Snow SummitEdit
Snow Summit sits in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake, California, and forms half of the Big Bear Mountain Resort along with Bear Mountain. The two mountains have long been a magnet for Southern California冬季 recreation, drawing visitors from the Los Angeles basin and beyond to a relatively accessible alpine setting. Snow Summit operates as a hub for family-friendly skiing and snowboarding, with a network of runs, lifts, and snowmaking that makes the area a dependable winter destination even when natural snowfall is light. The resort also expands seasonal appeal with summer activities such as mountain biking and scenic access in the warmer months, helping sustain local businesses in the off-season. Its position in a popular mountain corridor has made it a focal point for discussions about land use, tourism, and regional growth in the broader Southern California economy. Ski resort Big Bear Lake San Bernardino National Forest California Tourism in California
From the outset, Snow Summit has been tied to the economics of outdoor recreation and the unique geography of inland Southern California. The site’s value is linked not only to its runs but to the roads, lodging, and ancillary services that support a weekend ski crowd and midweek visitors alike. As a private enterprise operating on lands administered for multiple uses, the resort sits at the intersection of public access, environmental stewardship, and private investment. The model mirrors broader patterns across public lands in the United States, where responsible development can drive local prosperity while requiring transparent processes for environmental review and community input. The resort’s continuing evolution—through partnerships, upgrades, and affiliation with broader pass programs—illustrates how a single destination can participate in a nationwide network of mountain recreation. Public lands Environmental policy Ikon Pass
Overview
Snow Summit offers a mix of terrain designed to appeal to families, beginners, and intermediate riders, alongside enough steeper sections and tree-lined glades to challenge more experienced skiers. The mountain is served by a system of lifts and groomed trails, with snowmaking technologies that help maintain reliable conditions during the winter season. In addition to on-mountain infrastructure, the area relies on nearby lodging, dining, and retail to create a regional ecosystem of winter employment and seasonal commerce. The resort’s branding and operations are closely connected to Bear Mountain, with the two mountains marketed together as a single destination for many guests. This structure is reflected in pass access and marketing through broader networks such as Ikon Pass and related partnerships. Ski resort Bear Mountain (ski area) Big Bear Mountain Resort Ikon Pass
History
The development of Snow Summit and the broader Big Bear Mountain Resort aligns with mid- to late-20th-century growth in Southern California winter recreation. Over time, the property expanded its facilities to accommodate increasing attendance, diversify the terrain, and improve rider experience. In the more recent era, ownership structures shifted toward corporate organization that sought to unify Snow Summit with Bear Mountain under a common brand and cross-promotional platform. This consolidation coincided with participation in national pass programs and access networks that connect regional resorts to a broader audience of skiers and snowboarders. Key milestones include integration with Bear Mountain to form a dual-mountain destination and involvement in the corporate landscape of companies that run multiple resorts, such as Alterra Mountain Company and its pass offerings. Ski resort Big Bear Mountain Resort Bear Mountain (ski area) Alterra Mountain Company Ikon Pass
Economic and community impact
Snow Summit serves as a significant source of seasonal employment, hospitality demand, and local tax revenue for the Big Bear area. The resort attracts visitors who spend on lodging, dining, equipment rental, and other services in the community, contributing to the cash flow of area businesses and supporting local jobs beyond the snow line of the mountain itself. Proponents of such clustered recreation argue that well-managed tourism can stabilize local economies, offset the costs of maintaining public infrastructure, and create opportunities for entrepreneurship in lodging, food service, and outdoor gear retail. Critics, meanwhile, emphasize the need to manage growth so that environmental considerations, traffic, and housing affordability in nearby communities do not outpace the benefits. The ongoing conversation highlights a broader debate about balancing private investment with public interests and environmental safeguards. Economic policy Tourism in California Local government
Access, infrastructure, and regulation
Access to Snow Summit and its neighboring Bear Mountain is shaped by regional transportation networks, seasonal weather, and local infrastructure investments. Visitors typically arrive via major California routes that connect inland communities to the mountains, with parking, shuttle options, and transit services playing roles in managing peak-day demand. The presence of a private resort on public lands often leads to discussions about funding for roads, fire protection, and emergency services, as well as the permitting processes that govern environmental impact and land use. While supporters argue that private investment can deliver efficient facilities and reliable recreation, critics may call for stronger public oversight on environmental assessments and long-term conservation objectives. The dynamic reflects a broader market-based approach to mountain recreation, where user fees, improvements to infrastructure, and clear property rights are weighed against public stewardship obligations. Transportation in California Public lands NEPA
Environmental stewardship and debates
Snow Summit operates within a framework that seeks to reconcile recreation with the conservation values of the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest landscape. Supporters of development stress that properly planned tourism can fund trail maintenance, fire safety, and wildlife habitat protections, provided businesses engage in transparent environmental reviews and follow best practices in water use and snowmaking efficiency. Critics may raise concerns about habitat disruption, wildlife corridors, erosion, and the cumulative effects of large winter crowds on local ecosystems. Proponents of a market-oriented approach argue that private operators have strong incentives to maintain sustainable operations, invest in modern technology, and collaborate with forest managers to minimize ecological footprints. In this context, debates often center on the pace and scale of growth, the allocation of scarce water resources for snowmaking, and the balancing act between public access and private enterprise. Environmental policy Public lands NEPA
Ownership and corporate structure
Snow Summit is part of a larger network of mountain resorts that have undergone consolidation under corporate ownership. This structure enables coordinated marketing, pass programs, and cross-resort synergies, while also raising questions about competition, pricing, and the distribution of tourism-related benefits within local communities. The rise of multi-resort groups has shaped how infrastructure upgrades, staffing, and capital investments are planned and financed. For guests, this often translates into unified pass systems such as Ikon Pass, which provide access to multiple mountains under a single framework. For the host communities, the corporate relationships bring expectations about job creation, traffic patterns, and public investment in regional amenities. Ikon Pass Alterra Mountain Company Big Bear Mountain Resort