Big Bear Snow Play

There’s a chill in the air and in Big Bear that means only one thing, winter is right around the corner. If you love winter sports it’s time to get excited. Here’s a little pre-season info to get you thinking about all the winter fun you’re going to be having in Big Bear this season.

Skiing and Snowboarding

We’d be spoiled of we had just one local ski area in Big Bear, but we’re blessed with two world-class resorts, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. There’s something for every skill level and taste, long cruiser ski runs, steep moguls, jumps and pipes and jibs and rails. Both resorts are owned by the same company and tickets are good at either location. There’s a shuttle that runs back and forth on a regular basis. Here are the basic differences
between the two:

Snow Summit

Snow Summit is a little more family oriented and offers a traditional ski resort experience. The overall terrain at Snow Summit is rated beginner/intermediate. And if you’re a real hotdogger, there are a few runs at Summit that will challenge just about any level skier or snowboarder. The “Family Fun Park” on the west side of the resort features gently sloping runs and beginner terrain features like mini jumps and rails. Snow Summit also has
night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays until 9:30. Snow Summit can be reached at
909-866-5766 or online at www.snowsummit.com.

Bear Mountain

The first things you’ll notice about Bear Mountain are the age of the snowboarders and the music – they’re young and it’s loud. This is definitely the place for the young at heart. Most of the runs feature jumps and rails and the lodge looks and feels a like a spring break party. A massive half-pipe is situated at the bottom of the main run and you can watch the
action from the view deck. For more information call Bear Mountain at 909-585-2519 or find them online at www.bearmountain.com.

Snow Play and Inner-Tubing

After a snow storm you can play just about anywhere in Big Bear valley. But for guaranteed snow and safer fun you’ll want to visit our two snow play areas. The Alpine Slide is located just west of the village, on Red Ant Hill, and features inner-tubing for all ages. They can be reached at 909-866-4626 and www.alpineslidebigbear.com. The second area is called “Big Bear Snow Play”. The two areas have basically the same features, plenty of inner-tubes and a Magic Carpet lift to the top of the runs, but Big Bear Snow Play is just a little larger than Alpine Slide. Big Bear Snow Play is located at 42825 Big Bear Blvd. and can be reached at
909-585-0075 or online at www.bigbearsnowplay.com.

If you’re planning a Big Bear getaway this winter be sure to contact Alpine Village Inn and Vacation Rentals for the best selection of accommodations on the mountain. We have everything from cozy one bedroom suites located in the heart of the village on up to private vacation rental cabins and homes located at the resorts. Call us at 909-866-5711 or check us out online at www.alpineresortrentals.com for additional information and reservations.

The Old Miners Day Parade

This has been an amazing summer in Big Bear. Labor Day is right around the corner and soon things will be winding down. So it’s a great time to reflect on the summer of 2011 and remind ourselves why we love our mountain paradise.

Summer 2011 in Big Bear began with our first fishing tournament of the season, the May Trout Classic, with over 400 participants competing for cash and prizes. In June we had our second fishing tournament, Fishing for $50K, Big Bear Choppers “Ride The Mountain”, Mom’s and Rods Antique Car Show, Team Big Bear’s “Ride The Bear” and our first outdoor concert of the summer season at the Discovery Center, “The Long Run, A Tribute To The Eagles”.

July saw things really get hopping with several classic Big Bear summer events. Our annual July 4th fireworks display is the traditional kick-off to the summer and is followed by the Big Bear Chili Cook-off. The second car rally of the summer was the Rat Rods and Hot Rods Car Show at the Northwoods Resort and I attended the second concert under the stars at the Discovery Center featuring “Don’t Stop Believing” a tribute to Journey. The month ended with the Old Miners Days with the highlight being the parade that made it’s way through the village. More than 50 groups participated in this years’ parade and there was a great turnout along the route.

August saw the return of the Big Bear Air Fair at the Big Bear City Airport. This was the events’ biggest turn-out with over 7,000 in attendance. There were some amazing vintage airplanes on display and the weather was perfect. That same weekend saw the “Blues For The Zoo” at the Swim Beach Amphitheater, a fundraising concert for the Moonridge Zoo. The Tour de Big Bear was the biggest cycling event of the summer with several hundred cyclists taking over the streets and highways. The biggest car event of the summer, the Antique Car Club Fun Run, has become one of the signature events of the Big Bear summer and saw hundreds of classic cars on display throughout the village and cruising around the lake. There were over 30 classic speed boats on display at B’s Backyard BBQ (formerly Stillwells) during the Antique Wooden Boat Show.

All in all, this was another great summer in Big Bear. Soon the crowds will be leaving and leaves will start to turn, signaling the end of summer and the start of another beautiful fall and winter season. But there’s still plenty of warm weather and sunshine to enjoy before the snow returns. Fall is perfect for hiking and mountain biking and some of the best trout fishing of the year occurs during the fall months.

We have great lodging discounts currently running so contact us today and find out exactly what you’ve been missing up here in Big Bear.

Big Bear Bridge Ribbon Cutting

The brand new $39 million bridge over Bear Creek was dedicated today with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by over 300 people. The new bridge replaces the roadway that was built on top of the Big Bear Dam over eighty years ago and will provide easier access for automobile, bicycle, and foot traffic coming into and out of Big Bear Valley. The dedication ceremony coincides with the opening of Highway 330 which had been closed since last December’s heavy rainfall that washed the road away.

Guests included Caltrans District Director; Dr. Ray Wolfe, Senator Bob Dutton, Assemblyman Paul Cook, San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry, and the City of Big Bear Mayor Bill Jahn. “After many, many years in development, the much anticipated new bridge is finally a reality, eliminating a choke point leading into the Big Bear Valley.” said Caltrans District Director Dr. Ray Wolfe.

Construction began in early 2009 and has survived two harsh winters. The project realigned the roadway, constructed three 12-foot travel lanes (one westbound lane and has a right turn option),10-foot shoulders and a 5-foot American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk on one side of the bridge. The intersection of SR-18 and SR-38 will be signalized upon final completion.

Alpine Village Inn and Resort Rentals is Big Bear’s premier lodging provider with accommodations ranging from cozy one bedroom Jaccuzi suites at the Inn up to spacious lake front homes with boat docks

The May Trout Classic Headquarters

Big Bear Lake’s first fishing contest of the 2011 season is in the record books.  Over $6,000.00 in total prize money was handed out to nine lucky fishermen who traveled from as far away as Las Vegas to participate in the Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic.  The winning fish, caught by Jack Storti of Westlake Village, weighed in at 9.10 pounds.  Second place went to David Marshall, a Big Bear City local, who landed a 8.78 pound rainbow trout on the second day of the event.
 
In the junior division, ages 12-15, Cody Hemsley from Fontana was the winning angler with a rainbow weighing in at 2.39 pounds.  The winner of the pee-wee division was Michael Torres from Orange County who landed a 2.59 pound trout on the stormy second day of the tournament.  Both boys received new fishing rods and and a variety of fishing tackle.
 
On Sunday morning the weather turned from bad to worse, with snow showers chasing everybody off the lake.  ”It was a success in spite of the weather” said Jacque Hall, tournament chairwoman, “The money we’ve raised will be used to pay for future rainbow trout fish plants, and that’s the way Jim would have wanted it” 
 
The next fishing contest of the year is Aaron’s Spring Bass Tournament on May 21, 2011.  The Alpine Village Inn and Vacation Rentals will be offering lodging specials and discounts for every fishing event of the season.

The fish are biting on Big Bear Lake

The May Trout Classic is in full swing today in Big Bear Lake with over 360 anglers participating in the tournament. “The fish are really biting today and we’re blessed with perfect Big Bear fishing weather”, says Jason Hall, the tournament chairman. “We have 364 registered fishermen, women and children on the lake today and we have not sold out, so come on up and join the fun”

The largest fish caught so far today has weighed in at 2.21 pounds, taken by Dave Brown of Anaheim. The field is wide open for larger fish to be taken. “Everyone seems to be catching their limit but the average weight is lower than we expected”. “This is the best scenario for us” added Hall, “Someone could potentially win this tournament with just an average size fish and that makes it fun for anglers of all ages”.

The Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic will continue until 2pm Sunday afternoon. Contact Big Bear Marina for additional information.

A Private Vacation Rental

With so many lodging options available to the Big Bear visitor, the question is, “What lodging type is best for me?”

The first thing you need to ask yourself is, “What features and amenities does my group require?”  If you’re coming up with the family, or with multiple couples, a vacation rental may be the best option.  Being able to cook your own meals and having separate bedrooms is certainly best for larger groups.  Some private rentals have a Jacuzzi or pool table and linens and towels are provided in all of our rentals.

Fortunately, we also have our boutique hotel, The Alpine Village Inn, located in the Village of Big Bear Lake and walking distance to dining, shopping, and the lake.  A few of our rooms have an indoor Jacuzzi and all rooms have kitchens and color televisions.  The Inn is perfect for smaller groups or those traveling on a budget.

The spring season is the perfect time to come up to Big Bear Lake and enjoy the great activities that are so popular this time of year.  If you’re traveling with the family dog, we have several pet-friendly properties available.

Big Bear Lake is Pet Friendly

Big Bear Lake is one of Southern California’s most pet friendly destinations. The local mountains are loaded with fun places to take your four-legged family members and many of our vacation rentals accept pets. There’s nothing more fun for a dog than to be let off the leash to run wild through the pine trees.

Dogs are allowed at our local parks but must be kept on a leash. Many of the local hiking trails are perfect for pet excursions. Just remember that dogs need to get acclimated too. Start out slow and let your dog get used to the altitude and dry climate. Always carry plenty of fresh water wherever you go.

If you’re planning a trip to Big Bear, think about giving your dog a vacation too. Contact us for information on our pet friendly properties and the best places to take your pooch while in Big Bear. http://www.alpineresortrentals.com/

Offroading in the Mountains of Big Bear Lake

Most visitors to Big Bear Lake never experience the most beautiful areas that our local mountains have to offer.  I’m talking about the amazing back country that surrounds our valley.  Alpine meadows, fields of wildflowers, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and long abandon ghost towns are just a few of the surprises that await the adventurous visitor.  Make sure your vehicle is good operating condition and pack plenty of food and water in case of emergency.  With a little planning, you will have an adventure that you will never forget.

One of the best places to start your back country exploration is the Big Bear Discovery Center, located on the north shore of the lake.  There you can purchase trail maps and local information guides to help you explore the hundreds of miles of trails and fire roads that the San Bernardino Mountains have to offer.  Although four-wheeling is popular up here, many of the back roads are accessible by passenger cars with two-wheel drive.  The fire roads open in early spring and remain open until late fall.  One of the most popular roads, 2N10, runs from the west side of Big Bear Lake, along the mountain ridge east to the Moonridge area.  There are two roads that drop down into Seven Oaks area but they are very rough and are for four-wheel drive vehicles or motorcycles only.  All vehicles must be registered for street driving.  Off-road, non-registered vehicles are restricted to special use areas and are not allowed on the fire roads.

If you plan on exploring the back roads your vehicle must display an Adventure Pass.  Adventure Passes can be purchased at the Discovery Center, most ranger stations, and several other locations throughout Big Bear. http://www.alpineresortrentals.com

A Rare Sight in Big Bear Lake

In 1845, Benjamin Davis Wilson rode into Yuhaviat Valley (Big Bear Lake) with a posse of 20 men, chasing Native Americans who had been raiding their ranches in Riverside.  As they entered the valley they found it swarming with grizzly bears and named the beautiful area after the only true locals.  There was no dam at the time so the valley was a meadow.  The grizzly bears that once roamed the area were killed off by hunters, miners, and loggers by the turn of the 20th century and black bears were introduced into the area in 1933.  While not aggressive, black bears will protect their young and their food if they feel threatened.  If you happen upon one, give them plenty of room.  They don’t want you, they want your food. 

My one and only local bear sighting occurred while golfing at the Bear Mountain Golf Course late last summer.  I had just hit my tee shot off the 9th tee and was walking up the fairway when a large black bear ran across the green and back up into the woods.  It was a startling experience for both of us and a Big Bear memory I will never forget. 

Wild bears can still be spotted in the Big Bear area, but sightings are rare.  Every once in a while a bear can be seen running across the highway or wandering through the back country.  If you really want to see a bear during your stay, we recommend visiting our local zoo.  Two Grizzly bears are permanent residents of the zoo and are its biggest attraction.  There are approximately 350 wild bears living in the San Bernardino Mountains, living far from the population areas.  About 25 to 35 bears are taken in the San Bernardino Mountains by hunters each year.  The statewide quota is 1,700 and is often reached.  Bear hunting season runs from October 11  to December 28.  The Department of Fish and Game has a Bear Management Program designed to maintain a healthy black bear population.

If you’re planning a trip to Big Bear in hopes of seeing a wild bear and need a place to stay, please visit our specials page at:

http://www.alpineresortrentals.com/bigbearspecials.php

It's Fishing Season in Big Bear Lake

We’ve had an incredible winter with record snowfall and Big Bear Lake is as full as it gets.  It’s time to dust off your fishing tackle, take a short drive to the mountains, and catch some fish.  When our local temperatures start rising the fish become very active.  If you’ve never caught a fish before, or you would like to teach someone how to fish, this is the best time of the year to give it a try.

There is a limit of 5 trout per angler, per day, and fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years old and older.  Sport fishing licenses are sold at Big Bear Sporting Goods and several other locations in town.  There are two free fishing days this season (statewide) when a license is not required, July 2, 2011 and September 3, 2011. 

Shore fishing is very productive in early Spring.  The south shore is dominated by resorts and private homes so unless you’re staying in one of our private lakefront rentals we recommend finding a spot on the north shore of the lake.  You will find several places right next to the road to pull the car over and cast a line. 

Fishing on Big Bear Lake is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of our mountain paradise and a great way to spend quality time with family and friends.  Make a memory that will last a lifetime, come up for fresh air and great fishing on Big Bear Lake.  For additional Big Bear information and to view our lodging choices, visit us at www.alpineresortrentals.com