December 2017

Volume 29, No. 6 December 2017 

www.bigbeartodaymag.com 

Snow Much Fun! 

Holiday 

Happenings 

• Santa at The Village, 

Tubing Hills, Ski Slopes 

• See How Animals Winter 

at Alpine Zoo 

• Gifts Abound at Historic Village Faire 

At The Cave! 

• ‘Discover’ Eagle Counts, Snowshoe Treks

Page 2—December 2017 

From the Publisher 

Tree lighting just 

the start of a busy 

holiday season 

now may be missing but the people 

sure aren’t. Looking down Pine 

Knot Ave. I see a sea of people gath- Sering for “Christmas in the Village” the day 

after Thanksgiving, undeterred that Big 

Bear had yet to see even a single flake. 

Hundreds? Thousands? I can’t really 

tell but it’s obvious people aren’t letting 

the dearth of snow keep them from celebrating 

the start of the holiday season at 

the annual tree lighting. In fact it looks even 

more crowded than usual, with throngs of 

people milling everywhere, some sipping 

hot cocoa from Village Fair. 

Others have dogs on leash and their 

four-legged friends are clearly enjoying 

warmer weather, not having to tromp 

through drifts or over icy patches. Appropriate 

since HomeAway recently named 

Big Bear Lake as one of the most petfriendly 

places in the nation. 

Maybe daytime temperatures in the 

upper 60’s are actually what people want 

for Thanksgiving. No tire chains to mess 

with or bitter wind blowing. I’ve always 

said that people love snow but hate to actually 

go out in it. “This weather is so nice,” 

master of ceremonies Steve Cassling says 

before festivities begin. “The last few years 

have been so cold.” 

No worry of that at this tree lighting. 

Why, there are a number of attendees wearing 

shorts and T-shirts! Normally I’m the 

only one decked out in such duds but not 

for this gig. Yeah, others are in hats and 

scarves and mittens but most look like 

they’re dressed for a summer night, instead 

of about to greet Santa Claus, who will 

soon make his way up Pine Knot aboard 

his fire engine sleigh with lights flashing. 

The only snow south of Mammoth is 

on Big Bear’s inner tubing hills which were 

able to blast enough man-made white stuff 

to withstand summer-like temperatures. 

But no one seems to mind, save for skiers 

and snowboarders, and even those folks 

have money in their pockets since they 

didn’t buy lift tickets. It may not look or 

even feel like Christmas but attendees seem 

to be in the holiday spirit just the same. 

Big Bear, sans snow, is still a pretty special 

place to ring in the season. 

Especially when the Mountain 

Marvellettes take the stage. Tonight there’s 

a new batch of homegrown singers— 

Caitlin Barney Theobald, Amber Carpenter, 

and sisters Kylar and Kortney 

Carmody—but they’re still marvelous 

singing a dozen or so carols, drawing a 

warm ovation from the onlookers. From 

representing Big Bear at Carnegie Hall to 

traveling and performing with the Young 

Americans between them the Marvellettes 

have a slew of credits. 

Then it’s Nikki Sparks’ turn. She’s 

been a regular at The Cave opening for 

Dick Dale among others and other venues, 

and currently Fridays and Saturdays from 

5-8 p.m. in the lounge at The Lodge. Her 

rendition of “O Holy Night” is absolutely 

spine-chilling as she nails the high notes 

with passion. Her newly-released Christmas 

CD is sure to be in demand. 

Between them the Marvellettes and 

Sparks perform all the season’s magical 

music. Listening to songs like “Joy to the 

World,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Silent Night” 

and so many more brings back memories 

of previous Village Christmases. Like 

1989, our first holiday in Big Bear, when 

Academy Award-winning actress Shirley 

Jones, a part-time Big Bear resident, also 

sang “O Holy Night” in a riveting rendition. 

Then there was the time we lost a kid, 

some 20 years ago. Sons Kevin and 

Michael went off with friend Brendan 

Bennett, disappearing into the crowd, but 

only the latter two returned. “What happened 

to your younger brother?” I asked 

Mike while wife Sandy went into hysterics. 

Fortunately Kevin turned up on stage, 

certainly a holiday memory for him. 

As it happens Mike is visiting for the 

holiday but he opts to not come to the tree 

lighting, so as to not be blamed for losing 

a kid. Instead we meet him and his girlfriend 

after festivities are over at Big Bear 

Lake Brewing Co., such a good idea many 

other folks had it too. So we let the kids 

get a table for two instead of waiting 30 

minutes for four seats to open. Hey, they 

need to make memories too. 

Not hard to make them in Big Bear 

either. There’s more holiday shows this 

year than ever, most of which we were able 

to fit into this issue. But not all. Like the 

Voice Studio of Diane Sloan Kubeja’s annual 

Winter Recital on December 3 at Performing 

Arts Center at 2 p.m. 

Enjoy holiday, classical, Broadway, 

pop tunes and more by talented performers 

including 2018 “Carnegie Kids” Lauren 

Davis, Maggie Kubeja, Troy Obernolte and 

Jazmin Thompson. Then there’s Lighthouse 

Youth Orchestra’s Winter Concert 

Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., also at the PAC. Get 

there by 6:15 for pre-show with holiday 

carols and treats. See the calendar on page 

13 for details on both. 

Happy Holidays! 

Marcus 

ON THE COVER: Get all the winter you want inner tubing at Big Bear Snow Play, open for 

family fun as is Alpine Slide. Holiday happenings include the Torchlight Parade. 

Volume 29, Number 6 December 2017 

4 

5 

6 

10 

16 

Publisher 

Marcus G. Dietz 

Associate Publisher 

Sandra L. Dietz 

Publishing Consultant 

Bret Colson 

Technical Consultant 

Charles Dietz 

Photography 

Steve Dietz 

John Daskam 

Mark Gauger 

In This Issue... 

Big Bear Today 

Sure-Fire Fun at Big Bear Snow Play, Slide 

Winter is on at Big Bear’s two inner tubing areas, where 

families are finding plenty of winter wonderland...finally. 

Warm November temperatures challenged their powerful 

snowmaking guns but fortunately Big Bear Snow Play and 

Alpine Slide were able to open before Thanksgiving. The 

season is hitting its stride with rising snow depths and the 

return of night sessions and Glow Tubing. 

Santa Claus and Holiday Shows Abound 

Saint Nick is setting up shop in the Village weekends right up 

till his big night out, and also see him at the resorts and 

tubing hills. Celebrate the season with a bevy of holiday 

shows ranging from The Messiah community singalong and 

The Nutcracker Ballet to the zany A Christmas Carol...Askew. 

Animals Get Real Winter at Alpine Zoo 

Big Bear’s Zoo can offer snow leopards, Arctic foxes and 

other animals what other parks can’t: true alpine habitat. No 

need to simulate high altitude environment here and animals 

get their choice of seeking out the weather or avoiding it. 

When the snow falls many choose to play in it. 

Family-Friendly to Winter Festival, Ring in 2018 

Big Bear ushers out one year and brings in another on New 

Year’s Eve with the traditional torchlight parade at Snow 

Summit. Then it’s time to party, at Snow Summit with winter 

festival in the base area, family-friendly party at Wyatt’s with 

the famous Doo Wah Riders and free rides home. 

Tallies, Treks, Talks at Discovery Center 

Count bald eagles in the wild, meet one up close, discover 

flora and fauna at the Discovery Center...Big Bear’s recreation 

destination has your way to play in December. Including 

naturalist-led Snowshoe Eco-Tours into the forest assuming 

Old Man Winter finally shows up. Think snow, then go! 

Who knew Scrooge could be so fun? A 

Christmas Carol is Askew on page 10 

DEPARTMENTS 

2 

3 

13 

14 

From the Publisher 

Potpourri 

New! Area Map/ 

Calendar of Events 

The Almanac 

Big Bear's most complete 

listings for recreation, 

dining, and more. 

Big Bear Today is a monthly magazine covering recreation, 

dining, nightlife, and events in Big Bear. Reproduction of any 

material, without the express written consent of the Publisher, 

is prohibited. Advertising/editorial, call Big Bear Today at (909) 

585-5533. Mailing address: PO Box 3180, Big Bear City, CA, 

92314. Fax: (909) 585-9359. E-Mail: bigbeartoday@verizon.net. 

Member, Big Bear Visitor Bureau and Big Bear Chamber of 

Commerce. Internet Address: www.bigbeartodaymag.com 

Production: Offset printing by G.W. Reed Printing, Inc. 

Color prepress by 2-Bit Studio. 

Manuscripts and Art: Contributions are welcome. Big 

Bear Today is not responsible nor liable for unsolicited 

manuscripts or art. Materials received will not be returned. 

© Copyright 2017 Big Bear Today

Big Bear Today December 2017—Page 3


Snow must go on for inner tubing 

Winter is on at Big Bear Snow Play, Alpine Slide 

with tons of snow, night sessions 

T 

here are few guarantees in life but 

winter at Big Bear’s two 

worldclass snow play areas is one 

of them, thanks to mighty snowmaking. 

Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide 

at Magic Mountain each employ ski areaquality 

fan guns to provide all the snow 

they need to ensure winter fun. Not just 

one or two machines either but half-adozen 

at each! In terms of snowmaking per 

square foot of terrain, Big Bear Snow Play 

and Alpine Slide have more snow gun firepower 

than any resort around. 

It took all that muscle to make the only 

snow to play on south of Mammoth for 

Thanksgiving. A couple cold nights in an 

otherwise balmy November were all it took 

for each to open a few days before the holiday, 

so families could indulge in the timehonored 

tradition of playing in the snow 

to get into the holiday spirit. 

Colder weather since has allowed the 

powerful Lenko fan guns at both places to 

resume blowing jet streams of snow and 

the white stuff is really starting to pile up. 

Snowpacks will eventually reach depths up 

to 30 feet or higher during the season— 

that’s right, three stories high! Enough 

snow to guarantee tubing through Easter 

and beyond. Nightly grooming means tubers 

enjoy perfect surface conditions each 

morning with ideal corduroy snow. 

All the snow will allow Big Bear Snow 

Play and Alpine Slide to craft their own 

signature snow features in addition to traditional 

downhill runs. Big Bear Snow Play 

for instance builds features like whoop-didoos, 

bumps and berms that really add to 

the sliding experience. Alpine Slide meanwhile 

for many years has built its famous 

Snake, a series of downhill berms that whip 

tubers back and forth. 

Then again, Big Bear Snow Play and 

Alpine Slide have each offered worldclass 

inner tubing experiences for years. Who 

wants to walk back to the top after each 

run? Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide 

each have Magic Carpet uphill lifts to take 

guests up—just step on and step off! 

Which Simi Valley resident Ryan Bradley 

appreciated during a Thanksgiving 

visit. He and wife Michelle had children 

Brooke, 5 and Kenna, 4 in tow, a task made 

easier by the lift. “It’s very convenient, especially 

when you have little kids,” he said 

of the Magic Carpet. “Walking up gets 

frustrating. They don’t make it very well.” 

No uphill climb to tucker parents and 

kids out means they save all their energy 

for downhill fun and get all the runs they 

can handle. The lifts are enclosed in 

Plexiglass for guest comfort and Big Bear 

Snow Play even operates a second carpet 

on busy days. 

When it’s time for a winter warmup, 

head inside the toasty warm base lodges at 

each area. Both have family priced snack 

bar, restrooms and video games with lots 

of parking. Alpine Slide’s lodge was recently 

expanded with nice outdoor deck 

and lots of windows to view the outdoor 

action. 

The former is a onetime ski area itself 

and as such has the longest tubing runs in 

Southern California. When it was Rebel 

Ridge ski area decades ago the area became 

the first in the region to make snow 

in the late 1950’s, so when the fan guns 

fire up Big Bear Snow Play is paying homage 

to its roots. 

The area wasn’t big enough for skiing 

but for tubing it’s perfect with eight 

long runs from the top that let tubers really 

get going. For the past few years guests 

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 


Big Bear Snow Play Glow Tubing night sessions are in a whole new light 

have been riding colorful inner tubes at the 

area, which abandoned the traditional black 

tire look by offering covered rides that go 

faster and help keep snow off derrieres. 

After dark Big Bear Snow Play’s 

wildly popular Glow Tubing sessions on 

Fridays, Saturdays and holiday periods 

from 5-9 p.m. begin December 1. Eleven 

red, blue, yellow, green, even blacklight 

RGB strobe lights illuminate the snow like 

a Christmas tree, changing colors through 

each sequence. Even the Magic Carpet uphill 

lift, which eliminates the uphill climb 

and is enclosed for guest comfort, is lit up 

with over 1,500 different LED multi-color 

fluorescent lights. 

Tubing under the stars is nothing new 

at Alpine Slide. Guests have long embraced 

sliding on freshly-groomed, brilliantly illuminated 

runs that get faster and faster as 

the evening progresses. The twisting, turning 

Snake is especially wild on faster snow! 

Night sessions are on Fridays, Saturdays 

and holidays from 5-9 p.m., including 

every night from December 15, 2017 

through January 6, 2018 (excluding Christmas 

Eve and Night). 

Inner tubing at Alpine Slide and Big 

Bear Snow Play is offered daily from 10 

a.m.-4 p.m. and costs $35 which includes 

tube rental and lift ticket. Night sessions 

at each cost $30. 

Alpine Slide is also home to the signature 

bobsled-like ride of the same name. 

Experience many of the same gravitational 

forces Olympians feel during your descent 

down two quarter-mile long cement tracks 

aboard sleds with teflon runners and ballbearing 

wheels that you actually control. 

Lean into and out of each high-banked 

turn, then go into a tuck through the long 

straightaways. It’s the closest any of us 

will ever get to Olympic bobsledding or 

luge, yet riders go as fast or slow as they 

want by simply applying the brake. 

Big Bear Snow Play is at 42825 Big 

Bear Blvd. Call (909) 585-0075. 

Alpine Slide is at 800 Wildrose Ln. 

Call (909) 866-4626. 

Tube with Santa at Snow Play, Alpine Slide 

Small groups or large, there’s tubing for all at Alpine Slide 

Santa Claus can guide a team of flying 

reindeer through the night sky. He 

doesn’t have any trouble riding an inner 

tube either. 

Which he’ll again be doing at Big 

Bear Snow Play on Saturday, December 

16. He’ll be around all day from 10 a.m.- 

4 p.m. taking tube rides with youngsters 

with parents take photos with their own 

cameras. Be quick or Saint Nick just 

might blow by in the blink of an eye! 

Santa will also have candy canes for 

little ones plus his patented “reindeer 

food” of mixed oats and glitter. “Sprinkle 

it on the lawn Christmas Eve and the reindeer 

will smell the oats and see the glitter,” 

says Big Bear Snow Play’s Kim 

Voigt. Call (909) 585-0075. 

Next day he heads across town to Alpine 

Slide for more tubing on Dec. 17, 

and maybe a turn on the famous bobsleds. 

Call (909) 866-4626.

Big Bear Today December 2017—Page 5 

Visit Village for Santa, Shopping 

See Santa and Mrs. Claus in their Village house through Dec. 23 

Youngsters can tell Santa what they 

want for Christmas when jolly St. Nick 

makes the rounds during several appearances 

in Big Bear before his big night out. 

Every Saturday and Sunday through 

December 23, Santa and Mrs. Claus are in 

their little house at the corner of the Village 

“L”, complete with mood-setting fireplace, 

for photos and Christmas wishes 

from the little ones from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

The bright lights of the season make 

for festive outings and the 60-plus unique 

stores in the newly-remodeled Village, 

decked out for the holidays with decorations 

and caroling groups, create a unique 

shopping experience so different from 

malls, outlets and the internet. Be sure to 

see the towering decorated tree on the corner 

of Pine Knot and Village Drives next 

to Santa’s House and don’t miss the chance 

to warm by gas fire pits in front of 

Amangela’s and Copper Q. 

Old-fashioned lamp posts with snow 

piled against them and the sound system 

playing Christmas carols create a family 

atmosphere. The brilliant holiday lights 

strung everywhere are so impressive when 

there’s snow. Don’t miss seven carved 

bears and other woodland critters in a variety 

of poses scattered throughout the Village 

perfect for photo ops, with some large 

enough to sit on. 

The American Legion’s annual Santa 

visit is Dec. 9 at the Convention Center. 

Children ages 2-12 are invited for free hot 

dogs and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus 

Photo courtesy Danny Enger 

and each child goes home with a special 

gift. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with Santa 

arriving at 11. Convention Center is on the 

corner of Division and Big Bear Blvd. 

(909) 585-3000. 

Also see Santa at Big Bear Snow Play 

on Dec. 16 and at Alpine Slide one day 

later on Dec. 17. 

Cave Winter Kickoff Party 

Get psyched for snow when The Cave 

Big Bear hosts its annual Winter Kickoff 

Party featuring movies, music and giveaways 

on December 22. 

Pay homage to Ulr with showing of 

Warren Miller’s latest film “Line of Descent.” 

The 68th film from the legendary 

filmmaker stars Tommy Moe, Jonny 

Moseley, Seth Wescott, JT Holmes, Lexi 

duPont, Jeremy Jensen, Griffin Post and 

more as they chase neck-deep powder, perfect 

lines and cliff drops. 

The stunning cinematic journey takes 

viewers to some of North America’s deepest 

lines in Jackson Hole, Montana, 

Silverton, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows 

and Steamboat. The latter three are part of 

the new group that purchased Snow Summit, 

Bear Mountain, Mammoth and June 

earlier this year. 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the event 

with giveaways, swag, DJ, photo booth and 

food and drink specials. General admission 

is $15 and all ages are welcome. (909) 878- 

0204 or thecavebigbear.com. 

The brightly lit Village makes holiday shopping special, with or without snow


Zoo animals enjoy real winter 

W 

hile at San Diego Zoo Bob 

Cisneros used to pay five 

thousand bucks a pop to create 

winter-like conditions for alpine animals 

like polar bears accustomed to cooler 

temperatures. Crews would feed 300 lb. 

blocks of ice into chippers, much like 

“snow” is made for Bear Mountain’s Hot 

Dawgz and Hand Rails each September. 

Now snow falls for free—at least 

theoretically—for the curator of Big Bear 

Alpine Zoo and for sure it gets cold. For 

visitors it allows the unique chance to see 

alpine species in something that represents 

their native habitats, instead of the swaying 

palm trees and balmy temperatures found 

at city zoos. 

Big Bear Alpine Zoo is one of only 

two high altitude parks in the country with 

an alpine climate that’s suitable for Arctic 

fox, Himalayan snow leopards and other 

alpine species. The zoo doesn’t have any 

polar bears but it does have brown bruins 

and even grizzlies—one of only two in 

California where the state’s symbol can 

actually be seen—and both appreciate Big 

Bear’s colder temperatures and snow. 

Bears in Big Bear don’t hibernate in 

winter, at least not in the true sense of the 

term. “True hibernation is that animals shut 

down, lower their body requirements, and 

come out after an extended period of time,” 

curator Cisneros said. “Our grizzlies stay 

in their den two weeks at a time, come out 

to eat and go back. Black bears slow down. 

Since we can have heavy winters and cold 

temperatures, that dictates behavior. You 

Year-Round 

Christmas Room! 

Our rooms are 

filled with gifts 

and treasures 

from nearly 

20 artists! 

Come Up the Historic Staircase of the 1920's Navajo Hotel 

• Bear-ly Used 

Books 

• Jerky 

• Pottery 

• Aprons 

• Sports 

Memorabilia 

• Everything 

Bears & More 

don’t see that at San Diego Zoo. I took care 

of Alaskan brown bears that are 

predisposed to hibernate and they didn’t.” 

All the zoo’s alpine residents enjoyed 

last winter, especially when five feet of 

snow fell in just a few days. The marmot 

for instance, essentially a groundhog, 

sealed up the log it calls home, creating a 

virtual time capsule. The Arctic fox 

meanwhile was busy burrowing into the 

snow. “Basically creating an igloo,” 

Cisneros said. “All the animals were doing 

what they do during winter in the wild. 

“We provide all animals choice and 

control,” he added. “In this case a way out 

of the weather or the chance to be part of 

it. Arctic foxes burrow in the wild. Here 

you see it in its natural environment, or at 

least close to it. That’s what makes our zoo 

unique.” 

Endangered Himalayan snow 

leopards Asha and Shanti also love winter. 

The pair came to Big Bear from Woodland 

Park Zoo in Seattle a few years ago and 

relish the zoo’s 7,000 ft. elevation. “Snow 

leopards live between 4,000 and 19,000 

foot elevation,” Cisneros said. “They can 

be harder to see because they blend into 

the snow, natural camouflage.” 

The cats can’t look back either. Both 

were born with a relatively rare congenital 

eye anomaly called multiple ocular 

coloboma and have had their right eyes 

removed to prevent infection and other 

complications. 

“Bobcats go nuts when it snows,” 

Cisneros said. “There is a noticeable 

Open 7 Days 

a week 

Big Bear's from 9:30 a.m. 

Shopping Experience 

There is not “Anything” we do not have! 

Village Faire 

40794 Village Dr. 

(909) 866-8220 

Above the Leather Depot in Big Bear Village 

Zoo animals like the wolves and 

foxes enjoyed last year’s snow; 

maybe more is coming! 

change in their behavior. 

They’re playful, senses become 

heightened and they are easily 

stimulated. They definitely 

appreciate it when we get snow.” 

The zoo’s distinct wolf 

packs with nearly a dozen 

magnificent animals are a noble 

sight in winter. Bald eagles look 

striking against a snowy 

backdrop. Mountain lions 

appear even more regal and the 

coyotes love to scamper in the 

white stuff. Big Bear Alpine Zoo 

offers a unique perspective in 

winter as guests see how each 

species copes with the elements. 

2017’s heavy winter may 

have been fun for the animals, but it slowed 

down construction of Big Bear Alpine 

Zoo’s new home just down Clubview from 

its present location. The work pace has 

picked up considerably and at press time 

buildings and the park’s layout on the 10.4 


"Fly, Drive or Walk to the Barnstorm Restaurant" 

Breakfast • Lunch 

Dinner 

18 

Airport Terminal 

X 

Valley Blvd. 

W. Big Bear Blvd. 

International Menu 

The Best Homemade Food in Big Bear 

Big Tree Dr. 

Open Daily from 7 am to 3 pm 

Dinner: Fri., Sat. & Sun. from 5 to 9 pm 

with live Entertainment 

and Weekly Specials! 

Live Music 

Saturday 

Night 

10% OFF* 

for BB Locals 

(beer & wine 

not Included) 

(909) 585-9339 

acre property were starting to take shape. 

Ideally the new zoo will be open by Labor 

Day 2018, Cisneros said. 

“We will move the big critters first, 

like the grizzlies, black bears, snow 

Continued on page 12 

At the Barnstorm 

Music with your meal 

Hot Lunch Specials from $8.99 

Monday thru Friday, except Thursday 

*non-Holiday prices 

• Fine Selections 

of Beer and Wine 

• Authentic 

German 

Specialties 

Art Harriman 

every Saturday Night 

for Dinner 

“Sharing music, humor and 

experiences in movies with 

Elvis Presley, Hank Williams Jr., 

the Bill Cosby Show and 

six years on Children's Miracle Network Telethon.” 

The Barnstorm Restaurant — Inside the Airport Terminal 

501 W. Valley Blvd. • Big Bear City • CA 92314


A 

RESORT SHORTS 

What's Happening at Snow Summit & Bear Mountain 

USASA action opens with How to save a buck or 2 

Dec. 10 rail jam at Bear at Snow Summit, Bear 

The nation’s largest and most popular 

amateur snowboard competition, USASA, 

returns for 2017-18 with several events at 

Bear Mountain and now has freeskiing categories 

too. 

The road to the United States Amateur 

Snowboard Association National Finals, 

held at Copper Mountain in April 

2018, begins with these Southern California 

Conference regional events, in slalom 

and giant slalom, boardercross, slopestyle 

and halfpipe competitions. 

Events are open to all boarders and 

skiers—there’s different age and skill classifications 

to choose from—and there are 

several reasons for every rider to get involved. 

First, the $100 membership fee 

entitles riders to enter all events at serious 

discounts that include lift ticket, race fees, 

T-shirt and more. Then there’s the apresevent 

parties, which are legendary, with so 

much swag and giveaways it’s hard not to 

win something. 

Yet there’s more. Members save hundreds 

with discounts at summer camps like 

Woodward Copper and Tahoe, Windells, 

High Cascade and more. Plus SASS Argentina 

Backcountry Camp. 

Events at Bear Mountain include the 

first rail jam on Dec. 10, slopestyle on Jan. 

14, boardercross on Feb. 25 and halfpipe 

on March 4. These events do change so 

check out www.usasa.org. 

For more fast times on the slopes, 

don’t miss the five-event Goldsmith’s 

Boardhouse race series events (formerly 

the Alpine series) down Snow Summit’s 

Widowmaker race course. Set for December 

17, under the lights on January 13, 

events #3 and #4 on February 18, and finishing 

March 11, races feature high-speed 

head-to-head dual slalom action. 

Feeling adventurous? Sign up for basically 

the cost of a lift ticket and see how 

you do in fun timed racing. Then ski rest 

of the day with the lift ticket that’s included. 

Call (909) 866-5766. 

Early Ups, Breakfast on 

Dec. 23 Fresh Tracks 

Hit the slopes before everyone else— 

think powder day!—when Snow Summit 

Fresh Tracks returns for three dates this 

season, maybe even more based on conditions 

or demand. 

Hit Snow Summit’s Chair 2 highspeed 

quad for 60 minutes before the rest 

of the crowd arrives from 7:30-8:30 a.m. 

on December 23, January 13 and February 

17. Enjoy wide-open runs with fresh 

grooming or virgin powder as the case may 

be. One of the Fresh Tracks dates last season 

happened to be an epic powder day, 

just sayin’. Plus a food voucher for special 

breakfast entree at SoCal Marketplace. 

Fresh Tracks is an add-on to a lift 

ticket or season pass and costs $25. Buy 

yours at any open ticket window day of 

the event or in advance by calling (844) 

GO2-BEAR. 

A 

Everyone loves to save money and the 

Big Bear resorts have a few discounts out 

there for the 2017-18 winter season. 

Of course best way to save is to buy a 

season pass which offers unlimited access 

to the slopes, from midweek passes valid 

at both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain 

to anytime passes. Park lovers can opt for 

Bear Mountain-only passes too while the 

Cali4nia Pass is valid in Big Bear and also 

at Mammoth and June Mountains. But 

hurry...prices go up December 15. 

In the meantime there’s other ways to 

keep money in your pocket... 

* Plan ahead! Purchase your tickets 

at least 72 hours in advance either online 

or at (844) GO2-BEAR and save 20% off 

the window price. 

* Stay and play and save with lodging 

packages available through BigBear.com. 

Go direct to the lifts, skipping the ticket 

window altogether and save big bucks with 

the nicest accommodations. 

*Celebrate your birthday on the slopes 

and the Big Bear resorts will give you a 

free lift ticket for a gift! Must be your actual 

birthday; present valid ID on your special 

day and ski or ride both resorts for free. 

*Police, fire, EMT and active military 

need only flash their badges or proper ID 

at either Snow Summit or Bear Mountain 

windows to purchase all-day lift ticket for 

$42 plus 2% TBID charge during Uniform 

Days on January 10-11, February 7-8 and 

March 7-8, 2018. 

*Snow Summit and Bear Mountain 

also honor active duty military members 

and their families with discounts all season 

long. Present a current active duty military 

ID at the window and get 25% off lift 

tickets, rentals and lessons. 

*Big Game equals big deal! Spend the 

day on the slopes Sunday, February 4 before 

Super Bowl 52 determines the pro 

football champion and pay just $52 for a 

lift ticket! Plus there’s game parties too. 

Movies in the Meadow, 

Santa at Snow Summit 

Apres ski or snowboard in Snow 

Summit’s Meadow courtyard with free outdoor 

movies under the stars. 

On December 16 get in the holiday 

spirit with “Elf” followed a week later by 

“A Christmas Story” on Dec. 23. Next 

month on January 13 watch “Despicable 

Me 3” and on February 17 “Out Cold” will 

be shown on the huge inflatable 30 foot 

movie screen. 

There’s built-in fire pit plus two portable 

ones, heat lamps and tables with limited 

chairs or bring your own folding ones. 

The Bighorn Smokehouse will be open for 

concessions. 

Plus Santa Claus comes to Snow Summit 

on Dec. 16 and 23 from noon-3 p.m. 

There’s no charge to visit Jolly St. Nick 

who is happy to take photos and requests. 

Call (909) 866-5766. 

Standard 

Motel Rooms 

$65 

with Fireplace 

& Queen Bed 

Non-Holiday / Midweek 

Weekends Slightly Higher 

Subject to change without notice. 

December 2017—Page 7 

CLOSE TO VILLAGE, 

LAKE, DINNING 

CLOSE to SLOPES! 

Deluxe 

Spa Rooms 

$85 

with Cozy 

Fireplace 

(800) 255-4378 

local (909) 866-2166 

41121 Big Bear Blvd. • Big Bear Lake, CA 

www.BlackForestLodge.com 

NEW 

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Air Supply, Floyd, Petty tributes at Cave 

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles 

opens the month, Australian rock 

duo Air Supply closes. It will truly 

be a December to remember at The Cave. 

In between there’s the Expendables 

and the English Beat, One Drop, and killer 

tributes to Pink Floyd and the late Tom 

Petty. Plus Winter Kickoff Party with Warren 

Miller movie “Line of Descent” on December 

22 (story page 5). 

TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT on Dec. 1 

gets the month off to a rocking start. Best 

known as the longtime bassist and vocalist 

for legendary band The Eagles, his career 

has entailed much more than just the 

supergroup. The former Poco star lent his 

talents to Toto’s “Africa,” Bob Seger’s 

“Fire Lake,” Crosby, Stills and Nash’s 

“Wasted on the Way” and numerous tracks 

by Steely Dan. Plus he’s played internationally 

with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer 

Band and toured with Ringo Starr’s All- 

Starr Band. 

Now he makes his first Cave visit in 

support of his recent album, Leap of Faith, 

a strong mix of rock, country, Americana, 

R&B, even a little reggae. It’s his first album 

in seven years, the last drawing solid 

reviews. Writing and recording between 

stints touring with the Eagles has kept him 

busy but solo Schmit puts on a great show. 

Tickets $45. 

THE EXPENDABLES return to The 

Cave next night on Dec. 2, bringing a 

sound that ranges from reggae and ska to 

surf rock. Featuring four longtime friends, 

909.878.4FUN 

at North Shore Landing 

& Holloway’s Marina 

Pirate Ship Lake Tours Aboard ‘Time Bandit’ 

Narrated lake tours aboard 

1/3 replica of a Spanish galleon 

seen in the movie ‘Time Bandits’ 

• Pirate Booty for the Kids 

• Cocktails for Adults • Sunset Tours 

Geoff Weers, Adam Patterson, Raul 

Bianchi and Ryan DeMars, The Expendables 

formed in 1997 and the band’s first 

three full-length independent releases sold 

over 40,000 units despite no physical distribution 

or label. 

2010 saw The Expendables rocket to 

fame with the release of Prove It, which 

debuted at #158 on the Billboard Top 200, 

#30 on its Independent charts, and #4 on 

Billboard’s Heatseekers. It also reached 

#15 on iTunes Top 200 and #5 of iTunes 

Alternative Charts. 

Notable hits include “Bowl for Two” 

and “Sacrifice,” made famous as a playable 

song in the video game Guitar Hero 

World Tour.” The Expendables have toured 

with 311, Pepper, Less Than Jake, 

Kottonmouth Kings, G Love & Special 

Sauce and Slightly Stoopid, and is signed 

to the latter’s band’s Stoopid Records label. 

Tickets are $28, meet and greet package 

with the band $65. 

THE ENGLISH BEAT is on Friday, 

Dec. 8. The band’s version of “Tears of a 

Clown” is legendary and The Beat still 

pounds with covers of the Staple Singers 

classic “I’ll Take You There.” “Mirror in 

the Bathroom,” “Can’t Get Used to Losing 

You,” “Hands Off, She’s Mine” and 

many more hits have made the touring 

band a favorite with fans by blending multiple 

styles, like ska, pop, soul, reggae and 

punk. The band’s hit “Save it For Later” 

was covered by both Pete Townshend and 

Pearl Jam. Tickets $25-$35. 

• Waverunners • Jet Skis 

• Sea Doos! • Kayaks, SUP 

• Wakeboard/Water Ski Rides 

• Poontoon Boats 

and Fishing Boats! 

Australian rock duo 

Air Supply in concert at 

The Cave Dec. 30 

ONE DROP brings its unique classic 

roots reggae sound back to The Cave Dec. 

9, with a calculated blend of R&B, pop and 

rock mixed in. The San Diego-based 

band’s album Black Book Diaries debuted 

at #2 on iTunes reggae charts and landed 

on Billboard’s Top 10 list, featuring a cool 

cover of Men at Work’s “Down Under.” 

Debut CD Mission Blvd. with hits like 

“little Black Dress,” “She’s Gone” and “No 

Good Reason” continues to rank high on 

reggae charts worldwide. One Drop has 

toured heavily throughout the country and 

around the world with its high energy, playful 

show and has shared the stage with Steel 

Pulse, Ben Harper, The English Beat, 

Slightly Stoopid, Iration, Tribal Seeds and 

many others. Tickets start at $15. 

PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE on Dec. 

16 is presented by Which One’s Pink, one 

of AXS-TV’s “World’s Greatest Tribute 

Bands.” Watch the band’s videos on You 

Tube and it’s easy to see why as they replicate 

Pink Floyd classics like “Another 

Brick in the Wall,” “Wish You Were Here,” 

“Money” and “Comfortably Numb.” 

The band has been together since 1997 

and strives to play Floyd songs note-fornote, 

a real task that takes nine performers 

to pull off. The sound is nearly album like 

with all the favorites including “Breathe” 

and “Time.” The Cave’s special effects— 

state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, 

lasers, fog machines, even “snow” periodically 

falling—really add to the show. Tickets 

start at $20 

The recent passing of TOM PETTY 

makes The Cave’s Dec. 23 show all the 

more poignant. The PettyBreakers have 

been playing the late musician’s endless 

hits for over eight years, earning a reputation 

as the country’s top tribute to Petty 


and his band the Heartbreakers. That’s saying 

something, for Petty defined rock and 

roll for four decades, tallying an incredible 

ten #1 hits and 28 overall in the Top 

Ten. The PettyBreakers replicate all the hits 

songs, from “Refugee,” “Here Comes My 

Girl” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream” to 

“Free Fallin’ ” and “Don’t Come Around 

Here No More.” 

Even “Handle With Care” from Petty’s 

Traveling Wilburys days. All the band 

members have played and recorded with 

international artists and their performance 

on AXS-TV’s “The World’s Greatest Tribute 

Bands” rocked. Tickets start at $18. 

AIR SUPPLY on Dec. 30 see the 

iconic Australian soft rock duo in Big Bear 

for the first time. Graham Russell and 

Russell Hitchcock backed by a variety of 

musicians through the years have had a 

string of hit songs worldwide including 

eight Top Ten hits in the United States. 

“Two Less Lonely People in the World” is 

a megahit along with “Sweet Dreams” and 

“Making Love Out of Nothing at All.” 

Other favorites include “Even the 

Nights are Better,” “The One That You 

Love,” “Without You” and “Every Woman 

in the World” among others. “Dance With 

Me” from the 2010 album Mumbo Jumbo 

showed the pair still have it and Air Supply 

continues to tour worldwide, just returning 

from an Asian trip with stops in 

China, Japan and Indonesia. 

In 2005 over 175,000 people crammed 

in to see Air Supply in Cuba. The Cave 

will be infinitely more intimate with tickets 

starting at $95. 

All Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with doors 

opening at 6:30. 

The Cave; 40789 Village Dr. (909) 

878-0204 or www.thecavebigbear.com. 

One Drop returns to The Cave Dec. 9 

www.HollowaysMarina.com or www.BigBearBoating.com 

COZY CHALETS WITH FIREPLACES & GREAT VIEWS... 

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JUST STEPS TO THE SKI LIFTS! 

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Lakeside RV Park 

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Ring in 2018 with family party, torchlight 

Where will you be when the ball 

drops in Times Square to ring 

in 2018? Sing Auld Lang Syne 

during several happenings, from familyfriendly 

at Wyatt’s to fun at Nottingham’s 

in the Village. 

Tradition continues with Snow 

Summit’s long-running Torchlight Parade 

celebrating the New Year on December 

31 at 7 p.m. Some 250 torch (they’re 

actually flares but who cares)-bearing skiers 

and snowboarders slowly descend 

down Log Chute in a serpentining sea of 

light best be seen from the lake’s north 

shore—try East Boat Launch and Woodland 

Trail lots. 

Snow Summit parties after the parade 

with winter carnival-theme New Year’s 

Eve party in the base area with fire dancers, 

stilt walkers, ice carvers, kid’s activities 

like face painting, bounce house and 

cosmic tubing. Plus musical performance 

Nutcracker Ballet 

A true holiday classic springs to life 

on the Big Bear stage when Moonridge 

School of Dance presents The Nutcracker 

Ballet two shows only at Performing Arts 

Center December 16-17. 

Enjoy the magical ballet featuring 

Clara, Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker Prince 

and other beloved characters in a full-scale 

presentation of the classic. The famed 

“Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky offers 

some of the most well-known selections 

but the entire ballet is filled with captivating 

music and movement. Most of the 

studio’s youthful dancers will participate 

in the first full presentation of The Nutcracker 

in Big Bear in many years. 

The show is directed by Moonridge 

School of Dance’s Maria Knisley. Performances 

are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 followed 

by 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee. At intermission 

there’s silent auction and snack bar. 

Tickets are $22 and seniors, children 

and military get 10% discount. 

Call (909) 866-4970 or 866-2244. 

NEW 

WEBSITE 

by still-to-be-determined artist. Call (909) 

866-5766 or snowsummit.com for tickets. 

Families will want to check out 

Wyatt’s Grill and Saloon at the Convention 

Center for a New Year’s bash that welcomes 

kids as well as adults. Big Bear’s 

only family celebration features indoor 

bounce house, arts and crafts projects for 

ages 3-12, and arcade games plus headliner 

entertainment with the nationally renowned 

Doo Wah Riders. 

For over 35 years the Doo Wah Riders 

have played “high energy country with 

a Cajun twist” around the country, appearing 

in concert with Garth Brooks, George 

Strait, Alabama, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, 

Brooks and Dunn, Willie Nelson among 

others. The list also includes Waylon 

Jennings, Dolly Parton, Lone Star, Randy 

Travis and the Oak Ridge Boys and ranges 

from John Denver to Joan Jett. 

The Doo Wah Riders recorded with 

Bryon Berline on his Grammy-nominated 

CD “Fiddle and a Song” and the band appeared 

in the movie “Basic Instinct,” playing 

their original song “Glowing in the 

Ashes.” The band has been featured entertainment 

at The Grammys, Academy 

of Country Awards and plays regularly at 

Disneyland. A medley of classic western 

songs is a Doo Wah Riders staple and seeing 

a band of this caliber just feet away is 

a real treat. 

The special New Year’s menu features 

a variety of affordable entrees, appetizers, 

desserts and special children’s meals. DJ 

Robert plays a variety of country and Top 

40 tunes and there’s free country dance lessons. 

Midnight features complimentary 

champagne toast and there’s plenty of party 

favors to ring in 2018. Children’s activities 

continue till 11 p.m. 

Doors open at 5 p.m. with dancing 

starting at 7 and Doo Wah Riders taking 

the stage at 8. Wyatt’s is offering complimentary 

door-to-door take home service 

beginning at 9 p.m. 

Wyatt’s, known as one of Big Bear’s 


Wyatt’s hosts a family-friendly New Year’s starring the renowned Doo Wah Riders 

best dining values with hearty portions at 

wallet-friendly prices, is at the Convention 

Center (42900 Big Bear Blvd. at Division). 

Tickets are $18, ages 13-18 $9, 12 and 

under $3. Call (909) 585-3000. 

Nottingham’s features a special New 

Year’s dinner menu downstairs from 5-10 

p.m. before the party upstairs. Doors open 

at 7 p.m. with live music at 9 p.m. featuring 

popular Izon Eden’s classic covers. 

There’s cozy fireplaces, big screen 

TVs for football, shuffleboard and darts. 

The evening includes appetizers, desserts, 

champagne toast at midnight and party favors. 

Book in advance; Nottingham’s always 

sells out. Call (909) 866-4644. 

Barnstorm Restaurant has Duke 

Michaels and Peggy Baldwin playing for 

guest dining pleasure. (909) 585-9339. 

Snow Summit’s torchlight parade 

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Moonridge Chalet — 3 Stories, 1,496 sq ft, 

2 Bedrooms + Loft, 2 Baths. 

Nice View over the tree tops to the meadow. 

Close to Bear Mountain and the National Forest. 

Bank Repo, will be priced at $329,900. 

Tom Benson (909) 878-4042 

tbenson@earthlink.net 

BRE #00402359


Chorale presents `Messiah’ singalong 

Sing along to some of the most beautiful 

music ever written during The Messiah 

community singalong on Sunday, December 

17 at 2 p.m. at the Performing Arts 

Center. 

Handel’s magnificent classic plus 

popular carols will be presented by the Big 

Bear Chorale, 40-45 voices strong but this 

is singalong so bring sheet music and join 

in. Accompanying are guest soloists plus 

Mountaintop Strings Ensemble, Michael 

Reno on harpsichord and Glenda 

Beaukelman on organ. 

The choir is again led by guest conductor 

Dr. Tod Fitzpatrick, professor of 

music at University Nevada Las Vegas. 

Singers include students from Diane Sloan 

Kubeja’s voice studio, former CATS performers, 

church choirs and more. 

Glenda Beukelman 

NEW 

WEBSITE 

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Audiences members are not required 

to sing but are invited to join in for all portions 

of Handel’s first section of The Messiah 

along with the famous “Hallelujah 

Chorus” which actually comes from the 

Easter portion. The Messiah was composed 

by Handel in 1741 and debuted to a modest 

reception, but has since become one of 

the best known and most frequently performed 

choral works in western music. 

This performance features the first of three 

parts of the Messiah that’s traditionally performed 

during the holidays, featuring the 

prophesies of Christ’s birth. 

Soloists include UNLV faculty members 

with doctorates in music and extensive 

credits. General admission is $10. 

The performance is sponsored by The 

Arts Council. Call (909) 866-4970. 

Dr. Tod Fitzpatrick 


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A traditional holiday favorite gets notso-traditional 

treatment when A Christmas 

Carol...Askew returns for two shows only 

at the Performing Arts Center on December 

22-23. 

Charles Dickens may roll over in his 

grave when Big Bear Theatre Project finishes 

with his holiday classic during 7:30 

p.m. shows. A Christmas Carol... Askew is 

a seasonal spoof of the familiar Dickens’ 

story presented by Steve Cassling, Brian 

Adams and Ty Warren. The show is part 

mayhem, part Monty Python as it tells the 

story of Ebenezer Scrooge, played by 

Cassling, and his visits by the ghosts of 

Christmas Past, Present and Future. 

While the storyline is familiar with traditional 

Dickens characters, antics change 

from show to show so no two productions 

are the same. This is the fifth time the trio 

has presented A Christmas Carol...Askew 

to great acclaim, and pretty much anything 

goes in these productions, from ghosts who 

are reminiscent of Elvis to Star Wars tieins. 

The show again features a live band. 

Previous panto presentations of Robin 

FREE 

Bowling & 

Laser Tag! 


(L-R) Steve Cassling, Ty Warren, Brian Adams in “A Christmas Carol...Askew” 

Something’s Askew with this `Carol’ 

Hood and other shows have featured takeoffs 

on The Wizard of Oz and Treasure Island 

have been very popular.. Cassling is 

armed with panto plays from his days at 

the Pasadena Playhouse and the shows are 

marked by good jokes, bad jokes, political 

humor, songs, guys in dresses and plenty 

of audience involvement. 

“We always add a new love song for 

the Cratchitts and have a new opening,” 

Cassling said. 

While A Christmas Carol...Askew is 

crazy, the performers are all multi-talented 

with professional credits and other productions. 

Tickets are $15, $10 students/seniors. 

Call the PAC at (909) 866-4970. 

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regular price and your 3rd game is FREE! 

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Wish lists filled at historic Village Faire 

Carved bears or stuffed ones, cloth 

purses, cozy animal print throws, yearround 

Christmas room, incense and tasty 

jerky. All in a historic Big Bear setting that 

may or may not have its own ghost. 

Chances are, there’s something for 

every holiday wish list at Village Faire. 

There’s literally thousands of gifts ranging 

from sports logo items and Harley 

Davidson to hundreds of crosses and walls 

of winter attire. The walls at the top of the 

stairs may tell tales—the building used to 

house Big Bear’s first hotel, the historic 

Navajo built in 1920, kept busy by gold 

miners and ladies of the night—but today 

the real story is on the shelves, filled with 

goods from artisans around town, the country, 

even the world. 

Sixteen theme rooms present a wide 

range of gift ideas, from bears and princess 

dolls, signs and home goods to gourmet 

foods and Oriental treasures and much 

more, many items handmade. Why there’s 

an entire Princess Room at Village Faire, 

with dolls and dresses and tea party sets 

and wallets. Duck inside the Tiki Room for 

Asia-theme gifts like adorable stuffed 

panda bears, fans and dragon figurines. The 

Pottery Room not only features handmade 

clay plates and pots but also soap pumps 

and dreamcatchers. 

For sports fans there’s not one but two 

rooms filled 

with memorabilia 

like 

playing 

cards, team 

coffee cups 

and shot 

glasses, 

signs and 

m o r e . 

There’s a 

stadium’s 

worth of 

football 

team selections 

to 

choose from 

whether you 

root for the 

Rams or 

Bear hats come with paws for 

hands at Village Faire; (left) 

Nancy Berg displays Old Glory 

Chargers and all the other teams too. 

Unique are team totem poles not found 

anywhere else, topped with bronco, steelworker 

or ram’s head as the case may be. 

Plus team helmet banks for 20 bucks. 

Baseball season is well represented 

with plenty of Angels and Dodgers, Giants 

and Yankees stuff to choose from, like team 

coosies for only $7.95. From steins and 

stemware to signs and clocks, blankets and 

more, the shelves are filled with sports. 

USC and UCLA gear too! 

The walls can bear-ly hold all the bruins 

at Village Faire, just about every room 

sporting something Yogi. Bear hats pictured 

above, modeled by Sandy Dietz, are 

popular with long arms and cozy pocket 

paws for your hands. There’s stuffed black 

bears from Wishpets and Giftable Worlds 

that are super cute and huggable. 

The year-round Christmas Room is 

obviously busy at this time of year, filled 

with Santas and trees, ornaments and decorations 

galore. Stockings in a variety of designs 

are less than ten bucks and there’s 

gingerbread man ornaments for $3.50. 

Particularly unique is the “Cross 

Room.” Cross-bearing carved bears are 

one-of-a-kind but there’s many other selections 

to choose from. There’s also oldfashioned 

toys like paint by number kits, 


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Community Market 

100 E. Big Bear Blvd. (at Greenway) • Big Bear City 

1 mile east of The Convention Center


Harriman’s one-man show at Barnstorm 

Longtime Big Bear entertainer Art 

Harriman is back singing songs and spinning 

tales Saturdays from 5-9 p.m. at Barnstorm 

Restaurant. 

Harriman passes out a songlist to 

Barnstorm diners with dozens of songs, 

usual covers like “Route 66,” “Under the 

Boardwalk” and such, but that’s a small 

part of his repetoire and every tune comes 

with a personal story. After movie appearances 

with Elvis, Lana Turner and Hank 

Williams Jr. plus on television in the “Bill 

Cosby Show,” “Hee Haw” and for six years 

on the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon 

with Bob Hope, Johnny Cash and 

many others, Harriman has met and played 

with just about every celebrity imaginable. 

He was the good looking band leader and 

Elvis Presley sidekick in the 1968 movie 

“Live a Little, Love a Little” 

Harriman’s “Six-Piece One-Man 

Fundance Band” has been a favorite for 

years, guitar, tambourine, harmonica, bass, 

cymbals and his voice creating music. His 

toe-tapping, hand-clapping original songs 

are what he calls “Good Time Music” and 

it’s impossible to listen to “Ol’ Jack 

Danielson,” which he co-wrote with late 

football star-turned actor Merlin Olsen, 

without breaking a smile. “Big Bear Valley,” 

one of several tunes showing off his 

yodeling skills, is full of spirit...not unlike 

John Denver. And you haven’t lived till 

you’ve heard Art play “When the Saints 

Go Marching In” on his inch-long world’s 

smallest harmonica... which he also played 

on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. 

“Piano Man” Mike Cross sits in for 

Harriman on Dec. 2 and returns Christmas 

Eve. And celebrate New Year’s Eve with 

Duke Michaels and cellist Peggy Baldwin, 

who has played with Jeff Lynne’s ELO. 

Barnstorm Restaurant is in the airport 

terminal at 501 W. Valley Blvd. in Big Bear 

City. Call (909) 585-9339. 

Zoo in winter... 

Continued from page 6 

leopards, mountain lions,” Cisneros said. 

“Conceivably we could move all the large 

animals in one week. We’re hoping the zoo 

stays open through the whole process.” 

The $8.5 million project is being built 

by M.S. Construction Management Group 

based in Dana Point. Plans were drawn by 

PGAV Destination Consulting, which 

designed the mega-Aquarium in Georgia. 

The six-plus acre park will be almost triple 

the size of the current 2.5 acre zoo. 

Five marquee exhibits are highlights 

of the new Alpine Zoo, featuring grizzlies, 

timberwolves, mountain lions, black bears 

and snow leopards. Also in the design is a 

snack bar, ticket and gift shop, additional 

exhibits and administration building. 

Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a terrific family 

outing. Daily animal presentations at noon 

in the amphitheater allow guests to meet 

zoo critters up close. Plus there’s animal 

enrichment programs four times daily. 

The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 

p.m. Admission is $12, $6 ages 3-10/60 

and over, under three free. 

Big Bear Alpine Zoo is at 43285 

Goldmine Dr. across from Bear Mountain. 

Call (909) 584-1299. 

Continued from page 11 

models and more. Then there’s the Chime 

Room, where an endless selection of pieces 

bearing butterfly and flower designs 

among others are just waiting to sound off 

in gentle breezes on your porch. 

The large rustic wood American flags 

on the walls lining the stairway are popular 

designs for $39.98 with smaller ones 

still a couple feet long for $19.98. Chalkboard 

art is the latest rage with folksy sayings 

and hand drawn and unique Big Bear 

T-shirts cost just $11.95. Pet lovers delight 

in the Dog Room where there’s bowls, 

treats and gifts for their best friend. Discover 

infant wear like Big Bear onesies and 

tanks tops for just $9.95 in the Baby Room. 

Village Faire has a little something of 

everything: Ladies Room with blouses, 

packs and purses, classic metal signs with 


Big Bear institution Art Harriman, Saturdays at Barnstorm restaurant 

Village Faire gifts... 

everything from cars and cowboys to superheroes 

and Route 66. Take home agate 

arrowheads for less than a buck and sample 

Bear Poop (nut surrounded by caramel and 

chocolate). “Snow” feels like the real stuff 

except it’s not cold and doesn’t melt, the 

perfect souvenir for $5.50. 

There’s walls of winter stuff, from tons 

of gloves to hats, mittens and scarves in 

all colors, priced from three bucks to $12. 

Village Faire is also the place to find awardwinning 

Jeff’s Famous Jerky, seen on 

Forbes.com and Men’s Health magazine. 

Made from real steak it’s tender and moist, 

not the dry leather sometimes passed as 

jerky, in intense flavors like jalapeno and 

cranberry jalapeno. Bacon and chicken 

jerky in assorted flavors too! 

Village Faire is at 40794 Village Dr. 

above Leather Depot. Call (909) 866-8220. 

Providing the most accurate & detailed snow forecasts available on the net 

for Big Bear and the local southern California mountains since 1998 

www.snowforecast.com/BearMountainResort 

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HOMESTYLE 

QUALITY... 

Steaks 

East 

Seafood 

Valley's 

Pasta 

Only 

Chicken 

Bakery! 

Voted Big Bear's 

Best Breakfast! 

DAILY Breakfast Special! 

Every Saturday Night 

All-You-Can-Eat 

Beef Ribs $19.95! 

NIGHTLY DINNER SPECIALS 

MON—MEAT LOAF $9.95 

TUES—CLOSED FOR DINNER OPEN 6-3 

WED—PRIME RIB $15.95 

THURS—NEW YORK STEAK $12.95 

FRIDAY—HOMEMADE POT PIES $13.25 

OR SURF & TURF $15.95 

SAT—ALL-U-CAN-EAT BEEF RIBS 

$19.95...POT PIES $13.25 IF AVAILABLE 

SUN-HOLIDAYS—PRIME RIB $15.95 

FRESH CATCH OF THE DAY FRI/SAT 

After lunch or dinner... 

treat yourself from our 

Bakery! 

Caramel-topped apple 

dumplings...cheesecakes... 

apple streudel...fresh-baked pies 

of the season! 

Also Available to Go! 

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

Dine Next to Our 2 Cozy 

Fireplaces or Under Trees on 

Our Outdoor Patio! 

337 W. Big Bear Blvd. 

(2 miles east of the Convention 

Center in Big Bear City) 

(909) 585-7005 

...FAMILY 

PRICES! 

To To Los Angeles 

and Orange County 

Captain John’s 

S 

CAPT. Marina 

JOHN’S GROUT BAY 

MARINA 

West Boat Ramp 

WINDY POINT 

W E 

North Shore 

Landing 

Castle Rock 

Trail 

Holcomb 

Valley 

BOULDER 

BAY 

1989 25 YEARS 2014 

The Mountain’s Monthly Lifestyle Magazine 

All Phone Numbers are area code 

(909) unless otherwise noted 

December 

1 

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles 

in concert at The Cave 7:30 

p.m. $45-$55. 878-0204. 

2 

The Expendables in concert at 

The Cave 7:30 p.m. $28, meet 

and greet $65. 878-0204. 

3 

Winter Voice Recital by Diane 

Sloan Kubeja Studio 2 p.m. at 

the PAC. $14, $12 senior, $10 

student. 866-4970. 

4 

Soroptimists `Christmas in Central 

Park’ dinner, auctions 5-9 

p.m. at the Convention Center. 

$55. sibbv.clubexpress.com 

8 

Lighthouse Youth Orchestra 

Winter Concert 7 p.m. at the 

PAC; treats and pre-show with 

holiday carols at 6:15. $10, 

student $5. 866-4970. 

8 

The English Beat in concert at 

The Cave 7:30 p.m. Tickets 

$25-$35. 878-0204. 

9 

Bald Eagle Count, the first of the 

season held by the Forest Service, 

8-10 a.m. Meet at Discovery 

Center. Bald Eagle Celebration 

11 a.m. with biologist Robin 

Eliason, free. 866-3437. 

9 

American Legion’s Santa Visit 

11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Convention 

Center for ages 2-12, free 

admission and hot dogs, gifts 

for all kids. 585-3000. 

9 

One Drop in concert at The Cave 

7:30 p.m. $15-$20. 878-0204. 

10 

USASA Rail Jam is at Bear Moun- 

GILNER POINT 

METCALF 

Holloway 

BAY Marina 

Big Bear and Vicinity 

Pleasure 

Point 

Performing Arts 

Center (PAC) 

Polique Canyon 

Trail 

Solar Observatory 

BIG BEAR LAKE 

Mill Creek 

Mill Creek 

Alpine Slide 

at Magic Mtn. 

Pine Knot 

Trail 

Cougar Crest 

Trail 

Woodland 

Trail 

Discovery Center 

Serranno 

Campground 

East Boat 

Ramp 

EAGLE POINT 

Swim 

Beach 

Big Bear 

Pine Knot 

Marina 

Marina 

Meadow Park 

Town Trail 

tain, first event of the season. 

866-5766. 

10 

`The Messiah’ Performance and 

Community Singalong 2 p.m. at 

the PAC, presented by the Arts 

Council. $10. 866-4970. 

16 

Movies in the Meadow at Snow 

Summit base area courtyard 5 

p.m., “Elf.” Free. 866-5766. 

16 

Which One’s Pink? tribute to 

Pink Floyd at The Cave 7:30 

p.m. $20-$30. 878-0204. 

16-17 

`The Nutcracker Ballet’ by 

Moonridge School of Dance at 

the PAC 7 p.m., 2:30 Sunday 

matinee. $22, senior/child/military 

10% discount. 866-4970. 

17 

Goldsmiths Boardhouse Series 

Race #1 at Snow Summit. 866- 

5766. 

20 

Winemakers Dinner at the Black 

Kat (560 Pine Knot) featuring 

Pahlmeyer Wines at 6:30 p.m. 

$135/person. 878-0401. 

22 

Winter Kickoff Party 6 p.m. at 

The Cave with Warren Miller’s 

“Line of Descent,” giveaways, 

specials. $15. 878-0204. 

22-23 

`A Christmas Carol...Askew’ 

presented in panto form by Big 

Bear Theatre Project at the PAC 

7:30 p.m. $15, seniors/students 

$10. 866-4970. 

23 

Snow Summit Fresh Tracks 

early-ups plus breakfast 7:30- 

8:30 a.m., $25 add-on to lift 

ticket or season pass. 866-5766. 

23 

Movies in the Meadow at Snow 

Walk 

Board 

December 2017—Page 13 

Big Bear City 

Moonridge 

For updated calendar of events visit us on the Internet! 

www.bigbeartodaymag.com 

CC 

Club View Drive 

Big Bear Mountain 

Summit base area courtyard 5 

p.m., “A Christmas Story.” Free. 

866-5766. 

23 

PettyBreakers Tribute to Tom 

Petty at The Cave 7:30 p.m. 

$18-$28. 878-0204. 

24 

Christmas Eve Service at 3 and 

5 p.m. at First Baptist Church 

(41960 Big Bear Blvd., 866- 

3951); Christmas Eve Mass at 

5:30 and midnight at Saint 

Joseph’s Catholic Church 

(42242 North Shore, 866- 

3030); service at 7 p.m. at 

United Methodist Church (1001 

Holden, 585-4089). 

25 

Christmas Day Mass at 8 a.m. 

in English, 11 a.m. bilingual at 

Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 

(42242 North Shore Dr., 866- 

3030) Services at United Methodist 

Church 10 a.m. (1001 

Holden, 585-4089). 

30 

Air Supply at The Cave 7:30 

p.m. $95-$110. 878-0204. 

31 

New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade 

at Snow Summit at 7 p.m., 

followed by party in the base 

lodge. 866-5766. 

31 

Wyatt’s Family New Year’s Eve 

Party 5 p.m. at the Convention 

Center with live music by Doo 

Wah Riders, family activities. 

585-3000. 

January 

13 

Winter Trails Day at Discovery 

Center 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; free 

snowshoe tours, activities. 866- 

3437. 

To Victorville, Barstow 

& Las Vegas 

Museum 

Big Bear 

Alpine Zoo 

To Angelus Oaks 

and Redlands 

E 

V 

E 

N 

T 

C 

A 

L 

E 

N 

D 

A 

R


Recreation 

Guide 

Action Tours 

Zip through the trees on nine ziplines. 

Segway along Village streets, discovering 

Big Bear history at the same time on a most 

unique tour and ride. Learn tree rope climbing 

skills like rappelling from certified 

instructors or seasonally snowshoe through 

the forest. Action Tours has year-round 

guided mountain adventure for all ability 

levels! (909) 866-0390 or (909) 866-0830. 

Alpine Slide 

Shoot down a tobogan-style ride at Magic 

Mountain, as a hand lever allows you to 

control the speed. After an exhilerating 

run, ride the chairlift back to the top for 

more fun. $6/ride, 5-ride books $25. There’s 

also snowplay area with Magic Carpet 

uphill ride, plus miniature golf, Go-Karts, 

family-priced snack bar, video games. Open 

daily. Big Bear Blvd., 1/4 mile west of the 

Village. 866-4626. 

Bike Rentals 

Goldsmiths Pedego Electric Bike Shop 

has a variety of electric bike rentals, 42071 

Big Bear Blvd. (909) 866-2728. 

Bingo 

The Elks Lodge hosts stirring Bingo games 

each Friday night at 7 p.m. All are welcome 

ages 18 and over. 40611 Big Bear Blvd. 

west of the Village, across from Lakeview. 

NEW 

WEBSITE 

Live weather! 


PDF Reader! 

THE ALMANAC 

(909) 866-3557. 

Bowling 

The Bowling Barn offers new lanes with 

automated scoring for bowling enjoyment. 

Also arcade games and full-service cocktail 

lounge with pool. Glow Bowling after 

dark with black lights, sounds. Bowl 3 

games for the price of 2 with coupon in this 

issue. Open daily. 40625 Big Bear Blvd. 

(enter on Bonanza).(909) 878-BOWL. 

Cross Country Skiing 

All the great hiking trails in Big Bear make 

great destinations for winter cross country 

skiing, provided there’s enough snow. 

Holcomb Valley is especially popular with 

skinny plankers. 

Goldsmith’s Boardhouse has waxless, 

steel edge all-mountain wide touring skis, 

boots and poles for small child to large 

adult, $15/day. Also telemark skis, $22/ 

ski-boot-pole. 42071 Big Bear Blvd. (909) 

866-2728. 

Discovery Center 

The Discovery Center on the north shore, 

two miles west of Stanfield Cutoff, is a 

breathtaking facility overlooking the lake 

and offering informational galleries, self 

and naturalist guided tours, Adventure 

passes and wilderness permits, and recreation 

programs. Open daily (closed Tuesdays 

and Wednesdays). (909) 866-3437. 

Fishing 

Catch some fun with Big Bear Charter 

Fishing on a 22' fully loaded, super comfortable 

boat with afriendly, expert guide 


Monthly! 


Summer! 

Fall! 

Winter! 


Recreation • Dining • Nightlife • And More 

Road Conditions: (800) 427-ROAD www.ie511.org 

After dark the black lights come on for Glow Bowling at the Barn; 878-BOWL 

Aaron Armstrong. Open or private charters 

for individuals or groups of all ages. 

All gear provided—rods, reels, bait, lures, 

drinks and snacks. Bass fishing too aboard 

a Ranger Comanche. At Holloway’s Marina; 

(909) 866-2240. 

Helicopter Tours 

See Big Bear from above during new aerial 

tours by Helicopter Big Bear. See the lake, 

ski resorts, desert and surrounding mountains 

aboard a climate-controlled Robinson 

R44 helicopter with longtime pilot Roy 

Harding at the controls, departing daily out 

of Big Bear Airport. The helicopter seats 

up to four, pilot plus three passengers, and 

tours start at $35 per person based on two 

passengers. Group rates and discounts available. 

(909) 585-1200. 

Hiking 

There’s dozens of trails and natural areas to 

enjoy the rugged beauty of the San 

Bernardino National Forest. From easy 

strolls along the lake to stenuous climbs 

into the mountains, there are trails for all 

abilities, including families, within a short 

drive of Big Bear. For information on all 

trails in the Valley and the required 

Adventure Pass, visit the Discovery Center 

on North Shore Dr., about two miles west 

of Stanfield Cutoff. 866-3437. 

Alpine Pedal Path is a very easy 3.5 mile 

(each way) paved trek following the lake 

on the north shore. Popular with hikers, 

bikers, skaters, strollers and wheelchairs as 

it passes Carol Morrison East Boat Launch, 

Discovery Center, Serrano campground, 

Solar Observatory and more. 


Nikki Sparks, at The Lodge Fridays 

and Saturdays 5-8 p.m. (909) 866-3121 

HORSEBACK RIDING 

Baldwin Lake Stables 

Open Year Round•Rates by the Hour 

1, 2, 3 & 4 Hour Rides•Reservations Suggested 




Follow Us 

On Facebook! 







& Snowplayers 




Pony Rides & Petting Zoo 

909-585-6482 • Big Bear City 

Big Bear Blvd. east through stop sign at Hwy. 38, 

veer left on Shay Rd. and follow the signs 

46475 Pioneertown Rd. 

www.baldwinlakestables.com 

Specialty Rides 

•Majestic Sunset Ride 

•1/2 Day Ride along the 

famous Pacific Crest Trail 

Please Make Reservations 

for Specialty Rides 

Under Permit USDA Forest Service


Castle Rock Trail is a short but strenuous 

hike, that ends with a panoramic view of 

Big Bear Lake. Legend has it that a beautiful 

Indian maiden, jilted by her lover, took her 

life by leaping from this towering 100 ft. 

monolith. It’s reached after a mostly uphill, 

.8 mile walk past a stream and featuring 

beautiful views. Located on Hwy. 18 

between Boulder Bay and the dam; park on 

the lake side of the road. 

Cougar Crest Trail is moderate two-mile 

(each way) hike. As it winds above the 

lake’s north shore, it offers up great views 

of water and the surrounding mountains. 

Trailhead is on North Shore Dr. about two 

miles west of Stanfield Cutoff, .6 mile 

from the Discovery Center where you can 

park without an Adventure Pass. 

Woodland Interpretive Trail is a short, 

scenic family stroll with minimal elevation 

gain, located on the north shore near Cougar 

Crest. Free trail maps (available at the 

trailhead or Discovery Center) identify 

markers along the route noting local 

vegetation, wildlife areas, etc. 

Pacific Crest Trail comes through Big 

Bear from Onyx Summit through the East 

Valley to Hwy. 18 and then past Holcomb 

Valley Rd. and Cougar Crest through 

Holcomb Valley before continuing its 2,638 

mile journey from Mexico to Canada. Call 

the Discovery Center to find out where to 

catch this famous international trail. 

Pine Knot Trail from Aspen Glen picnic 

area climbs the southern ridge above Alpine 

Slide three miles (each way) to Skyline Dr. 

2N10, through lush meadow and stands of 

white fir and Jeffrey Pine. Continue another 

1/4 mile to Grand View Point for spectacular 

180-degree vistas. 

Holcomb Valley 

At one time, Big Bear Valley was thriving 

gold country. The last remaining signs of 

this historic chapter in Big Bear history are 

featured in a driving tour through what is 

known as Holcomb Valley. Totaling 11.6 

miles over a dirt road, the tour offers stops 

at Two Gun Bill’s Saloon, Hangman’s 

Tree, Pigmy Cabin, Metzger Mine, and 

more. Free maps available at the Big Bear 

Discovery Center on the North Shore— 

call 866-3437. Allow three hours for the 

drive. 

Horseback Riding 

Baldwin Lake Stable is open year-round 

for horseback riding. Rates are by the hour, 

offering one, two, three and four-hour rides 

with longer rides heading along the famous 

Pacific Crest Trail plus sunset rides. A 

variety of spectacular mountain trails with 

horses for all riding abilities. For little 

buckeroos there’s hand-led pony rides and 

petting zoo. Reservations suggested for all 

rides. Big Bear Blvd. east to stop sign at 

Hwy. 38, go through intersection, veer left 

on Shay Rd. to 46475 Pioneertown Rd., 

Big Bear City. (909) 585-6482. 

Laser Tag 

Head to Big Bear Funplex for indoor laser 

tag, arcade, rides and much more. Pizza 

and snack bar, pool tables. 40679 Big Bear 

Blvd. 866-3866. 

Miniature Golf/Go Karts 

Putt ‘N Around, located at the Alpine Slide 

at Magic Mountain, features a landscaped 

18-hole miniature golf course complete 

with water hazards and breaking greens. 

Then there’s an oval-shaped go-kart track 

with high-banked turns, which nine Can 

After Dark... 

Big Bear’s Nightlife & Entertainment Guide 

ALLEY OOPS SPORTS BAR—Family Karaoke each Saturday night at 8 p.m. Glow 

Bowling at 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 

Watch the big game on big screen TVs, open to all ages. Happy Hour Monday- 

Friday 5:30-7 p.m. with 50¢ off all bar drinks (except draft), $1 hot dogs. Bowl 

3 games for the price of 2 with coupon in this issue. Inside the Bowling Barn at 

40625 Big Bear Blvd. Call 878-BOWL. 

AV NIGHTCLUB—DJ every night at 9 p.m. Happy hour daily till 6 p.m. with $1 

beers. 664 Pine Knot. (909) 866-7377. 

BARNSTORM RESTAURANT—Live music Saturdays during dinner with popular 

entertainer Art Harriman. 501 W. Valley Blvd. at the airport. (909) 585-9339. 

BEST WESTERN CHATEAU—Enjoy Silver Moon in the Tiffany Lounge Saturdays 

from 7-10 p.m. 42200 Moonridge Rd. (909) 866-6666. 

BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN BREWERY— Live music daily. Craft microbrew beers, food 

in a cozy atmosphere. Wear your gear, 75¢ off your beer. 40260 Big Bear Blvd. 

866-BEER. 

CHAD'S PLACE—New location near the lake, same great live rock `n roll each 

Thursday through Sunday night, beginning at 8:30 p.m. 40824 Big Bear Blvd. Call 

866-2161. 

NOTTINGHAMS—Magic J presents tableside magic Friday and Saturday. 40797 

Big Bear Blvd. near Bartlett. 866-4644. 

THE CAVE BIG BEAR—Your favorite artists up close and personal! See national 

performers, top tribute bands and more in Big Bear’s hot new intimate concert 

venue. Good food and full cocktail service including craft beers from Big Bear Lake 

Brewing Co. (909) 878-0204. 

THE LODGE AT BIG BEAR LAKE—Singer Nikki Sparks entertains Fridays and 

Saturdays 5-8 p.m. in the lounge and lobby. 40650 Village Dr. (909) 866-3121 

THE PINES LAKEFRONT—Pianist Mike Cross and Bass Mark Cade live Thursdays 

5:30-8:30 p.m., Sundays 4-7 p.m. 350 Alden Rd. (909) 866--5400. 

WYATT’S CAFE & SALOON—Open at 4 p.m. Wednesdays for country dancing 

with DJ Evan and Fridays, some Saturdays with live music . Dec. 1: Southern Spirit 

Dec. 8: Revelator with Terry McRaven Dec. 15: The Working Poets Dec. 16: DJ 

Robert Dec. 22: TBA Dec. 23: Street Music Band. Family New Year’s Eve on Dec. 

31 with Doo Wah Riders. Great grub and drinks, family-friendly. Convention 

Center, Big Bear Blvd. at Division. (909) 585-3000. 

Am racers—including four two-seaters— 

with Honda 5.5 horsepowers engines and 

an array of safety features zip around. 

Open till 9 p.m. daily. 866-4626. 

Ski Rentals 

Goldsmith’s Boardhouse beginner ski 

packages $17.50, performance skis $25, 

demos $45, kids under 12 $15. Snowboards 

$24, demo boards $35. Child’s package 

$18. Butt, elbow, knee pads, wrist guards, 

helmets, jackets, pants available for rent. 

42071 Big Bear Blvd. 866-2728. 

Snow Playing 

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, which 

has snowmaking to ensure snow, offers 

great inner tubing, and there’s a Magic 

Carpet to take riders to the top, too. $35 

buys an all-day (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) pass in the 

winter wonderland, which includes tube 

rental and Magic Carpet use. Night tubing 

(5-9 p.m.) each Friday and Saturday plus 

holiday periods for $30. The area also has 

the Southland’s only Alpine Slide and a 

great outdoor deck, plus the Putt ‘N Around 

go-karts and miniature golf course. 1/4 

mile west of the Village on Big Bear Blvd. 

866-4626. 

Big Bear Snow Play has Southen 

California’s longest tubing runs. Two 

Magic Carpet lifts mean guests never have 

to walk back to the top and snowmaking 

lets the area build features to enhance the 

experience. Heated base lodge and paved 

parking. Next.to Motel 6 on the bouleard 1 

mile east of the supermarkets.Sessions daily 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. $35 all day pass includes 

tube rental. Glow Tubing sessions Fridays, 

Saturdays, holiday periods 5-9 p.m., $30 

includes tube rental. (909) 585-0075. 

Forget Your Snowplay Pants/Jacket? 

Goldsmith’s Boardhouse has them for 

rent along with helmets, wrist guards, other 

gear. 42071 Big Bear Blvd. 866-2728. 

Snowshoeing 

No lift lines—nor lift tickets to buy— 

makes snowshoeing one of the fastestgrowing 

winter sports. A great way to 

escape the crowds and enjoy the serenity of 

Big Bear’s endless hiking trails covered by 

winter’s snow. Get maps, directions etc. 

from the shop below or Discovery Center. 

Goldsmith’s Boardhouse has Atlas 

snowshoes for $15/day. 42071 Big Bear 

Blvd. 866-2728. 

Zoo 

Grizzly and black bears, bobcats, coyotes, 

mountain lions, deer, eagles, and other 

animals are at Big Bear Alpine Zoo, many 

of which are native to the San Bernardino 

Mtns. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 10- 

5 Saturday and Sunday with daily animal 

presentations at noon and weekend 3 p.m. 

“feeding frenzy” tours. Moonridge Rd. to 

Clubview, veer right to Bear Mountain, 

and turn left to the zoo. $12 adults, $9 ages 

over 60 and children 3-10, under two free. 

(909) 584-1299. 

BARNSTORM 

Dining 

Guide 

Big Bear City 

RESTAURANT— 

Comfortable dining at the airport. Open 

daily for breakfast and lunch, dinner 

Thursday through Sunday with nightly 

specials and Saturday night entertainment. 

German food a specialty plus steaks, 

seafood, chicken, burgers. Ground floor at 

the airport. (909) 585-9339. 

THELMA’S TWIN PINES-Homestyle 

cooking at awesome prices make this a 

family dining favorite. All-you-can-eat beef 

ribs $19.95 on Saturday nights, and 

homemade pot pies are big favorites. Open 

daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner. 337 W. 

Big Bear Blvd. Call 585-7005. 

Big Bear Lake 

BIG BEAR LAKE BREWING CO.— 

Craft micros brewed on premises and 

gourmet pub grub and appe-teasers at this 

new brewery in the Village. Full bars 

upstairs and down with lakeviews and all 

sports all the time on big screens. 40827 

Stone Rd. (909) 878-0283. 

CAPTAIN’S ANCHORAGE—Historic 

and rustic, this restaurant, built in 1947 as 

the Sportsman’s Tavern and once owned 

by Andy Devine, is a Big Bear favorite. 

All-you-can-eat homemade soup and salad 

bar, romantic seating, and cocktails in the 

Andy Devine Room. Open for dinner daily 

from 4:30 p.m. Moonridge Rd., just off 

Big Bear Blvd. (909) 866-3997. 

18


THE BACK PAGE 

Tallies, treks, talks at Center 

B 

ald eagles, nature walks and snowshoe 

tours are all on tap during outdoor 

explorations courtesy of Big 

Bear Discovery Center in December. 

Sometimes the outdoors even comes in, 

like when spotting scopes are trained on 

bald eagle nests across the lake. 

Every Saturday at 1 and 2 p.m. and 

Sundays at 11 a.m. and noon, there’s free 

Nature Walks led by naturalists around 

Discovery Center’s forested grounds. Each 

30-minute adventure teaches local flora 

and fauna along with interesting historical 

Big Bear’s bald eagles 

facts and is fun for the whole family. 

Guided Snowshoe Eco-Tours begin 

Dec. 16 as naturalists lead outings into the 

fluffy stuff. Explore Big Bear backcountry 

in search of signs of winter wildlife while 

enjoying winter recreation at the same 

time. It’s amazing how quiet the woods are 

when they’re blanketed by snow, which 

acts like a sound absorber...hear each step 

break through a thin layer of crust amidst 

the peace and tranquility. 

Learn how to snowshoe properly; if 

you can walk, you can snowshoe! Snowshoe 

tours are from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 

p.m. each Saturday and Sundays from 9 

a.m.-noon. weekends till March 4, snow 

conditions permitting. Cost is $30, $25 

ages 8-16, which includes snowshoe rental, 

poles, snacks and water. 

Bald Eagles winter in Big Bear each 

year and Discovery Center is a great place 

to learn about America’s national symbol. 

Learn how the Forest Service is monitoring 

the local population. The popular bald 

eagle tours of years past are gone from the 

winter schedule, so to see birds in the wild 

volunteer for monthly bald eagle counts, 

including the season’s first Dec. 10 outing, 

when participants are directed to favored 

eagle hangouts. 

Otherwise visitors who want to spot 

eagles in the wild are on their own, but 

don’t worry: seeing Big Bear’s bald eagles 

is relatively easy. Look for high dead-top 


Discovery Center snowshoe tours are weekends beginning Dec. 16 

trees with a clear vantage point of the lake. 

The birds typically return to the very same 

perch trees each year. 

Standing two to three feet tall, juvenile 

birds are distinguished by brownspeckled 

heads and tail. They don’t develop 

their signature snowy white crowns 

and tail till they become adults, about age 

four or five. While Big Bear’s winters seem 

harsh to some, for eagles they are relatively 

mild compared to that in their summer 

habitats of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, 

even Canada and Alaska. As northern waters 

freeze over ice entombs fish and ducks 

fly south, so the two favorite foods for bald 

eagles become unavailable. 

Wintering here makes perfect sense: 

Big Bear is right along the Pacific Migratory 

Flyaway, a virtual bird freeway, which 

brings lots of ducks and coots. Plus the lake 

rarely freezes over so fish are available. 

As an incentive, intelligence-challenged 

coots freeze right into the water overnight, 

making for easy eagle pickin’s locals term 

“cootsicles.” Subsequent counts are slated 

for January 13, February 10 and March 10. 

By April most eagles return to northern 

homes though Big Bear does have its own 

nesting pair. 

Or just let an eagle come to you. Bald 

Eagle Celebrations follow each count at 

11 a.m. at the Discovery Center and feature 

a bird from Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Seeing 

an eagle from just feet away helps visitors 

really appreciate the piercing eyes and 

razor-sharp talons! Forest Service biologist 

Robin Elliason presents fascinating 

facts on Big Bear’s favorite winter visitor 

and admission is free. There’s also a bald 

eagle nest cam. 

Call Big Bear Discovery Center at 

(909) 866-3437. 

FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • 

• 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! 

Snow Play Area! 

Magic Carpet 

Uphill Lift 

CARPET COVERED 

for your Comfort! 

Children FREE! (2-6 & under 48”, with an adult 18 and over) 

Your Alpine Slide experience begins with 

a scenic chairlift ride above the beautiful 

Big Bear Lake. Then, with you controlling 

the speed, your toboggan plummets back 

down the mountain creating a thrill you’ll 

want to relive again and again! 

Winter is Great 

at Alpine Slide! 

Parents!... Sun On Our Spacious Deck While The Kids Play! 

FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 

FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! •

December 2017

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