Big Bear lift tickets in 2025 use flexible, “dynamic” pricing, so what you pay depends on the date, demand, and how early you buy, but most full-day adult tickets fall roughly in the 105–169 USD range when purchased in advance for Big Bear Mountain Resort’s three mountains (Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, and Snow Valley). Buying early online, avoiding peak holidays, and stacking discounts (like military, first responder, or third‑party deals) is the most reliable way to keep your trip affordable.
Understanding Big Bear lift tickets
Big Bear Mountain Resort (BBMR) operates three areas: Snow Summit and Bear Mountain at Big Bear Lake, plus Snow Valley a bit down the road, and a standard BBMR day lift ticket is valid for same‑day use at all three when they are all operating. That means if you buy a regular BBMR lift ticket, you can ride chairs and gondolas at Snow Summit in the morning and switch to Bear Mountain or Snow Valley in the afternoon without buying a second ticket, as long as terrain is open and hours line up.
The resort uses dynamic pricing, which means ticket prices shift based on factors like day of the week, holidays, and demand, instead of a single flat rate for the whole season. This system rewards people who lock in their Big Bear lift tickets earlier in the season and for lower‑demand weekdays, while last‑minute weekend and holiday purchases tend to be at the top of the range.
2025 Big Bear lift ticket prices
For the 2025–26 winter season, BBMR’s advance‑purchase day lift tickets that give access to all three mountains generally fall into these ranges for adults:
- Monday–Thursday: about 105–155 USD when bought in advance, with day‑of/window prices around 129–159 USD
- Friday: about 109–155 USD in advance, with day‑of/window prices roughly 139–165 USD
- Saturday–Sunday: about 119–169 USD in advance, with day‑of/window prices around 159–169 USD
Snow Valley–only tickets are cheaper, with advance weekday rates in the 79–95 USD range and higher rates on weekends and holidays, though exact totals vary by date. In all cases, taxes and fees are added at checkout, and the resort clearly notes that prices, offerings, and availability are subject to change at any time, which is typical for dynamic ticketing.
Night session tickets are priced separately and are not included with a regular day ticket. BBMR lists flat‑rate night tickets at 109 USD for sessions valid at Snow Summit and Snow Valley, while Snow Valley‑only night tickets are listed at 59 USD, and a night add‑on can sometimes be added to an existing day ticket for a flat fee.
Holidays, weekends, and crowd patterns
The resort defines specific holiday periods with extended hours where demand and pricing are usually higher, such as late December through early January and long weekends around Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day. For the 2025–26 season, BBMR lists holiday dates including December 20–31, 2025, and several January and February 2026 weekends, and these are typically the most expensive and crowded times to buy Big Bear lift tickets.
Big Bear Lake as a destination also sees very heavy visitation: tourism offices report that the wider Big Bear area attracts several million visitors per year, with one recent figure estimating nearly 7 million annual visitors and only a few thousand permanent residents. Those numbers explain why holiday powder days and fresh‑snow weekends can sell out day lift tickets, which is why the resort strongly recommends buying online ahead of time to guarantee access on your chosen dates.
Deals, discounts, and promo offers
BBMR runs rotating deals and discounts for lift tickets, often aimed at specific groups like first responders, military members, or people booking special promotions. For example, a recent offer promoted lift tickets at 74 USD on specific dates for first responders, valid at all three mountains, with a clear expiration date and limited availability.
There are also bundled offers like a “Ride & Dine” package, where a night session lift ticket is combined with a meal voucher for 109 USD, effectively giving you food at no extra cost compared to the standard night ticket price. Third‑party ticket sellers and membership programs can add another layer of savings, with some discount platforms advertising up to about 20 percent off standard Big Bear lift tickets and sample starting prices in the mid‑50 to mid‑60 USD range for certain dates outside holiday blackouts.
Big Bear vs Snow Valley–only tickets
You essentially have two main options when talking about Big Bear lift tickets: a ticket valid at all three BBMR mountains or a Snow Valley–only ticket. All‑mountain BBMR tickets cost more but give full access to Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, which are the primary Big Bear Lake resorts, plus Snow Valley if it is operating that day.
Snow Valley–only tickets are aimed at people who want a cheaper day with less driving around the lake and do not need access to Bear Mountain’s terrain parks or Snow Summit’s base‑area scene. These Snow Valley tickets sit in a lower price band (79–95 USD for typical weekday advance tickets), which can make a big difference for families or groups buying multiple passes.
Big Bear ticket options overview
Why buying early matters
Because Big Bear lift tickets use dynamic pricing, buying early is not just about convenience, it is usually about saving real money. Advance Monday–Thursday all‑mountain tickets can be around 105 USD, while the same day purchased at the window on a busy weekend can climb toward the upper 160s, which is a significant gap over a multi‑day trip.
On top of that, BBMR warns that military and other special discounts may not be honored on days when day lift tickets sell out, which means waiting until the last minute can cost more and may even lock you out of the mountain entirely. The safest strategy is to pick your dates early in the season, watch the calendar for non‑holiday weekdays, and buy your Big Bear lift tickets online directly through the resort when you see a price you can live with.
Season passes vs day tickets
If you plan to ride more than a handful of days in 2025–26, it is worth comparing day‑by‑day costs against season passes. BBMR sells its own season passes as well as access through larger multi‑mountain products, and the resort advertises that 2025–26 passes are sold for a limited time each year, with a final purchase deadline in December.
While exact pass prices shift from year to year, the basic math is that a pass can pay for itself after several full‑price weekend visits, especially for locals or students from Southern California who can drive up regularly. Passes also often come with perks such as friend‑and‑family discount tickets, which let you buy a limited number of cheaper Big Bear lift tickets for others when redeemed online at least 24 hours in advance.
Third‑party and membership discounts
Besides official resort promos, a lot of people cut costs by using third‑party sellers, membership deals, or ski show discounts for Big Bear lift tickets. Discount ticket platforms list savings “up to 20 percent off” with 1‑day tickets for Big Bear Mountain Resort starting in the low‑to‑mid‑60 USD range for specific, non‑blackout dates, although these vouchers are typically nonrefundable and nonchangeable once purchased.
Membership programs like regional ski clubs or winter expo events sometimes offer member‑only ticket rates “as low as” 79 USD per day at Big Bear, often with the requirement that you print a voucher and redeem it at the ticket window. The trade‑off is that these deals can come with blackout dates in peak periods (late December, holiday weekends) and limited inventory, so it is important to read the fine print before assuming those prices will apply to your exact travel days.
How to actually save on Big Bear lift tickets
There is no way around the fact that California lift tickets are expensive, but there are several practical ways to reduce the total cost of Big Bear lift tickets in 2025:
- Aim for midweek: Advance weekday prices are lower than Fridays and weekends, so shifting your trip to Monday–Thursday can shave 20–40 USD off per ticket compared with popular Saturdays.
- Avoid holiday windows: The late‑December and long‑weekend holiday blocks are some of the most expensive and busiest dates of the season, with higher prices and heavier crowds.
- Lock in online: Buying tickets online in advance usually gets you into the lower end of the price range and prevents sell‑out surprises when you arrive.
- Consider Snow Valley–only: If you are more focused on cruising runs than terrain parks or nightlife, Snow Valley‑only tickets sit in a cheaper band and can be a solid value.
- Stack legit discounts: Combine official resort promotions (like first responder or military days) with lower‑demand dates when possible, and only use trusted third‑party ticket sellers with clear redemption instructions.
Night skiing and add‑ons
Night skiing is one of the more flexible ways to enjoy Big Bear on a tighter budget or schedule since you can ride after work or class instead of committing to a full day. BBMR lists dedicated night tickets valid for select evening sessions from 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. until about 8:30 p.m., with separate prices for full‑resort night tickets and Snow Valley‑only nights.
BBMR also notes that day lift tickets do not automatically include night sessions, but on certain dates you can add night access to an existing day ticket for a fixed add‑on price, which is cheaper than buying a completely separate ticket. If you already planned a full day and still have energy, that add‑on can stretch your value per dollar, especially when snow and weather are good.
Crowd management and timing tips
Because tourism data shows that Big Bear gets millions of visitors each year, planning around crowds matters as much as saving money. Earlier start times on weekends and holidays, such as 8:30 a.m. openings at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit on busy days, reward people who arrive before parking fills and before day‑of ticket lines lengthen.
Knowing the operating hours of each mountain also helps you maximize a single day ticket, since BBMR mentions that day tickets are sometimes extended to 6 p.m. on days with night sessions, and each mountain has its own opening dates and hours. If the goal is to squeeze in as many laps as possible on one Big Bear lift ticket, check the schedule in advance and plan a rough route between mountains rather than wandering between them at random.
Is Big Bear worth it in 2025?
From a value standpoint, Big Bear lift tickets sit in roughly the same range as other popular U.S. regional resorts that use dynamic pricing, where adult day tickets often float between around 60 and 160 USD depending on the mountain and time of year. What sets Big Bear apart is its proximity to major Southern California cities, the ability to access three mountains with one ticket, and the huge variety of visitors it draws each year, from beginners to park riders.
If you are willing to be flexible on dates, buy online in advance, and watch for legitimate promotions, you can keep Big Bear lift ticket costs under control while still getting a full day (or night) of skiing and snowboarding in 2025. For students or new riders, starting with a midweek Snow Valley–only ticket or a discounted all‑mountain day can be a smart, budget‑friendly way to test the slopes before committing to more frequent visits or a season pass.
