Family Fun Activities in Big Bear - Snow Edition

Things to do with the Kiddos during Snow Season

A view of the snow and trees surrounding our Cabin

One of the best things about living in Southern California is the weather. We have sunny days 85% of the time including the winter. Having been raised on the East Coast, my husband missed the snow. Not the snow that you have to plow from your driveway or scrap off your car- just the kind you go to on mountains for skiing and snowboarding. As a LA native who spent all but 3 years of my life in Los Angeles, snow is not something I'm super familiar with. However, the 2nd best part of being in Southern California is that you can get to the snow in two short hours by taking a trip to Big Bear Lake, CA.

Big Bear Lake is a small city in San Bernardino County, surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, with a man-made freshwater lake. The first hotel was opened in 1888 just south of today’s Village. By 1925, over 200 resorts were serving the area. Today, cabin rentals in Big Bear Lake are one of the top industries. The mountain scenery is beautiful and many major motion pictures have been filmed here, including scenes from Gone With The Wind, Old Yeller, War Games and Better Off Dead.

One of the top attractions for visitors to Big Bear during the winter are the two popular ski resorts: Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. As someone who doesn't know how to ski yet, and with the high financial investment required for this activity, I sought snow activities that could create family memories with snow but off of the slopes. Those recommendations are below.

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Hope you enjoy!

A view from the side of our mountain hiking trail

1. Hiking

Big Bear is a great place for hiking with its beautiful scenery and numerous trails. There are over 100 miles of trails in the San Bernardino National Forest that are open for hiking and biking year-round.

Here are some of the popular easy hiking trails in Big Bear:

Jenks Lake Trail: This beginner friendly trail is 1.2 miles long and takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. It starts at the Jenks Lake parking lot and features a lake, wildflowers, and a variety of birds.

Big Bear Lake Town Trail: This beginner friendly trail is 1.5 miles long and takes approximately 34 minutes to complete. It is a paved trail that runs through the heart of Big Bear Lake and offers views of the lake, mountains, and the village.

Castle Rock Trail: This moderate trail is 2.7 miles long and is one of the most popular trails in the San Bernardino National Forest. The trailhead is on State Highway 18 and close to Big Bear Lake Village. While it is a shorter trail, it is a steep climb with a lot of elevation.

Planning Tip: Be sure to pack plenty of snacks and water. Don't forget that hiking in the snow can be slippery with the ice, so you'll want to take your time.

Myself taking a photo under an archway of trees

2. Bobsledding

You can go bobsledding in Big Bear at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. It is the only authentic bobsled experience in Southern California and offers year-round family fun activities 1. The Alpine Slide begins with a scenic chair lift ride to the top, then riders control their speed twisting and turning down a 1/4 mile long track.

Cost Savings Tip: Take advantage of group rates if you're traveling with multiple families.

3. Snow Tubing

What's another fun and exciting way to hit the slopes? In an inner tube of course! Picture a slide made out of snow, and you come down in a tube. Some locations even have little lifts. There are a couple different options for locations to do this. Big Bear Snow Play and Grizzly Ridge Tube Park. Keep in mind that this particular activity is most entertaining for kids under 10.

4. Board Games and Puzzles in a Cafe

My personal favorite activity in Big Bear- besides reading by the fire, was board games in a cafe. We had the chance to visit both the Tea & Coffee Exchange and the Moonridge Coffee Company. Both locations were perfect for a family afternoon of games and watching the snow fall. We did this after hiking and after the kids finished snowboarding. It's a great decompressing activity - as long as your game isn't too competitive. :)

My youngest son with a snowball in hand

5. Snowball Fights

I was pleasantly surprised when my youngest son requested a snowball fight in lieu of an additional day of skiing. In all my planning and organizing, we almost missed this family classic. The kids were at it for hours and it gave a nice break for the adults who participated some but then watched from the window (insert mom's reading time here) It's hard to beat an activity that's completely free and still tires the kids out.

Packing Tip: I recommend packing multiple pairs of gloves. My SoCal babies lost theirs more than once and having the extra pair let them keep playing.

6. Skiing and Snowboarding

Last but not least if you are interested in skiing or snowboarding in Big Bear there are two ski resorts in Big Bear:  Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Both resorts offer a variety of terrains ranging from beginner to expert level, and have over 400 acres of skiing area. Snow Valley is another option for skiing in Big Bear, which is recommended for beginners and families. You can buy lift tickets, parking, lessons, and tubing spots online to guarantee resort access.

Planning Tip: Most resorts allow you to prepay for parking in advance. This makes a big difference when you want easy access to the car for equipment or supplies.

My two sons sitting on a ski lift excited to race down the mountain

Hope you can these activities and tips help you plan a great family outing in Big Bear. If I missed your favorite family activity in the snow, please add it to the comments.

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Happy Exploring!