Skiing Near the High Desert: Big Bear and Mountain High

The two ski areas closest to the High Desert are Big Bear Mountain Resort in Big Bear Lake and Mountain High in Wrightwood. As of November 2026, Big Bear sells lift tickets from November 21 (Snow Summit) and November 27 (Bear Mountain and Snow Valley), while Mountain High has not announced its 2026–27 opening day. Check the resort before you drive.

Quick reference: ski resorts near Hesperia and Victorville

What is Big Bear Mountain Resort?

Big Bear Mountain Resort is one company with three ski hills. Bear Mountain and Snow Summit are in Big Bear Lake, and Snow Valley is in Running Springs, closer to the desert turnoff.

In our words, here is how they differ, based on the features the resort's home page lists for each:

• Bear Mountain has the halfpipes and the highest lift-served terrain of the three, along with terrain parks and lessons.
• Snow Summit is aimed at intermediate riders, looks out over the lake, and runs night sessions and a tubing area.
• Snow Valley is the place to learn, with lessons, a tubing area and night sessions.

Opening date and snowmaking

As of November 2026, the resort has not named an opening day. Its lift ticket page has tickets dated from November 21 at Snow Summit and from November 27 at Bear Mountain and Snow Valley. November 21 is the soonest the resort could open, not a set date.

Snowmaking needs cold, dry nights. The resort cites the low 20s with low humidity and light wind, so a warm November can push opening back.

Lift tickets and season passes

Ticket prices vary by date and climb as the day gets closer. As of November 2026, an adult one-day ticket for all three mountains runs about $105 to $179, and a Snow Valley-only ticket about $89 to $109. The resort says online prices beat the ticket window.

Other options listed for 2026–27:

• BBMR Double Play: $149 buys two ski days with no blackouts. The tickets are undated, so you book each day ahead.
• Night tickets: good from 3 to 8:30 p.m. on nights the resort runs night sessions.
• Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass: unlimited access to all three mountains with no blackouts, per the resort's Ikon page.
• Ikon Session Pass: two to four days, blacked out December 26–30, 2026, January 16–17, 2027 and February 13–14, 2027.

Parking and shuttles at Big Bear

The resort's parking page lists paid base-area parking on busy dates from December 2026 through March 2027. As of November 2026, base parking runs $30 to $40 a day at Snow Summit or Bear Mountain and $25 to $30 at Snow Valley.

• Buy paid parking at least a day before you go. Weekend spots can be gone a few days early.
• On weekends, holidays and peak periods, expect the base lots to be full by about 7:30 a.m.
• For Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, you can park free at the Sandalwood, Fox Farm, Brownie Lane, Moonridge or Backward Look lots and ride a free shuttle up.
• Snow Valley has no offsite lots, but season pass holders park there free even on paid days.

What is Mountain High in Wrightwood?

Mountain High sits on Highway 2 in Wrightwood, in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains. It has three areas, called East, West and North.

Opening date and night skiing

As of November 2, 2026, we found no 2026–27 opening day from Mountain High. For comparison, its August 2025 preview aimed for November 21 last season if weather allowed, with night riding Wednesday through Sunday at peak times.

Passes and parking

Mountain High sells its own passes. Its 26/27 pass sale offers two main choices:

• Base Pass: ski Mountain High as often as you like, days or nights, with no blackout dates.
• Cali Pass: includes Mountain High plus the other Cali Pass resorts, such as China Peak and Bear Valley, and three days at each Powder Alliance resort.

The resort's parking page lists paid lots at East and West, $25 per car, paid on site by cash or card. Skiers and riders can use the lower lot at West for free. No lot allows overnight parking.

Bridge Fire and storm effects

The 2024 Bridge Fire burned through parts of the resort, but Mountain High reported that base buildings at all three areas survived. It opened on schedule in November 2024. In its August 2025 preview, the resort said the Discovery chairlift at the top of East Resort was back in service.

The bigger recent hit was water, not fire. The December 23–24, 2025 storm sent mud and debris through Wrightwood, and Highway 2 closed between Highway 138 and town on Christmas Eve. The resort fully reopened on January 10, 2026. Spectrum News reported that the storm also damaged the resort's parking lot.

How do you get there from the High Desert?

To Big Bear

The resort's Getting Here page calls Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley the quickest route from the High Desert, with the least mountain driving. From Hesperia, Victorville or Apple Valley, take Highway 18 east to Lucerne Valley, then climb into Big Bear City.

The other way is south through the Cajon Pass on I-15, then up Highway 330 to Highway 18 at Running Springs. The resort warns this route gets very congested on peak weekends. See our Cajon Pass I-15 update before you count on the pass.

Caltrans fully closed Highway 18 between the Big Bear Dam and Snow Valley from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 26–30, 2026, for rockfall and landslide work, KBHR reported.

To Wrightwood

From I-15, take Highway 138 west, then Highway 2 into Wrightwood. Phelan drivers can join Highway 138 directly.

Lone Pine Canyon Road is the county back road from Highway 138. Storms damaged it in December 2025, and a March 2026 county notice closed a two-mile section for repairs. County Public Works now lists the repair project as complete, but does not say the road is open. Confirm with Public Works at (909) 387-7910 or QuickMap.

Skip the Angeles Crest Highway from the Los Angeles side; Caltrans District 7 lists storm closures on SR-2 with no reopening timeline.

What do chain control levels R1, R2 and R3 mean?

California chain rules come from Caltrans. Here is our plain-English version of its chain control levels:

1. R1: Cars and light trucks under 6,000 lbs can go without chains if two drive wheels have snow tires. Everyone else needs chains or traction devices.
2. R2: Only four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels can skip chains.
3. R3: No exemptions. Every vehicle needs chains or traction devices.

Carry chains in a chain control area even if you qualify for an exemption. The speed limit under chain control is 25 or 30 mph.

Practical tips before you go

• Buy online, ahead of time. Big Bear tickets cost less online, and paid parking has to be booked at least a day early.
• Check roads first. Use Caltrans QuickMap or call 1-800-427-7623.
• Leave early. Big Bear base lots can fill by 7:30 a.m.
• Pack for altitude and sun. Both resorts are at high elevation, where sun on snow is strong. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and water.
• Fill up in town. San Bernardino County asks mountain drivers to keep a full tank and pack blankets, water and extra warm clothes.

For snow play, hiking and scenic drives without skiing, see our mountain day trips from the High Desert.

How Pleasant Hill can help

If you are thinking about a move to Hesperia, Victorville, Apple Valley or Phelan, you can search homes or get a free home valuation. For questions, contact us or reach Nancy Navarro in our Hesperia office.

General information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Rules, fees and rates change; confirm with the agency linked above or ask us. Pleasant Hill Real Estate Group · CA DRE Corp. #01997374 · AZ Entity Lic. #LC694532000 · Equal Housing Opportunity.