A Big Bear Winter Prep Guide

Make a List and Check it Twice

For those moving up “the hill,” Big Bear Lake Living requires winterization for the snow season. Snow can start around Thanksgiving Day and end in late March, with an additional snowy squall or two by Mother’s Day. While living up here is rewarding, there are some very real responsibilities associated with cold weather that you need to be aware of.

Highway Road Conditions

There are three major roads into the Big Bear Valley: hwy 18 from Highland- the “front way”, hwy 18 from Lucerne Valley-“high desert way”, and hwy 38 from Redlands – “back way”. All of these roads, including the major local streets, have snow-clearing equipment staged and ready even as the snow begins to fall. Be absolutely sure to check CalTrans to see if there are any issues with ice, chain requirements, or rerouting. Be aware of Big Bear visitors who do NOT know how to drive in winter conditions. Don’t follow too close, go slow, and use the car’s transmission to slow down (down-shift) instead of slamming on the brakes. Watch out for patches of black ice. Black ice is an ice glaze that form in areas where snow has melted during the day time and refreezes in the evening.

Snow Chains

California Law requires you to carry chains winter time while traveling on mountain roads. Occasionally there are traffic stops at the bottom of the hill that will check to see if you have chains and won’t allow you to come up the mountain with a 2-wheel drive car if you don’t have chains on. Enterprising guys at the bottom of the hill will put your chains on your car for $50. If you’ve never done it before, I recommend just letting them do it for you and keep cash on hand, it’s not worth having the the chains fly off or break off while on a part of the highway with no reception. If you do place them on yourself, be sure to identify the correct tires for placement! If your vehicle is front-wheel drive the chains go on the front, rear-wheel drive the chains go on the back. If they have not put in check points yet but you know the roads will be icy, it is not worth driving and losing control of the vehicle and/or sliding into the middle of the highway. Always have chains just in case.

Road Clearing - Snow Plows & Driveway

The snow plows will clear the main roads and Big Bear Blvd before moving into smaller neighborhoods, but depending on where and what’s going on, it may take them longer to get to the road in front of your house. You may need a snow shovel to dig out your vehicle and drive. Pro-Tip - Don't wait til after the snow plow or you may have a job that is twice as difficult due to impacted snow (ie you’ll have a giant mound of ice that won’t take well to being shoveled)! Be sure to pay for and pick up orange rails from your Big Bear Community center so that the snow plows will try to clear your drive way.

Resort Town Winter Tourism

Big Bear is a resort town and during the cold snowy weekends and holiday, we see the greatest influx of visitors. While the Big Bear population is about 12,000 permanent residents, the busiest of weekends & holidays will attract between twenty to one hundred thousand visitors and skiers according to the Big Bear Lake’s Director of Tourism Management. This can create heavy traffic on main roads, limited parking, long lines at the local grocer. Be sure to plan Holiday & Weekend shopping and driving ahead of time, as well as any commute to get down or up the hill. Generally speaking, you will find coming up or down on the weekends (Friday-Monday) will create a longer commute times. Try to do grocery shopping in advance during the week, earlier if possible, and try to avoid the weekenders stocking up for the weekend, or you may find the food item you need is out of stock.

Home Winterization

Second Home Owner with a primary residence down the hill? No one wants to suddenly have a busted pipe-related emergency frozen water, with water and ice damage to your home, personal belongings and appliances while you’re away. Especially in the middle of winter with heavy snowfall, in the middle of the night, with limited road access, and possible power outages. Locate and turn off the the water supply valve. You can then drain the pipes by turning on the faucets starting with taps on the top floor and moving down. Disconnect hoses outside, drain, and then turn off. Flush all toilets. Hold the lever down until all water is emptied from the bowl. Empty appliances as necessary. Once water is emptied, use plumbing Anti-Freeze to pour down all sinks, drains, and toilet bowls. When in doubt, consult a local plumber. Your home plumbing may require additional steps. You can also set your heating unit to about 50+ degrees inside the house.

Power Outage Preparation

Stock up on food, water, wood, emergency, and power supplies and get all of your shopping done well in advance to avoid long lines and delays at the local grocer. Expect delays in road clearing and have enough food to last. Be ready in the case a power line goes out due to heavy snow or falling debris. While the power companies usually get the electricity up and running in a couple hours, sometimes it can be unpredictable and go up to a day or so. Know that if the power is out, your heater will be out too. Keep wood or a portable heater in the house just in case. In a heavy snow storm, the house can cool down very quickly! A “cord” of wood (about 4ft x 4ft x 8ft) for your fireplace can cost around $250 and last half of the winter season.

Keep chains & ice scrapper in the vehicle and be sure to lift windshield wipers so they do not get stuck. Be sure to use cold weather washer fluids (not doing so can shatter your windshield). Be prepared to dig out your vehicle and/or shovel snow in your driveway.

Winter Prep Check List

  • Check weather reports and CALTrans road conditions on Highways 18, 38, & 330

  • Check Snow Season Car Items (ex chains, scrapper, all-season washer fluid, snow shovel)

  • Check Power Outage Supplies (ex flashlights, batteries, matches, portable heater / generator)

  • Check Emergency Supplies (ex water, wood, portable phone charger, food etc)

  • Check Winter Gear (ex wind/water proof jackets, boots, gloves, micro spike ice cleats)

  • Stock up on any needed supplies and get shopping done in advance

  • Shut off water valve and drain water pipes (as needed)

  • Have extra sweaters, scarves, blankets, slippers, socks, beanies, ear muffs etc

  • Book resort and ski days well in advance