Big Bear is Southern California’s ultimate winter destination. With two ski resorts that cater to snow sport enthusiasts of all levels, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, there’s plenty of options to hit the slopes during your winter getaway. Strap on your snowboard, downhill skis, Nordic skis, or even rent a tube and head to Big Bear’s most popular location: the mountainside!
Beginning riders will want to head to Snow Summit first, where a large percentage of the runs are “bunny slopes.” These ski runs, marked with a green circle, allow you to get acquainted with the skills necessary to tackle the mountain in a safe environment. Don’t worry if you fall; your fellow bunny slope-goers will be learning the ropes, too! These runs are also great for kids.
Once you’ve gained some confidence, try a few of the intermediate slopes, which are marked with blue squares. These runs will test your newfound skills while still being relatively welcoming. The advanced crowd will want to look out for the black diamonds—or double black diamonds—which denote the hardest trails, intended for those with years of experience.
As mentioned previously, there are also snow tubing hills where you can ride up on a “magic carpet” before sliding down on a big inner tube. This activity is great for children and those who aren’t quite up for the physicality of skiing or snowboarding.
