Itinerary: It’s Winter . . . Really

Ringing sleigh bells, roasting chestnuts and decking the halls with boughs of holly might describe winter in New England, but not quite Southern California. Still, ‘tis the season, and you don’t have to look too far to find a winter wonderland of sorts.

Friday

Glide into the holidays on ice skates. The Queen Mary (1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, [562] 435-3511) has transformed the marketplace next to the ship into an outdoor skating rink. Open noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Skating, $4 per hour; skate rentals, $2.50 per hour. Ends Jan. 10.

While you’re in Long Beach, head over to Clearman’s North Woods Inn in the Belmont Shore district. The 21-year-old restaurant--one of four in Southern California--looks like a snow-covered mountain cabin surrounded by pine trees. Inside, it’s decorated with animal traps, snowshoes and an old musket. The hearty menu would make any lumberjack smile. Clearman’s is at 4911 E. 2nd St., Long Beach, (562) 433-4931, with additional locations in San Gabriel, La Mirada and Covina.

Saturday

If snow-covered peaks define winter for you, head toward the San Bernardino Mountains, just a 90-minute drive from L.A. About 75 inches of snow fell at Snow Summit Mountain Resort (880 Summit Blvd., [909] 866-5766) in Big Bear Lake last year, covering nearly all of the 31 skiable trails. Skiing and snowboarding passes cost $17 to $32 normally but will be priced higher Dec. 25 through Jan. 3.

If downhill skiing is not your bag, check out the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain (not the amusement park) just down the road. Adults and kids zip down a mountain track on a sled with wheels for $3.50 a ride. The recreation area also has a snow play area for inner-tubing down the hillside. Unlimited day pass, $12 ($10 with your own tube). Children under 6 are free. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 800 Wild Rose Lane, Big Bear Lake. (909) 866-4626.

The closest groomed cross-country trails to the Los Angeles basin are at the Rim Nordic Ski Area (on Highway 18, five miles from Running Springs, [909] 867-2600). Constructed in 1991, Rim Nordic boasts more than 12 miles of cross-country trails, with many that are suitable for beginners. Ski rentals are available and lessons are held daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Learn-to-ski packages: $30. Trail passes: $8. Call ahead to make sure there’s snow.

Sunday

Check out the Eighth Annual Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy (at 935 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, [949] 494-3030). The three-acre eucalyptus grove has been turned into a winter village. The snow playground is perfect for making snow angels or having a snowball fight. Santa Claus is on hand to see who’s been naughty or nice. And there are tons of arts and crafts on the grounds, which have been turned into a twinkling forest of Christmas trees. Open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults, $4; children 6 to 12, $1; children under 5, free. Winter Fantasy ends Sunday.

Round out the weekend by picking a perfect pine tree the old-fashioned way at a cut-your-own Christmas tree lot. Orange County’s Peltzer Pines has eight tree farms where folks can head into a forest with a bow saw in hand and return with a full-figured Monterey pine or Oregon noble fir in hand. Trees range in price from $4 to $7 per foot. Farms are open weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (714) 637-5555 for farm locations. Or call the Christmas Tree Growers Assn. at (800) 454-TREE for a list of other farms in Southern California.