You probably think you know this place. If you grew up in Southern California, the name alone triggers dusty memories of plastic candy canes, a giant gingerbread house, and a guy in a velvet suit sweating through a July afternoon. It was the quintessential 1950s roadside attraction. But honestly? The SkyPark at Santa’s Village Skyforest you’ll find today isn’t just a nostalgia trip for people who miss the Eisenhower era. It has evolved into something much weirder and way more impressive: a legitimate, world-class outdoor adventure hub hidden inside a Christmas theme park.
The park sat rotting for nearly two decades. From 1998 to 2014, it was basically a ghost town in the San Bernardino Mountains, overtaken by bark beetles and overgrown pines. When Bill and Michelle Johnson bought the property, they didn't just repaint the reindeer. They gutted the concept. They turned a dying tourist trap into a high-altitude "Adventure Park."
The Mountain Bike Scene is No Joke
Most people head to Skyforest thinking they'll just walk around and look at lights. They’re wrong. The real heart of SkyPark at Santa’s Village Skyforest is the trail system. We aren't talking about flat dirt paths for toddlers. These are professionally groomed, machine-built flow trails that draw serious riders from all over the West Coast.
Take "Comet" for example. It’s a signature run. It’s fast. It’s bermy. It makes you feel like a hero even if you haven't been on a saddle in six months. Then you have the more technical stuff like "Neverland," which throws rocks and drops at you that require actual skill. It’s a strange juxtaposition—sending a six-foot drop and then grabbing a peppermint cocoa five minutes later.
Unlike Big Bear’s Snow Summit, which is a lift-accessed downhill beast, SkyPark is a pedal-up park. You have to earn your turns. The climbing trail, "Upline," is a gentle enough switchback that it doesn't kill your lungs at 5,700 feet, but you’re definitely going to feel it the next morning. It’s a different vibe. It’s more community-focused and less "aggro" than the bigger bike parks. You see pros training next to kids on balance bikes. It works.
It’s Not Just for the "Stoke"
If you aren't into hurtling down a mountain on two wheels, there’s still plenty to do, but it’s mostly active. This isn't Disneyland. You aren't sitting on a slow-moving boat listening to an animatronic doll sing. You’re climbing walls. You’re throwing hatchets. You’re skating.
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The Silver Fir Skating Pond is a highlight. In the winter, it’s ice. In the summer, it’s rollerskating. It’s sort of surreal to be skating in the middle of a dense forest of Cedar and Pine trees. There’s also the North Pole Climbing Wall and the Adventure Zipline. The zipline isn't the longest in the world—don't expect a mile-long flight—but it gives you a killer view of the village and the forest canopy.
And yeah, Santa is there.
He lives in a house that looks exactly like what you’d imagine if you were five years old. But the "North Pole" here feels more like a cozy mountain lodge than a mall photo op. The actors stay in character with a level of dedication that is almost intimidating. You can visit Santa year-round, which is great for kids but slightly trippy when it’s eighty degrees in August and you’re talking about reindeer.
The Food is Surprisingly Decent
Theme park food usually sucks. It’s overpriced cardboard.
At SkyPark at Santa’s Village Skyforest, they actually put some effort into the menu. The Gingerbread House is famous, obviously. Their cookies are massive and legitimately good—not just "good for a theme park." But the real winner is the St. Nick’s Patio and Grille. They do these blackened salmon salads and burgers that don't feel like they came out of a freezer bag.
Then there’s the Billy’s BBQ House. They smoke their meats on-site. If you’ve spent four hours pedaling the trails, a pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac and cheese feels like a religious experience. For the adults, the Tap House serves local craft beers. Sitting on that patio with a Hangar 24 IPA while watching the sun dip behind the trees is basically the peak Skyforest experience.
Why the Location Matters
Skyforest is a tiny community perched on the "Rim of the World." Highway 18 is one of the most scenic (and occasionally terrifying) drives in California. You’re looking down at the entire Inland Empire. On a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean, or at least the hazy silhouette of Catalina Island.
Being in the San Bernardino National Forest gives the park a literal breath of fresh air. It’s usually 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the valley below. This makes it a massive escape during the summer heatwaves. However, the weather is moody. I’ve seen it go from bright sunshine to a thick, silent fog in twenty minutes. It adds to the "enchanted forest" vibe they’re leaning into.
The Seasonal Shift
The park changes skin throughout the year.
- Pumpkins in the Pines: During October, it turns into a fall festival. It’s less "scary" and more "harvest." Think hayrides and pumpkin patches without the trauma of a chainsaw-wielding clown.
- Winter Wonderland: This is their peak. This is when the lights go up. It’s arguably the best Christmas experience in Southern California because it’s actually in the snow. They do a tree lighting ceremony that is genuinely charming.
- Spring/Summer: This is peak biking and hiking season. The forest is green, the birds are out, and the trails are tacky and fast.
What Most People Miss
People usually stick to the main village area. That's a mistake.
The Discovery Trail is a self-guided nature walk that teaches you about the local ecosystem. It’s quiet. Most of the crowds stay near the shops and the bike hub, so if you want to actually feel the forest, head out on the hiking trails. You might see a mule deer or a Steller’s Jay. It’s a reminder that before this was a theme park, it was—and still is—a vital piece of mountain wilderness.
Also, look at the architecture. The original buildings from 1955 were restored rather than replaced. They have that mid-century "Swiss Chalet" look that you just don't see anymore. It’s a weirdly preserved piece of Americana.
Practical Advice for the Trip
Don't just show up and expect a cheap day. Admission is pricey. It’s more expensive than a movie but cheaper than a day at Disney.
- Buy tickets online. They often sell out, especially during the Christmas season.
- Check the weather. Seriously. A "little rain" in the valley means a blizzard or a mudslide in the mountains.
- Bring layers. Even in the summer, once that sun drops behind the ridge, the temperature craters.
- Rent the bike. If you aren't a pro but want to try the trails, their rental fleet is high-end. They use Trek bikes that are well-maintained. Don't try to ride a Huffy from 1994 on these trails; you’ll regret it.
The Verdict
SkyPark at Santa’s Village Skyforest is a bit of an identity crisis in the best way possible. Is it a mountain bike park? Yes. Is it a Christmas village? Yes. Is it a hiking retreat? Also yes.
It shouldn't work. The mix of extreme sports and "Mrs. Claus's Bakery" sounds like a fever dream. But because they’ve leaned so hard into the quality of the trails and the authenticity of the forest setting, it feels cohesive. It’s a place that respects the history of the 1950s park while acknowledging that people in the 2020s want more than just a photo with a plastic reindeer.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Trail Report: If you're going for mountain biking, visit the official SkyPark website the morning of your trip to ensure trails aren't closed for maintenance or weather.
- Book a Forest Room: If you want to stay overnight, look at the Sky Stream Resort nearby—it’s a collection of refurbished Airstreams that fits the mountain aesthetic perfectly.
- Plan for 4-6 Hours: This isn't a "quick stop." To get your money's worth, arrive at opening and plan to stay through lunch.
- Pack Water: The altitude is real. Even if you're just walking, you'll dehydrate faster at nearly 6,000 feet than you do at sea level.