Night Skiing at Big Bear
Ski under the lights, two hours from the city.
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.
Night skiing is one of Big Bear's best-kept everyday secrets. On select evenings, Snow Summit keeps a set of runs lit after sunset — a genuinely rare thing this close to a major city. You can leave LA after work or lunch, catch a few hours on empty, floodlit corduroy, and be home the same night.
Why ski at night
- Fewer crowds: the day-trippers have gone home; lift lines thin out.
- Cheaper access: twilight/night tickets are typically less than a full day.
- A different vibe: the lit runs and cold, quiet air feel completely unlike a day session.
- After-work friendly: locals and LA/OC drivers can still get a few runs in after a late start.
Dress warmer than you think
Temperatures drop fast once the sun is down at 7,000+ ft — often into the 20s. Add a layer beyond what you'd wear during the day, bring warmer gloves, and consider hand warmers. Goggles with a low-light or clear lens help a lot under the floodlights (dark daytime lenses are too dark at night).
Good to know
- Night operations run on select evenings and depend on conditions — confirm the schedule before you drive up.
- Only a portion of the mountain is lit, so terrain is more limited than daytime.
- Bear Mountain does not run night skiing — this is a Snow Summit experience.
- The drive down the mountain at night can be icy; carry chains and take it slow. See chains & winter driving.
Plan a night session
Night-skiing dates and hours are set by the resort each season — check the official schedule before you go.