Disneyland vacation packages and other great offers on top California tourist attractions

BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORTS

ARE GEARED UP FOR A WHITE

WINTER SEASON

A beautiful winter has arrived in SoCal, and Big Bear Mountain Resorts (BBMR) is ready to go with $1.7 million in improvements and features for the 2011 ski and snowboard season. SoCal’s “learn to ski and ride” headquarters is just a tank of gas away roundtrip in our local mountains.

As SoCal’s largest and closest winter destination resort, BBMR offers the biggest beginner areas, most diverse classes and best terrain parks. Skiers and riders can take their choice between BBMR’s two ski areas, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, located about two miles apart. This winter, with new Skill Builder Parks ™ and $500,000 in new snowmaking equipment, both areas are set for an incredible season!

So which mountain will be the best place for your family to spend the day? Let us help you decide as we tell you about the distinctive features of both.

Snow Summit offers skiing and family activity in a traditional alpine atmosphere. Intermediate and mainstream runs are ideal for both skiers and riders. With families in mind, Snow Summit’s Family Park incorporates fives runs that are designated for slow skiing and riding for kids, parents, grandparents or anyone looking for a mellow cruise. Snow Summit also offers night skiing for those who enjoy the crisp night air and bright stars, along with a less expensive lift ticket!

Snow Summit’s Little Bear Camp, perfect for kids ages 4-7, includes a four hour lesson, snacks, an all-day mountain lift ticket, and fun indoor activities, including games, videos, and arts/crafts. With both half-day (starting at $79) and all-day options (starting at $109), parents can enjoy their time on the mountain while their children learn from expert instructors in a fun, kid-friendly environment.

Bear Mountain shines as the preeminent snowboarding destination. Its youth focused environment attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the world. Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are located so close together that your older kids can head over to Bear for more advanced snowboarding while the rest of you stay at Snow Summit. Lift tickets are good at both resorts, conveniently connected by a free Inter-Resort Express Shuttle Service. Lunch on the deck at Summit Haus Restaurant is the perfect spot to rejoin and hear one another’s downhill stories.

By popular demand, this season Bear Mountain introduces new Skill Builder Parks™. Designed for beginning terrain park skiers and snowboarders, these areas offer snow features, rails, boxes and transitions to help guests test their skills and bring their skiing and riding to the next level in a comfortable, pressure-free environment. Each feature has a do-it-yourself instructional sign, offering a trick description and tips on getting started, polishing skills and even ski and snowboarding etiquette.

“We’re excited to introduce Skill Builder Parks at Bear Mountain this season,” said Chris Riddle, marketing director for BBMR. “…we listen to our guests and are constantly looking for ways to improve our parks and stay at the forefront of the industry. These new ‘parks within the Park’ are designed for beginning terrain park skiers and riders as a place to learn and improve their skills in a relaxed setting.”

Now you can spend less time in line and more time on the slopes, thanks to improvements at Snow Summit’s rental shop. Bear Mountain has also remodeled its learning center and combined its snowboard and ski rentals in one central location. This way families and friends who are enjoying the day together, but not necessarily all skiing or all boarding, can still rent their equipment in the same building.

Perfect for beginners, BBMR’s GuaranSki/GuaranRide Beginner Special promises new skiers and riders the skills they’ll need to ride the beginner chair lifts by the end of day. Or they’ll receive FREE lessons and beginner area use tickets until they can! Each special also includes a “Continuing Education Coupon” worth up to $20 off the price of a Beyond Beginner Ski or Ride Special.

Advanced skiers and riders can take advantage of BBMR’s “Go with a Pro” lesson for just $20. This fast paced, one-hour clinic with a top instructor is available daily at 1:45 p.m. at the Adult Ski and Snowboard line-up areas. Additional costs include lift ticket and equipment rental.

BBMR’s fanatical commitment to snowmaking and a nearly unlimited supply of water from Big Bear Lake means guests can expect reliable quality snow conditions every day of the season, regardless of natural snowfall. Simply put, Big Bear Mountain Resorts offers more and better snow throughout the season than any other resort in SoCal. Brand new snowcats provide faster, better trail and park grooming. In addition, $500,000 in new fan guns have been added at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. With expanded fan gun electrical distribution to several additional runs, both areas will be able to make more snow in a shorter period of time than ever before.

BBMR is committed to ensure guests have the most up-to-date weather, road and snow conditions. In addition to live cams that let you watch all the action right on your computer, now you can enjoy daily snow reports right in the palm of your hand! From your cell phone, text the word SNOW to 52406 to receive on-demand powder alerts and regular updates from BBMR. You can even customize the messages you receive at bigbearmountainresorts.com. Standard data and text rates apply.

This season, for the first time ever, BBMR introduces a special Senior ticket rate for guests 62 and older, an average savings of 20 percent per ticket. Please see our sidebar for the full 2011 ticket rate schedule. Your birthday is special, right? Ski or ride free at BBMR on your day! Just present a valid photo I.D. on your actual birthday to the Guest Services Office.

BBMR, SoCal’s “learn to ski and ride” headquarters, offers the region’s most progressive terrain parks, the most dependable snow conditions and the largest full-service learning programs. Its dedication to outstanding guest service includes selling a limited amount of lift tickets daily to avoid overcrowding. A consistent quality snow surface provides ideal conditions. Diverse terrain provides skiers and snowboarders a combined 438 developed acres, 26 lifts (including 4 high-speed detachable quads) and more than 55 runs. Best of all, it’s just a tank of gas away roundtrip from most areas in SoCal. For more information, visit Big Bear Mountain Resorts.