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If a cold weather mountain getaway sounds perfect to you, look no further than Bear Mountain Chalet in Big Bear, CA. Situated on a cul-de-sac road, this newly renovated retreat is steps away from trails and a few minutes by car to Bear Mountain for skiing.
Within the 2,000+ square feet home is plenty of space for up to 10 people to enjoy. The home has two separate living areas to accommodate larger crowds. Both lead out onto the deck and outdoor living areas. The first space is perfect for quiet relaxation, while the other has a projector that’s perfect for movie nights.
In the kitchen space, black appliances, open shelving and high ceilings continue the functional yet beautiful design. Included extras are a coffee maker, toaster, blender, wine glasses, utensils, cups and plates, a gourmet knife set, a French press, assorted spices and tableware. The dining room is made for 10 people, with 20-foot ceilings, a fireplace and beautiful views of the surrounding nature.
The main bedroom suite is on the ground floor and has an electric fireplace plus private bathroom. Two other bedrooms are on the second floor of the home, with one connected to the movie room. Both full bathrooms have a rain shower, while the primary ensuite has a tub for soaking.
In the outdoor living areas, there’s plenty of beauty to take in from the decks overlooking the trees. The 6-person hot tub is private and perfect after a long day of activities, and an outdoor dining space is ideal for spending every available second in nature.
If this sounds like the place for you, be sure to check out the highly-rated listing on Airbnb!
We interviewed the host of the home, Fernando, to get more insight into his beautiful home for rent.
Q: What made you decide to rent out your cabin?
A: I like to renovate houses and I like spending time in Nature. So it made sense to buy a fixer upper in Big Bear. But being 2 hours away from it in LA, I couldn't use it as often as I hoped. So I decided to share it with others. It also doesn't hurt I can pay the house expenses with the rental income!
Q: Do you use this cabin personally or just for renting?
A: I go there often with my 7-year-old son, who has been going to Big Bear since he was born. It's a great place for a kid and a nice contrast from LA.
Q: Do you live full-time in a cabin, or do you just enjoy the cabin aesthetic?
A: I live in Pasadena, in greater LA. But I use it with friends and family whenever I can! We do kayaking in the lake, hiking, and snowboarding/skiing in the Winter. Or just hanging out and cooking in the chalet.
Q: How long have you been renting this home?
A: I have been renting Bear Mountain Chalet since November 2021. As we approach our third winter in the market, I can confidently say that it has been a great experience filled with an ongoing learning and growth process.
Q: What are your favorite parts of the cabin?
A: It's hard to say, as I do enjoy it all. I really to cook in the kitchen, looking at the mountains outdoors and the snow in the Winter.
Q: Is there a guest comment/message that sticks in your mind?
A: We were fortunate to have many positive reviews by our past guests! One that I particularly like is the one below, as I wanted to give a European winter vibe to the cabin when it was remodeled.
“We had high expectations but the chalet was even better than in the photos! Felt like the type of place you find in Chamonix or St Moritz. The views from pretty much every room of the chalet are amazing. We had a great time in the jacuzzi, playing the games available, and cooking in the kitchen (which was fully stocked). The chalet is a short walk from Bear Mountain Ski Resort.The hosts were super helpful and check-in/check-out went smoothly. We will definitely be staying there again!” – Mario
Q: What was the renovation process like? What did you want from the process?
A: It took more than 3 years, as it's tricky to get permits in Big Bear and the pandemic happened in between. I was happy with my contractor Cory Robillard, who helped me throughout the whole process. We added 600sqft of living space in addition to renovating completely the original 1300sqft space. As the house is in a steep mountain (which is great for the views!), it was a hard reno/construction. But it did pay off. I think we managed to get the slick-but-comfortable style I was shooting for.
Q: Who/what companies did you work with for the renovation process?
A: I worked with Robillard Constructions, who was in charge of the whole project.
Cabin Stats
Bedrooms: 3
Beds: 6
Bathrooms: 2.5
Total Guests: 10
Amenities: Wi-Fi and dedicated workspace; pet-friendly; hot tub; movie room; fully-equipped kitchen; walking distance to activities
Rent your stay at the cabin here!
