Snow lands in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains and on Mount Pinos after many winter storms, one to two hours from downtown. One honest note first: the Angeles National Forest, the closest forest to LA, says it has no designated sledding areas aside from tubing at private businesses. Snow play there happens on informal turnouts, so check the rules first.
Snow-play areas, with sources
Each spot below is named by the public agency or source linked in its card. Anything the source does not say is marked "Not stated by source".
Mount Pinos area (Chula Vista Trailhead)
Los Padres National Forest, end of Mil Potrero Highway / Cuddy Valley Road
- Drive from downtown
- About 1 hr 33 min, 74 miles, with no traffic or snow (routing estimate from OSRM on OpenStreetMap roads). Snow-day traffic can double it.
- Cost or pass
- A recreation pass is required on Cuddy Valley Road, Snowbunny and Chula Vista, per the Forest Service
- Parking
- Not stated by source
- Rules
- Follow posted forest rules
- Call ahead
- Mt. Pinos Ranger District: (661) 245-3731
- Source
- USDA Forest Service, Los Padres NF (checked October 28, 2026) Chula Vista Trailhead (checked October 28, 2026)
Search on Google Maps
Wrightwood snow play (Big Pines Highway)
Angeles National Forest near Wrightwood: Inspiration Point, Grassy Hollow and other turnouts named by a local guide
- Drive from downtown
- About 1 hr 32 min, 75 miles, with no traffic or snow (routing estimate from OSRM on OpenStreetMap roads). Snow-day traffic can double it.
- Cost or pass
- The local guide says a pass is needed
- Parking
- Not stated by source
- Rules
- The Forest Service says the Angeles has no designated sledding areas apart from tubing at private businesses. Snow play is informal.
- Call ahead
- Not stated by source
- Source
- Wrightwood Snow Play (local guide) (checked October 28, 2026) NBC Los Angeles, quoting the Forest Service (checked October 28, 2026)
Search on Google Maps
Mt. Baldy, Mountain High and Mt. Waterman (private tubing)
Businesses inside the Angeles National Forest
- Drive from downtown
- About 1 hr 4 min, 46 miles, with no traffic or snow (routing estimate from OSRM on OpenStreetMap roads). Snow-day traffic can double it. (to Mt. Baldy village)
- Cost or pass
- Paid. Prices are set by each business.
- Parking
- Not stated by source
- Rules
- These are the only sledding or tubing sites the Forest Service points to in the Angeles.
- Call ahead
- Not stated by source
- Source
- NBC Los Angeles, quoting the Forest Service (checked October 28, 2026) Angeles NF winter sports (checked October 28, 2026)
Search on Google Maps
Aspen Glen Snow Play Area, Big Bear
San Bernardino National Forest, Mill Creek Road, Big Bear Lake
- Drive from downtown
- About 2 hr 15 min, 98 miles, with no traffic or snow (routing estimate from OSRM on OpenStreetMap roads). Snow-day traffic can double it.
- Cost or pass
- $5 a day or $30 a year. A recreation pass is required on Mill Creek Road and Tulip Lane when snow is present.
- Parking
- Limited parking. Vehicles must be legally parked and out of travel lanes.
- Rules
- Leash dogs (6 ft max). Pack out trash. No restrooms or water.
- Call ahead
- Mountaintop Ranger District: (909) 382-2790
- Source
- USDA Forest Service, San Bernardino NF (checked October 28, 2026)
Get directions
When snow usually arrives
The Forest Service page for Mount Pinos says chains may be required from November through April. Los Padres NF (checked October 28, 2026)
At Big Bear Lake (USC00040741), NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals put December at 11.0 inches of snow, January 13.4, February 14.3 and March 11.7. NOAA normals, Big Bear Lake (checked October 28, 2026)
Snow timing for Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy: Not stated by source. No NOAA snow normal near them is on this page yet.
Chains, closures and road conditions
Caltrans uses three chain control levels. R1 means chains are required except on vehicles with snow tires on the drive axle. R2 means chains are required except on four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels. R3 means chains are required on all vehicles. Carry chains even with 4WD. Caltrans chain controls (checked October 28, 2026)
For live road status, check Caltrans QuickMap before leaving. Snow-day crowds fill turnouts early, and parking on the road shoulder where it is not allowed can get you ticketed or towed.
Call ahead
- Ask whether there is enough snow to play. Sources do not post a daily snow depth for these areas.
- Ask whether the road is open and which chain level is posted.
- Ask whether your pass works at that site. The Forest Service lists the Adventure Pass, a digital recreation pass or an interagency pass at Aspen Glen.