While SoCal is certainly not famous for its cold winter weather or white Christmas charm, that doesn’t mean we have to give up the joy of building a snowman or gliding on our skis. In fact, there’s a quaint mountain village just a short drive from the city that provides exactly that… and that, according to the travel website World Atlas, is the best winter escape Californians can find without leaving the state.
A high-altitude break from the city hassle
Perched high in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is a picture-perfect retreat that feels both wild and welcoming. The slopes of Snow Summit and Bear Mountain call out to everyone: from fearless snowboarders chasing terrain-park thrills to families giggling down the tubing lanes.
These twin resorts offer over 400 acres of skiable terrain, with 55+ runs and 17 lifts, making it a quintessential winter playground. But if skiing isn’t your vibe, no worries. There’s snowshoeing along pristine trails, or you can simply cozy up by the lake, watching snow settle in the treetops.
Wildlife, snow, and mountain peace
Big Bear is not just about the adrenaline and winter charm. The town is a safe haven for wildlife lovers, as it’s home to the pair of legendary bald eagles and internet celebrities, Jackie and Shadow.
Their presence adds a layer of wild elegance to the serene winter backdrop, especially when the snow piles high and the forest hushes around their nest, which, by the way, is soon to start the egg-laying season!
Below, the lake itself glistens under winter skies, framed by forest ridges that can gather more than 100 inches of snow. At 6,750 ft of elevation, Big Bear sees freezing temperatures for hundreds of days a year, giving it a climate that feels more alpine than SoCal, yet it still enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine annually.