Big Bear, Snow Summit Opens Ski Slopes For The 2025 Ski Season

BIG BEAR, CA — The slopes are open for skiing and snowboarding at Big Bear, Southern California's year-round home for alpine adventures. With a base on snowy slopes on Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, the weather is ripe for snowmaking and there is plenty to do as the weather watches for more natural snow.

Ski Everywhere?

Season "Ikon" passes remain available for another 6 days for what is projected to be an epic season in 2025/26.

Patch spoke with a resort spokesperson who shared current conditions.

Kids Ski Free Week Happening Here:

It's a perfect time for Big Bear Mountain Resort to open as "Kids Ski Free Week" commences.

From Dec. 6 through 12th, kids will get up to 7 free lift tickets at Big Bear Mountain, Snow Valley, Palisades Tahoe, and Mammoth Mountain to the north.

How to get to Big Bear Mountain:

Highway 38 to Big Bear Lake is closed due to storm damage and a major mudslide back in September, with no estimated reopening date.

Travelers should use alternate routes such as Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley or Highway 330 through Running Springs and plan for extra travel time due to increased congestion.

At Bear Mountain, both beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders can experience the following:

• SoCal's Only Halfpipes
• Highest Lift Served Peak in SoCal
• Ski & Snowboard Lessons
• Equipment Rentals
• Freestyle Training Team
• Airbag Training Camps
• Terrain Parks
• Mid-Mountain Dining Option•
• View of San Gorgonio Mountains

At Snow Summit, intermediates and families can find:

• Ski & Snowboard Lessons
• Equipment Rentals
• Snow Tube Park
• Night Sessions
• Snow Summit Race Team
• Snow Rangers Non-Competitive Lesson Program
• Terrain Parks
• Mountaintop View Dining Options
• View of Big Bear Lake

At Snow Valley, beginners and families find:

• Ski & Snowboard Lessons
• Equipment Rentals
• Snow Tube Park
• Snow Play Area
• Night Sessions
• Valley SoCal Youth Program
• Terrain Parks
• Mid-Mountain Dining Option
• Favorite Runs: Slide Peak

"Snow Summit and Bear Mountain have both received 9 inches of natural snowfall this season. Snow Valley has received 6 inches," media spokespersonMike Imes told Patch.

Both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are open for business as of Friday, with skiers expected to take to the slopes and enjoy winter fun activities. Meanwhile, Snow Valley, the bunny slope, and easier runs were working through more challenging snowmaking conditions.

"With a little less natural snow, that has delayed the opening," he explained.

The Coyote Creek Tube Park and Snow Play area will be open on Friday, December 5, through Sunday, December 7.

"If conditions continue to improve, they may be able to open for skiing as early as Saturday or Sunday, though operations would likely begin with only one run available," he said.

Ideal snowmaking conditions are when overnight temperatures drop to the low 20s, with low humidity and light winds, typically from mid-November to February.

The rest of this week will determine how quickly they can open Snow Valley and the terrain available at Bear and Summit.

Right now, 77 fan guns are deployed across Snow Valley, producing snow. Snow Summit has 90 fan guns for its snow-creation process, while Bear Mountain has about 45 fan guns in play. When all the elements align, dry air and wind, sustained consistent weather, and a combined temperature and humidity of 0 degrees Fahrenheit, a perfect snowmaking day emerges. "Then we can facilitate the creation of high-quality artificial snow that enhances skiing and snowboarding experiences on the slopes."

As for weather projections, conditions remain dry and sunny for the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. Though early-season weather has been mixed across the state, forecasters say it's still a toss-up whether this winter will bring snow.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center's most recent forecast gives about equal chances for a winter defined by above- and below-normal precipitation across much of the state.
In Southern California, however, NOAA's forecast is leaning toward below-normal levels of precipitation.

The forecasters also predicted above-normal temperatures in the state from November through January.

Here's a rundown of the current estimated opening days at California's ski resorts. Note the days are subject to change based on snowfall and other weather conditions:

• Heavenly – Open as of Dec. 5
• Mammoth – opened Nov. 20
• Mountain High – Nov. 22
• Palisades Tahoe – Nov. 26
• Northstar – Check website for details.
• Sierra-at-Tahoe – Check website for details.
• Donner Ski Ranch – Check website for details.
• Homewood – Dec. 12
• June Mountain – Dec. 20
• Kirkwood – Dec. 5
• Tahoe Donner – Dec. 19
• Sugar Bowl — Nov. 27
• Mt. Baldy — Nov. 22
• Bear Valley — Nov. 28
• China Peak — Nov. 28
• Dodge Ridge — Nov. 28
• Boreal — Check website for details.
• Big Bear — Dec. 5
• Mt. Shasta Ski Park — Check website for details.
• Mt. Waterman — Check website for details.
• Soda Springs — Check website for details.
• Alta Sierra — Check website for details.
• Badger Pass — Check website for details.