Judge Clifford R. Lynn led the way in an “uphill” battle to get the first chair lift built in Big Bear.

Clifford formed the Park District in 1934, and immediately built a toboggan snow play area on the north facing slopes above of Big Bear Village. A “sling lift” was also built at the snowplay area for skiers in 1938.

Throughout the late 1930’s and 40’s, Clifford struggled to raise money for a new chair lift. His work finally paid off, and construction was completed on a new 3,000' chair lift in 1949, located behind Big Bear village. Tragically, Judge Clifford Lynn died that same year without ever seeing his new lift in actual operation.

Snow Summit ski instructors Fred Goldsmith and Bill Strickland purchased the ski tow area in Moonridge. They built a mile long chair lift to the top of the mountain, and renamed the area “Goldmine”. Goldmine continued to expand with additional chair lifts and snow making equipment until 1988, when it was sold to S-K-I LTD, and renamed “Big Bear Mountain”

Late in 2002, Snow Summit purchased Big Bear and renamed the two resorts Big Bear Mountain Resorts. The former Big Bear will cater to snowboarders while Snow Summit will be more family-friendly.

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