4+ My recent visit in early 2/2026 was the first time I've been to Snow Summit in over a decade and…read morethis was my second snowboarding excursion in the last decade as well (so I am/ was a bit rusty) I had a free day during the week and drove up in the morning by myself. There was free parking that was easy to find and gear up at. This particular location doesn't feel large and since it was kind of sunny and a weekday, I think a lot of the trails and some of the lifts were shutdown during my visit. Not a big deal at all since my goal was to avoid large weekend crowds and shake off my personal cobwebs and just enjoy myself at my own speed. Getting my pass ready at the entrance using my phone, emails, and the app was pretty straightforward. Once I got that situated, I was able to start making my way to the first main lift and head up. The crowds during a weekday (early 2/2026) were so small, I was able to take my own chair up without having any traffic behind me. I can't speak for experienced skiers and snowboarders since even a decade ago, I would consider myself a solid intermediate snowboarder (that didn't do any tricks) and I will say it's a solid resort especially what I was looking for. I was able to go down the trails and constantly go up the lifts so quickly and my muscle memory all started coming back albeit with a few minor spills. After a while, I wanted to grab a beer and make my way over to Big Bear since I had the pass that allowed me to experience both parks. Definitely a solid snow resort that isn't too intense and is great for the proximity of people who live in the LA/ IE area.

For a SoCal option, this is one of my favorite mountains to take newbies and intermediate boarders…read more The terrain offers quite a bit of selections is the skillset mentioned above. I also like one of their runs being spacious and wide for ease of maneuverability. Base of the mountain during peak season also have a wide variety of food and beverage options. Their bloody marry are really good here. I would recommend you get one of these for those cold days for a light snack with a kick to move you along until the last run. I have seen the lift ticket system change throughout the decades and I'm glad that they are updating their process to move the lines along. During peak season, there are multiple locations that you can park where shuttles will take you to and from the base. Parking in the main lot does come with a fee. Slow days or weekdays are usually $25 per vehicle. Overall, it's a great place to board with a nice view of the lake. Can't wait to get back on the slope with good snow.

I grew up in San Diego and I've lived in LA for many years and a year after year I keep telling…read moremyself that I have to check this place out. For this most recent long three-day weekend in Lake Arrowhead we decided to finally give this place a try. We are two adults in our 30s with no kids. It is important to note that because honestly, this place is for children 10 and under. It is not for teens or adults. It is honestly pretty underwhelming if you are an adult, but it can be quite charming if you are a child. It is also $55 per person and $15 for parking which is a bit expensive, but I understand the inflated price due to the location and having to staff it. One thing about this place that is nice is they don't have a bunch of add-ons once you get inside, so you really do just pay one price unless you decide to get food as well. The other part of this park is specifically designed for people into mountain biking. They have six different trails ranging in difficulty from easy to difficult and about half of the visitors seemed to be doing that which we would go back specifically for. The activities for adults are pretty limited, so the main ones that we did were the bike in the air that goes around the rim of the property. This is the ride that you see in all the marketing and is the most popular. It was probably the most fun we had but it was honestly a bit scary once you get to the steepest point. It's about 50 feet above the ground so it would be quite a fall down. After that, we tried some archery and ax throwing which was surprisingly fun. After that, there was honestly nothing else that we could really do given our age and size so we headed out after that. This would be a great place to visit during December with children 10 and under because they do have Santa Claus and people in costumes and what not and each of the buildings is alpine themed and is very quaint. They also have a very large area that serves as a wedding location so I'm sure that is also another part of this place. There is a large free parking lot attached in front with EV charging available as well.

We've been here 4-5 times and it was time for a review. Ticket prices are high, but I thought it…read morewas OK for 1x a year trip or once every 2 years. We've been here during the fall and winter and I would recommend coming for the winter decorations. The crowd varies during the year, when we came during the fall weekday, it was empty and there was no wait for any of the activities. We came last week (3 days before Christmas) and we had to wait for each activity. It wasn't bad, but it did make the day longer. If you plan to eat, I would eat earlier because in the afternoon lunch our food took about 1hr. The highlight of the trip for my kid is santa and I'm glad we did that first to get a reservations. We did the mountain bike part earlier in the fall and that was nice if your kid is into it. We rented all the gear and opted for the tour guide to help us get use to it.

Where does one go when they're looking for directions to find shadow and Jackie?…read more #flylikeaneagle Here is my story I have been watching the bald eagles in the big Bear San Bernardino territory. I have been watching them for a few years now. Little did I know the big bear discovery center provides information on every type of animal in the area, every type of bird in the area, every type of everything in the area, is found at this discovery center My first visit there and definitely not my last, I plan to learn more about the majestic bald eagles that fly around the big bear San Bernardino mountains Also, in the vicinity are many hiking trails so, are you hikers take note to this review About an hour and a half outside of Los Angeles proper you can get to the big bear vicinity. Do your due diligence and find out all the other experiences you can receive from this area. Make your pic and get additional knowledgeable information from the big Bear discovery center. Go there, be there, or, be square

I have been coming here for years, but this was the first time we tried the guided hike. The walk…read moreis not long or hard, but it was fun and very informative. The visitor center has snacks and drinks for sale, clean restrooms, and a few small activities for kids. This is a great spot to hike, take a break during a bike ride, or just stop by and enjoy the area.

To help bring in the New Year the right way, we took our kids to Big Bear Mountain for their first…read moreski lesson. They were with Coach Dominic. We couldn't have asked for a better ski instructor for our children! From the very first moment, he was incredibly energetic, friendly, and kind, which immediately put our kids at ease. His supportive and encouraging approach helped build confidence using the ski lift and on the slopes. His knowledge of skiing really showed in how clearly and patiently he explained everything. He made learning fun while keeping safety a top priority. Our children had an amazing time and came away excited, confident, and eager to ski again. Highly recommend Coach Dominic to any family looking for a fantastic kids' ski instructor!

Only rating a 3 because the snow tubing was TERRIBLE! and we paid for parking we couldn't use…read morebecause apparently it fills up at 9am (even though we saw open spots riding the shuttle??). I had a great time leading to ski. Wes was AMAZING! The snow tubing promised me 8 lanes. There were 3 and it took 6 seconds to get from top to bottom. I have more fun tubing in Indiana than I did there and it was $49 a person. Very very disappointing. Skiing was great though.

This is one of my go-to spots when I want something simple but still feels like real nature. The…read moretrails are fun, not too hard, and good for families, but still enough hills to keep it interesting. Not ideal for strollers unless you've got something built for rough terrain. The oak trees are a huge plus. There's actual shade here, not just a few patches, which makes a big difference in this area. If you hike out far enough you'll find old abandoned houses and structures, which is honestly one of the coolest parts. It gives the whole place a bit of history and something extra to explore. Also great for horseback riding and a solid spot to bring food and picnic without dealing with crowds. Simple, quiet, and worth going back to.

Water canyon trail - No shades Several trail no shades…read more Lots of horse tail grass not good for dogs Dirt roads/ pebbles and incline. Don't know what I was thinking, woke up and dragged my husband and my daughter on the hottest days to decide to hike lol!!! Be sure to wear a hat and bring water , this particular trail is my least favorite. I don't recommend to bring your fur baby , if you do. Please be careful this area has lots of over grown horse tail grass, it is so harmful to your fur babies. I would recommend to come during winter and cooler temperatures.

I found the number for ebike big bear online. I gave them a call to plan a bike trip w my friends…read more This is the response I got:

Sketchy place run buy a weird dude. Wanted a bunch of money up front before I'd even rented the…read morebike to "cover possible damage and theft costs." I'd be fine with that during the rental, but not making the reservation ahead of time. Also not a real shop. Just some guys house. Don't rent from here.

This is just a partial review since we only tried the snow play area. Tickets were $25 per person,…read moreand the process was smooth with almost no wait. They're pretty thorough about checking waivers, which I appreciated for safety. The snow play space is small with a short slope, but they provide a bunch of plastic sleds, so it's still fun to mess around. I just wish tubing was included for the price. The staff was super welcoming and attentive, checking in on the area often. Overall a good time, especially for kids or a quick snow day activity.

Two events lead to this 1-star review…read more First, I had just loaded onto lift 13 when the lift stopped. I looked back to see 2 snowboarders fighting on the ground in front of the lift. The fact that some people can be A-holes isn't what bothered me, what bothered me is the incredibly slow and lackadaisical response from the staff. The attendant from the lift was doing her best to separate them while I watched 1 staff member slowly walk over. Second, and this was the most troubling, was the lack of attention to beginner-level skiers on lift 2. My wife took our 6-year-old, first-time skier on to lift 2 while I followed right behind. We both let the attendant know it was his first time on the lift to which she just responded "chase the chair and you'll be fine". As the chair came around I watched my son almost fall off the seat. My wife and I both yelled stop as she pulled him back on. Without even turning to look, the attendant nonchalantly said "he's fine, he was on". When we reached the top of the lift, there was no assistance to help them and they ended up taking a big fall off the chair, both hitting their heads and my wife injuring her tailbone. They stopped the lift just long enough to get them to the side before resuming again. They let us know in the future we should give them a thumbs down on the approach and they'll slow down the lift. It would have been REALLY nice if the attendant at the bottom of the hill had let us know that. As we gathered ourselves on the benches, we watched beginner after beginner fall as soon as the chair pushed them forward. Often times there were 4-5 people on the ground, creating obstacles for other skiers to avoid as they exited the lift. Several times we watched the exiting skiers fall over previous skiers that weren't able to clear the area. All this to say, the concern for safety and level of professionalism left a lot to be desired and we do not plan on returning.

My happy place! It's nice, you can rent everything there…read more You can take some classes with an instructor on weekends and sometimes weekdays, which we did & John, the instructor, was very helpful. There's a few trails for different skills levels. Bev & Kerry are very professional and kind. We even got some winter merchandise there with their logo. Can't wait for the snow season to start again so we can come back.

Love supporting local, and Rim Nordic is more than deserving of that support. Great spot for cross…read morecountry skiing and snowshoeing. We recently purchased our two pairs of snowshoes from Bev at Rim Nordic, who is very knowledgeable and helpful. Their prices are on par with online, so why not support local business? We can't wait to be back after the next snow storm for a snowshoeing adventure!

A true hidden gem in Southeast Riverside. Not far from UCR, I'm surprised this trail is as rarely…read morecrowded as it is. I've hiked this trail at least 10 times. It's challenging enough for a quick workout, and it has enough routes to allow for short, medium and very long hikes. I start at the nature center and hike up to the park, then head back. I find the scenery just incredible. You get pretty good immersion in the hiking experience, despite being located right off a roadway (the entrance is, anyway).

By foot or astride a mountain bike, this is the little-big getaway I needed that's not too far from…read morehome but feels like getting away from society at the same time. Sure, housing encroached on the east and west flanks but the steep hills, ravines and canyon itself ensures you are immersed in nature with the façade only occasionally broken by a plane lifting off from the nearby air force base. Top reason to go? No crowds or kids. Seriously, I've seen people turn back after ascending the first hill, which comes almost immediately. Unfortunately, this didn't prevent graffiti schmucks from tagging rocks inside of 100 yards, something that happened between my third and fourth visits. You'll need a lot of water and a good wide brimmed hat because there's virtually no shade. Plus, a decent set of hiking boots is important. It's also possible to get lost so I recommend using the AllTrails app for the satellite views and topographical maps to see where the trails are. While fitness apps such as Strava are useful, you won't see the map as easily so running both makes sense. Sun block too, definitely need to reapply after 45 minutes to an hour. "Do what thou wilt": there are so many trails and possible loops just do what you want and have fun. The rattlesnakes are awake now so keep off the rocks on the hilltops, you'll likely see their trails in the dirt. There are tons of lizards too, all sizes and colors, plus hummingbirds, hawks, and ravens. We saw a raven pluck a small ground squirrel from some rocks by its tail and could hear its squeaks. Sad, but that's nature. You won't go as far as you think for the same output of energy as, say, Mt. Rubidoux. This is more rugged and rustic, hence fewer people and dogs. It's taken me four visits to exceed three miles that felt like six or seven. Nevertheless, it's a challenge and so picturesque. Next time I'm hoping ascend Rattlesnake Peak at 1608 feet, tucked dab smack in the middle of the wilderness. I typically use the Central entrance but there are others available, just use the app to locate them. I don't recommend being out there after noon on days over 80 degrees, either go early or after 5pm. If you go later bring a headlamp just in case you take longer getting back than expected. Not for the faint of heart, which is why it's becoming my top training ground for more difficult and longer hikes in the mountains.

Boulder Bay Park is one of Big Bear Lake's most picturesque (and busy) spots, offering stunning…read moreviews of the lake, towering boulders, and plenty of open space for you and your dog to enjoy. Located on the western side of Big Bear Lake, this park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, particularly those looking to enjoy a peaceful and leisurely walk with their pets, a picnic, or just some quiet time by the water. There is a free parking lot adjacent to the park, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. If the lot is full, there is additional street parking available nearby. The park is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is mild, and the lake is at its most beautiful.

This is a PACKED and very busy Park that attracts people coming into Big Bear Lake or leaving Big…read moreBear. We came in at night, so we hit this park leaving Big Bear Lake. Many people taking pictures or selfies, some people fishing off the small pier, while others were walking their dogs. It was very clean, there is restrooms available (yes there was a line) and plenty of parking, although you may need to wait for a spot. It is a cool park to check out, I've seen pictures of people kayaking, however there are signs that say to stay on the path and not cross over the railing. A nice picnic place perhaps or family photos with the bear. The boulders in the area/park make it a cool photographic area.