Winter season kicks off at Big Bear with opening of Bear Mountain

Ski season is officially underway at Big Bear Mountain Resort after the third and final mountain opened to skiers and snowboarders Friday.

Bear Mountain officially opened its slopes Friday, marking the start of the 2024/2025 winter season.

Lifts are now operational daily across all three Big Bear Mountain Resort locations—Bear Mountain, Snow Valley and Snow Summit.

For opening day at Bear Mountain, Chair 7 provides access for beginners, while Chair 9 offers top-to-bottom runs and terrain park features for intermediate and advanced riders. The Coyote Creek and Grizzly Ridge tube parks are also open.

Later this month, Bear Mountain will unveil its new Midway chairlift, a high-speed, six-seat lift designed to enhance uphill capacity and improve access to the middle of the mountain. The lift, scheduled to open in mid-December, replaces Chairs 2 and 5.

The upgraded lift is part of a $12.7 million investment across the resort system, which included expanded base facilities, on-hill infrastructure upgrades and other enhancements.

Highway 330 has reopened following repairs from wildfire damage, but officials caution drivers about unstable road conditions due to loose debris. Travelers are advised to proceed carefully and expect variable conditions as the season progresses.

Lift tickets and season passes are available for purchase, with ticket windows opening daily at 8:30 a.m. Lifts operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pass holders must provide valid identification for pass pickup.

With sunny skies and temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s expected this weekend, it’s a perfect time for snow enthusiasts to hit the mountain, officials said.