Snow Summit Ski Resort
Big Bear Lake, CA · base elevation ~7,000 ft · the valley's all-rounder
2026–27 opening update — checked September 30, 2026. BBMR’s earliest possible opening is November 21, not a confirmed opening day. Check the resort’s current schedule. Opening dates and available terrain depend on conditions. Check resort opening information and Caltrans QuickMap before you travel. A season label is not a live operating report.
Snow Summit is the mountain most Big Bear ski days start on. If Bear Mountain is the freestyle playground, Summit is the classic ski resort: wide, meticulously groomed runs, a big beginner area at the base, and the most dependable snowmaking in Southern California. That combination makes it the default pick for families, first-timers, and anyone who just wants to lap long, confidence-building groomers with a view of the lake.
The terrain
Summit's strength is its intermediate cruisers — long, well-pitched blue runs that let you find a rhythm and ski top to bottom without white-knuckle sections. Beginners get a dedicated, gentle learning zone near the base that's separated from faster traffic, which makes it one of the least intimidating places in SoCal to learn. Advanced skiers will find steeper black pitches and tree lines to keep things interesting, though experts chasing park features tend to migrate next door to Bear Mountain.
- Best for: beginners, families, intermediates who love groomers
- Signature feature: reliable snowmaking + broad, groomed blues
- Bonus: night skiing on select evenings — lit runs after dark
- Lake views: some of the best on-hill views of Big Bear Lake
Night skiing
One of Summit's signatures is night skiing — a stretch of runs stays lit into the evening on select nights through the season. It's a genuinely rare experience this close to a major city: leave LA after lunch, ski under the lights, and be home the same night. See the night skiing guide for how it works.
Planning your day at Snow Summit
Base lots fill early on weekends and holidays. Sort parking before you drive up, and carry chains in your vehicle whenever there's snow in the forecast.
Lift tickets, hours, and pass options are set by the resort and change through the season — check the official Big Bear Mountain Resort site the week you visit.