California, Usa · Ikon
Snow Summit
240 acres, 27 runs, 366m vertical in San Bernardino Mountains. Night skiing, Ikon Pass access, 2 hours from Los Angeles.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
5 Dec 2025
Closes
25 Mar 2026
Days open
110
Annual snow
12ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Snow Summit operates across 240 acres with 27 marked runs and 366 metres of vertical drop, stretching from a base elevation of 2,133 metres to a summit at 2,499 metres in the San Bernardino Mountains. The resort averages 254 centimetres of annual snowfall, supplemented by an extensive snowmaking system featuring more than 560 hydrants and 330 snow guns covering all developed terrain. Established in 1952, Snow Summit holds the distinction of hosting the inaugural Winter X Games in 1997 and installing the West Coast's first permanent in-ground halfpipe in 1983. The resort includes access on the Ikon Pass with unlimited days and operates as one of three mountains within Big Bear Mountain Resort alongside sister properties Bear Mountain and Snow Valley.
The terrain breaks down to 19 per cent beginner, 48 per cent intermediate, 26 per cent advanced and 7 per cent expert across the 27 trails. Intermediate cruisers dominate the west side via Chairs 2 and 9, including the popular Miracle Mile and Summit Run top-to-bottom routes. Advanced skiers target The Bowl on the east side, where Chair 5 and Chair 6 access black diamond runs including Olympic, The Wall and Side Chute. Westridge serves as a 2.4-kilometre terrain park with progressive features spanning beginner to expert levels, whilst Chair 3 provides access to additional park runs including Ego Trip.
Snow Summit caters primarily to Los Angeles day-trippers and weekend visitors seeking accessible alpine terrain within a two-hour drive. The base area at 2,133 metres includes the Adventure Academy ski school, Ironwood Coffee, Oakfire Grill and a tubing park. Night sessions operate on select dates from 3pm to 8:30pm, illuminating 50 hectares of terrain including Upper Miracle Mile. Free shuttle service connects Snow Summit to Bear Mountain two miles away, allowing ticket holders to ski both mountains on a single pass.
The resort suits families, progression skiers and intermediates looking for reliable conditions and proximity to Southern California's urban centres. Big Bear Mountain Resort season passes start at $719 for unlimited access to all three mountains, whilst Ikon Pass holders receive unlimited days with no blackout dates. The 2025-26 season runs from 5 December to 25 March, with weekend crowds peaking during January and February holidays. Ontario International Airport sits 97 kilometres away with a 90-minute drive via Highway 330 and Highway 18.
1,201ft
Vertical
27
Runs
240 acres
Skiable
12ft
Annual snow
Ikon
Pass
The Terrain
27 runs across 240 acres skiable
Snow Summit spreads 27 runs across 240 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 48%, with 5 beginner runs to find your feet and 9 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
27
runs
27 runs across 4 grades
Beginner5 runs · 19%
Intermediate13 runs · 48%
Advanced7 runs · 26%
Expert2 runs · 7%
Time it right
When to visit Snow Summit
The 2025-26 season opens 5 December 2025 and closes 25 March 2026, delivering approximately 16 weeks of operation. Snow Summit typically operates from early December through late March depending on conditions, with Bear Mountain extending the season into early April when snowpack allows. The resort maintains one of Southern California's longest seasons thanks to comprehensive snowmaking that can manufacture snow across all developed terrain. Daily operations run 8:30am to 4pm Monday through Friday, with weekend hours starting at 8am and night sessions extending access until 8:30pm on select dates.
Snow Summit receives an average of 254 centimetres of annual snowfall, concentrated primarily between December and March. February historically delivers the heaviest snowfall with 76 centimetres average, followed by January with 66 centimetres. The base elevation of 2,133 metres and summit at 2,499 metres provide consistent cold temperatures for snowmaking throughout the winter. The resort's multimillion-dollar system features more than 560 hydrants, 330 snow guns and 40 fans converting 22,710 litres of water to snow per minute, ensuring reliable coverage even during low-natural-snow years.
January and February offer peak powder conditions and the fullest terrain opening, though weekend crowds can be substantial with lift lines forming at main chairs. March delivers spring conditions with softer snow and longer daylight, plus reduced midweek crowds. December provides early-season access primarily on machine-made snow. Night sessions operate select Friday through Sunday dates from mid-December through mid-March, illuminating 50 hectares including terrain parks and intermediate cruisers. Advance online purchases save $20 to $30 compared with window rates.
The annual New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade on 31 December features over 200 skiers descending the mountain with lit torches, marking the resort's 61st edition of the tradition in 2025. Snow Summit hosts School Night Session programmes and birthday promotions offering free lift access on guests' actual birthdays. The resort closes for the season in late March, transitioning to summer mountain biking operations by late April or early May. Spring skiing remains viable through the final operating days, with groomed runs maintaining coverage whilst south-facing terrain softens in afternoon sun.
Season 2025 - 2026
5 Dec 2025
Opens
25 Mar 2026
Closes
110
Days open
12 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Snow Summit, and where to stay
Snow Summit sits in the San Bernardino Mountains at 34.22°N latitude, directly adjacent to Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, Southern California. The base village at 2,133 metres elevation lies within the San Bernardino National Forest, surrounded by pine and cedar forest with views across the 11-kilometre-long reservoir. The resort occupies the southern slopes above the town of Big Bear Lake, positioned 156 kilometres northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Bear Mountain operates two miles west, whilst Snow Valley sits 16 kilometres away in Running Springs.
Big Bear Lake town centre sits three kilometres north of the resort, offering lodging, dining and retail services for approximately 5,200 permanent residents. The mountain community serves as Southern California's primary alpine destination, drawing day-trippers and weekend visitors from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. Running Springs sits 13 kilometres west via Highway 18, whilst the city of San Bernardino lies 56 kilometres southwest in the valley below. The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest provides hiking trails and cross-country skiing accessed from the summit.
Highway 18 serves as the primary access route, climbing from San Bernardino via Highway 330 through steep switchbacks gaining 1,200 metres elevation. The drive from Los Angeles covers 156 kilometres and takes approximately two hours via Interstate 10 east to Highway 330 north, then Highway 18 east to Big Bear Lake. An alternate route follows Highway 38 through Redlands, adding 20 minutes but offering less congestion and fewer switchbacks. Weekend traffic can extend drive times by 30 to 60 minutes during peak winter periods. Tyre chains may be required during active snowfall.
Ontario International Airport sits 97 kilometres southwest with a 90-minute drive via Interstate 10 and Highway 330. Los Angeles International Airport lies 183 kilometres away with a two-hour drive under normal traffic conditions. Palm Springs International Airport sits 140 kilometres southeast, whilst John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana offers access 150 kilometres southwest. Mountain Transit operates bus service from San Bernardino to Big Bear Lake for $10, connecting to Metrolink commuter rail. No direct public transport serves the resort base, requiring taxi or rideshare for the final three kilometres from town. Free shuttle service operates between Snow Summit and Bear Mountain for passholders.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Snow Summit, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Snow Summit's ski season?
Snow Summit's season typically runs from December 5 to March 25, roughly 110 days, weather and conditions permitting.
How much skiable terrain does Snow Summit have?
Snow Summit has about 240 acres skiable across 27 runs.
How many lifts does Snow Summit have?
Snow Summit operates 16 lifts in total.
How much snow does Snow Summit get?
Snow Summit averages around 139 inches (11.6 feet) of snowfall per season.
Where can I buy Snow Summit lift tickets?
Lift tickets for Snow Summit can be purchased directly from the resort online, or in person at the ticket office. See the full pricing breakdown on the lift tickets page.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Ski-E-O! Is the Ski Resort Tycoon Game We Didn't Know We Needed
I'm not a gamer. I'm a skier and snowboarder who happens to have a laptop. So when a ski resort management game called Ski-E-O! landed on Steam, I wasn't expecting to lose an afternoon to it - but here we are. Real mountain terrain, a full weather system, storms that roll in and wreck your snow base, avalanche danger, and enough depth to make RollerCoaster Tycoon feel simple by comparison. Early access lands in November. Here's what a few hours in the free demo actually looks like.
23 Aug 2026
Sugar Bowl, California, Rebuilds Its Historic Village Gondola
The rumours are true: Sugar Bowl is tearing out its Emerald gondola, in place since 1983, and replacing it with a new 8-person Doppelmayr system - nearly doubling uphill capacity to 1,800 people an hour. It's the fourth generation of a gondola line that dates back to 1953, when Sugar Bowl became the first resort on the West Coast to run one at all, and it's just one piece of a $100 million overhaul touching lodges, parking and snowmaking. Here's what's changing, and what's staying the same.
23 Aug 2026
Two Confirmed Dead as Search Continues After Swiss Alps Fire
The death toll from Thursday night's fire at Restaurant Beverin in Thusis, Switzerland, has begun to firm up. One Swiss outlet, citing Graubünden Cantonal Police, reports that two of the five people initially reported missing have now been confirmed dead, leaving three unaccounted for. The building's collapsed stairwell and structural instability have slowed recovery efforts throughout. Here's what's changed since the fire broke out, and what's still unconfirmed.
22 Aug 2026
Selwyn Snow Resort Closes Early as Rain Ends Its 2026 Season
Selwyn Snow Resort has called an early end to its 2026 season, a day after Victoria's Mount Baw Baw did the same. Rain on Thursday stripped what was left of the snowpack, and the cold nights needed to rebuild it through snowmaking never arrived. It's a rough result for a resort that only just found its footing again after being burned to the ground in the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and a multi-year rebuild. Here's how the season fell apart, and where Selwyn's been since the fire.
22 Aug 2026
Mt Baw Baw Becomes First Australian Resort to Close for 2026
Mt Baw Baw is calling time on its 2026 season this Sunday at 5pm, becoming the first Australian resort to close for the year after warm spells and rain wore through its snowpack. Lifts stop, but the resort stays open, entry fees get waived, and there's one last Bollywood Weekend before the lights go out. Fifty-seven days after opening, here's how the season ended and what it means for the rest of Australia's struggling snowpack.
21 Aug 2026
Arosa to Replace 40-Year-Old Hörnli Lifts With New Gondola and Chair
Arosa's Hörnli sector is getting its biggest overhaul in decades. The 1986 gondola and 1994 chairlift linking toward Lenzerheide are both being replaced, with capacity up, tower count down and a new base station lower on the hill. At roughly CHF 67 million, it is the largest single investment Arosa Bergbahnen has ever made - and the target opening has already slipped a year, to December 2028. Here is what is changing, and why the timeline moved.
20 Aug 2026
Sundance Mountain Resort Is Getting a New High-Speed Quad and More Back Mountain Terrain This Winter
Sundance Mountain Resort's back mountain is finally getting a proper lift. The Electric Horseman Express opens for 2026-27, unlocking a new bowl next to Bishop's Bowl and three expert gladed chutes across roughly 105 fresh acres - on top of the Storyteller ridge run that debuted in preview form last season. It's Sundance's biggest expansion since 1985, and it turns a three-lift slog into a single six-minute ride to Bearclaw Summit.
19 Aug 2026
Levi and Ruka Confirm October 2 Opening on Farmed Summer Snow
Finland's Levi and Ruka open for the 2026-27 season on October 2, more than seven weeks before most of Europe sees a lift turn. Neither resort is waiting on autumn snowfall - both are skiing on snow buried since last spring, insulated through the Finnish summer and dug back out for opening day. It is not a shortcut. It is a decades-old system now spreading from the Arctic Circle to Idaho, Utah, Vermont and Colorado. Here is how snow farming actually works, and why it is catching on.
19 Aug 2026