
240 acres, 317m vertical, 140 inches annual snow. Southern California's longest operating resort in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Snow Valley spans 240 acres across 30 runs between 2,073 and 2,390 metres elevation, delivering 317 metres of vertical drop in the San Bernardino National Forest. The terrain divides into 32% beginner, 13% intermediate, 41% advanced and 14% expert, with Slide Peak offering the steepest pitches in Southern California. The resort averages 140 inches of annual snowfall and operates under special use permit from the United States Forest Service. Established in 1924, it holds the distinction as Southern California's longest continually operating ski resort and was acquired by Alterra Mountain Company in January 2023.
Slide Peak anchors the advanced terrain with runs like Show Me and Snake Run, whilst the expanded beginner area near Chair 2 provides dedicated learning space. The Snow Valley Express high-speed six-pack accesses over 300 metres of vertical and serves as Southern California's only lift of its kind. The resort maintains 100% snowmaking coverage across its accessible terrain, though water supply constraints mean the upper third operates primarily during natural snow cycles. Hidden Valley and Peak 9 deliver backcountry-style terrain accessible via Lift 9, with gladed runs and powder-filled bowls.
The base lodge sits at 2,073 metres with views across the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean on clear days. Thunder Mountain BBQ & Bar provides slopeside dining, whilst the Coyote Creek Tube Park offers Southern California's only chairlift-served sledding operation. Running Springs, 8 kilometres west, supplies the closest services, with Lake Arrowhead 18 kilometres distant. Night skiing operates Friday and Saturday from 3pm to 8:30pm. The resort draws primarily from Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, with manageable weekend crowds compared to Big Bear alternatives.
Indy Pass holders receive two days of access with no blackout dates, whilst the resort's own season pass costs USD 479 for unlimited skiing. Daily lift tickets range from USD 65 midweek to USD 95 on peak dates, with beginner-only access available from USD 45. Big Bear Mountain Resort manages Snow Valley alongside Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, creating a three-mountain network 21 kilometres apart. The resort suits families, learning skiers and Los Angeles day-trippers seeking accessible terrain without the Mammoth drive.
Snow Valley spreads 30 runs across 240 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 41%, with 10 beginner runs to find your feet and 16 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
The 2025-26 season runs from 5 December 2025 through 15 March 2026, providing 131 operational days. Snow Valley typically opens in early to mid-December depending on natural snowfall and snowmaking progress, with closures between late March and mid-April. The season length ranks among California's shortest due to the resort's relatively low elevation and Southern California's variable winter precipitation. Weekend-only operations occur during marginal snow years, whilst strong winters support daily operations from late December through February.
Annual snowfall averages 140 inches, with extreme volatility between seasons. Roughly 6% of winter months receive 90 inches or more, whilst 40% see less than 12 inches. The resort sits lower than Big Bear Lake's mountains at 2,073 metres base elevation, making it susceptible to rain events during warm storm cycles. Snowmaking covers 100% of operational terrain but relies on a limited water supply, typically supporting the lower two-thirds of the mountain. Mid-winter storms from late January through February deliver the most reliable powder, with Slide Peak holding snow longer than lower-elevation runs.
February offers peak conditions with the highest average snowfall and coldest temperatures. December and early January see building snowpack and holiday crowds, whilst March brings spring corn snow and thinning cover. Midweek visits from late January through February provide the best combination of snow quality, terrain availability and minimal lift queues. Night skiing Friday and Saturday evenings extends riding time for weekend visitors, with illuminated terrain on the lower mountain. Avoid Presidents' Day weekend and the week between Christmas and New Year for crowd management.
The resort hosts occasional competitions and learn-to-ski events but maintains a low-key events calendar compared to destination resorts. Alterra's acquisition has introduced limited synergy with Big Bear Mountain Resort programming. No major seasonal festivals anchor the calendar. Summer operations include lift-served mountain biking on weekends from May through October, scenic chairlift rides and special food and beverage events.
Snow Valley sits at 2,073 metres elevation in the San Bernardino National Forest on State Route 18, 8 kilometres east of Running Springs in San Bernardino County. The resort occupies mid-mountain terrain on the northern slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains, which rise between the Inland Empire and the Mojave Desert. Running Springs functions as the gateway community at the junction of SR-18 and SR-330, elevation 1,850 metres. The mountains form an east-west trending range reaching 3,500 metres at San Gorgonio Mountain, 50 kilometres east.
San Bernardino lies 58 kilometres southwest and 1,700 metres lower in elevation, serving as the primary urban centre. Los Angeles sits 140 kilometres west, Orange County 145 kilometres southwest, and San Diego 240 kilometres south. Lake Arrowhead, a resort community of 12,000, lies 18 kilometres northwest at 1,650 metres elevation. Big Bear Lake, the region's largest mountain town with year-round population of 5,000, sits 27 kilometres east at 2,070 metres. The National Children's Forest, a 1,400-hectare interpretive area created after the 1970 Bear Fire, borders the resort on Highway 18.
From Los Angeles and Orange County, take Interstate 10 east to Highway 330 north in Highland, which climbs 1,500 metres through switchbacks to Running Springs in 45 minutes. Highway 18 continues east 8 kilometres to Snow Valley. Total driving time from central Los Angeles averages 90 minutes in clear conditions, though weekend traffic on Highway 330 frequently doubles travel time during winter. An alternative route via Interstate 15 north to Highway 138 east and Highway 18 through Crestline adds 20 minutes but avoids Highway 330 congestion. From San Diego, take Interstate 15 north 200 kilometres to the Highway 138 junction.
Ontario International Airport sits 61 kilometres southwest with approximately one-hour driving time, offering major airline service and rental cars. Los Angeles International Airport lies 160 kilometres west with two-hour minimum driving time. Palm Springs International Airport, 110 kilometres southeast, provides seasonal winter access. Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority operates bus service from San Bernardino via Ontario Airport to Running Springs and Big Bear, with limited frequency unsuitable for day visits. Metrolink trains serve San Bernardino station, connecting to Mountain Transit buses, though total journey time from Los Angeles exceeds four hours. Private vehicles remain the practical access method, with chains or four-wheel-drive required during active storms.
Hotels and lodges near Snow Valley, powered by Stay22.

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.

Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.

Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.

Hintertux became Austria's second glacier to open for 2026-27 on Friday 2 October, after the Pitztal Glacier. Twelve kilometres of piste are running around the Olperer and Gefrorene Wand, served by one gondola and two drag lifts, with the Betterpark also open. Lifts officially run 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, but skiing stops at 2 pm for now.

A historically poor western winter cut Vail Resorts' annual net income from $280 million to $147.5 million and skier visits by 13.4 per cent. Now 2026-27 pass units are down 12 per cent as of 18 September, worse than the 10 per cent flagged in spring. Vail blames the weather and thinks some buyers are simply waiting, and it forecasts a rebound if the snow behaves.

Arizona Snowbowl advertised eight $1 lift ticket days this winter. Go looking and only three are showing - 10 March, 1 April and 10 April - so the rest may already have gone. The consolation is a calendar full of $9 days, including all but one day in April. Opening day is 20 November, weather permitting, and opening weekend is $19.

For years, Whitewater's Short Side was where you ducked a rope and hoped for the best: unmapped, ungroomed and unpatrolled. This winter it's inbounds. Six new runs of glades and fall-line skiing add 190 acres (about 77 hectares), taking the resort past 1,400 acres in total. F2 Logging spent a month in the trees to make it happen, and opening day is pencilled in for 4 December. Bonanza now needs less snow to groom, too.

Mammoth got its first snow of 2026-27 on Monday 28 September - and promptly lost it by Tuesday morning. Barely an inch fell at McCoy Station, but with opening day pencilled in for Friday 13 November, it's the first sign the Sierra is waking up. Last year's date slipped from 14 November to 20 November, so nobody's booking flights on a dusting just yet. Here's where California's early openers stand.
Snow Valley's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 5 through March 15. That window is roughly 100 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in California, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
Snow Valley lists about 240 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 30 named runs (97 hectares alongside 240 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
Trail grading at Snow Valley breaks down roughly as 32% beginner, 13% intermediate, 41% advanced, 14% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
Snow Valley operates 13 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 5 triple chairs, 5 double chairs, 2 surface lifts, and 1 6-person chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
Base elevation at Snow Valley is about 6,801 ft (2,073 m), with the summit around 7,841 ft (2,390 m), giving roughly 1,040 ft (317 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
Snow Valley averages about 140 inches (356 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Snow Valley is affiliated with the Indy. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$45 to US$95, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Snow Valley so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Snow Valley. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Snow Valley sits in California, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.