bear mountain

This is not the place you'd head to for a week, but for a couple of days (which is all the time we had), we thought we'd try it. And there ARE enough black, blue and green slopes to entertain a variety of types of skiers for a day or two, certainly. Also, there are terrain park areas for snowboarders. That said, this is definitely not a locale for expert skiers; you'd only have one long run to make.Drive time from Los Angeles was about 2 hours. Since we left very early in the morning, we made it up to Bear Mountain for a full day of skiing (definitely not possible for Mammoth). People who worked at the rental place were nice and the lift and rental prices seemed reasonable. One negative note, ski boot rentals are limited to full sizes, which resulted for me in a too-tight fit for one size and a too-loose fit for the larger size.Lift lines were non-existent during the week, I should add, which was a big plus for the number of runs one could make per day. Best of all, our second day it snowed heavily, thus augmenting the usual snow-making machine output.A couple of serious complaints about the ski school, however, since there were so few skiers going for lessons (which we always take on the first morning when we go skiing), the head of the Ski School told my son and me that we would have the benefit of a "private lesson," which would last one hour instead of two. Sorry, but that's not the same because if you take into account the time on the lifts, it results in less time skiing. Also, they never tested how we skied. Y'know, having the pupil just ski toward the instructor so he can tell what your level is. So, we were stuck with someone who, I had the feeling, was only qualified to teach on a Green slope. After our first run, he said "Oh, you guys aren't bad. Well, it's better to practice on Green." To say the least, we were bored and couldn't wait for our "private lesson" to conclude (although we tried to be polite about it). So, hear this, ski school: you MUST have your pupils ski toward you before you "place" them with an instructor. I thought this was something that everyone knew, but apparently not at Big Bear.

My kids and I learned how to ski and ride at bear mountain. We recommend bear mountain for southern ca skiing. I believe the kids program is excellent. I recommend putting the kids in the learn to ski program. Then having them ski with you in the afternoon. We were up on Saturday. Chairs near the beginner slopes and the beginner slopes were very crowded. However, our longest lift line was maybe 15 minutes. Snow was excellent for spring skiing. There was an icy patch near lift 2. However, remainder was mostly packed powder. We got a few inches of snow about lunch time. Overall, much better conditions than normal March conditions.

I recently experienced the worst costumer service I have ever endured at Big Bear Mountain Ski and Snowboarding resort. My boyfriend and I came to snowboard for Valentine’s Day, and the conditions were extremely unsatisfactory; very slushy and very sticky snow. After two runs we decided the snow conditions were too poor and too dangerous to continue snowboarding for the day. We were disappointed because we drove 80 miles one way and paid holiday pricing, etc.My boyfriend and I really were looking forward to a good day of boarding together; however, the poor snow conditions spoiled that. We weren’t expecting poor snow conditions because usually the resort blows snow overnight, or the day of, and no matter how warm the weather may be the snow is usually fairly decent. Well, after deciding to leave at around noon, I went to Guest Service’s to inquire about the options of a voucher for future visits or equivalent. I did recall Big Bear having great customer service over the many years I have been going there, and I explained to the “customer service” representative the situation. I asked if there were any options half day refund, or next visit vouchers they could provide us so we could return on another date and enjoy the resort (Big Bear used to provide a $20 voucher if you left before 1pm). The representative informed me “that they do not have the $20 voucher program any longer if you leave before 1pm anymore, and they are not interested in compensating any money or voucher for the poor conditions.” The representative was so unwilling to help me (and I am truly a loyal and ongoing customer) that I asked to speak to her supervisor. I was then put on the phone with a supervisor named Kendy, who immediately was the rudest person I have come across in a long time! Not to mention, this is a “customer service” supervisor? I couldn’t believe it!Kendy told me “didn’t you do your own research before you came? Didn’t you know it was going to be warm?” To which I replied, “yes, but you usually have snow blowers on the night before or the day of so the conditions have never been considered bad in my opinion over the seven years I have been coming.” She laughed at me and told me “it’s not her problem that I didn’t like the conditions.” Kendy refused to compensate me in any way to come back on a later date and enjoy the resort. I proceeded to explain to Kendy:“I am a loyal customer who has been coming for years. I was a previous season pass holder and I bring friends regularly to snowboard, eat, drink, and enjoy Big Bear Mountain with me over many years. I am not asking for a monetary refund specifically, I was just hoping for a voucher, or anything at all, since I had gotten there at 9am, parked in VIP, had lunch and drinks at the resort, and tried to make the best of the day. I just wanted a voucher to return another day since we were leaving at noon (not even a full half day), and on top of it all we paid holiday prices!”Kendy continued to laugh at me and said “do you really think I am going to give you a voucher because you came on Valentine’s Day? I don’t care if it’s Valentine’s Day.” Her snicker and condescending tone was disgusting to say the least! I told her, “not because it is Valentine’s Day and I am here to have a good day with my boyfriend, but because you are charging holiday prices, that is why I brought up Valentine’s Day specifically.” Finally Kendy said, “She is okay with permanently losing me as a customer.”We are loyal customers, who come often, and enjoy the resort for all its amenities regularly. We love Big Bear Mountain… Well, at least we used to. I am appalled at the way Big Bear Mountain Ski and Snowboarding resort handles their customer service. This experience was by far one of the worst customer services experiences ever! There is not a reason at all for any paying customer to be treated in such a demeaning manor! This is extremely poor customer service and very Bad Business!!

Visited Bear Mountain for the first time in Valentines Day and had an exceptional experience. I enrolled in a beginners snowboarding lesson and the instructors could not have been more helpful! It really changed my perspective on snowboarding, it's nom longer scary, but very fun and lol forward to visiting in a few weeks!

Staff was friendly and extremely helpful. I have skied all my life, in the past 15 years I had to take a hiatus. This was the best mountain to start skiing again. My husband and son had a ski 2 hour lesson and their instructor Debbie was FANTASTIC.. There is all trails, very easy to extremely difficult and if you are a snowboard there jumps on every trail. As long it is cold enough they will make snow. All it is 3 hour drive and your skiing when you live near the beach.. My suggestion NOT to take 18 it is very twisty turny road plus really crazy driver. It will take you 10 more minute to take 38 and a lot less stress.

had my 8 and 9 year old take there 4 hour lesson. best money ever spent. awesome instructors. kids loved the class.

Sunday of MLK weekend was busy but not too crowded to have a good time. Snow quality was good, considering it had been a few weeks of only snow blowing. Mountain is well maintained and groomed with very few slushy/muddy patches.ArrivalWe stayed at a Hampton at the base of the mountain for $89, enjoyed the free breakfast and left at 6:50. We were in the parking lot of Bear by 7:50. Highly recommend getting there before 8. The remote parking areas are far and require you to bus in.RentalsThe rental equipment is good quality and return was a breeze, but the line to get rental equipment is long and inefficient. You have to know where to stand for what and it is super cramped quarters. Plus if you are renting both skis and boards it is done on two different lines so you double your wait time. I think I will rent elsewhere next time.LockersSmall lockers are $1.50 per entry or you can rent a basket for the whole day. We went for the locker so we wouldn't have to stand in line to get and access the basket. Unfortunately, they have a known issue with the keys in the lockers not working, so we ended up standing in line anyway. Leave stuff in the car if you can.LessonsMy kids were first time snowboarders so they went to ski school. We reserved ahead of time so we made sure to get a morning lesson. Check in/check out is very complicated. Lines, waiting, unclear instructions. Check in time for our 6 year old was at 8:30 for a lesson that didn't really start until 10, so he had a massive wait. My 11 year old complained that he stood around for over an hour and had very little boarding time.FoodI'm impressed with the food options, accessibility, and number of tables available. We enjoyed burgers at Aloha Grill and Philly cheesesteak at a stand near the lessons area. I wish water was easier to get to. The kids were constantly thirsty so ski-up stations to purchase water would be great addition. As it stands you have to take off all your gear and go to the food stations.LeavingI recommend sending one person to get the car and driving up to the pick up area at the end of the day. Save everyone from the long walk.OverallThe family had a great time, and though the lines were long, we were able to get some really good skiing in. We appreciate the proximity to Southern California and the quality of the experience.

Went to Big Bear for the first time yesterday. Being an avid snowboarder that recently moved to San Diego, I was so happy to be able to get some riding in only a few hours away. Conditions were good, trails didn't feel too packed and had a great few runs. On our third run of the day, my friend also an experienced rider, took a dig on a box and dislocated her shoulder. Within minutes, ski patrol showed up and ran a thorough assessment on her before taking her down the hill. Dave along with the rest of the team were amazing. Their medical and first hand experience helped my friend out immensely. By 10 am we walked out of first aid, and figured we'd talk to guest services about possibly getting a voucher towards another day considering I dropped $79 on a full day ticket for three runs. DISCLAIMER: I am 100% aware that the mountain owes us nothing. We take the risk of getting injured and it's not their fault at all if we do. However, the term 'guest services' seemed to be an oxymoron. My friend who had been injured had gotten a voucher towards another ticket - which was pro-rated from the hour and a half we rode.. which just seems cheap as hell but better than nothing. When I got to the guest services desk, I explained the situation genuinely asking if there was a possibility of receiving a voucher or anything to compensate for the fact that i only took 3 runs and will not be putting any more wear and tear on the hill considering I was bringing my friend to the ER. The women we spoke with who ironically wore the tag "employee of the month" stated it was not possible to receive anything in return - that all tickets are non-refundable regardless of the situation. Understood. Every mountain and company has policies and procedures in place that employees need to follow. But the delivery of the information from this women was particularly condescending and abrupt. It was hard to have dealt with the great people in Ski Patrnol and to follow that with this sub par experience. After a lengthy conversation with no chage in tone, I asked to speak with a manager. She then informed me that she was the manager of guest services for the past four years. At this point I'm not sure what my facial reaction was. Probably a mix between shock and horror. Not really... but maybe a little bit...There is nothing about the ski industry that does not pertain to customer service. Having worked in it for years I fully understand that it's essentially a playground for adults. To not have that same enthusiasm in the Manager of Guest Services that I saw in the ticket booth, ski patrol, and lift employees was awful. One truth of customer service is that it's not necessarily the information you're delivering, but the way you deliver it. A slight change in her attitude to make it seem like she truly wanted to help us out or even cared about the situation, would've made the experience better even if we did still walk out the door empty handed.One more thing- Not once in years of riding have I been asked if I needed help putting on my lift ticket. Three times in ten minutes. Three separate employees asked if my friend and I needed help within a ten minute time span. (Now, maybe this is a moment of self realization. Maybe I have to up my lift ticket application game and how i look doing it...) It's an excellent example of on point customer service to have your staff so accessible to guests, but also a way of making them feel you see them as incompetent. Maybe a 'good morning' would go over better with guests who are just arriving to your mountain.

If you are a snowboarder this is the mountain for you! If you are more into skiing I would recommend its sister mountain of Snow summit.

this can be some of the best local skiing without heading up north to Mammoth or out of state. IT has a consistent snow pack and good challenging terrain .. let the families head to Summit , if you want some work, go here !!

My 11 year old felt the class keep them standing too long in very uncomfortable boots. She gave up after 45 mins. My 14 year old lasted the full 2 hours and really enjoyed himself. He was, however, done for the day after the first 2 hour lesson.

...I brought three children who were all just learning to ski and was told we could not use the "bunny slopes" because they are reserved for those paying for lessons. At least one was marked open to the public and none were labelled as restricted on website or trail maps.Given that it was Tuesday, the slopes were not crowded and the cost was decent, so I was reasonably satisfied.

This place has amazing skiing! The ski instructors and staff are AMAZING and SO NICE! If you are taking ski lessons, ask for Summer, she is amazing. Anyways, this place has great snow, and a great facility. Recommended for a great time!

Reservation ticket holders beware!!! since the by-out from Mammoth none of the existing reservations are valid. I found out the hard way lift ticket reservations i purchased last season, that were not to expired, are not honored due to "the merge". There was no notification even though my email is on file - "sorry we can't email every single one who has a ticket reservation". They do see my information and previous reservations but can't honor it. Not even a for a discount.

The trails are well worth hiking, with water views, info on landscape very helpful. Woodland Trail was moderate.