Big Bear Blog

It’s here!…The Big Bear Hostel is finally open. For all those that have learned the fine art of traveling on the cheap, you’ll be stoked to know that Big Bear now has a great place to stay right in the heart of the village. Big Bear Hostel is half the price of a hotel room and much less than a cabin or condo.

Grayson Mcneil owner of the Hostel and a good friend of mine will set you up with a nice inexpensive place to sleep and answer any questions regarding playing in and around our mountain top paradise.

Catch him on his downtime, and he’ll likely go kayaking, biking or hiking with you. He has tons of great trail info on his website and there are walking/riding trails just a quarter mile or so up the street (and I mean UP). If you go the other way toward the lake, you’re less than a hundred yards from the water’s edge. Both ski resorts are minutes away via bus, which passes by every few minutes at the corner of Knickerbocker and Big Bear Blvd., merely steps from your door.

For those of you that want to take home a souvenir or gift, retail shops line the streets of the Village. There are plenty of spots nearby that serve up tasty treats and snacks to please your appetite, or you can have a full scale sit down grub fest at one of the many restaurants. Of course there are several popular night spots that you can usually find by walking the streets of the village and listen for the sound of live music or the wail of the karaoke singing tourists!.

Whatever you want to do while you’re here, it’s probably not far away from the hostel. My favorite part of staying in hostels is the people. If you’re into meeting fellow travelers and friends of the road, then you know the best stories and most interesting people stay in hostels. Its fun to meet folks with names you can’t pronounce and people that have been to places you want to go and maybe some places you’ve been. Share drinks and food and tales of the road.

Grayson and his dog “Chief” welcome you to visit our mountain. Play hard and when the day is done, spend the night at one of the most fun and friendliest places you’ll ever experience! Big Bear Hostel is open and ready for your traveling spirit. See you soon.

Spreading the love, rev

It is snowing right now! This is unbelievable! Where did it come from? It was not in the forecast whatsoever. But who’s complaining?

I woke this morning, flipped on the computer, cranked up Kings of Leon on my iTunes, and got my breakfast started. For more than an hour I was oblivious to what was going on outside. It was just a normal morning and I was expecting another clear-sky day with temps in the 40s or 50s. However, when I opened the door to put out the trash I was in for quite a surprise.

I saw grey clouds hover above as they spit out little white pellets on my head. About a half hour later those pellets stretched out and became soft little snowflakes, thousands of them coming down gingerly like feathers from a dove.

Today is Valentines Day! All you lovers know there is nothing more romantic than a true winter setting. Big Bear has that right now. The silence of the snow is nature’s very own symphony that provides a gentle accord for romance. Almost all cabins and lodges in Big Bear have fireplaces, which sets the tone for a truly romantic evening. Check out these great Valentines Day specials.

If you don’t have a sweetheart, then I suggest you come up to Big Bear to at least enjoy the fresh pow, pow! The skiing and riding are off the charts right now and the snowshoeing and cross country skiing continue to progress. So whether you go stag or drag come up and waltz in the winter bliss!

Happy Valentines Day,

Daniel Pea

I know that statement has probably been called from the mountaintops just a while back in January, but if you weren’t there last Sunday or Monday you can’t call it!  HA! 

Hands down, best snow of the season combined with perfect open back country lines, and I tell you it was a “challenge” to select just one out of each run!  So many lines, so little daylight!  And all this was quite unexpected from what seemed to be a silly 3-5 incher storm that began moving thru the valley early Sunday morning.  I drove to Bear with high hopes of slashing just a few inches of pow, but three runs later……#@&*! it……Done.

Heavy winds tossed the chairs and going down you could barely get your stoke on long enough to forget that cold-arse chair ride that would take you up to do it all over again. 

So, moving on to Super Bowl time, the weather finally came in with some colder temps and bigger flakes but still the outlook was far from promising. So, after missing the second part of the 4th quarter (yeah yeah best game in years……DVR’s aren’t always as accurate—thanks Charter!) I finished up the day and was in bed by 9 p.m. with visions of the kind pow-pow dancing in my head.

Holy snow berm batman!!  What a sight on Monday!  That storm finally hit hard overnight and dropped almost a foot of the best snow I’ve seen up here in years.  Ask your skiing or snowboarder buds and they can back me up. 

After a hectic drive to the slopes (4 wheel drive be out) I dove in headfirst and didn’t surface until my legs started to weaken.  This powder was epic…..not to dry not to heavy….perfect!!  Wow!  Seriously, this stuff was bomb.  (translation: super keen)  And no crowds to boot!  I actually kept snowing off and on the whole day which only added to the great stuff out there.  The whole run from the top of Chair 8 was not groomed, but the best riding was the canyons and open fields just to the skiers right of the second pitch.  Amazing!

So, as we approach the middle of February, who know what’s in store.  I’m not into guessing the future, but I think we are going to be riding late into April with some of the best conditions seen in years.  Ditch that gas bill and come up to Big Bear!  Yeah I know Mammoth is great too, but it’s not every year Big Bear has this kind of splendid season, so support your backyard ski resorts this year before the cycle begins again!

Thankful for a good massage therapist:

Landcrab

One of the first things you learn in ski or snowboard school is your responibility code. Much of it is common sense stuff that I hope all of you consider from the moment you walk out that door on your way up the mountain in your vehicle to the time you hit the slopes.

1. Always stay in control. Seems pretty obvious, but I know how it is when you make your plans you feel like you need to be on a schedule and if it’s disturbed in any way you freak out and let it ruin your day. Well don’t. On your way up the mountain always stay in control of your vehicle and your emotions. Relax and have a safe drive up. You’ll have plenty of time to play. (directions to Big Bear)

2. People ahead of you have the right of way. Remember that the folks in the other car don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going so don’t be upset when they don’t drive the way you think they should. If they are driving slower than you, remember that maybe it’s as fast as they can drive and stay in control.

3. Don’t stop where you obstruct a trail. Pay attention on the way up the mountain. Be aware of other cars on the way up and use pull outs whenever they are available.

4. When merging into a trail look uphill and yield to others. Remember why you’re coming up to the mountains and be courteous to other drivers and the other skiers and boarders that are here for the same reason, to have FUN! (more winter driving tips)

5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. And why not protect yourself from runaway people? If you put on your safety belt to protect you and your loved ones in your car then why don’t you use safety devices to protect yourself on the mountain? Most of the lunatics you see driving have been issued licenses by the state of California that says, “They know how to operate a moving vehicle.” You don’t need a license to come down the slopes! Wear a helmet and protective pads, it just makes sense.

6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. If you are new to playing in the mountains, please be aware of the dangers that are out there. It’s very important that you stay within the boundaries posted and within your own limits. Don’t let the excitement of being in the snow go to your head. Be smart and safe.

7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and the ability to load, ride and unload safely. Don’t over-estimate your capabilities. Don’t go out into the forest alone and unprepared. Be sure to always consult the locals when planning a hike or snowshoe into an unfamiliar area and always…always let someone know where you are going.

Our mountain has fresh powder and the conditions are perfect for all forms of winter play. Drive safe and we’ll see you soon.

rev

I did a combo snowshoe/snowboard adventure just last week!  I started at one of my client’s houses, right across from the big boulder island in Boulder Bay. There is a road that the DWP uses to access some huge water “drums”.  I snowshoed up for maybe 2.5 miles with board on back and ski poles in hand until I reached what I thought was a summit (it wasn’t, but it was going to get dark soon). 

The poles really help as far as stabilization goes because of my awkward snowboard laden backpack. Wow, did my arms get a workout! The snow was rather deep. How deep?  Well, signs that mark the forest boundary that are usually at eye level are now barely visible! 

Now, the really fun part, snowboarding the fresh powder all the way down to the road!!  I spotted a few rock drops and jumps on my way up so I memorized where to ride in order to hit them with the right amount of speed. There is nothing more fun in snowboarding then to cut fresh tracks and hit virgin jumps and land in fresh powder!!  A few times I had to use the ski poles to keep my momentum. I basically rode thru to Big Bear Blvd and people waved and honked their horns when they saw me get the last few turns in an area that is usually just huge boulders. Now they are huge boulders covered in snow with fresh snowboard tracks on them!

So anyway, I love all this snow and it’s getting me ready for a snowshoe race the Saturday, February 9th.  It is called “Snowshoe the Bear”.

Saturday February 9, 2008
5k and 10k Events
Mens and Womens Categories

Great SWAG bags, FREE Raffle for All Participants, FREE Demo Snowshoes
(Demos are limited – Reserve Your Size By Registering Today.)

Pre-race Social on Friday evening at Robinhood Resort in Big Bear Lake

Entry Fees - $25 for 5K and $45 for 10K

Online Registration at www.teamsole.com (#’s are limited, sign-up asap)

Look for sponsor goodies and prizes from these great sponsors: Kahtoola,
SOLE custom footbeds, Inov8, Hammer Nutrition, Bridgedale Socks, La
Fuma, Tifosi Eyewear, Garmont, Outdoor Research, Snowpeak, Mountain
Hardware, Deuter Packs and more….

Peace,
The Land Crab