Coronavirus: San Bernardino County mountains closed to snow play

BIG BEAR, Calif. (VVNG.com) — All ski resorts and snow play areas in San Bernardino County have been closed to protect public health during the coronavirus pandemic.

Laws against parking on the roadside to play in the snow will be strictly enforced.

“The mountains are closed to visitors for now,” San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford said. “Hotels, short-term rentals, and non-essential businesses are closed, and the U.S. Forest Service has shut down its snow play areas to the public. There’s no reason to go up.”

• Motorists will likely be required to use snow chains because of expected winter driving conditions, and stranded drivers may have to wait for extended periods for assistance due to limited resources.
• Illegally parked vehicles are subject to fine and/or towing.

County Public Works will position “NO SNOW PLAY” electronic message boards at all entrances to the mountain communities.

“Out of respect for the residents of our mountain communities and the statewide order in place, it is imperative that you not visit the mountains at this time,” First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood said. “Maintain sheltering in place at your primary home. The limited essential services available in the mountain communities are to help sustain the needs of the residents until the order is lifted.”

• In Big Bear Lake, both ski resorts are closed, both commercial snow play areas are closed, and no one should be engaging in snow play at any location other than their own property.
• All public parking lots and on-street public parking spaces in the City of Big Bear Lake are closed, and city enforcement staff will actively ticket and tow vehicles parked illegally on city streets.

“Normally, we’d be welcoming people up to Big Bear Lake to enjoy themselves, however, now is just not the right time,” said Big Bear Lake City Manager Frank Rush.  “We really need people to do the right thing, and shelter in place in their home community.  Traveling for snow play is obviously not an essential activity.” 

Various appropriate County departments and agencies have been working together since Jan. 25 to protect the community from the COVID-19 pandemic.

For information about the coronavirus crisis, visit the County’s coronavirus website atsbcovid19.com. New information and resources are updated daily. The public can also contact the COVID-19 hotline from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (909) 387-3911, or email the County at coronavirus@dph.sbcounty.gov.