Biking in Big Bear

Big Bear is a premier mountain biking destination in Southern California. In summer, the ski resorts transform into bike parks with lift-accessed downhill trails, and the surrounding national forest has hundreds of miles of cross-country and singletrack riding.

Whether you're into gravity-fed downhill, technical cross-country, or casual scenic rides around the lake, Big Bear has trails for every skill level.

🏔️ Riding Season

  • Peak Season: May – October
  • Best Months: June – September
  • Elevation: 6,750 – 8,800 ft
  • Note: High altitude — hydrate and pace yourself

Types of Riding

🏔️ Downhill Bike Park

Snow Summit Bike Park offers lift-served downhill mountain biking with trails from beginner to expert. Ride the chairlift up, shred the trails down. Bike and gear rentals available at the base. Open late May – October.

🌲 Cross-Country / Trail

Hundreds of miles of national forest trails including the famous Skyline Trail, Radford Trail, and Snow Forest Trail system. Technical singletrack through pine forests with stunning views. Adventure Pass required ($5/day).

🛤️ Scenic / Casual Rides

The Alpine Pedal Path is a paved multi-use trail along the north shore — perfect for families. Bike rentals from multiple shops in the Village. Free, no pass needed.

Snow Summit Bike Park

When the snow melts, Snow Summit transforms into one of Southern California's premier mountain bike parks. Ride the chairlift to the summit and choose from trails ranging from flowy beginner to gnarly double black diamond.

🎫 Bike Park Pricing

  • Day Pass (Adult): $55–$75
  • Day Pass (Youth 7–12): $45–$55
  • Season Pass: $399
  • Bike Rental (full suspension DH): $75–$125/day
  • Helmet + Armor Rental: $25–$40
  • Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM (summer weekends & holidays)
  • Season: Late May – Early October

🏔️ Bike Park Trails

TrailDifficultyStyle
Miracle MileGreenFlowy, smooth, beginner-friendly
WestridgeBlueIntermediate flow trail
SkylineBlueTechnical XC-style singletrack
Off the GridBlackExpert DH — steep, rocky, technical

Cross-Country & Forest Trails

TrailDistanceDifficultyDescription
Skyline Trail (2N10) 10+ miles Moderate Epic ridgeline singletrack with panoramic views. Connects to Snow Summit. The crown jewel of Big Bear XC riding. Can be done as a point-to-point with a shuttle.
Radford Road (2N93) 5 miles Easy Gentle fire road loop through Jeffrey pine forest on the north shore. Great for beginners or a warmup ride. Connects to other forest trails.
Snow Forest Trail 7 miles Moderate Singletrack through dense forest with some technical sections. Roots, rocks, and tight turns. Beautiful in fall when aspens change color.
Grandview Loop 4 miles Moderate Rewarding loop with lake views from Grandview Point. Starts from the Aspen Glen area. Moderate climbing with fun descents. Popular with locals.
Alpine Pedal Path 3.4 miles Easy Paved lakeside path along the north shore. Perfect for families and casual rides. Flat, accessible, beautiful lake views.

Bike Shops & Rentals

🚲 Bear Valley Bikes

  • • Full-service bike shop & rentals
  • • Mountain bikes, e-bikes, road bikes
  • • Repairs and tune-ups
  • • Trail maps and local riding advice
  • • Located in the Village area

🚲 Goldsmith's Board & Ski

  • • Bike rentals in summer months
  • • Mountain bikes and cruisers
  • • 42039 Big Bear Blvd
  • • Same shop that does winter ski rentals
  • • Good selection, competitive prices

🚲 Snow Summit Bike Rentals

  • • At the base of Snow Summit Bike Park
  • • Full-suspension DH bikes: $75–$125/day
  • • Helmets & armor available
  • • Includes bike park trail access
  • • Best for downhill riding

💡 Mountain Biking Tips

  • Altitude matters: At 6,750–8,800 ft you'll feel it — pace yourself and hydrate
  • Helmet always: Required at the bike park, highly recommended everywhere
  • Yield to hikers: Bikes yield to hikers on shared trails. Call out when passing.
  • Check tire pressure: Lower pressure (22–28 PSI) for better traction on loose terrain
  • Bring tools: Flat kit, multi-tool, and pump — cell service is spotty on forest trails
  • Adventure Pass: Required at most forest trailheads ($5/day, $30/year)