California, Usa · Indy
Snow Valley
240 acres, 317m vertical, 140 inches annual snow. Southern California's longest operating resort in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
5 Dec 2025
Closes
15 Mar 2026
Days open
100
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 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.
1,040ft
Vertical
30
Runs
240 acres
Skiable
12ft
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
30 runs across 240 acres skiable
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.
Terrain split
30
runs
30 runs across 4 grades
Beginner10 runs · 32%
Intermediate4 runs · 13%
Advanced12 runs · 41%
Expert4 runs · 14%
Time it right
When to visit Snow Valley
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.
Season 2025 - 2026
5 Dec 2025
Opens
15 Mar 2026
Closes
100
Days open
12 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Snow Valley, and where to stay
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.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Snow Valley, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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
Nassfeld Invests €13 Million in New 6-Seater Chairlift for 2026/27 Season
Nassfeld is putting €13 million into a new 6-seater chairlift, the Tressdorfer Almbahn, connecting Sonnleitn with the Tressdorfer Alm from December 2026. It replaces three ageing drag lifts and will run through summer too, from June 2027, moving up to 2,500 people an hour on the roughly three-minute ride. It's the latest step in Carinthia's largest ski resort building out a genuine year-round offering, following last year's Gartnerkofelbahn gondola.
17 Aug 2026
Stelvio Glacier Suspends Summer Skiing, Leaving Continental Europe Without a Lift-Served Slope
Italy's Stelvio Glacier has pulled the plug on summer skiing from August 15. It was the last lift-served ski option left standing in continental Europe, and now there's none. Operator SIFAS pointed to persistent heat, storms, and a snowpack that simply wasn't refreezing overnight anymore. The cable car keeps running. Whether skiing comes back later this summer depends on the weather turning - and right now, nobody's promising anything.
15 Aug 2026
Maverick Mountain's Only Chairlift Destroyed as Sand Creek Fire Tears Through Montana Ski Area
Firefighters saved every base building at Maverick Mountain, Montana, but the resort's sole chairlift didn't survive the Sand Creek Fire. Owners Erik and Kristi Borge say the lift is "most likely" out for the 2026/27 season after flames tore through the mountain on August 8. The wildfire has since grown past 27,700 acres with zero percent containment. It's a gutting result for the tiny, one-lift operation near Dillon - though the lodge, groomers and equipment all made it through untouched.
15 Aug 2026
Fairmont Niseko: New Luxury Resort Revives Stalled La Plume Site for Early 2028 Opening
Fairmont is bringing its second Japanese property to Niseko, and this one's got history. The 165-room resort will rise on the site of the stalled La Plume project, which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2025 before J-Will Partners bought the site for redevelopment. Set between Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri, it's slated for an early 2028 opening - putting it in play for the 2027/28 season. Expect two restaurants, a spa, onsen bathing, and a kids' club, a short drive from Niseko Village and Hirafu.
12 Aug 2026
Saas-Fee Closes Its Glacier to Summer Skiing as Heat Wave Drags On
Saas-Fee is closing its glacier to summer skiing from Monday, August 10 - the second major Swiss resort to shut in under two weeks after Zermatt suspended operations on August 1. Persistent heat and warm nights that won't let the glacier refreeze are behind the call, per Saastal Bergbahnen. That leaves Italy's Stelvio as the only glacier ski area open in the Alps. Reopening could come as early as August 17, though nothing's confirmed - and racing teams are already looking south instead.
8 Aug 2026
Current conditions
Snow Report
Updated 20 Aug 2026
7,841ft
summit
+0in
new snow · last 24 hours
Mainly Clear62°F / 77°F · S 13mph
Snowfall
24 hours
0in
48 hours
0in
7 days
0in
Base depth
0in
Season total
0in
Total lifts13
Live open status isn’t available right now.
5 Dec 2025 - 15 Mar 2026
Hour by Hour
Next 36 hours· Updated Aug 20, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
7,841 ftUpdated Aug 20, 2026 at 6:02 PMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
0.0"
Days 8–14
0.0"
Fri, Aug 21
Light Drizzle
Temp77° / 62°°F
Snow0.0"(10%)
Wind13 mph S
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the Snow Valley snow report
Track current conditions at Snow Valley in California. This report covers snowfall totals, base and summit depth, and the forecast across 30 runs.
Snow measurements
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 2073m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 317m higher at 2390m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Weather conditions
Snow quality tracks closely with temperature and wind. We surface both alongside the snowfall data so you can judge whether conditions at Snow Valley are holding up or starting to soften.
Data sources
Snow Valley snow data is collected through a combination of on-mountain reports and weather forecasting services, giving you both official resort updates and independent forecast data in one place. The mountain is served by 13 lifts, including a 6-person chairlift.
When to check
Conditions can change overnight, so mornings and late afternoons are the best times to check back on Snow Valley.