Guided Snowshoe Tour at Big Bear Lake with Hot Chocolate

Big Bear Lake•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

2 hours

Fitness Level

Basic aerobic fitness and ability to hike on uneven snowy terrain; suitable for families with kids 8+ on easier routes.

Overview

Strap on snowshoes, follow a local guide into a snowy Pacific-slope forest, and warm up with hot chocolate at a secret Big Bear overlook. This two-hour tour offers easy and moderate routes, local beta on snow conditions, and the kind of afterglow only winter air can give.

Guided Snowshoe Tour at Big Bear Lake with Hot Chocolate

other

wildlife

hiking

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Nov 13

Travelers

The Jeep eases off Elm Avenue and the town falls away: a low, brittle quiet replaces the hum of Highway 18. Your guide—local, practical, confident—pulls up in a grey SUV, boots crunching on a mix of slush and gravel. Within minutes you’re at the trailhead, breath visible, mittens fogging as pine and oak stand like weathered companions. The guide fits snowshoes to your gait, hands patient and sure, and you step out onto a white surface that seems to dare you forward.

Adventure Photos

Guided Snowshoe Tour at Big Bear Lake with Hot Chocolate photo 1

Adventure Tips

Bring waterproof boots

Snowshoe bindings sit over your boots—waterproof or winter hiking boots keep feet dry and warm during the tour.

Layer smart

Temperatures can swing; pack a breathable base, insulating mid-layer, and a windproof shell to adjust on the move.

Watch road conditions

Highway 18 and access roads can be icy—text the guide about road/snow conditions before you drive.

Hydrate and fuel

Cold air suppresses thirst—carry at least 1 liter of water and a compact snack for energy on the climb.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Mule deer
Steller’s jay

History

The Big Bear Valley was seasonally used by the Serrano people before logging and tourism reshaped the landscape; the lake and mountain town developed as Southern California’s high-country escape in the early 20th century.

Conservation

Trails run through national forest managed for recreation and watershed protection—pack out waste and stay on designated routes to protect fragile winter soils.