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.

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.

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/

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

October is coming to an end next week. So is Oktoberfest.

The air is clean and crisp from the rains that soaked all of Southern California. Here in Big Bear, the trees changed colors and the display is breathtaking. Autumn has arrived. Come up for some really fresh air!

Be sure to get your vacation rental for the last weekend of October. Join the fun at Oktoberfest at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center, ending Saturday night before Halloween. Join the “Spooktacular” and be sure to wear a costume!

Halloween Sunday night, the last day of October, is the time to head into the Village and join all the spooks and haunts for a great Halloween celebration. The whole Village is only open to foot traffic and many “trick’r'treats”. Come join the fun!

Don’t forget to bundle up! We had a dash of snow with that last storm and night time temperatures are at the freezing level.

Give us a wave as you pass by!

Greetings from beautiful Big Bear Lake…It’s awesome up here today!!! Cool and breezy with thunder and lightning and incredible bursts of mountain rain…sure beats the heat down the hill : )

Summer is almost over…how can it be?! Get up here and enjoy the cooler temps here at Alpine Village Inn. Drop a fishing line into the sparkling Lake, take a hike in the beautiful Forest take a ride on your bike on any one of the great Mountain Bike trails…

Call the Alpine Village Inn for special blog discounts…909 866 5711

This weekend in Big Bear, we HIGHLY recommend the Antique Wooden Boat Show. You will not believe your eyes at what wood can look like.

Come enjoy a great weekend on Big Bear Lake. Saturday, the 21st, at B’s Back Yard is the place to be!

Alpine Village Inn has a SPECIAL for all you boating enthusiasts. Click Here for more info!