From Twinkling Lights to Ski Slopes – Big Bear Knows How to do Winter Right
You drive north, leave the city lights behind, and suddenly, youāre surrounded by winter magic. Big Bear this time of year feels like stepping into a snow globe where every corner glows and each breath tastes of pine and possibility. Itās surprising, yes, a Southern California holiday escape, but thatās what makes it irresistible. Between festive lights, cabin comfort and mountain excitement, here are eight reasons Big Bear delivers the seasonās best moments.
1. Lights That Dazzle: Festival of Lights & Alpine Zoo Wild Lights Holiday Walk
As soon as the sun drops, Big Bear turns into a small town with a big sparkle. Locals and businesses go all out for the Festival of Lights, dressing up homes and storefronts in wild, imaginative displays that rival Hollywood sets, with nearly a quarter-million-dollar glow to prove it. So grab a map, wander through softly lit streets and vote on your favorites. Up the hill, the Alpine Zoo transforms into a holiday walk: pathways glitter with lights, animals get winter-themed enrichment and Santa visits (often as āSanta Clawsā). Youāll sip hot cocoa under the stars and maybe even spot an owl silhouette against the pines.
2. Big Bear Village in Full Holiday Swing
Stepping into Big Bear Village after dark feels like walking straight into a Christmas movie. Wander from art galleries to candy shops, duck into toy stores and pop into cafƩs framed by twinkling lights and jolly tunes. Hop aboard Jazzy Bear Ride Service for a quick and affordable lift around town, or catch Mountain Transit to glide easily between the Village, the slopes and the zoo. Indoors, trade snowflakes for candle flames at the Candle Bar at Mystic Moto, where you can craft your own custom-scented candle to take home. For old-school fun, round up your crew at the Bowling Barn, where glowing lanes, arcade games and laughter keep the night rolling long after the lights in the Village dim.
3. Snow Summit + Bear Mountain: Slopes, Tubing & Thrills
If your idea of holiday is āski first, cocoa later,ā Big Bear delivers. Need gear? Ski Butlers offers premium ski and snowboard rentals straight to your cabin or hotel door. Snow Summit and Bear Mountain open their slopes for skiing, snowboarding, night sessions and tubing hills. There are designated snow play areas for families and magic carpet lifts so you donāt hike back up. Bear Mountain also offers UWSP adaptive ski and snowboard programs, ensuring skiers of different abilities can experience the thrill of winter.
4. Cabin Bliss: Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Romance & Family Time
You arrive, kick off boots, light a fire, curl up with a blanket and the world slows. Big Bearās inventory offers a wide slate from rustic log chalets to modern mountain hideaways. Some cabins boast stone fireplaces, private hot tubs, decks overlooking snowy forests and cozy nooks ideal for board games or reading. Whether youāre escaping with your partner or bringing the whole crew, you can book family-friendly or couples-only retreats. After a day in the cold, nothing feels quite as indulgent as sinking into a hot tub while snow drifts outside your window.
5. Local Bites + AprĆØs-Ski Spots (Breweries, CafĆ©s & Comfort Food)
Start your morning at Rewind Collective, where wholesome breakfasts meet a laid-back, holistic vibe that makes you want to linger. Come lunchtime, Fire Rock Burgers & Brews turns up the volume with juicy burgers, craft beers and a lively rock-band atmosphere that keeps spirits high after a day on the slopes. For dinner, Sweet Basil Bistro plates up cozy Italian comfort. You can expect pasta, wine and candlelight that warms you from the inside out. And when the air gets chilly, a latte from Moonridge Coffee Company is the perfect aprĆØs-ski before heading back to your cabin.
6. Family-Friendly Magic: Snow Play, Discovery Center & Zoo
Traveling with kids? Big Bear doesnāt skimp. The Discovery Center runs snowshoe tours and interpretive programs where curious kiddos can uncover natureās cold-weather secrets. The Alpine Zoo is also small but mighty. In winter, it dresses up, hosts Santa visits and adds holiday enrichment for its residents and visitors. Families can head to Big Bear Snow Play for tubing hills that promise as many giggles as thrills. With Magic Carpet moving walkways carrying you back to the top, you can save your energy for the fun part: the ride down. Itās winter excitement made easy for all ages.
7. Lake + Trails: Winter Hikes, Scenic Views & Snowshoe Escapes
Snow only deepens Big Bearās trails, so start at Goldsmithās Sports to rent snowshoes before wandering into the frosted forest. Want a guided experience? Action Tours leads snowshoe excursions through tranquil trails, while Open Air Big Bear inspires independent explorers with maps and route ideas. Trails like Pine Knot and Castle Rock offer cinematic lake views dusted in white, while the lake itself glimmers under sheets of ice. You can easily pack a picnic, hike a bit and return to your heated cabin before dusk. The contrast between stillness and spark is what makes winter in Big Bear feel luminous.
8. Unexpected SoCal Holiday Destination: Close but Worlds Away
Hereās the twist: you didnāt expect to escape to snow this close to the city, but Big Bear feels a world away. You drive for a few hours, crossing foothills and desert, and arrive in a world of cold, glitter and pine. Moon Ridge Road, a scenic stretch lined with slopes and sweeping views, enhances that āother placeā feeling paired with shops and pedestrian walkways. Despite being so close, Big Bear in winter gives you detachment, a fresh landscape and seasonal joy without the long haul. Itās a Southern California holiday destination youāll keep coming back to, long after the snow melts.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
