It’s pretty incredible how much Big Bear has to offer! We’ve put together this must do list of the best Big Bear activities in winter. We hope our list inspires you to discover a new side of Big Bear, even if you’ve lived here for decades.
Snowshoeing -An often forgotten Big Bear Activity in Winter
The Big Bear Valley is beautiful year round. But, nothing quite says “peace and Hallmark movies” like the Big Bear landscape after snow. For the more adventurous, solo exploration is permitted. For others who prefer a little guidance, Action Tours offers guided snowshoe tours. They provide equipment (snowshoes and trekking poles) and training. You can also customize your tour to match your level of experience. Easy, challenging, or perhaps a bit of both…Action Tours has you covered! Snowshoeing offers access to many trails you otherwise may not find, so it is easy to see why it’s made the list of the best of Big Bear activities in winter. We can’t think of a better way to connect with the stillness and beauty of the Big Bear wilderness.
You’ll also find snowshoe tours available for booking through The Big Bear Discovery Center. Here, you can join volunteer naturalists on a guided tour of Big Bear’s Towne Trail while you learn about how plants and animals adapt to Big Bear’s winter conditions. The Big Bear Discovery Center Tours also include snowshoes, poles, a snack and water. Tours are always dependent on snow conditions, so here’s hoping for a lovely white landscape for all of the snowshoe enthusiasts!
Skiing and Snowboarding – A popular Big Bear Activity in Winter
We can’t overlook skiing and snowboarding in Big Bear, can we? Of course not! Big Bear is home to Big Bear Mountain Resort, where skiers and snowboarders can choose to head to Bear Mountain or Snow Summit.
Snow Summit offers night sessions, a real mountain treat under the stars. They also offer lessons for all ages (including private sessions, group sessions, night sessions, and an adaptive ski school) and equipment rentals. Bear Mountain, or “Bear” boasts the only halfpipes in Southern California. They also offer terrain parks for all interests, over 748 permitted acres of land, the largest learning area in SoCal, and a state of the art snow making system. Skiing and snowboarding may be the Big Bear activity in winter that initially attracts you to our mountains, but we have a feeling you’ll soon be trying some other activities when snow is on the ground!
Snowtubing
Good News! For those of us who know the closest we’ll get to skiing or snowboarding is watching the Winter Olympics, Big Bear offers snowtubing! Snowtubing…our go to for a little thrill on the powder, while in the comfort of a tube!
Book your time slot for snowtubing at Grizzly Ridge Tube Park, open daily December – March. Here you will find three 300 foot snow tubing lanes, an uphill magic carpet ride, and high speed tubes. Access is sold in time slots, and it’s always a good idea to book your time slot in advance. You can also head to Big Bear Snow Play for some snowtubing fun! Once a ski hill known as Rebel Ridge, Big Bear Snow Play offers the longest runs in Southern California. Don’t worry about trudging back uphill in the snow after tubing, as you’ll find a Magic Carpet uphill lift. Snow play season here typically runs from mid-November to Easter (weather permitting). Sign up for a night snowtubing session if you can!
Big Bear Alpine Zoo – A Must Do Big Bear Activity in Winter
We realize Big Bear Alpine Zoo is open year round. But, there is something special about seeing animals in a winter landscape. The Big Bear Alpine zoo is a rehabilitation center for wildlife. It is home to animals and birds representing over 85 species. The zoo rehabilitates and releases wild animals, but will adopt and care for animals who are too injured or imprinted by their human caretakers to survive in the wild. So go visit the animals, including the arctic fox, black bear, mountain lion, and grey wolf. We think our zoo is pretty special and one of the must do Big Bear Activities in Winter.
Year Round Tours
Yes, these tours are available year round. But, we think they are magical Big Bear Activities in Winter.
Horseback Riding – There is something special about horseback riding in winter. Dress warm and head to Baldwin Lake Stables for a ride through Big Bear’s winter wonderland.
Helicopter Tours – Vistas of snow capped mountains from a helicopter above? No need to say more! Yes please!
Ziplining – Zipping through the forest along beautiful vistas of Johnson Valley and the highest peak in Southern California, Mt. San Gorgonio, makes for an awesome Big Bear activity in winter. Action Tours offers 9 ziplines, a suspension bridge, and an off road excursion.
Whatever Big Bear activity in winter you choose to enjoy, we hope you will end your day in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa.
Have you found you can’t get enough of everything Big Bear has to offer? Are you becoming a regular visitor to the Big Bear Valley? Have you dreamed about owning a home in the mountains? Our team at Big Bear Lake Life is honored to be a trusted local resource. We are here to guide you when it comes to our Communities and the Real Estate Market. Send us an email at [email protected]. We promise to always provide value and lead with trust, not transactions.
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