No 3 Five Star Snow Summit

I went to Snow Summit in June, and it was a really enjoyable change from ski season. The mountain still felt active, but with a different summer feel. It’s set up well for hiking and biking, and for taking in the views. The open mountain scenery is beautiful and made the visit feel peaceful and refreshing. The place is easy to get around, and the staff and setup make it feel welcoming in warmer weather too. It’s a reminder that Snow Summit can be worth a visit year-round if you’re in the Big Bear Lake.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and I got a seat at the slopeside speakeasy where the bartender made my skinny margarita just right. It was only $11, and prices otherwise seemed pretty decent. We even made a little snowman, lol. Snow Summit was a lovely day and seemed more suited to families and people around 40-60. Bear Mountain had a much younger, rowdier crowd. Natural snow has been scarce this year, so they’ve had to make it with machines, and not all the runs are open. Charging full price anyway is ridiculous. The slopes get crowded and people get knocked over, which feels unsafe and overpriced. Ski lift tickets cost so much that many people can’t enjoy the mountain and the sport, which is a shame.

We booked John again for day two because the kids said they only wanted to ski if he was teaching them, and luckily he was available. They both went down the bigger hill/run that day. They still talk about the experience months later, so this review is overdue. Thank you, John. The kids were under 6, and Snow Summit in February 2026 was their first time skiing and really their first time in snow. We were nervous about one-on-one lessons and whether they’d have the confidence, attention span, or physical skills for it. John was patient, engaging, and encouraging, always finding another trick to keep them focused and laughing. He knew how to connect with young beginners and helped them feel excited instead of nervous. After the first day, they got back to the hotel and immediately asked to ski with John again the next day. His gold helmet with a gold rubber duck glued on top was pretty memorable too. For true beginners, especially young kids, John made what could’ve been overwhelming into one of the highlights of our family’s first real winter vacation. He’s a phenomenal instructor.

The lift lines were long enough that we sometimes chose to walk up, but it was still a great, beautiful experience. We came in December before it had snowed, though the mountains had plenty from the snow groomers, so skiing and snowboarding were possible. The entrance staff were especially friendly and had all the information we needed. We took a family lesson with Megan in Spanish, and she was very patient. There are food options and a clothing shop with a good selection too.