Bear Mt. averages about 7 feet of snow per season with extreme volatility. Over half of months get less than a foot of natural snow. The Southern California mountains get occasional rain, but only about 1/4 as often as ski areas in eastern North America. Bear Mt. has had world class snowmaking including a pipe into Big Bear Lake for nearly unlimited water since it was purchased by neighboring Snow Summit in 2002. Powder skiing is rare but there is expansive natural terrain on either side of the highest Bear Peak lift.

Accumulation and Preservation

Bear Mt. usually has most of its lifts and about 70% of terrain open by Christmas, and is less than half open by New Year's only in the worst 1/4 of seasons. Over half of terrain is devoted to park features. Spring conditions are routine by February in Southern California's warm weather. Bear Mt. averages 70+% open from late December to early April.