Michael Radford and Rachael DesRochers win Victor Alvarez Ski Championship

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 25, 2012 – The 2012 Victor Alvarez Memorial Ski Race was held on Saturday March 24^th and as promised it was simply one of the best winter sporting contests of the year. Over 50 competitors showed up to see who would capture the title “fastest ski racers in Southern California”.  First the men’s field was narrowed to the top 32 qualifiers and the women’s was limited to the top 12.   Head to head dual giant slalom courses were set with horse gates in order to start competitors precisely together.  To get to the final four each skier had to complete and win a combination of 10 races during the day, in other words, speed and stamina were key to victory.  The top spot for men went to former Snow Summit Race Team member Michael Radford now skiing for Montana State University.  Second place was Kelly-Kai Tokunaga J1 Snow Summit Team racer and third went to Kyle Wormsbecker,  head coach for the Snow Summit Ski Team.  Fourth place went to John Michael Fabrizi local J2 Snow Summit ski team member. The women’s top racer was Rachael DesRochers former Snow Summit race team member taking first place.  Second was Karen Lundgren, race team coach and world famous mountain climber. Third was Sara Schacht race team coach and former race team member. Fourth place was Elle Williams and worthy of a special mention as she is a preteen and showed great race composure.   This is the 16^th annual race which is held in the name of Victor Alvarez a Snow Summit Ski Patroller who died in a ski accident and helps raise funds for the Snow Summit Junior Race team.

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USARC Ski-A-Thon Helps Those With Disabilities Enjoy The Slopes

Big Bear, Ca, February 20, 2012, 3:00pm - Skiers and snowboarders can spend a day on the slopes, never wait in a lift line, enjoy a complimentary lunch, have chances to win great prizes, celebrate at an after-ski party with silent auction and entertainment, and do it all to support children and adults with disabilities. The 2012 USARC Ski-A-Thon is less than two weeks away on Saturday, March 3 at Bear Mountain, and there is still plenty of time for you to register and participate. This FUNdraising day on the slopes enables winter sports enthusiasts to generate much needed resources for the United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC,) the non-profit organization that has provided adaptive recreation programs for over twenty years.  Located at Bear Mountain, the USARC is an independent organization dedicated to the belief that success in challenging outdoor experiences not only brings a necessary and healthy component to the lives of those with disabilities, but that the resulting self-confidence can be transferred to other aspects of their lives.  Proceeds from the Ski-A-Thon are used to purchase specialized ski equipment, train hundreds of volunteers, and subsidize the cost of providing one-on-one private lessons to Southern California’s disabled community. Donors can deduct pledges on their taxes. For more information about the Ski-A-Thon, and to get involved, go to usarc.org or call the USARC at 909-584-0269.

Enjoy the Fresh Snow This Holiday Weekend!

Big Bear, Ca, February 17, 2012, 4:00pm – The recent snowfall the Big Bear Valley received has created great conditions for this holiday weekend.  With 14-16 inches of fresh snow on the slopes and surrounding mountainside, skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers are in for a great weekend.  Nearly all the runs are open at both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, and Big Bear Mountain Resorts is Southern California’s “Learn to Ski & Ride Headquarters,” so those needing lessons or a refresher will find excellent classes and instructors.  Outdoor enthusiasts who are interested in going snowshoeing, can stop by the Discovery Center for guided tours, or they can go to Goldsmith’s Boardhouse, North Shore Trading Company or Bear Valley Bikes to rent snowshoes.  Motorists are advised to drive with care as roads may be icy or slippery, and are reminded that there are three routes in and out of the valley for your driving needs.  Highway 38 is on the east side of the valley and often is an easier route to take when departing on holiday weekends, as there is less traffic.  Highway 18 down through Lucerne Valley is also another way down the mountain, and is ideal for those traveling back to the desert communities, Arizona, or Nevada.  And as always carry chains in your vehicle as it is the law that you have them in your car when driving in the mountains in the winter months.

Adult Night League Starts & Snow Summit Race Team Represents!

Big Bear, Ca, January 30, 2012, 3:00pm - This past weekend the slopes were filled with people as skiers and snowboarders enjoyed great snow with wonderful southern California weather.  On Saturday and Sunday Snow Summit Race Team J-4 and J-5 racers competed in the Kyle Warren Memorial South Series giant slalom ski race.  Top finishers for the Snow Summit Race Team included Mckinley Warren, Emerson Warren, Johann Auer and Alec Burton who beat the competition both days by over 15 seconds.  Notably the J5 girls held their ground on Sunday against Team Mountain High with the six Snow Summit Race Team Girls taking the first top six spots, while on Saturday and Sunday J4 boys Emerson Warren, Johann Auer and Chase Dowty, all race team kids, battled it out for the top spot.  In the adult racing arena, the first race for the Adult Night League was held on Saturday Night, and race team coach Thad Epting of Team Tequila put down the fastest time with Wade Reeser of Team Goldsmith, Snow Summits Mountain Manager taking second place.  Kyle Wormsbecker, head coach for the Snow Summit Race Team invites everyone to come out and race.  The next night league race will be held on February 11^th, and is open to anyone 18 and older.

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KBHR’s Blues Man Rick Bates Rocks Some Old School Skis at Snow Summit

KBHR’s resident Blues man, Rick Bates, enjoyed a day on the slopes in his old school skis.  Bates was pictured here at Snow Summit at the top of Miracle Mile’s black diamond “Style Hang”.  Way to rock the old skis Rick!

Best Snow Anywhere!

Snow- we have plenty of it here at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain! Despite the lack of snow in other California regions, Big Bear  Mountain Resorts has been fortunate with snowmaking and early season snowfalls providing snow depths of 1-3 feet, very good snow coverage and nearly 100% open runs- that’s almost 438 skiable acres! While the weather has been relatively mild in the valleys and beaches, we have been making snow the past couple of nights up here at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain and the snow conditions are better than you might think. Enjoy the wide open runs and the most terrain park features in So Cal. Visit www.bigbearmountainresorts.com for updates.

Christmas Weekend Activities

Big Bear, Ca, December 22, 2011, 12:00pm - With the snowfall we received earlier this week, Big Bear is a beautiful white landscape.  This holiday weekend, there are many different activities that families and friends can participate in.  The Alpine Slide and Big Bear Snow Play will both be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, allowing children of all ages to take a ride down the hill on their inner tubes, and sleds. The Bowling Barn, Big Bear Fun Plex, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain will all be open both days, with night sessions being offered at the slopes.  The Moonridge Animal Park, and the Big Bear Discovery Center are both open on Christmas Eve, and closed on Christmas, so you can say hi to the animals, and find out more about Big Bear’s History.  Additional activities you can do on your own time include snowshoeing, and taking a stroll down the Alpine Pedal Path on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake.  There are many local trails, including the Woodland Trail, Cougar Crest Trail, and Pine Knot trail that are great snowshoeing trails. 

ACTIVITIES:

- Alpine Slide: Christmas Eve = 10-5 pm, weather permitting; Christmas day = 11-4 pm.
- Big Bear Snow Play: Christmas Eve = 10-4 pm; Christmas day = 11-4 pm.
- Bowling Barn: Christmas Eve = 10-5 pm; Christmas Day = Noon-10 pm.

-Elevations Day Spa: Call for appointments: 909-866-7405. Christmas Eve= 10am, closing early (after the last scheduled appt); Christmas Day = open at 10 am.

Fun Plex: Christmas Eve = 11– 5 pm; Christmas Day = Noon– 9 pm

- Moonridge Animal Park: Christmas Eve: 10 – 5 pm. Christmas Day = CLOSED.

- Baldwin Lake Stables and Petting Zoo: reservations: 909-585-5254. Christmas Eve = last ride (1 hour) at 3:00 pm. Christmas Day

-Snow Summit: Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day = 8 – 5 pm, Day Session. Night Session = 3 – 9:30 pm, Day Session extends to 6 pm when Night Session is offered. Bear Mountain Resort: Snow Summit & Bear Mountain due to likely ‘sell out’: BBMR Reservation Service: 909-866-5841. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: 8– 4:30 pm. Reservations highly recommended for both

- Helicopter Big Bear: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day = Open, call for reservations: 909-585-1200.

- Gallery of the American Landscape: Christmas Eve = 10 – 6 pm; Christmas Day = CLOSED.

- Big Bear Discovery Center: Christmas Eve = 8:30 –2 pm; Christmas day = CLOSED. Monday, Dec. 26 = Federal Holiday.

1st Goldsmith’s Race Results

Big Bear, Ca, December 20, 2011, 8:00am - The first Goldsmith’s Ski race of the season took place this past Sunday, and despite cold weather conditions and low visibility, many local children and even a few adults braved the temperatures and participated in the slalom race.  The harsh conditions made for an icy course, resulting in quite a few racers skiing off course, or not finishing.  Stand out performances of the day went to John Micheal Fabrizi with the fastest combined time of the day with one minute and 19 seconds for both runs, Nationally ranked Stephanie Lebby, who with total combined time of one minute and twenty three seconds was the fastest lady of the day, and was only beat by three boys.  In the Masters division Susan Kendall laid down the fastest masters time for both men and women with a time of one minute and 33 seconds. Forty Six year old Kendall raced in the collegiate league in her twenties, and has proven that she still remembers her college race training.  Other winners for the race team and masters in their respective categories include:  Johann Auer, Emerson Warren, Sean Murphy, Elle Williams, Alec Burton, Kelly Kai Tokunaga, Delany Warren, McKinley Warren, John Boucher, Alex Baroian, and Marcelle Howard- Goodsell.  Winners in the Dteam categories include: Ryan Dosa, Callie Brzenzski, Devon Garber, Haley Hoskins, Jonas Simko, Annaliese Myers, Brooke Baldwin, Hayden Schooler, Isabelle Trentchev, Nate Williams, and Simona Tretchev.  The next race in the Goldsmith’s series will take place on January 15^th.

More Snow Makes For Great Skiing & Boarding!

Big Bear, Ca, December 19, 2011, 12:00pm - This past weekends snow fall has added 12 to 16 inches of fresh snow at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit.  With additional snow making taking place at every opportunity, the slopes are in perfect condition!  Between Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, there are 25 lifts running, with nearly all runs open, and over 150 snow features!  If you don’t know how to ski or snowboard, or want a refresher, both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit offer lessons for all ages, and all abilities.  If you need rentals, there are many local shops that provide rentals, and some shops such as Goldsmith’s Boardhouse even have snowshoes for rent in addition to their ski and board rental fleet.  If you are planning on skiing or boarding this holiday season, you can pre purchase your tickets online before they sell out.  Go to www.BigBearMountainResorts.com.

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