Big Bear Terrain Parks

Bear Mountain is one of the most famous terrain-park destinations in the country, and it's the reason a lot of SoCal snowboarders and freestyle skiers make the drive. The mountain is set up as a progression: you can start on tiny beginner features and work your way up to full jump lines and a superpipe without ever feeling out of your depth — if you play it smart.

How the progression works

Bear typically runs several parks rated by difficulty, much like ski runs: small parks with mellow boxes and rollers, medium parks with real jumps and rails, and advanced parks with big booters and the pipe. The golden rule is ride up one level at a time — session a park until the features feel easy before moving to the next size up.

Park etiquette & safety

• Look before you leap: watch a feature from the side and see others hit it before you drop.
• Call your drop: shout "dropping!" so no one hits a feature under you.
• Clear the landing fast: land, then move — don't sit below a jump.
• Start small: speed-check on smaller features before committing to a big line.
• Wear a helmet — non-negotiable in the park.

New to parks?

You don't need to be an expert to enjoy Bear's parks — just start on the smallest features and build up. If you're brand new to riding altogether, get comfortable linking turns first (see the beginner's guide), then come back to the small park once you can stop and steer with confidence.

Plan a park day

Park layouts change through the season with conditions and events — check the resort's park report for what's open the day you ride.