Big Bear Blog

A few months ago my girlfriend and I got a puppy, and he’s finally old enough to hit the pet-friendly trails with us. We both like to hike, bike, paddleboarding and anything outdoors and he fits right in. Like most dogs, he likes chasing the ball at the park and running on the perfectly groomed grass, but it’s obvious that this little guy loves exploring deep into the forest where the wild things run. It’s amazing how far his little legs will take him and to watch him zig-zag down the trail trying to smell, taste and chase everything that moves. It reminds me to take in the sights sounds and smells of the mountain, too. As long as we take some cool water and some snacks he can run, jump and sniff for hours. Then just
like us, it’s eat some more and take a nap!

So there you go, come to Big Bear Lake, play real hard, eat real well, see you then.

Spreading the puppy love, Rev

Arrowhead Medical Regional Center (AMRC) will have its Mobile Medical Clinic on site at The Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Finish in Big Bear Lake on May 18, 2012 as part of the Lifestyle Festival and Cycling Expo. Medical professionals will provide free screening services aboard its state-of-the-art Mobile Medical Clinic (MMC), a custom-built, 40-foot vehicle that that features two exam rooms, patient intake area and patient education center.

Visitors to the mobile unit during the Lifestyle Festival and Cycling Expo in Big Bear will have the opportunity to receive height and weight checks and screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar. In addition, information about the Medical Center’s Cancer Services will also be provided by a representative of that program.

MMC was implemented to provide new access points to basic health screenings/primary care and health education services throughout the County of San Bernardino. The MMC enables hospital personnel to reach deeper into remote areas of the county with limited access to medical services. ARMC has been using the MMC to conduct basic health screenings and for flu shot clinics and recently began providing primary care services in select areas of the county. Primary care services will expand to additional areas in 2012. The MMC continues to be a popular and valuable resource for health screenings throughout the year at various events in the county.

The mobile unit is the first healthcare vehicle of its kind to be deployed in the County of San Bernardino to provide screenings and primary care to select sites. For more information on ARMC’s mobile clinic, please call 909-580-1000.

Mother’s love nature…so why not take Mom up to the blooming wildflowers in the pine-scented forests of Big Bear Lake. Anyone can buy flowers at a florist, but to take Mom to a place where nature beckons would be a REAL TREAT!

You could take her up to Big Bear for Mother’s Day, or surprise her with a gift with one of Big Bear’s fabulous packages. The best part is it appears as if you spent mega bucks, but in reality you get these packages at discounted rates and save!

Sample Mother’s Day Package:
Here is a sample package Mom would enjoy…
• Take a leisurely stroll through blossoming meadows and wildflower fields.
• Get pampered at a luxurious day spa for a pedicure or facial.
• Indulge in gourmet pleasures of Big Bear’s fine fare. Don’t forget the tiramisu or red velvet cake.
• Unwind back at the cabin, kick off those shoes, pour a glass of wine and just relax
• Watch as the sun plunges into the lake, followed by millions of stars that dot the night sky.
• Ahhhhhh, only in Big Bear Lake

Go on Mom deserves it….book a Big Bear Getaway Package today

Did you know?
There are nearly 30 Big Bear Valley wildflowers endemic to the region not seen anywhere else in the world.

Snow Summit announced today that it will open its Scenic Sky Chair for the season on Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 20. It then operates every weekend until Saturday, June 16, when it opens daily through September. The hours of operation are Sunday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Scenic Sky Chair is the ultimate way to spend the day in the great outdoors. The Sky Chair will take you to the top of Snow Summit at 8,200’. Once you get to the top there are plenty of options to enjoy Big Bear’s natural alpine scenery. First and foremost a stop at the View Haus offers one of the best burgers in town, and of course 360 degrees of endless beauty.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or casual weekend recreationist there are two great options to further your adventure. One is to hike the trails at the top or take one of the trails back to the base of Snow Summit. Another option is to bring up your mountain bike or rent one at a local bike shop, take it to the top and choose from a network of trails and national forest service fire roads.

The most important thing to remember about Snow Summit Scenic Sky Chair is it’s all about fun!

Take it to the Top,
Daniel Pea   

Mother Nature gives Big Bear one last snowfall before shifting gears to spring and summer. What a great way to end the season with fresh snow. This weekend marks Snow Summit’s final weekend; so be sure to get your snowboard or skis out one last time for the final turns of the season. It’s been a great winter season, and next week it’s time to break out the fishing gear, hiking boots, and mountain bike to explore springtime in Big Bear.
 
Enjoy Both Seasons,
Daniel Pea

Mother Nature has sprung to life in Big Bear. Last week she dumped over two feet of fluffy snow, and she is expected to pay a visit to Big Bear again this Sunday with another load of the white stuff!

Spring conditions are top notch right now at both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. The groomers religiously groom the 55 open runs every morning to make sure you have the best surface to ski or ride on.

One of the best things about the recent snow is the resorts are expected to stay open well into April. This means you get clear blue skies with warmer temps combined with excellent snow coverage. This is the time when you can hit the slopes with just a t-shirt and shorts! Of course in the springtime, we always encourage snow bunnies to ski or ride the slopes in their bikinis.

Spring up to Big Bear and take advantage of these great conditions. While you are up here, save big for the 2012/2013 season with the Screamin’ Deal Season Pass. Not only will you save bookoo bucks, but the pass is also good for the rest of this season. That’s not all, purchase your 2012/2013 Season Pass before April 1 and receive a free “Tag Along” lift ticket for your friend, valid through the end of the 2011/2012 season. Of course if you purchase the Dual Mountain Pass it is good for Snow Summit’s Scenic Sky Chair for mountain biking this spring summer and fall! The Screamin’ Deal Season Pass ends May 31, 2012, so get the best rate now while teh deal is still hot!

SPRING IT. UP.

Daniel Pea 

Big Bear had a couple of recent rallies from Mother Nature, making snow conditions superb! This of course is great news for the ski resorts, but Big Bear’s inner tube snow play parks have also reaped the benefits with mounds of the white stuff! Both Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain have a base of 3 to 20 feet, which guarantees snow play well into Easter weekend.

Inner tubing down these deep snow-covered hills is the easiest way to get your kicks in the snow. Everyone in the family enjoys this winter activity because there’s no need for lessons and every style from the sit & slide to the head first lunge to the group snake are all easy and fun ways to go down the hill.

What makes Big Bear’s snow play areas even more attractive is the magic carpet uphill lifts. These Magic Carpet lifts are similar to people-mover conveyor belts seen at airport terminals. However, in this case the conveyor belt (Magic Carpet lifts) conveniently transports passengers to the top of the mountain. The purpose of Magic Carpet lifts is to eliminate the stress of climbing the hill, which in turn provides more opportunity for having fun in the snow! With a Magic Carpet lift, people of all ages can get more tubing in an hour than they would in a whole day if they were walking.

Inner tubing is a classic family tradition in Big Bear. If the kids have not yet made a trip to the snow this year, or if they are aching to get back to play in the snow, then Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain are the answer for a fun day in the snow!

If you can getaway to Big Bear during a weekday you will likely get in triple the amount of runs. If you plan a trip to Big Bear on the weekend you should consider an overnight stay to add to the thrill of your family fun adventure.

It’s Snow Much Fun in Big Bear,
Daniel Pea

Leap Year only happens every four years, and this Leap Year Day Big Bear gives skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to save big during the month of March. On Wednesday, February 29 Big Bear Lake Resort Association (BBLRA) kicks off a 24-hour sale that includes $29 midweek lift tickets to Big Bear Mountain Resorts (Snow Summit and Bear Mountain) packaged with discounted midweek lodging accommodations as part of its Leap Into March Special. The deeply discounted lift tickets are 50 percent off the regular rate and lodging is 29 percent off regular rates. The Leap Into March Special is a one-time deal that is only available for purchase during a 24-hour window starting Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 6 a.m. and ending March 1, 2012 at 6 a.m.

“Leap Year is an extra day, so we figured we should treat our guests to extra savings,” said Big Bear Lake Resort Association President and CEO Rick Shoup. “It’s a great way for skiers and snowboarders to ‘Leap Into March.’”

To qualify for the $29 lift tickets to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain guests must book at least one night lodging accommodation for arrivals during March 2012. The package deal, called Leap Into March Special, is good for midweek overnight stays Sunday through Thursday and skiing or riding Monday through Friday. In addition, guests who wish to rent skis or snowboards during their trip to Big Bear may opt for rentals at a 29 percent discount. There is a limit to two $29 ski lift tickets for every night of lodging per itinerary. However, more tickets may be purchased at 25 percent off the regular rate.

The Leap Into March Special is a one-time 24-hour sale that takes place Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 6 a.m. to March 1, 2012 at 6 a.m., and includes $29 midweek ski lift tickets, 29 percent discounted midweek lodging and optional ski or snowboard rentals at 29 percent off. The Leap Into March Special is only valid with lodging and lift ticket purchase at the time of booking. There is limited availability and black out dates and other restrictions may apply. The Leap Into March Special is available online at www.bigbear.com Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 6 a.m. to March 1, 2012 at 6 a.m. or by phone at 800-424-4232 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 29.

We’re expecting spectacular weather for this weekend’s Snowshoe the Bear snowshoe race. We received a fresh blast of snow last week but clear skies and sunshine is in the forecast for the 2012 edition of the Snowshoe the Bear race. It looks like we’ll have a big turnout this year, and it seems like everywhere you go there’s someone talking about it. This is the first event of the “Conquer the Bear” race series that includes a bike tour, kayak race, and trail-running race. This race series has grown to be one of the most popular events on the mountain, and it is fun to see people challenge themselves in ways they would have never imagined before.

If you want to test your adventurous spirit and “mountain sports” skills sign up for the Conquer the Bear series at www.openairbigbear.com. If you want your adventure one bite at a time come on up and try the snowshoe race. If you can walk you can snowshoe and if you’ve never been snowshoeing this would be a great way to get out and try it with others. If you don’t have snowshoes you can rent them from the Goldsmiths Boardhouse at 909 866 2728 or Bear Valley Bikes at 909-866-8000.

Spreading the Love, Rev

Mother Nature has wakened from her rest and is powdering the mountain tops with a sugary coat of fresh snow! Wednesdays are a great day for fresh snow in Big Bear; because it gives you an opportunity to suddenly come down with the flu for the following Thursday and Friday. For those of you who have sick days to use, now is the time to call it in, because the fresh powder is now at Big Bear Mountain Resorts.

If for some reason you are not able to get up to Big Bear on a weekday, then make a pact now with your friends and family to ride the mountain this weekend. The conditions are expected to remain great all week long. And let’s not forget the quality snowmaking Bear Mountain and Snow Summit provide.

For those of you who do not ski or snowboard we have plenty of other activities in the snow including inner tubing, toboggan runs, ziplining, and off-road tours. The fresh layer of snow also means time rent a pair of snowshoes for a trek in the forest. The main thing is snow has arrived, how you play in it is up to you. Make plans to come up and enjoy the white stuff.

I’m “SNOW” excited, how about you?
Daniel Pea