Skiing in Big Bear...which resort best for kids? | FerrariChat
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Skiing in Big Bear...which resort best for kids?

Discussion in 'California (Southern)' started by Steve R, Mar 6, 2007.

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  1. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #1 Steve R, Mar 6, 2007
    The wife is asking me to tap into F-Chat as a resource and ask which resort is best for kids/beginners:

    Snow Valley
    Snow Summit
    Bear Mountain

    Between these 3, anyone know?

    Thanks!
     
  2. 355 Pablo

    355 Pablo Karting

    May 24, 2006
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    #2 355 Pablo, Mar 6, 2007
    Steve, trust me on this one. Anything local sucks! The punks are rude and out of control! The last time I went locally, my friend got creamed by some out of control snowboarder. Then when they were hanging out recovering, they slipped on some ice and messed up their back... not a fun trip! Also, don't go locally on weekends, especially holiday weekends!

    P
     
  3. SpyderCP

    SpyderCP Formula Junior

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    #3 SpyderCP, Mar 7, 2007
    In my opinion Snow Summit is way better. Bear mountain has a lot of terrain parks where there are wild boarders(;
     
  4. Skyler360Spider

    Skyler360Spider Formula Junior

    Oct 15, 2005
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    #4 Skyler360Spider, Mar 7, 2007

    Steve, I was just there a few weeks ago with the wife and kids...when we took the Cayenne Turbo S up there. Snow Summit is the place for families. They have kids camp/classes. I think for less than a hundred bucks you can have your kid take a snowboarding class and get rentals as well. We spent a great weekend of snowboarding and skiing up there.

    Regards,

    Dave
     
  5. k-diddy

    k-diddy Formula Junior

    Oct 29, 2004
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    #5 k-diddy, Mar 7, 2007
    Steve,
    If it is the first time for the kids try Snow Valley. We took the kids up a month ago and they had a great ski/snowboard school for them. Check the snow report before you go. It was the weekend and if you get there by 8:30 there is not many people. We parked it the front row. Thats a plus when you have kids in snow gear. The kids loved it! Last week we went to Snow Summit. The kids and wife did not like. Parking sucks. School is full. Bunny slopes are only near the school. When you buy you lift tickets you can pick the bunny slopes only or the rest of the hill. It was not fun for the kids. Next trip is to Utah!!!!
     
  6. Cicada

    Cicada Formula 3

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    #6 Cicada, Mar 7, 2007
    snow summit. :) or snow valley.

    bear has way too many terrain features.
     
  7. CMY

    CMY F1 World Champ

    Oct 15, 2004
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    #7 CMY, Mar 7, 2007
    Snow Valley.. it's kinda lame as far as ski resorts go but it'll get the kids used to being on the snow without a lot pressure. Do Summit next time, then work them into Bear Mountain.

    (FWIW my family had a cabin up there for about 20 years and I could probably draw you a map of every road, slope, golf hole and breakfast shack in the area from memory). :D
     
  8. DMOORE

    DMOORE Formula 3

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    #8 DMOORE, Mar 7, 2007
    Snow valley is horrible. Lucky to even have snow. Snow summit will have better snow and better boarding/skiing for the family.
    BTW the wife took my son and his friends up for his 18th birthday, a few weeks ago. They got rained on, ON ,the slopes.They said it was about 50 degrees! Came home a day early.

    Darrell.
     
  9. Kevallino

    Kevallino Formula 3

    Feb 10, 2004
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    #9 Kevallino, Mar 7, 2007
    Steve - skied Snow Summit last weekend. Bear Mountain is for hardcore boarders, talked to a guy on the lift that said there's lots of local ********* types at Bear. We had a great time, snow was pretty good at Summit on the shorter runs on the east side of the mountain. Did see another spot with a lot of tubing, etc (Snow Valley I think) that might be more fun for the tots.

    We got lucky as there was some real snow mid-week before we went so all runs open and pretty decent for the time/money invested. Mind you I grew up in the Pacific Northwest so used to drive an hour to Mt Hood or an hour to my grandma's cabin near White Pass so got a bit spoiled back in the day.

    YMMV.

    Cheers
    Kev
     
  10. Jet-X

    Jet-X F1 Veteran

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    #10 Jet-X, Mar 7, 2007
    Steve, they all suck - suggestion: hop on a Jetblue flight out of Long Beach to Salt Lake (can be really cheap). Slopes are 20 minutes from the airport, better snow (i.e. not ice), far less crowded, more pleasant people, family friendly.

    It's a bit more work than a day/overnight trip to Big Bear, but I will never take my family to Big Bear any more. Spoiled by SLC.
     
  11. DMOORE

    DMOORE Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2005
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    #11 DMOORE, Mar 7, 2007


    Just got back from Park City on Thursday. Over 4ft of fresh powder when we were there. YA baby!


    Darrell.
     
  12. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #12 Steve R, Mar 7, 2007
    Guys,

    Thank you all for the suggestions. We have a place in A-head and I should have mentioned that OF COURSE it's better everywhere else...but in terms of those choices which is best.

    The info my wife found, along with the concensus here...is that Snow Summit is our best bet. We did Snow Valley last time and their kiddie-school was great....BUT they have no "majic carpet" lifts for the kids after that, only the regular lifts...my 4 year-old twins refused (terrified) to on the lifts. ANY WHY ARE THOSE LIFTS 25' OFF THE GROUND??? LIKE THEY'LL EVER GET THAT KIND OF BASE TO THREATEN OPERATION????...sheesh!!!

    Anyways....Snow Summit DOES have the kiddie "magic carpet" where they use a snowmobile to pull kids up the slope with a long rug-like pad. They also have a place for kids to hang-out, etc.

    Once again....THANKS F-CHAT :)
     
  13. RonnieF430Spider

    RonnieF430Spider Formula Junior

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    #13 RonnieF430Spider, Mar 7, 2007

    The problem with snow summit is the automobile regulations. Only cars with, what they call "reasonable sounding exhaust systems" are allowed within 1 mile of the lifts!
     
  14. Jet-X

    Jet-X F1 Veteran

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    #14 Jet-X, Mar 7, 2007
    Sell it!
     
  15. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #15 Steve R, Mar 7, 2007
    Ronnie,

    We have a pool running to see how long your gonna keep hitting that joke. Besides, we're taking the French car "Le Hummier" (ya know, the vehicle GM finally found a real use to use their corvette engine in) :)

    I hope you're joking...we love that place. We bought when the lake was low and R/E slightly depressed; it's only appreciated considerably!
     
  16. Jet-X

    Jet-X F1 Veteran

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    #16 Jet-X, Mar 7, 2007
    Even more reason to sell it! Buy a place in SLC! You'll get a nice place and have plenty of cash to fun nonstop plane flights for the whole family!
     
  17. k-diddy

    k-diddy Formula Junior

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    #17 k-diddy, Mar 7, 2007
    Why did you have Snow Valley on the list if you had been there before and knew the kids would not like the lifts. Waste of my time!
     
  18. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #18 Steve R, Mar 8, 2007
    DUDE.....?

    We've been to Snow Valley....but not the other places. Snow Valley still has kiddie-classes and they use the "magic carpet" for those classes. My twins won't go on the lifts....but at least they can spend 1/2-day in the classes. I simply wanted to know OF THE THREE which was the best....Snow Valley is still an option...it wasn't bad, just wanted to know if there was better and/or which was best.

    The answer could have come back that Snow Valley was still the best bet. From what I gather, Snow Valley IS better then Bear Mountain...so I put up all 3 as the contenders. Results: Summit #1, Valley #2, Bear #3

    No waste of your time...I appreciated your input and it was valuable. I'll even throw in another "thanks" and if you want I'll even toss in a set of Ginzu knives! ;)
     
  19. FastRed355

    FastRed355 Formula 3

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    #19 FastRed355, Mar 8, 2007
    Steve, you are becoming humble. LOL
     
  20. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #20 Steve R, Mar 9, 2007
    Nahh....just hate being misunderstood. It was a valid question, he must have mistook the inquiry or something. I wouldn't ever want to waste another person's time. :)

    Hey...YOU already got your set of Ginzu knives! ;)
     
  21. MIK911

    MIK911 Rookie

    May 23, 2004
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    #21 MIK911, Mar 12, 2007
    Snow Summit--kid's ski school. Call for Reservations NOW.
    Arrive at 0830 for equipment, on slope at 0900 for school.
    Yes, Magic Carpet works great.
    I was there 2 wks ago, before the storms, and most of mtn was open w/ man made snow. No worries about bunny/ school slope==there will be man made stuff.

    Have fun
     

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