Snow Summit

240 acres, 27 runs, 366m vertical in San Bernardino Mountains. Night skiing, Ikon Pass access, 2 hours from Los Angeles.

Season 2026 - 2027

Opens

5 Dec 2026

Closes

28 Mar 2027

Days open

113

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

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

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 2026 - 2027

5 Dec 2026

Opens

28 Mar 2027

Closes

113

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.

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From the SnowStash desk

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17 Sept 2026

Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros

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16 Sept 2026

Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus

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16 Sept 2026

FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032

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4 Sept 2026

Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

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4 Sept 2026

Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.

2 Sept 2026

Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.

1 Sept 2026

Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028

Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.

31 Aug 2026

Snow Summit Lift System

Snow Summit operates 16 lifts comprising two quad chairs, four triple chairs, five double chairs and five surface lifts. The system provides uphill capacity to serve the 240-acre ski area, with lifts accessing terrain across both the east and west sides of the mountain. Chair 1 serves as the primary summit access, whilst Chairs 2 and 9 handle the bulk of intermediate traffic on the west side. The east side remains less crowded, with Chairs 5, 6, 7 and 10 spreading skiers across advanced and intermediate terrain.

Chair 1 delivers top-to-bottom access to Summit Run and Miracle Mile, the resort's signature cruising trails. Chair 2 serves Westridge and the main terrain parks, operating as one of the busiest lifts during peak periods. Chair 6 accesses The Bowl, home to the steepest runs including Olympic and The Wall with pitches reaching expert grades. Chair 5 provides lapping access to Side Chute, whilst Chair 9 serves 213 metres of vertical on the east side with predominantly intermediate terrain including Sundown.

The base area features multiple loading points with beginner-specific surface lifts clustered near the Adventure Academy. Mid-mountain, Chair 7 and Chair 10 provide secondary access to tree-lined intermediate runs including Timber Ridge and Seven-Down. The lift network allows continuous skiing without mandatory green runs, though Summit Run serves as the primary return route to the base. Chair 3 connects to additional terrain park features and intermediate trails on the far east side.

Big Bear Mountain Resort invested in snowmaking infrastructure capable of covering all 240 acres without natural snowfall, conditions permitting. The system draws water from Big Bear Lake and operates when ambient temperature and humidity allow. Whilst Snow Summit has not added new chairlifts recently, sister resort Bear Mountain installed a high-speed six-seat Midway Chair in December 2024, and a connection plan between the two mountains remains under U.S. Forest Service review. Chair 9 operates as an older fixed-grip lift with faster loading speeds that can challenge less experienced skiers at unload.

16lifts across 4 types

Quad Chairs

Triple Chairs

Double Chairs

Surface Lifts

Snow Summit lift system

Snow Summit is served by 16 lifts, listed here by type. Check which lifts are turning against the live conditions before you plan your first laps - early lifts and high-speed chairs get you to the best snow fastest.

More Snow Summit intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.