Sledding at Aspen Glen Picnic Area in Big Bear

We visited Big Bear the week after a massive snowstorm that dumped eight feet of snow, so we knew we had to go sledding! I grew up sledding across Northern California in Lake Tahoe and Trinity County, so this was my first experience sledding in Southern California.

My husband and I decided to take our son to the Aspen Glen Picnic Area, which was conveniently close to the Lagonita Lodge, where we were staying. It’s a popular spot with a wide variety of slopes suitable for kids of all ages, as well as adults.

Naturally, my son chose the most massive hill to begin with, ignored my advice, and zoomed down the hill at full speed, hitting a tree. Oh, the joys of being a boy mom! Luckily, he wasn’t injured, and we moved on to the next slope with no trees in sight.

We had a great time at this location, but there are a few things to keep in mind before heading there.

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Aspen Glen Quick Information

If you’re short on time, here’s the cut-to-the-chase version!

Location: 40105 Mill Creek Road
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Adventure Pass: A $5 pass is required to visit. Purchase at one of these locations (filter by California and Big Bear Lake/City). It’s valid until 10 a.m. the following day.
Free Parking: Yes, with the Adventure Pass displayed
Kid Friendly: Of course!
Dog Friendly: Yes

Adventure Pass

To go sledding at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area, you’ll need to purchase an Adventure Pass before you head over.

We stopped by Lakeview Market first, and they were sold out, so we headed to 7-Eleven.

A list of vendors who sell adventure passes can be found here. Filter by state and city in the upper right-hand corner.

After you buy the pass, you need to scratch off the Month and day and hang it from your rearview mirror or place it somewhere visible.

It can be used at any location that requires a pass and will expire the next day at 10 a.m.

If you plan ahead, you can purchase a pass online from myscenicdrives.com and have it shipped to you before your trip. You can also purchase directly from the Forest Service by phone, email, or mail.

Parking

Sledding at Aspen Glen is a blast, but parking, not so much. The parking lot is small and cannot accommodate the number of people who come play in the snow.

On our first visit, we arrived at almost 9:30 a.m. on a Saturday and were lucky to find a few parking spaces available. However, by the time we left around 11 a.m., the parking lot was full, and cars were parked up and down the street.

The next day, my husband took our son back for more sledding. They arrived at 8 a.m. when it opened, hoping that there wouldn’t be too many people yet. Unfortunately, it was even busier than the day before. My husband couldn’t find a parking spot, and temporary no-parking signs lined the street. After waiting for about 20 minutes, a parking spot finally became available.

Sledding and snowplay

This place is a winter wonderland perfect for sledding. It offers a diverse range of slopes that cater to all age groups. Even with a bustling crowd, my son found some slopes that he could sled down alone.

One of the longest runs is to the left of the Pineknot Trailhead sign. It’s one of the busiest spots, but my son and husband didn’t have to wait long to ride down it.

If you prefer to sled down hills with fewer people around, there are some fantastic hills to the right of the Pineknot Trailhead sign. Although this area requires a little more walking, and sometimes you have to take deep steps into the snow, it’s totally worth it.

Aside from sledding, there’s plenty of space to build snowmen and have snow fights. We even saw a few people who brought chairs to hang out in the snow while their kids played.

Sledding at Aspen Glen Picnic Area in Big Bear

Aspen Glen Quick Information

Adventure Pass

Parking

Sledding and snowplay

Video of sledding at Aspen Glen

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