Snow Bunny Meets Big Bear

Looking every bit the disheveled snow bunny, I hit Snow Summit in Big Bear this past weekend. Theoretically, it’s about a 2.5 hour drive from LA. But it took us over 4 hours because the weather and traffic gods were working against us with all their might.



The crowds at the bottom of the hill overwhelmed me. Upon arrival, it seemed like every man, woman, and child from miles around was there. Skiers and boarders burst forth from cattle truck-like transports bringing people in from far-flung parking lots. Meanwhile, harried-looking staff ran around telling anyone who’d listen that tix were sold out. Thankfully, we’d pre-purchased.

And thankfully they have ticket limitations. Amazingly adept at capacity control, Snow Summit seems to know when enough is enough. The cap on tix prevents a ride down the slopes from turning into a jam-packed, elbow-bumping experience. So try to buy your tix ahead of time.



My snowboarder friends, decked out with their own gear, hit the slopes immediately, while I battled a frustratingly long line to get my equipment. Thankfully, it was all downhill from there!

Once I made it to the slopes, all was forgotten as I took in the view of white-powdered mountains and the glistening lake below. After a short 5 min. wait for the lift, my spirits lifted as I zig-zagged down Summit Run – a wonderfully long beginner run that was miraculously uncrowded. In fact, none of the slopes were really crowded.



Warm sun, fresh mountain air, piles of white stuff (fluffy, not icy). I didn’t want to go home, but then it started getting cold (I know, I've turned into a total SoCal wimp!)

As for leaving, beware of Hwy 18 - the so-called Rim of the World highway - if you leave after dark. Our friend’s car spun out briefly due to black ice. And for over 10 harrowing miles, our visibility was reduced to about 10 feet, if that, due to ultra-thick fog cover. Not so fun.

Here are some tips if you're a Snow Summit virgin:

Tip 1: The beginner’s lift ticket deal that includes two lessons is a total jip. For one, most people don’t need two lessons. Two, the ticket only lets you access the bunny slope, which gets boring faster than alphabetizing a library catalog (yes, I had that enviable job once upon a time). So for all those beginners out there, go for the all-day lift ticket. If I can handle the non-bunnies, anyone can.

Tip 2: Newbies should stick to Chairs 1, 2, and 9 that all lead to green beginner slopes. My experienced friends said the blue and black-rated slopes around Chairs 5, 6, 7, and 10 were the least crowded and most fun.

Tip 3: Your lift ticket at Snow Summit also gives you access to Bear Mountain. A shuttle runs btwn the two. So if you somehow get bored w/ Snow Summit, you have options.