Big Bear Mountain Ski Season

No need to head all the way over to the Rocky Mountains, this year Big Bear and Snow Summit are experiencing record snowfall with more on the way. El Nino doesn’t pass through every year, and this is looking like a season you’ll be talking about forever.

With the 2010 Winter Olympics around the cordner, that is going to get all the skiers and riders in the mood to hit the slopes. Bear Mountain just carved out their Super Half Pipe, so for all you park rats out there…grab your boards and head on out and let the shredding begin. But for all you beginners and “wanna be’s”, take a lesson from a pro. You can get free rentals on equipment when you book a lesson.

Best of the best deals in the area can be found on nightly rentals at ResorTime.com. They are offering $95/night at Snow Lake Lodge. This place rocks with a fire place in the bedroom as well as the living room. The hot tub is always steamy while the conditions on the hill are unbeatable this year. Come join the fun!!

Winter in North Lake Tahoe means skiing and snowboarding at some of the premier resorts in the country. Home to twelve nationally acclaimed alpine ski resorts, skiers and boarders will want to look into Ski Tahoe North Interchangeable Lift Ticket, which allows them to ski at seven of the twelve ski areas including North Lake Tahoe’s premier ski resorts Diamond Peak, Homewood, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley.

Read about the interchangeable lift ticket at Go Tahoe North. 

In the A.M.

Grab breakfast at the Blue Onion Restaurant. Take transportation from the resort to one of the area’s world-class ski resorts. North Lake Tahoe is home to twelve nationally acclaimed alpine ski resorts. Use your Ski Tahoe North Interchangeable Lift Ticket to access seven of the twelve ski areas whenever they like. North Lake Tahoe’s premier resorts include Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, Homewood, Mt. Rose , Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Squaw Valley and the Sugar Bowl.

Noon

Eat at the ski resort. Continue alpine skiing or try another Lake Tahoe winter activity, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice skating and more. For cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails, visit Go Tahoe North for more information. Wilderness Adventures offers daily, husky driven dogsled tours at the Resort at Squaw Creek and the Sugar Bowl resort. Several ice skating rinks are available in North Tahoe, including the Olympic Ice Pavilion atop Squaw Valley, the Truckee Ice Skating Rink in Truckee and the rink at the Village at Northstar.

In the P.M.

Head to Lake Tahoe’s Nevada side for dinner at one of the casinos. The Crystal Bay Club and Casino, the Biltmore Tahoe Lodge & Casino, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa and the Cal-Neva Resort all have regular entertainment and great dining venues.

South Lake Tahoe Itinerary

The cool mountain air and emerald green conifers of the South Lake Tahoe area beckon outdoor explorers of all abilities for this season. Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing are some of the most popular winter sports to do in the Lake Tahoe-area, and the places to do these activities are nearly endless. Find great snow adventures at premier ski resorts including Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort in Lake Tahoe and Kirkwood Mountain Resort in Kirkwood – both offer family fun, difficult terrain, and plenty of other winter activities, including cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Check out Heavenly Mountain Resort, one of the premier ski resorts of Lake Tahoe, and the only ski resort in the country that straddles two states.

In the A.M.

Start with Sunday Brunch at the Riva Grill on the Lake featuring astounding South Lake Tahoe views. Then grab the skis, snowboard and winter gear and head to one of the premier slopes around town. To rent or purchase equipment, stop at Rainbow Mountain Ski and Board Rentals, the area’s premier ski and snowboard rental and service shop, or The Ski Renter at South Lake Tahoe for all your ski or snowboard needs.

Noon

Grab cocoa and sandwiches at the lodge, then head back out to the slopes. If you’re skiing Heavenly, be sure to bring your camera for the aerial tram ride up. The awe-inspiring mile-long flight affords beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and Stateline Village.

In the P.M.

After a long day on the slopes, you’ll want to grab dinner at The Cantina Bar and Grill on Emerald Bay Road, voted the best Mexican restaurant in the area for ten years. Then hit the casinos! Visitors at any of ResorTime.com’s resorts are only a short walk away from Harrah’s, Harvey’s and the Horizon Casino Resort, nightclubs, bars and lounges populate the town and live music can often be found at these venues.

Also Read: What To Do In Winter

1. Skiing / Snowboarding – Try and get in at least one trip up the mountain this year to keep your legs fresh. A little extreme sports will make you feel young again (maybe skip the dangerous back flips and half pipes).
   

   What to do in Winter - Skiing

2. Ice Skating – In places like Southern California, we have to find an indoor ice-skating rink. But for you who live in the cold, ice skating on a lake could be a lot of fun. I hear in eastern Russia you can ice skate on the ocean for several miles out to sea!
3. Snowman – Challenge your friends to a snowman building competition and win the contest by painting your Frosty with water that is colored with food coloring. Be careful trying to make your snowman too big, I couldn’t lift his middle section last time so I had to make a laying down snowman.
4. Roast Marshmallows – Classic but just as fun as ever. Throw your winter coat on and start a fire with some friends then roast some marshmallows, add chocolate and graham crackers, and enjoy! Don’t be that guy that flings around a flaming mellow.
5. Sledding (Tobogganing) – Take a day trip up the mountain with the kids and some sleds, find a patch of snow on a hill, and you have your own amusement park with a free entrance.
   

   What to do in Winter - Sledding

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6. Snowmobiling – You might not be James Bond, but snowmobiling can be a lot of fun in the mountains. There are numerous tours you can join so you don’t get lost in the woods.
7. Dog Sled Rides – Although I haven’t personally done this yet, it is now on my bucket list. Almost every ski mountain has someone giving dog sled rides, jump on board and pretend you are in the movie “Iron Will“
8. Hot Springs – Are you sick of all the cold stuff to do? Well find yourself a hot springs that is bubbling and relax as if it were a warm summer night. Just watch out, it will be colder when you get out.
9. Learn to Knit – Knitting is a great past-time but that is not why you should do it this winter. You should learn to knit your own beanie to keep those ears warm in the snow and cold nights. It is so easy a caveman can do it (sorry for the Geico joke).
10. Snowball Fight - I saved the best for last. Either surprise an unsuspecting friend or gather your neighborhood around for a giant snowball fight. Either way, this is a great way to pass the time this winter. Please, do not through frozen snowballs… that is called ice and will hurt someone.
    

    What to do in Winter - Snowball Fight

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So what are you waiting for? Now you know what to do this winter and since it hasn’t officially started, you have plenty of time to do all 10. Have fun, be safe and be sure to let me know if you are organizing any Guinness book of world record snow ball fights, I’m in.

PS. Oh and if you don’t live in the cold, ResorTime.com can help you plan your winter vacation so you can experience what the fuss is all about.