Up To 6 Inches Of Snow Fall On Big Bear Lake

BIG BEAR LAKE (CBSLA.com) — After several years of anemic snowfall, Big Bear Lake is sitting pretty under a healthy blanket of white powder after Sunday's storm.

Up to six inches of fresh snow fell on the Big Bear Lake area overnight, prompting Cal Trans to issue chain requirements for all vehicles except four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels on State Routes 18, 38 and 330.

Snow really began to come down at about 7 p.m. along Highway 18 from Snow Valley to Big Bear Lake, with near white-out conditions and lightning at times.

Big Bear Lake snow resorts Bear Mountain and Snow Summit both opened nearly three weeks earlier than anticipated, thanks to the fresh snow.

Everyone from novice to expert snow athletes took to the slopes in Big Bear on Monday, with skiers and snowboarders alike taking advantage of the conditions.

"(These are the) best first snow conditions we've ever had, at least that I can remember," snowboarder Bradley Matz claimed.

The Snow Summit resort made use of water from Big Bear Lake for making snow, as snow blowers helped maintain the snowy conditions.

"It is epic, is is so beautiful up there," snowboarder Lauren Creed said. "Snow is great, thanks to El Niño. As a local up here, we're stoked."