California is far more than wineries and beaches! If you’d like a break from the city or the coast, Big Bear is an excellent option for a spectacular California ski weekend.
Southern California’s Big Bear Lake
Big Bear is the weekender choice for most living in Southern California because of the relatively short drive. San Diego is about three hours while LA is just over two hours, depending on traffic and your starting point.
We love Big Bear because of the view of the lake from the slopes. It’s the chilly zen moment you crave when you want to escape city noise, long commutes, and cell phone notifications. The quaint town of Big Bear runs along the shores of the mountain lake.
If you’re looking to make a quick escape, click here to visit the official Big Bear Lake Visitor Bureau for events, activities, and local conditions.
Big Bear, California Ski Resorts
There are three resorts here for you to hit the slopes on. Two are located within Big Bear and run by Big Bear Mountain Resorts. The third is Snow Valley.
The season is shorter than locations in Northern California but temperatures are milder also. Tubing is a popular family activity and is great if you have a large and diverse age group.
Which Ski Resort?
Bear Mountain has ample snowboarding options while Snow Summit has more traditional ski runs. You can have fun at either resort if your group is a mix of ski and snowboarding or age groups. Both have stunning views of the mountain as well as the lake below.
Click here to get current conditions and details about either resort.
Snow Valley is in a different area, about twenty minutes outside of Big Bear in Running Springs. Access can be an issue at times since there is only one access road and no alternatives.
It’s a nice resort for the kids to learn though! Click here to get the most up-to-date details.
Catching Powder is Pricey, Look At An Annual Pass
If you plan on enjoying a lot of ski days in any given season, consider an annual pass. Our contributor purchased the Ikon Pass since it included the most popular California mountain resorts as well as unlimited access to destinations in Colorado, Washington, West Virginia, Vermont and Canada. There are a variety of options of passes and participating resorts via the Ikon Pass website. They go on sale during the fall and are limited so just something to be aware of for next season!
California Snow Series: Big Bear, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes
Get that overview of each area to know if Lake Tahoe or Mammoth Lakes fits your travel plans. Each destination is unique and offers excellent experiences!
