Midway Chairlift at Big Bear Lake — Online Webcam
Bear Mountain Ski Resort and Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a mountain lake in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, one of the most popular winter recreation destinations in the Los Angeles region. On the lake's shore sits Bear Mountain ski resort, known for its terrain parks and accessibility for riders of all levels. The live webcam at the Midway chairlift allows you to observe resort life in real time — from lift lines to slope conditions and weather at the base area.
The resort is located in the San Bernardino National Forest at an elevation of approximately 2,100 meters above sea level. Big Bear Lake is a full-fledged mountain town with a population of about 5,000 people that transforms into a hub for skiers and snowboarders from across Southern California during the winter months.
Midway Chairlift: Specifications and History
The Midway chairlift is a high-speed detachable six-pack chairlift developed by Leitner-Poma. Its construction cost $10.2 million — the largest infrastructure investment at the resort in decades.
Midway became the first new chairlift at Bear Mountain in over 30 years. It debuted in mid-December of the 2024/2025 season, replacing two fixed-grip lifts — Chair 2 and Chair 5 — in the central base area. The new structure significantly improved capacity and reduced wait times, especially on weekends.
Detachable chairs allow for slower movement at loading and unloading stations, which is particularly convenient for beginners and children. At top speed, the lift moves riders noticeably faster than older counterparts, reducing wait time and increasing the number of runs per day.
Trails and Terrain Parks
The Midway chairlift provides quick access to mid-mountain progression terrain — an area with gentle slopes ideal for beginners and riders advancing to the next level. From the top of the lift, riders gain access to Bear Mountain's network of terrain parks, considered among the best in California.
One of the key trails accessible from Midway is Central Park, a popular run featuring numerous features for snowboarding and free skiing. Additionally, the lift provides access to the only halfpipes in Southern California — making Bear Mountain a must-visit destination for riders practicing tricks in the halfpipe.
The mid-mountain zone served by Midway includes trails of varying difficulty — from green to black. Beginners will find wide, gentle slopes with good snow coverage here, while advanced riders can tackle steeper sections with natural obstacles.
How to Get to the Midway Chairlift
The Midway chairlift is located in the central base area of Bear Mountain. The resort address is: 43101 Goldmine Dr, Big Bear Lake, California 92315. From the resort's main parking lot, the lift station is a short walk through the base area.
The central base area is the heart of Bear Mountain. Ticket offices, rental shops, ski schools, and rest areas are all concentrated here. The Midway chairlift was specifically designed to make loading and unloading as convenient as possible for beginners: a gentle approach, a wide platform, and detachable chairs that slow down at the station.
Big Bear Lake is accessible from Los Angeles by car via Highway 18 or 330 — the drive takes about 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions. During winter months, road restrictions may apply, and tire chains are mandatory.
Seasonality: Winter and Summer at Bear Mountain
The main operating season for the Midway chairlift is winter, from December through March, sometimes extending into April with good snow coverage. During this time, the camera shows snow-covered slopes, streams of skiers and snowboarders, and snow grooming equipment in the early morning.
In summer, Bear Mountain operates on a limited basis — some lifts are open for hiking and mountain bike downhill. The Midway chairlift may be used during the warm season to access summit trails. The camera shows a completely different picture in summer: green slopes, coniferous trees, and tourists in summer clothing instead of snow.
The snow season at Big Bear Lake depends on natural snowfall and snowmaking operations. The resort invests in its snowmaking system to extend the season and ensure consistent coverage on key trails.
Night Skiing at the Resort
Big Bear Mountain Resort offers night skiing on weekends and holidays on select trails. Illuminated slopes allow riders to extend their time on the mountain after sunset. In the evening, the camera may show the trail lighting in action and lift operations under the spotlights.
Night skiing is popular among locals who visit the resort after work. The lit trails are typically concentrated in the Snow Summit area, but the overall evening resort atmosphere is clearly visible from the Bear Mountain base area as well.
What You Can See on the Camera
The live webcam is installed at the base of the Midway #5 chairlift and shows the central base area of Bear Mountain. In the foreground is an open recreation area with picnic tables, wooden benches, and folded outdoor umbrellas. To the left, you can see the resort patrol building. To the right is the covered chairlift station building with a canopy where loading and unloading takes place.
In the background is a mountain slope with groomed trails, coniferous trees, and the mountain peak. The ground surface is visible with patches of vegetation. Bright sunlight creates optical glare on the left side of the frame. The real-time webcam allows you to assess lift traffic, weather conditions, and the overall state of the resort before your trip.
