Coon Creek Snowmobile Route 1N02
Riding is permitted on Forest Road 1N02 Off State Highway 38 above Barton Flats / Angelus Oaks, with a free visitor permit. Obtain a permit at Mill Creek Visitor Center or Big Bear Discovery Center.
Snow play and snowmobiling in Big Bear
Where you can sled, ride and cross-country ski around Big Bear Valley — 6 snow play areas, 2 marked snowmobile routes, and what each one needs before you turn up.
Where you can ride, and the permit you need
Riding is only permitted on marked routes, and one of them needs a free permit you have to collect in person before you ride.
Keller Peak Snowmobile Route 1N96
Riding is permitted on Forest Road 1N96 Keller Peak Road. Riders must stay on the designated route.
Sledding and snow play areas
Some of these are Forest Service areas where you park and play for nothing; others are commercial hills with tows and tubes. Both are listed because a visitor planning a day out wants to see them together.
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
Offers snow play on private land in the Big Bear valley.Alpine slide is located at 800 Wildrose Lane in the City of Big Bear Lake. For more information call Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain at (909) 866-4626 or visit their website at: www.alpineslidebigbear.com
Aspen Glen Snow Play Area
During the winter months, the area around the Aspen Glen picnic area becomes a popular winter wonderland to sled, build snowmen and make snow angels. Do not trespass on private property. Trash must be disposed in bins at Aspen Glen picnic area or hauled out.
Barton Flats Snow Play Area
The Barton Flats snow play area along State Highway 38 is a favorite destination for building snow men, snow angels and tossing snowballs.
Big Bear Snow Play
Offers snow play on private land in the Big Bear valley. Big Bear Snow Play is located at 42825 Big Bear Boulevard in Big Bear Lake. For more information, call Big Bear Snow Play at (909) 585-0075 or visit their website at: www.bigbearsnowplay.com
Rim of the World Snow Play Area
Sledding, building snowmen, and making snow angels are all a very popular past-time in the San Bernardino Mountains. Visitors are encouraged to recreate in the areas identified on this map.
Snowdrift Winter Playground
Located on Highway 18, 5 miles east of Running Springs and offers tube-tobogganing under special-use permit from the Forest Service. For more information call Snowdrift at (909) 867-2640 or visit their website at www.snowdrift.net
Nordic skiing and snowshoeing
Rim Nordic Ski Area
Rim Nordic Ski Area is located in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California. In winter, Rim Nordic offers Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing, summer activities include Mountain Bike Racing. Only 1 1/2 hours from L.A.
Snow play in Big Bear: common questions
Where can I go sledding in Big Bear?
This page lists 6 snow play areas around Big Bear Valley. Some are Forest Service areas where you park and play; others are commercial hills with tows and tubes. Each one on this page says what it needs before you turn up.
Can you go snowmobiling in Big Bear?
Yes, on 2 marked routes, and only on those. One of them needs a free permit that you have to collect in person before you ride, so read the route details on this page before you set off.
Do I need chains to drive up?
It depends on the day. Caltrans sets chain control road by road, and Highway 38 over Onyx Summit is usually the first to need chains while Highway 330 is usually the last. Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles must still carry chains or other traction devices inside a chain control area. Check the live road conditions page before you leave.
Check these first
- Road conditions and chain control — on a snow weekend this is the thing that decides whether you get here at all.
- Big Bear weather and storm warnings.
- The ski resorts — lifts, terrain and snow reports.
- Get told when a storm is coming — a free email when a major storm, closure or outage is on the way.