boarding by day, and roll the dice (or your other favorite vice) by night. Spend a few days here and you'll need a week to catch up on your sleep. (800) 432-8365, skiheavenly.com

Family vacation:Bear Valley on Highway 4 east of Arnold. Some miss out on Bear Valley because of its location, and there isn't much around other than Dorrington (one very cool restaurant at the Dorrington Hotel) and Arnold. But the lodge, cabin rentals and a family-oriented resort can make you fall in love with winter. Case in point, advised Al Saracevic: "I'll never forget the time I skied all the way back to the lodge with my 9-year-old because the roads were covered in snow. She'll never forget it either." We voted an honorable mention to North Tahoe and a combo trip where you stay at Granlibakken (best breakfast in Tahoe, excellent sledding) and then ski Homewood. (209) 753-2301, bearvalley.com

Snow play:Leland Snow Play off Highway 108 in the Stanislaus National Forest. The problem with taking youngsters to a hill is you have to keep walking up the hill, and then the kids get cold. Leland provides a lift, the price includes saucers, tubes or sleds, and there's a lodge to get warm. No place else like it. (209) 965-4719, snowplay.com

Beginner's package:Badger Pass in Yosemite National Park. For a stress-free experience, there is no better destination than Badger Pass, located off Glacier Point Road. It has specialized in teaching newcomers to the sport for more than 50 years, and offers a guaranteed learn-to-ski package for kids for $65. Sierra-at-Tahoe, Boreal and Mount Shasta rate high for kids' snowboarding schools. (209) 372-1000, yosemitepark.com

This week marks the start of spring, but not in the high Sierra. The Miracle March snow is the game-changer that will provide a month of top quality skiing, snowboarding and snow play before mild weather takes over in the high country.