Driving To Big Bear During The Winter Months – Some Advice — Tyler Wood Group (2023)

FAQs

Can you drive to Big Bear when its snowing? ›

Firstly, avoid traveling during a storm, whether it be rain, snow, or heavy wind and fog. These are not favorable driving conditions and can lead to problems along your route.

15 to Hwy. 18 and up the “back way” to Big Bear. This is probably the safest bet to eliminate traffic and less mountain driving. Both of these routes drop into the east end of the Valley, near Big Bear City.

Hwy. 38 (through Redlands) is a relaxing route that meanders through the national forest. This route has the least amount of curves and turns and beautiful backcountry scenery.

Driving Tips

Trips to the mountains can take longer during winter, especially if you encounter stormy Big Bear road conditions or icy roads. Get an early start and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.

Real-Time Road Updates

There are 3 ways to and from Big Bear Lake, CA. During the winter months of November - April, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain areas within California. By law, snow chains or cables must be carried in your vehicle at all times during winter months.

The drive up to Big Bear is not for the faint of heart. After the first three curves you may think you have it under control but the highway is full of windy, sudden and sharp turns. As you pass the 3,000-foot elevation sign, things get real.

Big Bear Lake is located in the San Bernardino Mountains and is an easy drive from most areas in southern California. It is about 93 miles northeast of Los Angeles, an approximate 2 hour, and 10 minute drive depending on traffic and road conditions.

The perfect time to visit Big Bear Lake is April-May due to the excellent weather conditions, and you might even find that the cost of flights and accommodation are lower than if you travel during the peak holiday seasons. In summer, temperatures can reach as high as 35℃ (96℉) in the middle of the day.

The top stops along the way from Los Angeles to Big Bear Lake (with short detours) are California Science Center, Battleship USS Iowa Museum, and Crypto.com Arena. Other popular stops include Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Desert Hills Premium Outlets.

How to dress for Big Bear? ›

Warm clothes are a must!

Layer up with thermals and sweaters or hoodies. A warm, waterproof jacket and snow pants are also best for snow play or sports. Snow boots and thick socks are great if you plan on snowshoeing or tubing. Also, be sure to protect your hands and ears with gloves and hats.

To make it worse, weather conditions such as fog, dust clouds and rain reduces visibility to almost zero, along with mudslides and waterfalls. The North Yungas Road, also known as the Death Road, was labelled as the 'world's most dangerous road'.

The best route to Big Bear from Los Angeles is to take I-10 E out of the city, then merge onto CA-210 E. From there, you can exit to CA-330 N towards Big Bear and follow the road signs! The whole drive will only take about two hours, although you might hit some traffic if you're driving during rush hour.

The first snowfall of winter for Big Bear can arrive as early as October or as late as December. Most often than not, the snow starts flying in November and the Big Bear ski resorts aim to open Thanksgiving weekend.

Poor road conditions can exist in any season so be sure you're prepared to drive at any time. Tire chains must be carried in your vehicle from November 1 until April 30. Check the weather before traveling into mountain regions. Sunny weather at your house does not mean sunny weather in Big Bear.

Snow tires must have a tread depth of 6/32″ with an M&S imprint on the tire's sidewall. R-2: Chains required on all vehicles, except four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives with snow tread tires on all four wheels. Four-wheel drives must carry chains in the vehicle. If you have four-wheel drive, engage it.

Tire chains for cars should only be used if there is a layer of snow or ice on the road. Using chains on bare pavement can cause substantial damage to both your tires and the road itself. If you turn onto a road that's clearly been plowed and salted, pull over and remove the chains.

DOES BEAR LAKE FREEZE? Ice fishing is popular on Bear Lake, but is not possible some years. Bear Lake's surface freezes over about seven out of ten winters.

The great thing about using tire chains is that you can keep them in your vehicle throughout winter and stop to apply them wherever you are if you need them. If you need to pull over to the side of the road to apply tire chains, it's good to have a safety vest so others can see you in low visibility conditions.

What are the best roads to Big Bear? ›

The three main roads to Big Bear Lake are Hwy 330 (through Highland), Hwy 38 (through Redlands) and Hwy 18 (through Lucerne Valley). If you're driving to Big Bear Lake from your home in California or from an airport, study these routes and see what freeways they connect to.

Enjoy this 35.7-mile point-to-point trail near San Bernardino, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 h 11 min to complete.

It is a great drive around the entire lake to see how the" natives". live. Loved the homes built on top of the rocks.

Spring and Fall are usually the best time to come and avoid crowds. During these off peak seasons, there are still plenty of events and things to do in Big Bear. Fishing season starts April 1st, you can take a hike, walk the Alpine Pedal Path, go horseback riding and check out the petting Zoo.

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain is a great place to learn to ski or snowboard. We have patient and fun instructors who work hard to help you succeed.

Winter coats, snow boots, hats and gloves are a must. Snowfall in Big Bear can be unpredictable at times and the night time temperatures drop quickly. Big Bear has plenty of stores that specialize in winter gear. Update your wardrobe before you go home so you will be ready the next time you visit.

The average price of a 7-day trip to Big Bear Lake is $1,609 for a solo traveler, $2,890 for a couple, and $5,418 for a family of 4. Big Bear Lake hotels range from $57 to $261 per night with an average of $80, while most vacation rentals will cost $240 to $560 per night for the entire home.

So you have a nice, wide window to enjoy the snow in Big Bear! During the day, you can expect temperatures to reach the high 40s, but nighttime temperatures can drop to the 20s.

The coldest month of the year in Big Bear Lake is December, with an average low of 23°F and high of 44°F.

Is February a good time for Big Bear? ›

February is a beautiful month to visit Big Bear Lake and embrace the fresh fallen snow in the tranquil San Bernardino Mountains. Take advantage of the winter wonderland and mark these activities on your calendar when you visit Big Bear this month.

FEBRUARY IS STILL A GREAT MONTH IN BIG BEAR!

Grab your board and head up the mountain for epic conditions! We all know that February is one of the best months to visit Big Bear, BUT this year March might have it beat. With temperatures still in the 20s-30s the cool vibes are still strong out there.

Big Bear Lake is the heart of the San Bernadino National Forest and is worth visiting. Whether you're looking for a quick getaway or want to spend the weekend exploring nature, there are plenty of places near Big Bear Lake that will make your heart happy.

There is an endless amount of outdoor adventure to make for a fun weekend in Big Bear! To relax and enjoy the mountain paradise of Big Bear Lake, I recommend staying a 3 day weekend to unplug and have some fun.

December through April is typically when it snows in Big Bear, but the amounts vary from year to year.

Dresses with a draping element around the tummy area often work. Asymmetrical dresses work well too as they draw attention away from the belly and create a vertical line. Dresses that don't cling and which also have patterns are also great to hide the tummy area.

Fourth of July

In 2022, the NSC estimated that approximately 462 people in the U.S. would die in traffic fatalities over the Independence Day holiday weekend. During this period, 41% of the traffic fatalities are also alcohol-related.

I-15, Nevada and California

The 181-mile stretch of Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles isn't dangerous because of road conditions – it's because of the drivers on the highway. In fact, one study checked out data over a 15-year period and found it to be the deadliest road in America.

Which Big Bear mountain is better for beginners? ›

The best place to find beginner slopes is at Snow Summit Ski Resort. With a vertical drop of only 1,200 feet, the mountain is a great place to learn how to snow plough without getting in the way of an expert skier. 55% of the area is designed for beginners, and is one of the most fun Big Bear Mountain things to do.

Snow Summit vs Bear Mountain for Beginners

Beginner skiers may prefer Snow Summit as the resort has more beginner-friendly terrain trails plus fewer snowboarders, who can be difficult for skiers to navigate around.

Snow tires must have a tread depth of 6/32″ with an M&S imprint on the tire's sidewall. R-2: Chains required on all vehicles, except four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives with snow tread tires on all four wheels. Four-wheel drives must carry chains in the vehicle. If you have four-wheel drive, engage it.

The drive up to Big Bear is not for the faint of heart. After the first three curves you may think you have it under control but the highway is full of windy, sudden and sharp turns. As you pass the 3,000-foot elevation sign, things get real.

There can be snow in Big Bear as early as October and as late as March. February is the snowiest month, with an average snowfall of 18.1″ and an average low temperature of 22.1°F. Typically, after a day of snowfall in Big Bear, an inch or more of fresh snow can be expected.

Warm clothes are a must!

Layer up with thermals and sweaters or hoodies. A warm, waterproof jacket and snow pants are also best for snow play or sports. Snow boots and thick socks are great if you plan on snowshoeing or tubing. Also, be sure to protect your hands and ears with gloves and hats.

Big Bear Mountain Resorts

Both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain ski resorts are open through the Christmas holiday. Reserve your tickets, and or lessons, and spend your holiday season tearing it up on the slopes!

Are all terrain tires good for snow? Not as good as you were hoping. All terrain tires do not perform very well in snow and ice. Even though snow tires and all terrain tires have a similar looking tread, the difference in pattern and rubber compound makes a huge difference.

Do AWD chains go on front or back? ›

On a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle, the chains or cables are generally used on the rear wheels.

Spring and Fall are usually the best time to come and avoid crowds. During these off peak seasons, there are still plenty of events and things to do in Big Bear. Fishing season starts April 1st, you can take a hike, walk the Alpine Pedal Path, go horseback riding and check out the petting Zoo.

December through April is typically when it snows in Big Bear, but the amounts vary from year to year. However, this does not mean there won't be any snow at all.

Due to the city's high elevation, Big Bear Lake receives more snowfall than most parts of California. It snows in Big Bear Lake in winter, and the city records an annual snow accumulation of 31.22 inches (793 millimetres) after 16.1 snowfall days.