El Niño is Coming to Big Bear Mountain Resort

If you’ve been watching the weather headlines, you’ve probably heard one phrase over and over: El Niño. In simple terms, El Niño means unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters that can help steer more storms toward the West Coast, potentially making for a wetter and snowier winter at Big Bear Mountain Resort (BBMR).

But there’s an important distinction to keep in mind: rain in the beach cities doesn’t always mean snow in the mountains. And just like the Mountain Operations team can’t just make snow* whenever they want, Mother Nature is ultimately in charge. rich-text, responsive-table

* Fun fact: Snowmaking machines make real snow! It’s not fake snow made from artificial material, it’s simply water turned into snow. The snowmaking machines spray tiny droplets of water into the cold air, and when the temperature and humidity are just right, those tiny droplets freeze as they fall, forming ice crystals that become snow. Read more on snowmaking. rich-text, responsive-table

First things first: what is El Niño?

Typically, winds push warm surface water across the Pacific toward Australia and Indonesia. During El Niño, those winds weaken, so warm water moves back toward the eastern Pacific and closer to Southern California. That warmer ocean water changes the atmosphere above it, which changes the jet stream and storm paths. rich-text, responsive-table

BBMR sits at a lower elevation than its Ikon Pass sister resorts in California, including Mammoth Mountain in the central Sierra Nevada and Palisades Tahoe in the northern Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe. While BBMR’s elevation means snowfall can be more temperature dependent, the resort’s snowmaking capabilities and Southern California location give it plenty of opportunity to build a strong base when winter storms move in.



So what could El Niño mean for BBMR and how you can make the most of the season ahead?

In general, an El Niño winter often means:

• Bigger/wetter Pacific storms
• More mountain snow
• Temperatures can be different from normal depending on the storm

What it really means for BBMR:

A wetter winter can be great news for the mountains, but it may also mean different conditions than you’re used to at BBMR.

More storms can mean snowier days, more fresh powder, and deeper base depths, but it can also mean changing road conditions and potentially longer travel times. Give yourself extra time, check road conditions before heading up, and be prepared for winter driving.

And if you’re used to BBMR’s classic bluebird, sunny ski days, you may want to prepare for a few more cloudy, snowy, or wet-weather days.

That means bringing the right layers and different goggle lenses for variable light conditions. Read our snow goggle guide for help and check out our partner, Smith Optics, to make sure you have the right gear. If you’re a pass holder, you can save up to 15% on goggles at the Sports Shop.



The snow itself may also feel different. Warmer, wetter storms, typically produce heavier, wetter snow rather than the lighter, drier snow you might be accustomed to.

Most importantly, check the mountain report and resort operations pages before you head up. Weather can change quickly, and certain lifts, terrain, or resort operations may be adjusted or temporarily closed based on conditions. rich-text, responsive-table

Planning Your Trip

If you're trying to decide when to plan a ski or snowboard trip, here's current long-range outlook: rich-text, responsive-table

So… When Is El Niño Arriving?

The strongest portion of the current forecast signal is centered later this month, November, just in time for Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountain opening day preparations. NOAA expects El Niño to remain strong through the 26/27 winter operating season.

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IMPORTANT NOTE:

This blog and its discussion of El Niño are based on weather predictions and forecasts. El Niño does not guarantee a big snow year or any specific amount of snowfall. Weather conditions can change, actual snowfall may vary, and minimum season lengths are not guaranteed. rich-text, responsive-table

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