Big Bear Lake, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains 50 mi/80 km northeast of Los Angeles, is a popular weekend getaway for downhill skiing in the winter and for hiking, mountain biking and swimming in the warmer months. http://www.bigbear.com.
The principal ski resorts are Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Snowboarding is possible at both, and both have runs for beginning, intermediate and expert skiers. Most of the ski hills double as mountain-biking spots after the snow is gone. There's also a sightseeing paddlewheel boat, Miss Liberty, that plies the lake April-November. http://www.pineknotmarina.com/missliberty.htm.
The only groomed cross-country ski trails in Southern California are in nearby Green Valley Lake, 15 mi/24 km east of Big Bear. Two facilities, Rim Nordic Ski Area and Green Valley Nordic, offer miles/kilometers of groomed trails January-March, weather permitting.
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