> At a Glance
> – San Bernardino Mountain communities report 60% drop in business without snow
> – El Toto’s Mexican Restaurant sits empty as tourists stay away
> – Big Bear Resort forced to use snow guns to keep slopes open
> – Why it matters: Local economies depend on winter tourism for survival
While Southern California enjoys clear skies, mountain communities are watching their livelihoods melt away. The absence of natural snow has triggered an economic crisis across Running Springs, Wrightwood, and Big Bear.
Empty Tables, Empty Slopes
El Toto’s Mexican Restaurant embodies the struggle. Alex Bedoy watched vacant tables as he explained the direct link between snowfall and customers.
> “Traffic varies when we have snow. We are in the mountain, so when we get snow, people come into town to enjoy vacation.”
The recent storms that soaked lower elevations brought zero snow to mountain resorts. Big Bear Mountain Resort opened over a month ago despite minimal natural snow coverage.
Fighting Back With Artificial Snow
Justin Kanton revealed the resort’s backup plan:
> “We are doing everything we can to give people the best experience as possible. We normally don’t run the guns during the day, but conditions permit.”
The snow guns operate during daylight hours-something staff avoid under normal conditions. Resort management hopes to open additional lifts and trails by weekend.
Christmas Floods Compound Problems
Wrightwood faces a double disaster. 2026 began with severe weather that caused:
- Major mudslides
- Extensive property damage
- Multi-day public access restrictions
Shelley Thomas of Wrightwood Bakery described the timing as catastrophic:
> “Having the flood happen especially on Christmas was a big impact for us. It was devastating having all that happen in a busy time.”
Economic Impact Numbers
| Business | Decline | Primary Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Wrightwood Brew Company | 60% | No snow + flood damage |
| Local restaurants | 50-70% | Missing tourist traffic |
| Retail shops | 40-50% | Reduced visitor numbers |
Todd Grijalva of Wrightwood Brew Company confirmed the devastating figures while expressing gratitude to remaining customers:
> “We are excited for the people that come support us because we need it.”
Key Takeaways
- Mountain businesses depend entirely on winter tourism for revenue
- No snow forecast for coming weeks despite clear skies elsewhere
- Snow guns provide temporary relief but increase operational costs
- Recent floods in Wrightwood created compounding economic damage
- Local businesses pivot to promoting hiking and dining experiences
Mountain communities continue waiting for winter’s return while encouraging visitors to explore hiking trails and local cuisine as alternative attractions.
