SoCal mountain resorts hoping for more snow as storms bring mostly rain

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (KABC) -- A dusting of snow fell overnight in Green Valley Lake, but only because the mountain community is set at an elevation of 7,200 feet.

Lower elevations along Highway 18 saw mostly rain as the recent storm wasn't cold enough to produce snow across the San Bernardino Mountains.

By Wednesday morning at Big Bear Lake, snow was scarce. The usually busy Big Bear Village was nearly empty, and store owners said the lack of winter weather has made the season difficult despite weekends still drawing visitors.

At Snow Summit, nearly all the snow visible on the slopes was manmade. Resort spokesperson Justin Kanton said they're hopeful conditions turn around next week.

"It does look like potentially tonight and starting Sunday it will be setting up for more snowmaking," Kanton said. "We're trying to be as aggressive as we can this season just given the lack of natural snowfall."

"We're just taking it as it comes," Kanton added. "This is that kind of season where you really can't count on anything coming out of the sky until it's actually here."

The lack of snow means not as many locals coming to the resorts. Many of the people on the slopes Wednesday were from outside of Southern California.

"We are from Brazil, so it's a little snow, but it's better than we have, so it's an experience," one visitor said.

Meanwhile, resort operators will wait to see whether the coming storms finally bring colder, snow-producing weather.