Big Bear Lake Blanketed in Fresh Snow

Mountain resorts prepare for busy winter weekend as snowfall continues

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Big Bear Lake in California's San Bernardino Mountains received a significant snowfall this week, with 12-15 inches accumulating as of February 17th. The snow began falling on Monday afternoon and is expected to continue through Thursday. Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott says the mountain resorts are ready to welcome visitors and open more lifts and runs this week, as the region's winter season shifts into high gear.

Why it matters

Heavy snowfall in Big Bear Lake is a boon for the local tourism industry, which relies on winter sports and activities to drive visitation during the colder months. The fresh powder also provides a boost to the region's economy, as skiers, snowboarders, and other snow enthusiasts flock to the area to take advantage of the ideal conditions.

The details

The snowfall began on Monday, February 16th around 2 PM and continued into the evening, resulting in a 12-15 inch accumulation as of Tuesday, February 17th. More snow is expected through Thursday, February 19th. State Route 330, State Route 18, and State Route 18 are all open, though State Route 38 has limited hours and requires tire chains on all vehicles except four-wheel drives with snow tires.

  • The snowfall began on Monday, February 16th around 2 PM.
  • As of Tuesday, February 17th, Big Bear Lake had accumulated 12-15 inches of snow.
  • More snow is expected through Thursday, February 19th.

The players

Travis Scott

The CEO of Visit Big Bear, the area's tourism organization, who says the mountain resorts are ready to welcome visitors and open more lifts and runs this week.

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What they’re saying

“We absolutely got dumped on. Big Bear's winter season is definitely shifting gears with all of this fresh snow.”

— Travis Scott, CEO, Visit Big Bear (Beverly Press & Park Labrea News)

What’s next

Officials are preparing for a phenomenal weekend for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing as the fresh powder continues to accumulate.

The takeaway

The heavy snowfall in Big Bear Lake is a timely boost for the region's winter tourism industry, providing ideal conditions for a variety of snow-based activities and drawing visitors to the area's mountain resorts.