Bear Mountain Ski Resort — Attraction in Big Bear Lake

It's sad for me to say. The SOUL IS GONE...

This is a two part review. The one star review. Then the five star review.

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It was gonna happen eventually & that day has come. Maybe it was last season was when it started. I wouldn't know cuz I didn't go riding anywhere not even Utah. Bear Mountain & Snow Summit are full fledged Big Mountain Operations now. Paid Parking. Long Lines. Fewer knowledgeable people working. More money shelled out for less of an experience. The days of coming up with a friend or two getting some quick quality turns in are a thing of a past.

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Now if you are heading up with beginners or knowing that everything is gonna take longer it's fine. That whole aspect is good. Bringing n00bs is cool. They sit around you get on the bunny slope. The greatest thing about these resorts is helping people get onto skis & snowboards without all the travelling nuances that comes with a Winter Mountain Getaway. And if you are ok with the long haul with staying at mostly at one resort carving out some lines or hitting some features there is plenty of fun to be had.

For years & years I've come up gotten some really good turns in. It was easy. But EASY comes with a BIG PRICE now.

Parking was $20 at the upper parking at Bear. I didn't ask at Summit. But it seems that they will charge whatever they feel. Angelenos are accustomed to paying for parking so who knows how much those guys are charging. And when I asked other mountain employees how much parking should be they did not know how much it's supposed to be...

There is no Pass Guarantee as there was in the past. If the snow wasn't good you could get a pass for another day.

Half day passes are only 10-15% off. And what's the use of the discount when you can't park anywhere near the lodge without paying whatever they request if they even let you look for spot.

As with Big Mountain Operations the Lift Ticket goes up considerably. I don't mind paying $130-150 if I get a warm place to sit by a fire. Quiet relaxed space. Easy to access toilets or change rooms. Quality food choices. Top notch turbo quads & newer lifts. Visible Ski Patrol. Knowledgeable staff. Free parking that is not blocks away.

Now that this place presents itself as Big Mountain. I hope everything becomes Big Mountain cuz none of what was just described in the prior paragraph is going on up there.

The One thing that's still a hold out of years past is the Ski Free on your Birthday. It still exists. So hopefully you have time & hopefully it was a dump day or week during your birthday. Yes. IT'S STILL FREE TO RIDE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY! Get it while it's...

My 1st time here and I was impressed how they welcome animals! I had just lost one of my furbabies so I couldn’t leave behind my other 2, when we were invited to Big Bear to celebrate my nephew’s 21st birthday. I thought it would be an issue having them wherever we go, but it was not. Everyone was friendly and very welcoming. It was nice to get away with my furbabies for the weekend since we had been grieving for the past 2 weeks. Thank you for allowing us...

Great place to visit but, the hotels add on extra "fees" when you actually check in. They tried to charge an extra $190.00 to change rooms because our rooms weren't available even though we booked online. Bear and summit offer a "military discount", but only for active duty. I guess the retirees, disabled, and other veterans dont matter. Thanks, much...