North Pole Fudge and Ice Cream Co

618 Pine Knot Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, United States
+1 909-866-7622
$$$ Ice cream shop
(415 Reviews)

North Pole Fudge and Ice Cream Co sits just off the main strip in Big Bear Lake, carving out a sweet niche as a classic local spot rather than a typical ice cream parlor. Its appeal leans as much on nostalgia and candy shop charm as it does on frozen treats. Inside, the smell of fudge, hand-dipped chocolates, and caramel apples mixes with the crisp mountain air outside, creating an inviting retreat after outdoor adventures or a day spent exploring Pine Knot Avenue.

This place is best visited whenever the afternoon sun is mellowing and families or groups of friends are winding down from the day. Expect a steady flow of visitors, sometimes with a line out the door, especially on weekends and holidays. It’s a spot where people kill time chatting while choosing between a handful of well-known ice cream brands rather than exclusively handcrafted local scoops. Flavors like Double Fudge Brownie, Snickers, and Rum Raisin provide solid comfort options, while more playful selections like Green Tea and Tiger Butter Crunch Fudge add variety for those looking for something different.

The atmosphere is easygoing with a touch of old-school candy store magic. The shop doubles as a nostalgic candy haven featuring plenty of fudge varieties, snow cone flavors, and hand-dipped chocolates, which attracts visitors seeking sweet souvenirs or a quick nostalgic sugar fix. The ice cream, while not flashy or gourmet, is serviceable and complemented by classic treats like banana splits and waffle cones. Customers can expect friendly, helpful staff who don’t mind offering a sample or two, though sampling is somewhat limited.

If you’re craving a sugar rush between hikes or need a sugar pick-me-up after a chilly day on the lake, North Pole offers plenty to nibble on. While seasoned ice cream enthusiasts might find the standard selections less exciting, the fudge and candy options set it apart and keep locals and tourists coming back for a sweet taste rooted in tradition. It also caters well to those who enjoy browsing a variety of confections beyond ice cream, making it a relaxed spot to hang out with friends or entertain kids with a rainbow of candy and snow cone choices.

  • Ideal for families, casual groups, and visitors seeking a nostalgic candy-shop vibe
  • Best time to visit: late afternoon into early evening when the afternoon rush settles
  • Atmosphere: friendly, slightly retro, with a focus on fudge and sweet treats
  • Ice cream selections feature recognizable commercial brands alongside unique flavors
  • Also a go-to for handmade chocolates, caramel apples, and an extensive fudge menu
Highlights
Serves great dessert
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 9:30 PM

415 Reviews
Sheryllyne Ong-Kunitake

29 Dec 2025

Went to Big bear for the weekend and been seeing long lines at this ice cream shop. Fell in line anyway coz we were killing time. Inside they also have caramel apples, chocolates, fudge. Imagine my surprise when I saw the menu with Dreyers written on it. We fell in line for that?? Thought it was locally made ice cream. So they have Dreyers, Tillamook and 2 other ones I'm not familiar with. Would be nice to put a sign outside saying : we serve so and so brands. You can get Dreyers and Tillamook anywhere and had I known, we will now waste our time and just go to the village sweet treats for gelato. Got the caramel apple, it was good

Raegan Newman

11 Dec 2025

This place is dangerous if you come in here when you’re hungry! When you first walk in it’s a wave of overwhelming, wonderful, sweet luscious candy and chocolate aroma’s. There are so many heavenly delights it’s difficult to choose and as my mouth was watering, I decided on a quarter pound of the Snickers fudge, the cashew peanut brittle and of course I had to get my all-time favorite which is the toffee nut coated caramel apple! Every single one did not disappoint. The Snickers fudge tasted exactly like a Snickers bar only better and the caramel apple had a nice thick coating of caramel and toffee! They have a huge selection of wonderful, unique flavors and then a large section of ice cream in the back. What a wonderful experience! Staff was extremely friendly and helpful! Yum Yum!

Thanh Nguyen

04 Dec 2025

Such a cute spot n nostalgic prices were reasonable (they only give one sample tho). It wasnt that sweet n the employees were nice as well. Recommend

Kathryn Toma

23 Nov 2025

Tons of delicious and original fudge flavors. Wouldn’t recommend for ice cream (standard selection) but fun throwback candy. Friendly staff! Thanks for a great experience on our vacation.

Meghan Pimentel

11 Nov 2025

1st time here and we loved it. So many sweets and cute sweets for your furry little friends. The staff were friendly and I got a tasty s’more ice cream. A cup with 3 scoops.

Julie Gupta

17 Oct 2025

We visited here after seeing so many good reviews on Instagram. We ordered the coffee and coconut ice creams both were really nice, but the waffle cone felt too hard and a bit thicker. What disappointed us was the service there was a Mexican girl at the counter who behaved strangely. She didn’t smile or pay attention, and we had to call out to her to place our order, even though there were no other customers at that time. It felt like she was ignoring us. Overall, the ice cream itself was good, but the service didn’t meet our expectations.

anoop singh

08 Oct 2025

We stopped by North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream Co. during our visit to Big Bear and absolutely loved it! The shop has such a charming, nostalgic vibe that makes you feel like a kid again. They have a huge selection of delicious fudge — so many flavors to choose from — and they’re generous with free samples, which really helps when you can’t decide! We also tried their ice cream, and the portions were huge for a great price. Everything tasted fresh and homemade. The staff was super friendly and patient, even though it was busy when we went. It’s the perfect spot to grab a sweet treat while exploring Big Bear Village. We’ll definitely be back next time! Highly recommend for families, kids, or anyone with a sweet tooth.Prices are competitively cheaper than any tourist destination.

Maria Garcia

01 Oct 2025

Such a cute spot! Filled with many treats and sweets! The line is always long but it goes by pretty fast as there are several employees assisting everyone. I couldn’t decide one just one thing so I had the roast road ice cream and chocolate covered cheesecake with peanuts and it was under$10

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