We received a dusting of snow last night, resulting in an inch of new powder at lower elevations within the Big Bear Valley, making for 17 inches of snow in December and a seasonal total now over two feet. This, coupled with snowmaking at the resorts, brings snow depth on open runs at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain to as much as 36 inches. Both ski resorts offer half-day sessions today, starting at noon, and, at Snow Summit, night session at 3pm and half-night session at 7pm until 9:30pm. If hitting the slopes earlier in the day, both resorts offer the half-day getaway program, which translates to a credit voucher up to $19 for those who turn in their full-day lift ticket by 1pm. For more information, or to make a reservation for lift tickets during the holiday period, visit BigBearMountainResorts.com.
Despite the new snow, road conditions as issued by CalTrans remain unchanged, so no chain requirements at this time. Though chains are not required on roads to, from and within the Big Bear Valley, it is the law to carry chains when traveling in the mountains during the winter months, or risk a fine of $108. Those traveling on or off the mountain have three choices—those are Highway 18, “down the front way” as locals call it, west beyond Big Bear Lake and the dam toward Running Springs and Highway 330; to the east there is Highway 38 through Angelus Oaks to Mentone and the Redlands area, accessing Interstate 10, and, third, east on Highway 18 through Baldwin Lake to the desert communities. During peak holiday travel times, “east tends to be least,” meaning there is generally less traffic congestion on the eastbound route of Highway 18 and on Highway 38. Drivers are reminded to proceed with courtesy and caution and, if taking mountain highways, slower traffic is advised to use the turnouts to allow for the safe passage of other vehicles. Also, the City’s Snow Conditions were lifted as of 9am this morning [December 29] so, parking on city streets is once again allowed.
