These are a couple of pictures taken at Big Bear Mountain Resorts this week. With 30% more snow this year, the Resorts are enjoying an incredible season.
Resort Pictures
February 20th, 2009Weekend Conditions
February 20th, 2009
We’ve been blessed with over 100 inches of snow this year (normal is 75 inches). Big Bear is covered with a two foot snow-pack and sunny skies. The sun will stay with us for most of the weekend and temperatures will be comfortable, in the mid-fifties.
Big Bear’s White Christmas
December 22nd, 2008Big Bear, CA had the largest snow fall in the last 35 years, receiving well over 48 inches of snow in the last week. With more precipitation expected this week, Big Bear Lake is set to have one of the whitest Christmases in years! The snow conditions at the Resorts is exceptional and with a base of 36-60 inches, there are plenty of features and several pipes to go off. They are 100% open and operating 26 chairlifts (covering 438 acres).
If you’re looking for a traditional Christmas, come to Big Bear Lake. Snuggle by a warm fire or spend the weekend on the mountain. Whatever you choose, Big Bear is the perfect getaway, two hours from Los Angeles and three hours from San Diego. What are you waiting for? Come on up!
Photo taken on December 19, 2008
in Baldwin Lake, looking at Sugarloaf Mountain
Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are open!
December 10th, 2008The Resorts have been blowing snow and are covered from top to bottom. Bear Mountain has been open since last Saturday with beginner runs and a dozen features. Snow Summit is opening tomorrow (Dec. 11) and they will have upper Westridge, ZZyzx, Ego Trip, Miracle Mile, the Summit Run and the beginners area open.
Bear Mountain is Open!
December 8th, 2008Bear Mountain opened this past weekend. The beginner area (Inspiration Trail) is open with a dozen features and eight to twelve inches of machine made snow. Due to limited operations, the Resort has reduced the price of an adult lift itcket to $20. The Beach Bar and BBQ, rentals, lessons and the Ice Box Apparel and Accessories are also open.
It looks like the temperatures will stay cold enough for the Resorts to blow snow several nights this week, and we may see some of the natural stuff by next Sunday. White Christmas anyone?
Big Bear Loves Chocolate
December 2nd, 2008This weekend is Big Bear Loves Chocolate! Establishments throughout the Valley will be participating and each will present an unique chocolate experience. Participating merchants will have a sign in their window that reads “Stop here for Chocolate” and a complimentary raffle.
Participating Businesses on Village Drive
- Alexandra’s Emporium: (951) 315-8170
- Charleze Boutique: 866-1997
- Cedar
- The UPS Store: 878-4747
- The
- Village Faire: 866-8220
- Edelweiss Books: 866-7734
- Village Theatres: 866-5115
Participating Businesses on Pine Knot Avenue
- Premier Sotheby’s: 878-4042
- Black Fox Trading Post: 866-0676
- Mill Creek Trading Co: 866-5595
- Village Theatres: 866-5115
- North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream Co: Saturday only,
- Saucy Mama’s Pizzeria: 866-6600
- The Christmas Mart: 866-8468
- Paisley Boutique: 866-0575
- Bear Skins: 866-4300
- Del Lago’s Boutique: 866-3949
- Plaza Coffee & Smoothies: 866-4304
Off-Roading and Hiking in Big Bear
October 28th, 2008This is a great time of year to go off-roading and hiking. So far, our temperatures have been mild. This weeks high temperature has been in the low 70’s.
We went up Polique Canyon. Here’s a map:
We turned north on
Take a right and head towards Holcomb Valley. It’s a beautiful drive. You’ll come to a sign that says, “Holcomb View Trail.” Park here and remember to display your Adventure Pass.
Time to take a hike! Be sure to bring a water bottle, during mid-day you’ll find it dry and dusty. This is an easy trail that goes around 4 miles, then you’ll see the view of the lake and the mountains. It’s one of the best views in Big Bear. This is the beginning of the view you’ve been waiting for! When you come to the Pacific Crest Trail, turn left.
The panoramic view below shows Big Bear Lake, Snow Summit Ski slope and Mount San Gorgonio in the background. Mt. San Gorgonio is the second highest mountain in the lower 48 states. It reaches a height of 11,499 feet. Although you need a permit from the Forest Service to hike San Gorgonio Mountain, it is an incredible area to hike into.
The Blue Wonder of Big Bear Lake
July 1st, 2008Many, many years ago as a child I remember staying with family and friends in a mountain cabin here in our gorgeous San Bernardino National Forest. I recall looking up day after day and seeing the deep blue sky, every morning, every afternoon and every day…all summer long. That wasn’t how it was where I lived down in the valley. I realized how much that wonderful blue universe meant to me. Hence, I bought a resort and have been here for over 20 years at the Grey Squirrel Resort. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t recall the wonders of the “blue sky”that continues to draw me and many visitors to our wonderful mountain community.
Vacation time is critical in our fast-paced life and a few days, a few hours and a few magical moments rerturning to nature does an infinite amount of re-energizing our purpose. It is probably less than a gas tank away, so that budgetary consideration makes more sense to accomplish the needed time to look at the sky, refresh your moments with your family and look inside yourself. We provide those magical moments for you at The Grey Squirrel Resort.
Spring
May 18th, 2008When Spring finally gets to Big Bear and we begin to see flowers and warmer temperatures, the brain and the intuition in our gut begins to take on a whole new cleansing. The trees are beginning to pop open their leaves and somehow we tend to believe, we too, need to get in shape, so we can be part of this metamorphisis of life. Big Bear and its’ endless days of blue sky and cool temperatures reminds us of why we live here and open our doors to those down the hill or unable to really appreciate the meaning of a new season. It is quiet, not as many people and a perfect time to look inside and look outside for the peace and serenity of our time with nature. Big Bear and the many activities and endeavors it offers is the right niche and the cabins at the Grey Squirrel offer that opportunity for internal transformation. Close your eyes at the gas pump and remember that it is an easy hour or hour and a half that changes the entire outlook of an enormously busy and hectic last several months. You need a get-a-way, you deserve it. Now do it!
Family Snow Play
February 17th, 2008The weather is so critical to family vacationing during our winter months. Skiiers and Boarders pay close attention to the base, grooming and outside conditions. Families are always looking for snow play requiring the natural white stuff on the ground. What a great season to give everybody a chance to experience a cabin or home to play in the natural surroundings. An important element is finding the perfect snow hill. Once you find it chances are, many will follow. No one asks for much…just a little white trail with enough of a tilt to let gravity push you down. Family times and laughs together are the treasure of a lifetime. Snow play is as much fun with a zero price tag as hundreds of “E” tickets. Maybe we enjoy it more because it didn’t cost anything. As the temperatures get a bit warmer, it is apparently amusing the condition of the snow hills, but it doesn’t matter, as long as your sled still moves. More storms expected this month to allow a little more family fun.