Alterra Mountain Conpany Buys Snow Valley, CA | New Ikon Pass Resort

Michael Fulton20 Jan 2023

TL;DR

Read in the app

Ski news, snow reports and resort intel in one place.

Read in the app

Ski news, snow reports and resort intel in one place.

Alterra Mountain Company today announced the purchase of its 15th ski area which will be 100% operated by the company. Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Southern California which is located just before the entry to Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. The operations of Snow Valley will be run by Big Bear Mountain Resorts which currently operates Bear Mountain and Snow Summit in the same region. Snow Valley currently operates nine chairlifts including a detachable six pack and eight Yan fixed grips.

Snow Valley Resort Centre. Credit: Snow Valley Ski Resort “The acquisition of Snow Valley Mountain Resort is a continuation of our ongoing mission to build a premier portfolio of great mountains in robust markets, As we do with all our destinations, we are excited to invest essential capital to enhance the on-site employee and guest experience to further strengthen our offerings to skiers and riders in Southern California.” — Jared Smith, President and CEO of Alterra Mountain Company Ikon Pass holders can access Snow Valley beginning Monday, February 20th which is awesome however there could be a downside to this as the crowds that flock to Bear Mountain and Snow Summit on the weekend will now also take over Snow Valley. Snow Valley Mountain Resort is the oldest continually operating ski resort in Southern California and is also one of four ski resorts in the San Bernardino Mountains. Opening to the public in 1924 Snow Valley has seen continuous growth and expansion throughout the years. Located just before the famous Big Bear Lake, Snow Valley is a must visit resort for those looking for traditional charm and a brilliant family first destination. Riders visiting and skiing Snow Valley have 14 lifts to choose from that rise from the base of the resort to offer access to 32 marked trails which cover a total rideable area of 240 acres. Spread out over two mountains the base area is best for beginners, the middle of the resort a great options for intermediate riders and the summit region on Slide Peak the best for advanced and expert riders. Snow Valley Mountain Resort has something for everyone as well as the only snow-play area with a chairlift in Southern California.Snow Valley Resort Stats Summit Elevation: 7841ft / 2390mBase Elevation: 6800ft / 2073mVertical Drop: 1041ft / 317mBeginner: 32%Intermediate: 13%Advanced: 41%Expert: 14%Number of Runs: 30Number of Lifts: 12Avg Annual Snowfall: 140" / 11.67ft / 356cmResort terrain: 240acres / 97ha

About the author

Michael Fulton

Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

50+ resorts visited15 years skiing

Keep reading

More from the SnowStash desk

View all news →

Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings

Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.

1 Nov 2026

Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches

Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.

31 Oct 2026

Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street

The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.

31 Oct 2026

Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years

A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.

30 Oct 2026

What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass

Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.

30 Oct 2026

Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace

Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.

30 Oct 2026

Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing

Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.

29 Oct 2026

Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup

Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.

29 Oct 2026

TL;DR

Read in the app

Ski news, snow reports and resort intel in one place.

Read in the app

Ski news, snow reports and resort intel in one place.

About the author

Michael Fulton

Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

50+ resorts visited15 years skiing