Looking for advice from anyone familiar with the So Cal ski scene. Specifically, how do Bear Mountain and Snow Summit compare?

Going by mountain stats, BM has much more skiable terrain, though other stats are similar (# of runs and lifts, vertical drop). Though I like the layout of the SS trail map better.

We will be staying in a cabin in Big Bear for NYE, so these are our two choices. Our group of 7 or 8 will be a mix of skiers and riders, beginner and intermediate.

 

Snow Summit is the better choice. BM is more open and less crowded, but SS has the better runs. Weekends are very crowded there.

 

Also, no runs are too difficult at either area. If you are at least an upper intermediate skier / boarder, you can do any run at both parks

 

so if Mammoth or Tahoe call something an intermediate run, that would be a black diamond at either area. There are no true black diamond runs at either resort

 

Yeah I've been leaning more towards SS based on what I've read about both parks. I much prefer good blue cruisers like SS appears to have, BM seems to be much heavier on terrain parks.

Surprised to hear that SS is more crowded, I assumed BM was more popular (although it does have far more skiable acres).

We will be out there on Saturday NYE, wonder if that will be more or less busy than a typical Saturday...

 

Good intel, thanks. The majority of my skiing has been in Colorado, where I mainly ski blues. I'll hit some blacks from time to time, even a double black if it's on the grooming report. Love the back bowls at Vail as well.

A few people in our group have mentioned beginner areas, so I think I'll be on the higher end of the talent spectrum for this particular trip...

 

it is always crowded on the weekends as it is a day drive for most of Southern California and the high desert communities on the other side. I suggest get there early when the runs open, take a nice lunch break around 10:30-11:00 to wait out some of the crowds, and then hit it again while everyone else is taking their lunch break.

 

SS has quite a few long rolling trails that are great for beginners

 

Yep, best ever after a big dump.

Don't know about socal skiing, but good luck and have fun