Big Bear Today Magazine September 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 6—September 2020Tunnels, dips on new Mineshaft CoasterBig Bear Todayhree complete 360° corkscrewturns. Steep descents, two 100-footTtunnels, dips and drops galore, allserved up during a mile-long gravity-fueledadventure.It’s enough to have riders screamingall the way around the track like they’reon an amusement park ride. Except this isthe newly-opened Mineshaft Coaster at Al-pine Slide, and unlike any park ride guestscontrol how fast their carts go down thesix-tube stainless steel track. Which can bepretty fast, as carts hit speeds of up to 27mph at multiple points along the way. Orslow, if that’s what you prefer.First and only ride of its kind inCalifornia, Mineshaft Coaster has been ahit since opening at Alpine Slide thissummer. Two up tracks on amotorized bullwheel pulleysystem provide the uphill lift,including a long one out of acool new start house built at thebottom.The real fun is on twodownhill tracks, as carts crossthree 200-foot bridges, shootthrough S-turns and catch a fewwhoop-di-doos. The whole rideis elevated above the ground, attimes two dozen feet up and at aminimum four feet, really givingriders a sense of speed assurroundings blur by.It’s a roughly nine minuteride—faster drivers can getcloser to seven minutes— thatleft Liana Martinez breathless.“It’s really fun, I wasn’texpecting it to be really fast butit was,” the Bakersfield residentsaid. “There were a ton of twistsand turns too. It’s kind of like aroller coaster except we wereable to brake along the way.A mile of drops, dips and turns await riders on Mineshaft CoasterWe’re definitely going to do it again.”She rode with her husband Nico. Twoadults can ride Mineshaft Coaster togetherif their combined weight is less than 375lbs., making for a real thrill-filled sharedexperience, though many carts go solo.Front rider must be at least 38” tall andthree years old so kids can go, while rearpilot 54” and age 18 or older.“It’s kind of like the big brother of theAlpine Slide,” said San Diego resident SamGerdes. “The ride was a lot longer than Ithought it would be. I thought it was twodifferent rides instead of one long ride.”His sons Isaiah, Micah and Noah tookturns too. “Really fun, you get to go as fastas you want through lots of twists andturns,” Isaiah said. “I only used the brakewhere I was supposed to use it. I wasn’tscared.”Guests are secured by multipointsafety belts at the start house. Rider in backcontrols the cart’s braking mechanism andis required to keep at least 80 feet from thesled in front. But Mineshaft Coasterfeatures “Smart Cart” technology with acomputer controlled, fail-safe magneticbraking system that gently applies brakesif a cart approaches too close to another.Plus each ride is equipped with speedgovernor and centrifugal brake to controltop speed.Each cart features specially designed,Continued on page 7Full Hot & Cold DeliGroceries • Firewood & Propane • Spirits • LottoTry Our FamousRotisserie Chicken& Kabobs!We cut the highestQuality MeatsDailyAwardWinners:1stLiquor2ndGroceries2017Chamber ofCommerceExcellencein Business!Fully-Cooked Delicious Heat & Serve Meals Like Tri-Tip,Smoked Pork Loin, Enchiladas & More! • Fresh Produce Too!(909) 585-2641 • Open 7 DaysCommunity Market100 E. Big Bear Blvd. (at Greenway) • Big Bear City1 mile east of The Convention CenterYear-RoundChristmas Room!Our rooms arefilled with giftsand treasuresfrom nearly20 artists!Come Up the Historic Staircase of the 1920's Navajo Hotel• Bear-ly UsedBooks• Jerky• Pottery• Aprons• SportsMemorabilia• EverythingBears & MoreOpen 7 Daysa weekBig Bear's from 9:30 a.m.Shopping ExperienceThere is not “Anything” we do not have!Village Faire40794 Village Dr.(909) 866-8220Above the Leather Depot in Big Bear Village
Big Bear Today September 2020—Page 72 days of custom vans, gear at ExpoCheck out the latest exploration vans,trucks, campers, off road tent trailers androof top tents when the 2020 AdventureVan Expo returns September 12-13.The free show held two days inBartlett Parking Lot in Big Bear VillageMineshaft Coaster...Continued from page 6lockable seat belts and shoulder restraintsto assure rider comfort at all times. Pluscarts have energy absorbing front and rearbuffers.A lengthy up track climb to the top ofAlpine Slide awaits riders before they startto descend and shoot through the first rocklinedmining tunnel. They wind their wayto the bottom before ascending again onanother up track back to the top for thesecond tunnel and cool corkscrew thatleads to a quick drop; those going fastenough get a little G-force on.The track traverses Alpine Slide’sentire property, around and under AlpineSlide sleds, past the water side and abovethe go-karts, dipping in and out of pinetrees. Even the entrance is awesome, builtfrom scratch with mining carts and rockout front, plus Big Bear’s coolest sign.Coaster tracks are popular in Europeand are popping up in ski resort towns includingSnowbird in Utah. MineshaftCoaster is over 2,000 feet longer! Othercoasters are in Jackson Hole, Steamboat,Bogus Basin and Heavenly’s Nevada side.Plus entertainment hub Branson, MO.Each cart is wiped down as part of AlpineSlide’s many virus precautions.Mineshaft Coaster tickets are $20 perperson, children $10. The ride is openseven days a week, all year long.Soaring Eagle, another first of its kindride in California, is also open daily. Guestsare treated to spectacular views of the lakeand a thrilling 500 ft. descent during theirthrilling flight, dropping almost two footballfields in distance as part of a 125 footdescent that reaches speeds up to 26 mph.Double seat belts secure up to two riders.At $12 per ride Soaring Eagle is pricedless than other similar attractions. Riderscan go solo or with a companion to sharethe experience. Guests must be at least 42”tall and those between 42-48” must ridewith an adult. Photo and video of the experiencecan also be purchased.Putt `N Around Go-Karts and 18-holeminiature golf course are also open daily.The famous Alpine Slide bobsleds operateSaturday and Sunday.Alpine Slide is at 800 Wildrose Ln. onBig Bear Blvd. 1/4 mile west of the Village,Call (909) 866-4626.2 days of exploration at the free Adventure Van Exposors including host Walter’s Sprinter ofRiverside.The custom vans are mini-RVs withsinks, counters, appliances and more. Exceptsome are off-road beasts with full offroad capabilities! The expo is a chance tomeet professional adventure vehicle buildersand see their products on display whilenetworking with like-minded individuals.See accessories from companies likeADF Sprinters, Owl Vans, Tepui and 4Wheel Campers. Other participating companiesare Johnson Custom Van Solutions,Vanz, Aluminess, Havelock Wool, Tourig,Nomad, Momentum, Roambuilt, HunterRMV, Glamper Van, Sportsmobile, Brutek,Gone Mobile, and Geovans. There’s gear,racks, roof top tents, trailer tents, accessoriesand much more on display.Adventure Van Expo special “VanRow” parking for van owners is availableon a first-come basis. Demonstrations,workshops and talks on subjects includingsolar are also on tap. Hours on Saturdayare 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 10-3 Sunday.The event is one of six expos aroundthe country held at scenic locations withLake Tahoe the week before on Sept. 5-6.Other shows were at Grand Targhee resortin Idaho, plus Missoula, MT and Dillon,CO. The series concludes Oct. 10-11 inRidgefield, WA.AdventureVanExpo.com to RSVP forfree.FREE WIFICLOSE TOVILLAGE,LAKE &DININGBig Bear’sLargest Pool(Offer Good Sunday-Thursday / non-holiday)Motel Rooms $75with Fireplace & Queen BedMountain Cabins $99with Fireplace, Private Deck.Spa Rooms & Cabins!with Cozy Fireplaceand Outdoor Spa (800) 255-4378local (909) 866-2166features primarily custom vans but otherrides too, built to get off the beaten path,including Mercedes Sprinters. There’s also4x4 rigs, accessories and more. No food,beer or music this year but there’s still goingto be over 25 exhibitors and 30 spon-41121 Big Bear Blvd. • Big Bear Lake, CA 92315www.BlackForestLodge.com
Page 1 and 2: Volume 32, No. 3 September 2020www.
Page 3 and 4: Big Bear Today September 2020—Pag
Page 5: Big Bear Today September 2020—Pag
Page 13 and 14: Big Bear TodayGET WETWith Us!SEA DO

Big Bear Today Magazine September 2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?