Winter is upon us and it is time to hit the slopes! Big Bear ski resorts are open and we have your guide to the ski lifts. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, you are sure to enjoy the slopes at Big Bear this year. Grab your skis and snowboards and bring your family and friends to California’s favorite winter playground!

Bear Mountain located at 43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, features a variety of beginner, freestyle and expert slopes. The freestyle terrain features includes jumps, hits, ramps, banks, boxes, jibs, rails, pipes and other constructed or natural terrain features.  Don’t know how to ski or snowboard? No problem. Bear Mountain offers a variety of lesson packages for all ages. You are never too young or old to learn! Need some one-on-one help? Bear Mountain also offers a variety of private lesson packages. Have small children? Little Bear School and Camp offer four hour lessons to children with beginner to intermediate skill levels.  For reservations for any of the ski schools call (909)866-5841. Don’t have skis or a snowboard? No problem, Bear Mountain offers reasonable prices on rentals. With four mountain peaks, an average snow fall of 100 inches and the longest run 1 ½ miles, Bear Mountain is sure to please the whole family!

Snow Summit, located at 880 Summit Blvd/ Big Bear Lake, is another favorite snow resort. With 35% of the park dedicated to beginner and intermediates, there is a diverse terrain that all skill levels will enjoy. Like Bear Mountain, Snow Summit offers a variety of lesson packages for all ages and all skill levels.  Snow Summit offers two parks, the fun zones: for beginners and Westridge and Ego Tip for intermediate and advanced jumps and jibs. With elevations topping at 8,200 feet and a vertical drop of 1,200 feet, Snow Summit is fun for the whole family!

There are three ways to get to Bear Mountain and Snow Summit:

• State Hwy 330 / Hwy 18 through Running Springs is the fastest and easiest route, however, it can get congested on weekends and busy holidays.
• Highway 38 through Redlands is a bit longer, but is the most scenic and often has less traffic than Hwy 330 / Hwy 18.
•  Finally there is Highway 18 through the Lucerne Valley, which gets less snowfall during storms and has the least amount of mountain driving.

Want to carpool? Bear Mountain and Snow Summit offers a rideshare board where you can post rides to your favorite resorts, make carpools, save gas and money, make new friends, and have a lot of fun doing it. For more information call (909) 866-5766

More fresh powder in the forecast for Big Bear!

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!!