We recently spent the weekend with incredibly chic outerwear brand, AETHER for a mountain escape to Big Bear and the ultimate fall experience. To celebrate the launch of their new Dolomite boot, the brand gathered a group of LA ladies from entertainment, wellness, food and fashion to test drive the boot all over the mountain. (Enter to win them below!) In a few short days, we tromped our way through the best of Big Bear and enjoyed a handful of the mountain’s best new properties between hikes and boat rides.

We’ve noticed more and more of our friends are re-routing from Palm Springs or Ojai to head to Big Bear lately and it might have something to do with the new crop of modern cabins and lodges available for rent. We’re all for a rustic cabin moment, but with gorgeous options like the properties we stayed in, you can make the experience a stylishly modern one too. Here’s where we stayed on our weekend in Big Bear…

THE KITCHY CABIN | LA creative, Claire Thomas of Kitchy Kitchen and Sweet Laurel, hosted us for brunch, then a gourmet game night inside her newly redesigned, The Kitchy Cabin. The stunning A-frame charmed our socks off with it’s wallpapered game room (above), loft bedroom and vintage-inspired details. There are so many perfect spots to cozy up in the Kitchy Cabin that we’re headed back soon with a few girlfriends, piles of books and as many potions for our lattes as we can pack. BOOK IT

CALICO FARM | Calico Farm is a brand new family-run property that feels like a small ranch. The stunning farmhouse sleeps up to ten guests, but feels as intimate as can be. The enclosed wrap-around porch can host yoga or a cocktail hour depending on  your mood. The farmhouse is accompanied by a barn, chicken coop and corral and sits on the perfect property for a pre-dinner stroll. We enjoyed a fig tart making class, a wreath making class and a long al fresco dinner at Calico Farm and it was utter bliss. Jealous of whomever books the Farm for the holidays… BOOK IT

NOON LODGE|  Noon Lodge is a rustic collection of cabins nestled right near the water and central to everyhing you might want to do in Big Bear. Stocked with bikes, bocce ball and plenty of communal fireplaces, our group of LA ladies spent every evening gathering from our cabins at a firepit near the lake and it was pure magic. Most rooms have kitchens and living rooms with fireplaces as well. BOOK IT

Win A Pair of Aether’s Dolomite Hiking Boots

To celebrate the launch of Aether’s new Dolomite Boot made in collaboration with century-old shoemaker Fracap we’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win a pair. One lucky reader will win a pair of Aether hiking boots as seen in this story. Enter your email below for a chance to win!
Giveaway closes Wednesday 10/30 and is open to residents of the continental US only. Emails will be shared with The Chalkboard Mag and Aether.