Updated: October 21, 2026
Planning a Big Bear Thanksgiving weekend? Here are 6 cozy cabins and lodges, from lakefront cabins with docks to a chateau near the lifts. We also cover the Turkey Trot (Nov 26), the Village tree lighting (Nov 27), and what's actually confirmed about ski opening day.
Disclosure: This post has affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Researched, not stayed: details come from official sources as of Oct 2026. Full disclosures.
Why Big Bear for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Big Bear Lake gives Southern Californians the mountain version of the holiday: fireplaces, pine forest, a walkable Village and the lake. There are also real community traditions, like a Thanksgiving-morning Turkey Trot and the Village Christmas tree lighting the next night.
Will the ski resorts be open? Nobody knows yet. Big Bear Mountain Resort says Nov 21, 2026 is the earliest possible opening date for the 26/27 season, not a confirmed one. It expects to know around mid-November, once snowmaking temperatures arrive. The resort notes the season has historically started between mid-to-late November and early December. If lifts aren't spinning, the trip still works for cabins, the lake and the Village.
Getting there from LA
Big Bear is in the San Bernardino Mountains. The main routes up are CA-330 to CA-18 through Running Springs, or CA-38 via Mentone. All are winding mountain highways. Before you go:
- Check Caltrans QuickMap (quickmap.dot.ca.gov) for chain controls and closures.
- Carry chains even with 4WD, because chain controls can apply to any vehicle.
- Avoid peak times on Wednesday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.
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Rent a car: A vehicle with good tires is essential for mountain roads. If renting, consider an AWD or 4WD vehicle and ask about chain requirements. Compare rates at 👉 Discover Cars – Los Angeles. Bring chains regardless — chain controls can apply to any vehicle when conditions are icy.
Quick picks
| Stay | Location | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Chateau Big Bear (BW Signature Collection) | Moonridge Rd, near the ski resorts | Families, skiers |
| Holiday Inn Resort The Lodge at Big Bear Lake | The Village | Walkability, pets |
| Noble + Proper | Jeffries Rd, about 1 mi from the Village | Couples, design lovers |
| Apples Bed & Breakfast Inn | Moonridge Rd | Big breakfasts, romance |
| Big Bear Frontier | Lakeside cabins | Groups, pets, year-round pool |
| Noon Lodge at Mallard Bay | Lakefront, S Lagunita Ln | Old-school lake cabins |
6 Big Bear Cabins & Lodges for Thanksgiving
1. Chateau Big Bear: boutique feel near the lifts
According to Fodor's, a three-year renovation turned this Best Western-affiliated hotel into something closer to a boutique hotel. It has a Portuguese marble lobby with crystal chandeliers, rooms with fireplaces and pillow-top beds, and a 57-foot Tiffany stained-glass dome over the lounge. The hot breakfast is free, and there's a pool, hot tub, game room and fitness center, plus live piano on Friday and Saturday evenings. The hotel has 80 rooms and sits about 2.3 miles from Bear Mountain and 4 miles from Snow Summit.
Downsides (per Fodor's): noise carries between rooms, the pool is seasonal, there's no room service, and housekeeping is on request.
Price tier: $$. Check live rates for your dates.
👉 Check rates for Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel
2. Holiday Inn Resort The Lodge at Big Bear Lake: walk to everything
At 40650 Village Dr, this is the pick if you want to park the car for the weekend. IHG says it's within walking distance of restaurants, the lake, the Boardwalk and shops. IHG lists: free Wi-Fi and parking, seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub and fitness center, Stillwells Restaurant and Bar on site, a salon and massage studio, free weekly guest receptions and kids' activities, and it's pet-friendly ($150 per night).
Price tier: $$$. Check live rates for your dates.
👉 Check rates for Holiday Inn Resort The Lodge at Big Bear Lake
3. Noble + Proper: a micro-village of design cabins
A Fodor's Choice pick at 670 Jeffries Rd. It's eight themed two-story cabins, most sleeping two to four, each with a stocked kitchenette, fireplace, 50-inch TV, private patio with BBQ, cedar soaking tub, and beach cruiser bikes. Entry is keyless and there's no lobby, which adds privacy. Big Bear Village is about a mile away.
Downsides (per Fodor's): no restaurant or standard hotel services, not pet-friendly, and no bike helmets provided.
Price tier: $$. Check live rates for your dates.
👉 Check rates for Noble + Proper Big Bear
4. Apples Bed & Breakfast Inn: Victorian charm on the way to the lifts
A pink Victorian inn at 42430 Moonridge Rd, surrounded by pines and gardens. All 25 rooms have gas fireplaces and smart TVs, and the four "Delicious" deluxe rooms add whirlpool tubs. The included full breakfast is served at 9am at a communal table, and there are free snacks.
Downsides (per Fodor's): a two-night minimum, some traffic noise, and it's a popular wedding venue that's often booked.
Price tier: $$. Check live rates for your dates.
👉 Check rates for Apples Bed and Breakfast Inn Big Bear
5. Big Bear Frontier: lakeside cabins with a year-round pool
Big Bear Frontier's official site lists lakeside and lakefront cabins with private beach access, full kitchens, fireplaces, Wi-Fi, TVs and outdoor grills. Some units add whirlpools or private decks. Property-wide, there's a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub, fishing, BBQs, cornhole and horseshoes, and the property is pet-friendly. It's good for families or groups who want a kitchen for Thanksgiving dinner.
Price tier: check live rates for your dates.
👉 Check rates for Big Bear Frontier
6. Noon Lodge at Mallard Bay: classic lakefront cabins
At 214 S Lagunita Ln, this is a revitalized 1950s waterfront retreat with an old-school camp feel (Fodor's). Cabins range from studios and one-bedroom lofts and A-frames to 2–3 bedroom cabins sleeping 2–8, with full kitchens, fireplaces and Wi-Fi. Outside you'll find docks, firepits, bikes, picnic areas, a seasonal pool, plus shuffleboard, bocce and cornhole.
Price tier: check live rates for your dates.
👉 Check rates for Noon Lodge at Mallard Bay
Thanksgiving events in Big Bear
- Big Bear Turkey Trot: Thursday, Nov 26, 9:30–11am, starting at Dank Donuts. It's a family-friendly 3-mile run/walk benefiting local food pantries (bigbear.com).
- Village Christmas Tree Lighting: Friday, Nov 27, at Christmas Tree Corner (Village Dr & Pineknot Ave), per bigbear.com.
Check bigbear.com/events/thanksgiving for the full holiday calendar.
Skiing and snowboarding
- Lift tickets for Big Bear Mountain Resort are on sale, with a start date of Nov 21, 2026. That's the earliest possible opening, not a guaranteed one. Posted adult day-ticket prices range from $89 to $169, depending on date. If no resort is open on the date you bought, the resort says a reservations agent will contact you about next steps.
- Once the season opens, chairlift hours are 9am–4pm weekdays and 8:30am–4pm weekends (resort hours page).
- Tickets are "subject to sell out at any time," per the resort, so buy online ahead.
👉 Big Bear tours and activities on Viator
Thanksgiving dining tips
- Cook in your cabin. Noble + Proper, Big Bear Frontier and Noon Lodge all have kitchens or kitchenettes. Shop down the hill before you drive up.
- Book a table early if you want a restaurant meal. Stillwells at the Holiday Inn Resort is on site for Village stays.
- Free breakfast: Chateau Big Bear and Apples both include it.
Packing list
Layers, waterproof boots, gloves, a beanie, and tire chains.
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FAQ: Big Bear Thanksgiving
- Does Big Bear have snow in November?
- It varies year to year. Big Bear Mountain Resort relies on snowmaking early in the season and says it usually knows its opening date around mid-November.
- Are there Big Bear cabins on the lake?
- Yes. Noon Lodge at Mallard Bay and Big Bear Frontier both offer lakeside or lakefront cabins with kitchens and fireplaces.
- What Thanksgiving events happen in Big Bear?
- The Big Bear Turkey Trot runs Thursday, Nov 26, 9:30–11am, and the Village Christmas Tree Lighting is Friday, Nov 27, at Christmas Tree Corner (bigbear.com).
- Is Big Bear open for skiing on Thanksgiving?
- It depends on the weather. The earliest possible 2026 opening is Nov 21, and the resort expects to announce around mid-November.
- Which stays are pet-friendly?
- Holiday Inn Resort ($150/night per IHG) and Big Bear Frontier. Noble + Proper is not.
- Where can I walk to the Village?
- The Holiday Inn Resort is in the Village. Noble + Proper is about a mile away.
Last checked October 21, 2026. Researched, not stayed.
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