Big Bear in Winter
Southern California's snow playground sits at 6,750+ ft, a couple hours from LA. Here's everything to do when it's white — from the slopes to free sledding hills — plus the chain and driving know-how to get up the mountain safely.
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.
What to do in the snow
⛷️ Skiing & snowboarding
Snow Summit and Bear Mountain run December through March, best conditions January–March. Sort your parking before you go.
Ski parking guide →🛷 Snow play & sledding
Free sled hills on the north shore plus lift-served tube parks — and the county's new roadside-parking rules you need to know.
Snow play & sledding →🎿 Snow tubing parks
Grizzly Ridge, Big Bear Snow Play, Alpine Slide and more — hours, prices, height/age rules, and booking.
Tubing parks →🥾 Snowshoeing & winter hiking
When trails are snowed in, snowshoeing is the move. See routes and gear tips in the activities guide.
Winter activities →Plan your winter trip
When does it snow?
Big Bear's ski season typically runs December through March, with the most reliable snow and all lifts open January through March. December averages around 40 inches of snow with highs near 45°F; January is colder (highs in the 30s–low 40s, lows in the 20s) and often the snowiest. Holiday weekends — Christmas, New Year's, and the Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents' Day weekends — are the busiest and priciest, so book lodging and ski parking early.