In SoCal, it’s not a matter of picking your poison; it’s a question of how you want to take it. We’re talking, of course, about a well-worn promise made by the uncompromising denizens of the City of Angels, namely that you can “surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon.”

“That’s definitely something that you say when you’re from here,” said Stephanie Conchuratt, a luxury travel advisor with Vibe Travel Co. and a Virtuoso member. “But, realistically…”

That’s the rub. Mammoth Mountain, the most popular ski resort for Southern Californians, is about a six-hour drive from the rolling breaks in Malibu.

Relax in style at the new Limelight Mammoth lodgings. Will Edwards

“Big Bear is closer, but it’s not really known for good skiing,” she said. “So, if you want the classic palm tree beach in Malibu and to end the day on the slopes in Mammoth, it would be tricky.”

Sunrise in Malibu is about 6:30 a.m. this time of year; the slopes on Mammoth Mountain close at 4 p.m. Assume you surf for an hour, skip lunch and actually do the drive in six hours. Assume you’re geared up and on the lift in a flash. You might get two hours of skiing. Maybe.

Conchuratt said that she would encourage anyone with dough to get real and charter a flight.

With that in mind, we’ve given you a choice: the high road or the low road. Choose wisely.

Low road

Whether you ride the waves at Surfrider Beach in Malibu, El Porto at Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach, you’ll want to be paddling out early, but you won’t have much time to Zen out or hang ten; you need to hit the road pronto and maybe even compromise on your destination.

Early birds catch the best waves at El Porto in Manhattan Beach. Getty Images

“Your goal is to be out there when the sun is rising. The waves are at their peak, and the wind is light,” said Logan Johnson, a travel advisor with Coastline Travel, who grew up surfing in SoCal. “Then in the early morning, you head out. I tend to prefer going to Mammoth; I think the runs are better. But you can always go to Big Bear. That is a great option, and you’ll be skiing that afternoon.”

Big Bear Mountain and neighboring Snow Summit are both within a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Malibu.

By compromising, you’ll have more time to surf and can even stop for lunch in San Bernardino. Big Bear is favored by snowboarders — Shaun White honed his skills there — and has three main peaks: Bear Peak, Silver Mountain, and Goldmine Mountain. Snow Summit has a family ski vibe.

Newly renovated Hotel Marina Riviera at Big Bear. Josh Cho Photography

If you want to stay, and you should, check into the 42-key Hotel Marina Riviera, which had a redo last year. A 1960s Lakefront Viking lodge, it now mixes mid-century with modern comforts.

Closer still is Mountain High in the San Gabriel Mountains, just about two hours from the Pacific. The West Resort is a nice all-rounder; the East Resort is for shredding with a high-speed quad and Olympic Bowl — the steepest and longest bump run in the region. The North Resort is perfect for families and beginners.

But if Mammoth it is, wind up Malibu Canyon Road, pass Calabasas, and head north on the 405 before swinging onto Route 14. Live on it until it becomes US-395. Keep going, and you will be there in the fullness of time.

“Hope you like the desert, because the drive is not the best,” said Johnson. “And LA has the worst traffic. You’d get in in the late afternoon, which is fine. I just think skiing is better in the morning.”

If you do make it, your reward is 450 acres of snow-covered slopes and a nearly 3-mile-long run. If you were quick, you might get to slide down it twice.

Affordable Outbound Mammoth is full of amenities and offers the perfect place to après-ski with friends. Knoxy Knox

Stay at Outbound Mammoth, a 3-star, 6-acre property with a dry sauna, steam room, restaurant and rooms ranging from $200 to $400 a night. Or settle for a slightly cheaper 2-star — there’s a real plethora of options in the village. Just be sure to prebook your roost, because there’s no chance of making it back to LA tonight.

High road

You suit up, wax your board, and paddle out. It’s early morning, and you’re soaking it in. There’s no rush. The slopes are waiting for you. Glide across the water, stop at a cafe, and relax.

Mammoth Yosemite Airport is a hop, skip (and maybe a plow?) from the mountain. Getty Images

Your private charter waits on you at Van Nuys Airport, just one hour inland from Malibu’s Surfrider Beach. You’ll fly for about 80 minutes before landing at Mammoth Yosemite Airport, minutes from the mountain.

Sounds a little crazy, but you might be surprised: A dinky propeller air taxi can be under $4,000 one way for up to three passengers. That’s less than business class flying commercial. Of course, a small jet will triple that, be more comfortable, and save about 20 minutes.

Now that you’re in Mammoth, you’ll be faced with a very first-world problem: where to stay. There are no 5-star hotels here. But never fear, you’ll check into the Limelight Mammoth and like it.

Fresh snow, fresh digs at Limelight Mammoth, which just opened in December. Christian Pondella

Opened in December, it’s the swishest new stay in the village, and its Aspen-based operator knows snow.

It has 25 suites, a groovy restaurant/lounge, and a private club, all situated steps from the Village Gondola.

“The reality of the situation is that it’s one or the other. There’s no middle ground,” said Conchuratt. “You have a really long, long day, or you make it very jet set.”