Big Bear Mountain Resort

LA’s weekend snow escape, with night sessions.

Bear Mountain and Snow Summit sit a few minutes apart in Big Bear Lake and share one ticket (Snow Valley, listed separately, is on it too). Snow Summit has long groomers above the lake and evening Night Sessions; Bear Mountain has the highest lift-served peak in Southern California, the region’s only halfpipes and big parks. A large snowmaking system carries dry spells, and the town has cabins, a walkable village and a New Year’s Eve torchlight parade that dates to 1964.

The mountain

Vertical drop

1,665 ft

Summit

8,805 ft

Skiable terrain

438 acres

Trails

59

Lifts

17

Average snowfall

100″ a year

Longest run

1.5 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 33%
• Intermediate 40%
• Advanced 27%

What’s here besides skiing

• Night skiing
• Terrain park
• Snow tubing
• Mountain coaster
• Nightlife
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 19 – Jan 3

  Holiday period

  Extended hours, 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, with daily Night Sessions at Snow Summit and Snow Valley.

• New Year’sDec 31, 6–10 pm

  New Year’s Eve Concert & Torchlight Parade

  The 62nd annual party at Snow Summit: more than 200 skiers and riders carry torches down the mountain before a (snow)ball drop. Free viewing area.

• EventFeb 13

  Bear Bowl XI

  Four-person team contest at Bear Mountain with a relay race, tire course and field-goal kicking. Free to enter; a season pass is the prize.

• EventMar 15–21

  Kids Ski Free Week

  Free lift tickets for kids during the spring break week.

• EventMar 28, 9–10 am

  Easter Egg Hunt

  Free egg hunts at all three mountains, with a golden egg prize.

Where to stay

• lodgeThe Lodge at Big Bear Lake (Northwoods Resort)

  Rustic-style hotel on Village Drive with a restaurant and family suites.

  5 min drive
• hotelChateau Big Bear

  Renovated boutique hotel half a mile from Snow Summit, with Tiffany’s Bistro on site.

  5 min drive
• condoSnow Summit Townhouses

  Individually owned townhouse rentals for up to 10 at the base of Snow Summit.

  Slopeside at Snow Summit
• hostelBig Bear Hostel

  Dorm beds and budget private rooms near the lake and village. Reservations required.

  5 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain · 5 min drive

  Mineshaft Coaster and a snow play hill in town.

• Big Bear Snow Play · 10 min drive

  Snow tubing, including evening glow tubing, plus go-karts and a ropes course.

• Big Bear Alpine Zoo · 5 min drive

  Small zoo that also takes in injured and orphaned local wildlife.

• Big Bear Lake Brewing Company · 5 min drive

  Local brewery in Big Bear Lake for a post-ski pint.

Après and nightlife

• Laybacks Bar

  Bear Mountain’s sun-deck bar and the center of its après scene.

• Hog on the Rocks

  At 8,200 ft on top of Snow Summit, the highest bar in Southern California.

• Tommi’s

  Full-service Snow Summit bar named for founder Tommi Tyndall.

• Murray’s Saloon & Eatery

  Saloon near the village, open from breakfast until 2 am.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Ontario International (ONT) · about 1 hr 15 min drive
• Los Angeles · about 2.5 hr
• San Diego · about 3 hr

Directions in Google Maps