Are you looking for the best snow play areas?
Living in the Inland Empire means you can take a day trip to the mountains without having to spend a lot on hotels. Within an hour or two drive from our area, you can find some great snow play areas for the whole family. Below you will find a snow trip check list with must haves and recommended items, a list of best snow play areas, and reminders before and during your visit.
Must-haves and Recommended Items
Every year, my family and I head to the snow filled mountains and spend anywhere from 3 - 6 hours enjoying the great outdoors. I have been going to the snow ever since I was a little girl and now, I take my children every year. Here are some of my must-have and recommended items list.
Clothing - Snow pants or bib, Snow Jacket, Snow Boots, Beenie's or Wide Head band to cover ears, and Snow Gloves
I recommend taking extra snow gloves if you can because they do and can get wet inside. Having an extra pair will help to keep your hands warmer and dryer longer. Also, take a change of clothes including socks especially for the kids. This way, once you are ready to leave, if you notice that any of their clothing under the snow clothes got wet, you can change them right away.
Almost every time I have been to the snow, I ALWAYS see a family or two or three show up with regular jeans and sweatshirts. The most recent time I went, a family with two young kids showed up and the little girl, around 7 years old, was wearing leggings, a hoodie, and regular mittens. This particular family only stayed about 30 minutes. Typically, families who are not dressed in proper snow attire tend to play about an hour to an hour and a half tops, especially with kids. So, if you want to spend the day in the snow, be sure to dress accordingly.
Food and Drink - Water bottles or gallon water. Gatorade. A thermos with hot water and take hot chocolate packets. Ready to eat meals such as Lunchables for the kids, Tuna to-go-kits, or sandwiches. Basically, any food that you do not need to heat up. Snack items such as granola bars, trail mix, yogurt, string cheese, fruits, chips, etc.
*Don't forget the paper goods if you will be making hot chocolate or needing plates. (Napkins, paper plates and or bowls, plastic cups, plastic utensils)
Seating and hauling - Take some chairs. I recommend one chair for every two people in your group. Chances are that you will not all be sitting down at the same time. Small folding table. This comes in handy to put all of the food as well as gloves when eating so you don't have to set them in the snow. Wagon. I always take a folding wagon, the kind with the large terrain wheels, however, I do not always have to use it. If I happen to find a snow play area close to where I park, it stays in the car. Other times, I have had to walk a little ways so the wagon was definitely worth taking to haul everything at once.
Health and Safety - Soap and/or Hand Sanitizer. You will need it if you are in an area without a public restroom. First Aid Kit. Many people have one in their car already, but if you don't be sure to take some band aides, gauze, ointment, or anything that you may need. Make a mental note of how far the last house or store is that you passed before parking. Not all areas in the mountain get good phone reception, so it's always good to know about how close or far you are from a somewhere you can go to for help. Trash bags/plastic bags. You can easily tie it to a chair or place somewhere to throw all your family's trash away and dispose of properly.
Restroom - Portable potty. Not all areas have public restrooms. Having a portable potty, especially if you have little ones is a life saver. Along with this, be sure to bring toilet paper or wipes.
Sleds and Toys - Sleds of course are the #1 item to bring to the snow. There are plastic sleds, inflatable sleds, and wooded sleds. No matter which type you have, please take it back with you even if it breaks. Sand pails, play shovels, and plastic Easter eggs or something similar. The kids love digging in the snow and making snowballs to throw using the plastic eggs to form them. Snowman accessories. If you have a snowman kit, that's great, take it. If not, have the kids take an extra scarf, mittens, hat, etc. to dress up their own snowman. Don't forget to collect your items when you leave.
Snow shovel and Bin - If you have a snow shovel or even a regular shovel that you can fit in your vehicle, take it. Also, take a large plastic bin or two depending on space. Not only can you use these to help carry your items, but before you leave, you can fill them up with snow to bring back home. (Those who have a truck can easily fill the truck bed for continued snow play at home.) We do this every time, and the kids love it.
Snow Play in our Local Mountains
It is required by the U.S. National Forest Service that a National Forest Adventure Pass is to be displayed on all vehicles parked for recreational purposes. Please note that National Forest Adventure Passes can be purchased for $30 a year per vehicle (or $35 for 2 vehicles), or for just $5 a day.
Wrightwood
- Yeti's Snow Play at Mountain High Resort - 24510 State Highway 2, Wrightwood, CA 92397
- Starting at $30 and up per person
- Things to do include: Tubing, Sledding, Snow Play & Scenic Sky Chair Ride
- Snowboarding, Skiing, and Sno-Go Snow Bikes at Mountain High Resorts - 24510 State Highway 2, Wrightwood, CA 92397
- 4 hour and 8 hour lift tickets available
- Equipment rentals
- Private Lessons
- Open snow play areas
- Stop at Mountain Hardware 1390 Hwy 2, Wrightwood, California 92397 for a free map. They will circle the best places for snow play. They also sell the Adventure Pass (parking pass).
Big Bear
- Snow Tubing and Glow Tubing at Big Bear Snow Play - 42825 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
- 36" and over (Children under 36″ tall not permitted past the Snow Play gate.)
- starting at $25 per person
- Snow Tubing at Alpine Slide Big Bear - 800 Wildrose Lane Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
- 36" and over (Children under 36″ tall not permitted past the Snow Play gate.
- starting at $25 per person
Authentic Bobsled Experience at Alpine Slide Big Bear - 800 Wildrose Lane Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Riders must be a minimum of 36″ tall
starting at $9 per person
- Grizzly Ridge Tube Park at Snow Summit Big Bear - 880 Summit Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
- 1 1/2 hours tubing fun
- starting at $20 per person
- Snowboarding and Skiing at Snow Summit Big Bear - 880 Summit Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
- equipment rentals
- lessons
Mt. Baldy
- Tubing Park at Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts, Inc. - 8401 Mt Baldy Rd. Mt Baldy, CA 91759
- Participants must be at least 40″ tall
- 3-hour experience which includes the 20 min Sugar Pine chair lift ride up
- starting at $54.99 per person
- Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts, Inc.- 8401 Mt Baldy Rd. Mt Baldy, CA 9175
- Must be at least 40″ tall and able to load and unload the lift on their own.
- Equipment rentals
- starting at $35 per person depending on date
Running Springs
- Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park - Click here for directions
- $20 per person, per hour (Cash only)
- Children 36" tall or under are free if accompanied by a paid adult
- Parking - $10 per vehicle
- Skiing and Snowboarding at Snow Valley Mountain Resort - 35100 State Hwy 18 Running Springs, CA. 92382
- Equipment rentals
- Snow Play - Sleds provided starting at $12 per person
Sky Forest
- Sky Park at Santa's Village - 28950 California 18, Skyforest, CA 92385
- open Thursday - Sunday
- skating rink, zip line, climbing tower, train ride and more
- starting at $59 per person (3 and under and 75 and older - Free)
Reminders
- Check the weather and road conditions prior to your trip. Find out if tire chains are required and be sure to check when the next storm is coming.
- Buy an Outdoors Adventure Pass if not going to a specific attraction which includes parking. Tickets can be given to those without a parking permit.
- Be respectful of the area. Keep in mind that there are many people who live in these areas. Do not park on private property or block driveways. Be sure to pick up ALL of your belongings including trash and broken sleds.
- Stay on the main roads and play areas while driving and once you exit your vehicle. You don't want to get lost, especially in the cold.
- Follow all Health and Safety guidelines set in place for your safety and the safety of others.
