🍺 No Snow. No Skis. I’m Going to Big Bear Anyway.

Hey Ski Fam,

I have a confession. I’m already looking for excuses to go to Big Bear. 🏔️

There’s no snow. My skis are still tucked away. And if I showed up at Snow Summit in ski boots right now, someone would probably call for help.

But this weekend?

I’m ready to point the car toward the mountains anyway. Because Big Bear is starting to make that little turn from summer toward fall. 🍂

And this Saturday, September 12, we have a few very good reasons to go.

🍺 Oktoberfest Is Back

Let’s start with the big one.

The 56th annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest kicks off this Saturday, September 12. The 2026 festival runs on select weekends through November 8.

This isn’t just an excuse to drink a giant beer while wearing funny shorts. 😂

Big Bear describes Oktoberfest as a celebration of German traditions built around family, friendship and togetherness. Opening weekend has live bands, food, a kids zone, vendors, stein-holding contests and log-sawing contests.

Yes. Log sawing.

Apparently we’ve found another activity I can call “preseason ski conditioning.” 😂🎿

Saturday admission starts at $28.68 for adults, $19.10 for seniors and $10.58 for kids ages 3 to 12. On Sunday, adult admission starts at $18.03 and kids ages 3 to 12 get in free.

If I were taking the family, Sunday would get my attention.

🌅 You Can Ride Snow Summit Without Skis

Here’s the part that really got me.

Chair 1 at Snow Summit is running this week for Skyline at Sundown. 🎿🌅

The event runs September 10, 11 and 12 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Guests ride Chair 1 to the top of Snow Summit for an outdoor buffet-style BBQ dinner, live music and sunset views.

Saturday’s live music is Josh Rogan. Chair 1 begins loading at 4:30 PM, the last chair up is at 5:30 PM, and the final ride back down is at 7:30 PM. Tickets are limited and the resort says the event can sell out.

I love this.

There is something slightly wrong about sitting on a ski lift without skis dangling from my feet. My brain keeps waiting for snow below me.

Same chair.

Same mountain.

Very different September. 😂

But I think that’s exactly why I like going to our ski mountains before ski season. You see the place differently.

And somewhere between the chairlift, pine trees and cool mountain air, your brain starts thinking about winter again. ❄️

🚵 The Mountain Isn’t Sleeping

Snow Summit hasn’t shut down and gone into hibernation either.

After daily summer operations through Labor Day, Snow Summit Bike Park moved to Friday-through-Sunday weekend operations, with its summer season currently scheduled to run through October 4. The resort notes that dates can change based on weather and conditions.

So while we’re waiting to make turns on snow, people are still making turns down the mountain.

They just have wheels under them. 🚵

And there’s even more happening nearby. Snow Valley has a two-day mountain bike camp September 12 and 13 for kids ages 7 to 17, with coaching, skill clinics, trail rides and bike safety instruction. Registration is required.

I’m starting to think our ski mountains have figured out that some of us are terrible at sitting still.

🎵 There’s Free Music in The Village Too

If beer, BBQ and chairlifts aren’t enough, Saturday also brings the final night of this year’s Big Bear Lake Concert Series.

The free show runs 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM in Big Bear Lake Village, with Bardo and Mestizo Beat bringing a mix of funk, soul, rock and jazz.

That gives you options.

You could spend the afternoon at Oktoberfest and head into The Village for music. Or skip Oktoberfest, spend the day outside and finish with a free concert.

You could also book Skyline at Sundown and watch the sun drop from Snow Summit.

Just don’t try to do everything.

That’s how a relaxing mountain weekend turns into a military operation. 😂

🏔️ My Big Bear Game Plan

If I were planning a simple weekend, I’d keep it loose.

• ☕ Morning: Grab coffee and enjoy Big Bear before the day gets busy.

• 🚵 Late morning: Get outside. Bike, hike, walk around the lake or just explore town.

• 🍺 Afternoon: Head to Oktoberfest for food, music and some very serious stein holding.

• 🌅 Evening: Choose Skyline at Sundown if you have tickets, or catch the free concert in The Village.

• 🎿 Drive home: Begin checking how many days remain until ski season.

No snow report.

No chains.

No waking up at 4 AM because someone in the group chat says six inches fell overnight.

Just a day in the mountains.

🎿 Why This Matters to Skiers

Last week I wrote about apple season starting in Oak Glen. And I realized something while putting that trip together.

I don’t really miss skiing all summer. I miss the mountains.

I miss that feeling when the road starts climbing. I miss the pine trees. I miss pulling into a ski town and knowing that my normal life is now somewhere down the hill.

Skiing just gives me one very good reason to go there.

Fall gives us another.

And this weekend in Big Bear has a little bit of everything that makes this time of year fun. Oktoberfest is beginning. Snow Summit still has activity on the mountain. The chairlift is running. Live music is playing.

Winter isn’t here.

But ski country is waking something up in me. ❄️

❄️ The Big Lesson

We spend months waiting for the first storm.

Then one cold November morning, somebody sends that glorious text:

“BIG BEAR GOT SNOW!!!” 😂❄️

But I’m starting to think we miss part of the fun when we wait until then.

Our ski mountains don’t disappear when the snow melts. They change. And September may be one of the best times to go see that change happen.

So this weekend, I say go.

Eat the bratwurst. Listen to the music. Ride the chairlift. Walk through the pines. Look up at the runs you’ll hopefully be skiing in a few months.

Then start dreaming about winter.

You don’t need snow to hear the mountains calling. 🏔️🍺❄️

Know a skier who needs an excuse to get out of the heat and back into the mountains? Share this with them and start planning your Big Bear day. 🎿

– Sasha Everett ⛷️🍺

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