Big Bear Today April 2018

Big Bear Today April 2018—Page 11
Snow leads to speedway, sleds
There’s still plenty of winter for spring
at Big Bear’s two inner tubing areas and
soon there will be speedway!
Both Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine
Slide at Magic Mountain have snow packs
several feet deep as April arrives. Each
plans to be open daily for inner tubing on
snow-covered slopes from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
through April 8 and then weekends only
till the snow is gone.
Get in those last thrilling downhill
rides before they’re gone for six months
for just $35 which includes tube rental.
Plus Magic Carpet uphill lifts found at both
Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide that
families merely step on and off of.
No uphill climb means families save
all their energy for downhill fun and get in
all the runs they want. The walk would be
especially long at Big Bear Snow Play,
once Rebel Ridge ski area with the longest
tubing runs in Southern California.
Tubing under the stars is an exciting
experience and during spring the snow is
faster after dark than it is during the day.
Big Bear Snow Play’s glow tubing night
sessions have become very popular with
changing strobes illuminating the snow and
Alpine Slide has offered tubing under the
lights for years. Better hurry though; final
5-9 p.m. sessions of the year at both areas
are Friday and Saturday, March 30-31,
priced at $30.
Big Bear Speedway is set to return
April 21 with timed Sodi Kart racing on a
fifth-of-a-mile long Grand Prix-style track
set up in the parking lot at Big Bear Snow
Play. Tecpro barriers used in Formula 1
and circuits around the world line the hair
pin turn-filled track to make the experience
even more authentic and drivers wearing
helmets follow green, yellow and checkered
flags just like at professional races.
These aren’t your father’s go-karts.
Features like self-adjusting hydraulic
brakes and vacuum fuel pumps come
straight from the automotive industry. The
karts handle like race cars and the Honda
Whisper Motors generate amazing power,
enough for cars to lay rubber through turns
though virtually impossible to roll.
The leader in karting, Sodi Karts balance
speed and safety with four point seat
belts and Extra Enhanced remote controls
so the pit crew can shut down or throttle
back any or all karts at any time for safety.
Sodi RT8 sports design elegance and fully
adjustable pedals to serve up the ultimate
race experience. Big Bear Speedway has
17 single karts and six doubles which have
two steering wheels and two brake pedals
for training or parent riding with a child.
The famous individually-controlled
Alpine Slide bobsleds operate weekends
only after April 8 as well. Relive the
PyeongChang Olympics on sleds that
never need snow as they take thrill seekers
down two quarter-mile long cement
tracks filled with banked turns and long
straightaways. Each sled has teflon runners
and ball-bearing wheels.
Push the control handle forward to
pick up speed...or pull back to slow down.
Riders go as fast or slow as they please, as
they zip down the snow-lined track in an
authentic alpine setting. While similar
tracks are found worldwide and at a couple
dozen locations in the country, mostly at
prominent ski resorts, the closest other one
is in Park City, Utah.
Each ride serves up the ultimate Go
Pro moment as drivers with cameras donned
shoot through the turns. Bobsled rides cost
$6 each, or $25 buys a five-ride book.
Alpine Slide is also home to Putt `N
Around go-karts and 18 hole miniature
golf course. The popular dual water slide
opens Memorial Day weekend and daily
operations return in June.
Alpine Slide is on the boulevard 1/4
mile west of the Village. (909) 866-4626.
Big Bear Snow Play is on Big Bear
Blvd. next to Motel 6. Call (909) 585-0075.
"Fly, Drive or Walk to the Barnstorm Restaurant"
The Best Homemade Food in Big Bear
Open Daily from 7 am to 3 pm
Dinner: Fri., Sat. & Sun. from 5 to 9 pm
with live Entertainment
and Weekly Specials!
• Fine Selections
of Beer and Wine
• Authentic
German
Specialties
Last call for inner tubing at Alpine Slide and Big Bear Snow Play!
At the Barnstorm
Live Music
Saturday
Night
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.”
Breakfast • Lunch
Dinner
18
Airport Terminal
X
Valley Blvd.
W. Big Bear Blvd.
International Menu
10% OFF*
for BB Locals
(beer & wine
not Included)
Big Tree Dr.
(909) 585-9339
Music with your meal
Hot Lunch Specials from $8.99
Monday thru Friday, except Thursday
*non-Holiday prices
The Barnstorm Restaurant — Inside the Airport Terminal
501 W. Valley Blvd. • Big Bear City • CA 92314