Honestly, if you're looking at the webcam right now and seeing clear skies, you're only getting half the story. Big Bear is one of those places where the vibe can shift from "California dreamin'" to "arctic survival" in the span of a Starbucks run. We’re deep into January 2026, and the chatter around town is a weird mix of relief and high-stakes planning. After that absolute monster of a storm cycle we saw earlier in the month—the one people are already calling the "Great Freeze"—the valley is finally catching a breath. But "breathing" in Big Bear doesn't mean things are quiet. Far from it.
Between the massive State Route 38 closures and the looming drama over the Moon Camp housing project, there is a lot to keep track of if you live here or just want to visit for a weekend.
The Highway 38 Headache: Don't Get Stuck
Let's talk about the drive, because it's basically the most important Big Bear CA news for anyone trying to reach the summit. If you usually take the "back way" up through Redlands and Mentone, you need to change your plans. Caltrans has been working overtime to fix the mess left behind by Tropical Storm Mario and the subsequent winter freezes.
Starting January 12th, State Route 38 shifted into a strict lockdown mode. We’re talking a full closure from Mill Creek Road to Hills Ranch Road.
The schedule is pretty brutal:
- Monday through Friday: Closed tight from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Nights: Open from 5:01 PM to 6:59 AM.
- Weekends: Fully open (thankfully).
If you try to wing it on a Tuesday morning, you’re going to end up doing a frustrated U-turn at the bottom of the hill. You’ve gotta use Highway 330 through Running Springs or Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley. Just keep in mind that since the 38 is closed, everyone and their cousin is cramming onto the 330. It's getting crowded. Expect delays that make your GPS lie to you.
Skiing and the "Machine-Made" Reality
The resorts are open, but the conditions are... interesting. We aren't exactly buried in fresh powder this week. As of mid-January, Bear Mountain is sitting on an 18-inch base, with the summit hitting about 36 inches.
Most of that is machine-made stuff. Since the temperatures have been creeping into the 50s and even 60s during the day, the snowmaking crews have had to hit the "pause" button. It’s that classic spring-conditions-in-January feel. You’ll find "variable" conditions, which is resort-speak for "ice in the morning, slush by 2 PM."
Still, it’s not all bad. The Park Crew at Bear has been busy. They just dropped six new features into the terrain parks, bringing the total to about 40. If you’re a park rat, you’re probably having the time of your life on the rails in Central Park or the jumps in Amusement Park. If you’re looking for deep backcountry powder? Yeah, you might want to wait for the next atmospheric river.
The Battle for the North Shore: Moon Camp
While tourists are focused on the snow, locals are fixated on the dirt. Specifically, the dirt at Moon Camp. This is a project that has been haunting the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for decades, and it’s finally reaching a boiling point this month.
The plan is to build a bunch of luxury homes on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. Sounds standard, right? Not quite. This area is prime habitat for some of the most famous residents in California: Jackie and Shadow. If you’ve ever spent four hours watching a YouTube livestream of a bald eagle nest, you know exactly who they are.
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Environmental groups like Friends of Big Bear Valley are putting up a massive fight. They aren’t just being difficult; they’re worried about the rare plants and the noise impact on the nesting eagles. The Board of Supervisors gave a green light to some of these developments recently, but the legal challenges are flying. It’s a classic mountain town struggle—balancing the desperate need for economic growth and "workforce housing" against the reason everyone moved here in the first place: the nature.
Local Tidbits You Might Have Missed
- 19-Acre Park: The City of Big Bear Lake is moving forward with acquiring that massive lakefront property near The Village. It’s a 99-year lease that’s going to turn a huge chunk of the shore into public park space. Finally.
- Health Alert: It’s not just the cold you have to worry about. San Bernardino County is seeing a weirdly high spike in pertussis (whooping cough). Public health officials are practically begging people to stay up to date on their shots.
- Sheriff’s Updates: Things have been a bit heavy lately. The Coroner’s office reported the passing of an 82-year-old resident on Lagunita Lane earlier this month. It’s a reminder that while the mountain is a playground for many, it’s a tight-knit community where everyone feels these losses.
Why the "Great Freeze" of 2026 Changed Everything
We can’t talk about Big Bear CA news without acknowledging the psychological dent the early January storms left. That "atmospheric river" was no joke. We saw people trapped in their homes for days with secondary roads completely impassable.
This has sparked a massive debate about the valley's infrastructure. When the power goes out and the snow is 10 feet deep, the charm of mountain living wears off pretty fast. The County Board just approved a relief package on January 15th to help residents who had their homes crushed by snow or flooded by the subsequent melt. If you're looking to buy property up here, you absolutely have to look at the drainage and roof pitch. "Pretty" doesn't pay the bills when the sky falls.
Staying Safe and Smart
If you are heading up this weekend, don't be that person who blocks the road to put on chains. It’s dangerous and, frankly, it makes the locals want to scream.
Even if the roads look bone-dry in Redlands, you are legally required to carry chains in your vehicle through April 30th. The CHP doesn't care if you have an AWD Tesla; if the sign says R3, you’re putting chains on or you’re turning around.
Also, keep an eye on the Big Bear Trolley. It’s free. It’s easy. It keeps you from having to find a parking spot in The Village, which is basically impossible on a Saturday night anyway.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Big Bear Trip
- Check QuickMap First: Before you even put your boots on, open the Caltrans QuickMap app. It is the only reliable way to see real-time closures on the 18, 38, and 330.
- Verify Your Chain Size: If you bought a new car this year, check that your old chains actually fit. Do a "dry run" in your driveway. Trust me, you don't want to learn how to do it in a blizzard at 7,000 feet.
- Support Local News: Tune into KBHR 93.3 FM when you get into the valley. They have the most accurate local road reports and weather updates that the big LA stations often miss.
- Respect the Eagle Zones: If you're hiking the North Shore, stick to the marked trails. The eagles are sensitive this time of year, and getting too close to a nesting site can result in some very hefty federal fines.