Skiing & Snowboarding in Big Bear
Two full-scale resorts — Snow Summit and Bear Mountain — sit side by side at 7,000+ ft, about two hours from Los Angeles. Together they make up Southern California's largest lift-served terrain. Here's how they differ, which one fits your crew, and how to plan a smooth day on the mountain.
Winter conditions change fast. This guide was verified for the 2026–27 season in 2026 — always check live snow, road, and chain conditions (Caltrans QuickMap) the morning you travel.
The two mountains
⛷️ Snow Summit
The all-rounder. Broad, well-groomed intermediate cruisers, a strong learning area, and the valley's most reliable snowmaking. This is where most first-timers, families, and skiers who like long groomed runs start. Night skiing runs on select evenings.
Snow Summit guide →🏂 Bear Mountain
The freestyle mountain. Bear is one of the country's best-known terrain-park destinations — jumps, jibs, rails and a superpipe draw snowboarders and freestyle skiers from across SoCal. More natural, playful terrain than Summit's groomers.
Bear Mountain guide →The two resorts are jointly operated and connected by a free inter-mountain shuttle, and a single lift ticket or pass typically covers both — so you can ski Summit's groomers in the morning and session Bear's park in the afternoon. Not sure which to prioritize? Read the head-to-head: Snow Summit vs Bear Mountain →
Which mountain fits you?
🔰 First-timers & families
Start at Snow Summit — the beginner area and gentle groomers are the friendliest place to find your feet.
Beginner's guide →🏂 Park riders
Head straight to Bear Mountain. Its parks are the reason SoCal's freestyle scene calls Big Bear home.
Terrain parks →🌙 After work / night owls
Snow Summit lights up runs on select nights — a rare chance to ski under the stars two hours from the city.
Night skiing →🎿 No gear?
Rent in town before you drive up — it's cheaper and faster than the base-lodge lines. Here's where.
Rental shops →Plan your ski day
Prices, lift hours, and pass details change every season and often week to week — we point you to the resorts' official sources for those rather than list numbers that go stale. Check the resort site the week you go.