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If you’re planning a trip this winter be sure to check out the world class skiing and snowboarding at Big Bear California. Located in the San Bernardino valley in Southern California the mountain is host to 1,700 feet of beginner to expert terrain with four peaks to ski and Bear Mountain is the home of the only Superpipe in Southern California. Together the ski resorts Bear Mountain and Snow Summit make up Big Bear Mountain Resorts. The resorts are open year round with amazing skiing and snowboarding through the winter and a host of other activities for the off-season.

“The Park”, located at Bear Mountain, is a full-service mountain resort. Bear Mountain is the only full-service ski hill in the world dedicated to freestyle terrain. The mountains hosts over 110 jumps and 50 jibs on 195 acres. The park also featuring 2 pipes, including the only world-class competition Superpipe located in SoCal. Olympic Gold medalist Shaun White grew up snowboarding at Bear Mountain. The Park includes quarter-pipes, transfers, step-ups, step-downs, vaders, rolls, banks, fins, hips, and hip-tables. The “out of bounds” territory has been opened after snow storms while tree runs are open for skiiers and snowboarders when there is enough natural snow fall.

In 1952, Snow Summit, a mountain covering over 240 acres opened in Big Bear. The mountain includes 14 lifts and its top elevation is 8,200 feet with a 1,200 foot vertical drop. The area is covered by snow made by one of the worlds most efficient snow making systems. The system can convert over 6,000 gallons of h2o per minute to snow. The Fun Zone and the Ego zone are the two parks at Snow Summit. The Fun Zone is mostly for beginners while the Ego Zone contains intermediate and advanced jumps and jibs.

During the winter months you will find some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the whole world. But if you’re looking for a summer vacation, Big Bear has got you covered. With everything from windsurfing, swimming, and sailboarding to power boating, jet skiing, and water skiing, Big Bear Lake offers outdoor summer activity that is second to none. Big Bear Lake is 100 mile northeast of LA and is surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forrest. In September you may to watch pros compete for cash at the “Hot Dawgs and Hand Rails” competition held annually in Big Bear. Big Bear Mountain Resorts also offer some great hiking and biking trails as well as golf and scenic Sky Chair rides.

For lodging information in Big Bear, California you may want to contact the Big Bear Lake Resort Association at (800) 4-BIG-BEAR or (909) 866-7000. There are a number or hostels, bed and breakfast, cabins and hotels open year round and many resorts that are seasonal. Big Bear Cabins at Cienaga Creek Ranch offers year round pet friendly accommodation.

If you’re organizing a vacation to Big Bear be sure the check out Big Bear Cabins, and their Pet Friendly Accommodation

What do you think of when you think about Southern California? I bet the word sunny comes to mind. How about the word sand or flip flop? Certainly those are images that come up as well. But, would you think of snow and winter sports? Not many people would. However, there is plenty of it in the second largest state. Northeast of San Bernardino, there is a place called Big bear Lake. And, there is plenty of skiing and snowboarding in Big Bear Lake California.

Big Bear Lake is a mountainous region about 7000 or so feet about sea level. It is one of the prettiest places on the globe. Below highway 38 and above highway 18 there are miles and miles of lake bordered by even more miles of shoreline. But, the center of it all are the four mountains. This is the place to go if you like snowboarding and skiing and you happen to be in Southern California.

Snow lovers can choose from any of the 4 mountain tops and indulge to their hearts delight in passionate snowy sports. Beginners through experts can traverse the 1700 vertical feet accessing 75 trails using one of 20 lifts. For some slops 4 high speed chains will help you get to the height you want to reach to do your skiing and snowboarding.

Perfectly groomed or powder runs makes skiing and snowboarding in Big Bear Lake California an experience never to be forgotten. But, skiing and snowboarding are not the only snow sports available. You can sled, skate or just make snow angels. Or you can take long walks through the countryside since snow shoe tours to scenic areas are also available.

In addition to having runs for beginners through experts, there are other attractions off the slops. Big Bear Lake offers entertaining and interesting attractions for all ages. Moon Ridge Zoo is not just a zoo. Many of the animals there were injured in the wild. Once discovered, they were brought to the zoo for treatment. If injuries were too severe for survival in the wild, they were allowed to remain in the zoo, protecting them from predators. The 2.5 acre zoo is sure to be entertaining and informative for kids of all ages.

You may be the best skier in the world, but at some point you too will wear down and need to rest. At Big Bear Lake, you can go indoors to many places and sit by the fire in cozy furniture and create a new set of memories. There is not much better feeling than coming in from the cold to a warm fireplace, a big chair and some hot apple cider. But, don’t think even that is all there is to do in this place.

If you have children, there is child care available almost anywhere you go. That includes on the slopes and well as indoors. So, you can really enjoy yourself and not have to worry about entertaining the children.

Spend your evenings and nights enjoying five star food and top notch theatrical productions. Your time at Big Bear Lake will be full of things to do and may well wear you down like no other vacation. However, the memories you create will be some of the best of your life.

The San Bernardino Mountains, Northeast of San Bernardino is a place made by Mother Nature for snowy vacations, getaways and eating fantastic food at Big Bear Lake Restaurants. We’ve got the best info on the tastiest restaurant menu