February 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

Volume 33, No. 8 February 2022

www.bigbeartodaymag.com

Egg-citing

News

with

Bald Eagles!

• Bear Bowl, KROQ, Other Resort Happenings

• USARC Sets Disabled Spirits Free on Slopes

• Mighty Bighorn Sheep on the Move

• Live Music Weekends at Wyatt's, Daily at Brewery

Page 2—February 2022

From the Publisher

Bighorn sheep on

the move, maybe see

them along Hwy. 38

People were stopped on the road or

off it, staring and pointing to get a

good look at rams, though no football

field was nearby.

Instead this was along Hwy. 38 just

above the Forest Falls turnoff in late January,

and all eyes were staring uphill at a

gathering of bighorn sheep, tantalizingly

close by. This wasn’t the first time these

elusive animals ventured so close to the

road to Big Bear from Redlands in recent

times either.

Certainly it was my closest encounter

with the difficult-to-see animals, listed in

California as a sensitive species, that populate

the San Bernardino Mountains, along

with nearby ranges and desert areas. In

over 30 years of living in Big Bear, I had

only seen them a couple times, only near

the summit of 11,502 ft. Mt. San Gorgonio,

as difficult to get to as bighorn sheep are

to spot, and then only from a distance.

Both times a small herd of regal creatures

was looking down upon us hikers

from above, probably a couple hundred

feet away. Even from that distance their

curved horns, which can weigh up to 30

lbs., were easily distinguishable—both

rams and ewes have them, though male

horns are bigger with more curve. Not surprising

that bighorn sheep were up near

the rugged pinnacles, since rocky cliffs and

steeps are their usual domain. Exactly the

terrain we saw them on along Hwy. 38.

On one occasion buddy John had a

much closer encounter. While we scampered

to the summit before it started to rain

he stayed back a mile or so from the top.

When the drops fell, he tucked into a cluster

of boulders to stay dry. Before long several

sheep strolled by on the trail, oblivious

to his presence, just feet away! Too

bad he didn’t have his camera.

It’s not just rugged terrain that keeps

bighorn sheep cloaked. Ranging in color

from light brown to grayish and even dark

brown, they blend in perfectly with natural

backgrounds. If you’re not looking for

them, it’s easy to hike or drive right past

these camouflaged critters.

Through the years some observant

drivers have spotted bighorn sheep off

Hwy. 18 toward Lucerne Valley, usually

at the bottom of the mountain near the

Mitsubishi Cement Corporation. In fact all

three desert mines in the area—Omya and

Specialty Minerals are the others—have

worked with consultants to help manage

the bighorn sheep population.

Once in a while they’ll come across a

kill by a mountain lion in the area, one of

the few predators able to negotiate rocky

terrain to get after them. Two distinct species

of sheep inhabit the mountains, Peninsular

and Nelson’s bighorn sheep, forming

the larger San Gorgonio herd and the

Cushenbury population above Lucerne.

Now it seems to be getting easier to

see these stealthy animals, at least in recent

months. Social media has been filled

with sightings along Hwy. 38, usually near

its junction with Valley of the Falls Drive,

right where we saw them last month. Including

the Mill Creek drainage below

Forest Falls, where posts have reported

many recent sightings.

It’s not uncommon for bighorn sheep

to descend from the San Gorgonio summit

in winter; while especially adapted to rocky

terrain, they’re not as agile in deep snow,

and prefer drier slopes with less than 60

inches of annual snowfall. So as San G

turns white, sheep drop several thousand

feet in elevation and many miles to winter.

Still, why the area near Forest Falls

has become a winter hotbed remains a mystery.

Especially on the heels of a bighorn

sheep die-off in the past couple years which

has seen the San Gorgonio herd trimmed

in half, from an estimated 200 animals to

fewer than 100.

Sheep died from pneumonia, likely

caused by pathogens from domestic sheep

and goats. Their very nature is thought to

have helped disease spread; while shy and

avoiding humans at all costs, bighorn sheep

are quite social among their own kind, nuzzling

each other in close contact and eating

from the same grassy meadows.

Fire may have played a role in bringing

bighorn sheep closer. The 2020 El

Dorado Fire started in Yucaipa and roared

north, lapping well into the San Gorgonio

Wilderness and charring lower elevation

forest that sheep may have previously frequented.

When males fight for dominance it’s

quite the spectacular sight, though you’re

not likely to witness it. Charging at each

other at up to 20 mph, the massive horns

collide as animals rear up on their hind legs

in battles that can last for hours, till one

combatant calls it quits.

But you just might see the amazing

bighorn sheep along Hwy. 38 well below

Angeles Oaks. If you see folks staring skyward,

pull over and have a look. You just

might get lucky!

Have a good one.

Marcus

ON THE COVER: It’s bald eagle season in Big Bear, as mating pair Jackie and Shadow have

produced a two-egg clutch at press time. —Photo courtest Trisha Dale Green

Volume 33, Number 8 February 2022

4

6

7

8

16

Publisher

Marcus G. Dietz

Associate Publisher

Sandra L. Dietz

Publishing Consultant

Bret Colson

Technical Consultant

Charles Dietz

Photography/Distribution

Steve Dietz

John Daskam

Mark Gauger

In This Issue...

Big Bear Today

Egg-citing News from Bald Eagle Nest Cam

Big Bear’s bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow are at it

again, the former laying two eggs in late January that should

hatch sometime this month. The last few years haven’t seen

any eaglets emerge from the eggs but here’s hoping 2022 is

different. Watch it all unfold on the live eagle cam plus there’s

a new wide angle view to see the birds come and go.

USARC Sets Disabled Spirits Free on Slopes

Some can’t see, others can’t walk. But all get to enjoy the

Bear Mountain slopes in winter, thanks to the Adaptive

Recreation Center which for more than three decades has

provided lessons and inspiration for the disabled. The annual

Ski-A-Thon in March is a great way to have fun and support

this worthwhile program at the same time.

Resort Shorts—Happenings at Summit, Bear

KROQ Storms the Mountain again with free live concert on the

deck at Bear, plus make it a “Super” weekend with Bear Bowl

and Big Game Party. From ways to save a buck at the resorts

to ski racing and USASA competition there’s lots happening

this month at the Big Bear resorts.

Live Music weekends at Wyatt’s, Church too

Country dancing Wednesdays with free lessons, live music

Fridays and Saturdays, even Cowboy Church. Plus huge

burgers and street tacos! Must be Wyatt’s at the Convention

Center with Wild West theme fun.

History, Shopping Meet at Village Faire

Climb historic steps once home to the old Navajo Lodge and

its ladies of ill repute and you’ll find the Village Faire, where

16 theme rooms house thousands of unique gifts crafted by

artisans far and wide. From snow you can take home to beef

jerky it’s all right here, in color on The Back Page.

Look carefully and you might see bighorn

sheep along Hwy. 38. Story this page

DEPARTMENTS

2

3

13

14

From the Publisher

Potpourri

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. E-Mail: bigbeartoday@verizon.net. Member, Visit Big

Bear and Big Bear Chamber of Commerce. Internet Address:

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 2022 Big Bear Today

Big Bear Today February 2022—Page 3

POTPOURRI

Valentine’s gifts, lodging stays, ski, golf passes, more!

Gifts galore at virtual

auction for Chamber

Support Big Bear Chamber of Commerce

and score some amazing prizes in

the process during its first Valentine’s Virtual

Auction fundraiser.

Lavish hotel stays, gift items, ski, bike

and golf passes and much more are available

for virtual bidding from February 7-

12. At press time there were over 90 terrific

items to be auctioned off with more

added to the list daily. The auction is the

Chamber’s first major fundraiser in over

two years

due to the

p a n -

demic.

Highlights

include

a

stay at the

luxurious

Langham

Hotel in

Pasadena

valued at

o v e r

$350,

which includes

breakfast

Win this playground set as

part of the Chamber’s

Valentine’s Virtual Auction!

the following morning. Other unique experiences

include a homemade Greek dinner

for eight, margarita and appetizer party

for eight, massage and yoga package from

Energy Healing and more.

Plus there’s many two-night lodging

stays to be bid on for exciting quick getaways.

Plus restaurant gift certificates, coffee

baskets, bakery items, Italian baskets,

and fitness memberships.

In keeping with the Valentine’s Day

theme there’s See’s Candies, a dozen red

roses, satin sheets and items from Victoria’s

Secret. For pet lovers there’s Fido and Miss

Kitty Baskets, along with fun Man Crates,

Business Branding Toolbox, Amazon Echo

and more.

Get ready for next winter by bidding

on a Snow Summit season pass or this summer

with bike park and golf course passes.

Register to bid with no obligation to purchase

by texting BBchamber to 76278 or

online at bbchamber.givesmart.com. Bidd

i n g

opens

Feb. 7 at

10 a.m.

I n

addition

there’s a

cool prize

giveaway.

Win a

Somerset

wooden

playground

set for

y o u r

backyard

complete with swings, trapeze bar, 8 ft.

super speedy slide and more. Observation

window and deck, rock climbing wall step

ladder and lower fort will make it the envy

of every neighborhood! Tickets for the

playground, valued at up to $900, are one

for $5, five for $10, or 10 for $20.

Call (909) 866-4607 for details.

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

• Waverunners • Jet Skis

• Sea Doos! • Kayaks, SUP

• Wakeboard/Water Ski Rides

• Poontoon Boats

and Fishing Boats!

www.HollowaysMarina.com or www.BigBearBoating.com

COZY CHALETS WITH FIREPLACES & GREAT VIEWS...

LOCATED AT SNOW SUMMIT'S BASE AREA...

JUST STEPS TO THE SKI LIFTS!

Also Available

Lakeside RV Park

with

Full Hookups!

Remodeled Bathrooms and Store

www.800BigBear.com

Enough Pause. Fast Forward to fun

with Big Bear Today!

Ride to Village, zoo, restaurants, more, all for free!

Free trolley rides

best way to resorts

Best way to get to the ski resorts this

season is aboard the new Mountain Transit

free trolley service, running daily to

Snow Summit and Bear Mountain along

with other popular destinations.

Forget about finding a place to park

or having to pay to start your ski or

snowboard day. Just hop on the trolley

from locations throughout Big Bear Valley

and leave the driving and negotiating

traffic to Mountain Transit. Catch the trolley

at the supermarkets, Big Bear Village,

in front of lodging properties and elsewhere.

No matter where you’re staying

you’re close to a free ride to the resorts!

Plus you’ll be dropped off right in

front of the ticket windows at Snow Summit

and Bear Mountain, just steps from the

fun. At the end of the day return on the

trolley for free as well.

Not going to the resorts? Popular visitor

destinations like the Village, restaurants,

grocery stores and more are serviced

by the free ride. Go shopping, visit restaurants,

lodges, Big Bear Alpine Zoo and

more as the trolley rolls through each area

every 30 minutes, so the wait is never long.

It’s the environmental and budget-friendly

way to do Big Bear.

The new service is offered 15 hours

each day throughout Big Bear Valley, from

6:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Previously the trolley

ran only on weekends but now the service

is available daily. The trolley runs from

Boulder Bay to Big Bear Airport, first time

the latter has been serviced by public transportation.

For schedules see ad on page 5 or visit

Mountain Transit’s website and check out

maps for the Red, Gold and Blue Lines.

Then just hop on the trolley and ride for

free! Also download the free phone app

which shows where trolleys are in real

time.

The free trolley service is a cooperative

effort among Mountain Transit, the

City of Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Airport,

San Bernardino County (Supervisor Dawn

Rowe), Big Bear Mountain Resorts, and

Visit Big Bear. It’s intended to make it

easier for residents and visitors to get

around Big Bear Valley and reduce traffic

congestion with a fun old-time ride.

Visit MountainTransit.org for details.

Time to Push Play!

Packed with all the ways to get out and just have FUN,

from the lake to the trails.

Social Distance on a bike, take a hike, drop a line,

make time for nine (holes, that is).

Keep your distance, and your sanity, with Big Bear Today!

And when you can't

PICK US UP,

then CLICK US UP

for online adventure!

The Mountain’s Monthly Lifestyle Magazine

www.BigBearTodayMag.com


Online viewers continue to have a

front row seat as the miracles of nature

unfold on their computer

screens.

Last month resident bald eagle mama

Jackie laid two eggs, continuing a January

pattern that’s taken place each of the past

three years. Internet viewers from around

the world see it all unfold online at

FriendsofBigBearValley.org/eagles.

There’s also a new wide view cam that allows

viewers to see the eagles fly into and

out of the nest.

Hopefully the end result will be better

than 2021, when two of the eggs were

consumed by ravens and the third cracked

during a difficult delivery for Jackie. A second

clutch of two eggs arrived a few weeks

later but failed to hatch, though one egg

seemed to come close after a pip was detected.

Things are definitely egg-citing in Big

Bear as February arrives, with eggs perhaps

hatching around Valentine’s Day. The

birds began building their nest last fall and

continued to bond in December, setting the

stage for the 2022 nesting season.

Unlike past years when one of the

eagles was always around the nest to protect

against predators, last year Shadow

went AWOL for a couple days and Jackie

didn’t stick around as much either, straying

from the nest for hours at a time, leaving

the eggs vulnerable to scavengers. It

just seemed neither bird was into the

parenting thing, with increased human activity—despite

closure signs—around the

nest floated as one reason why.

The nest cam brings to light nature in

a way people don’t often get to see. Visit

the website and you’re likely to watch the

eagles arrive with fish from the lake, spend

special time with each other, and even lay

eggs. In previous years the eagles were diligent

with incubating their two eggs, which

seems to be the case in 2022 too.

There are several possible reasons the

eggs never hatched, including cold temperatures—snow

several days before they

Big Bear Today

Bald eagle cam shows Jackie, Shadow trying again

Big Bear’s bald eagle pair is at it again as Jackie laid

two eggs last month, hopefully with better results

The live nest cam captured newly-arrived eagle eggs in late January

were due to hatch may have played a role.

2022 so far has been milder with no snow.

Perhaps they were just infertile eggs or the

embryos died during incubation. It’s possible

the chicks were just unable to break

out of their shells and were trapped inside.

"Sometimes Mother Nature can be

harsh and disappoint us with our human

hopes," the Forest Service said on its

Facebook page, a message that it repeated

in January. "Getting a glimpse into the daily

lives of this beautiful bald eagle pair has

been a real treat. Bald eagles have a very

strong fidelity to their nest sites."

Only one eagle survived from each

pair of eggs the previous two years as well,

winter storms taking their toll. The mortality

rate for bald eagle eggs and eaglets

is 50% though in recent years Big Bear’s

has exceeded that.

That the Valley hosts transitory birds

migrating from colder northern climates including

Montana, Canada and even Alaska

is no surprise; Big Bear is along the Pacific

Migratory Flyway and affords reliable

fishing. The lake rarely freezes entirely

and if it does it traps intellectuallychallenged

coots into frozen water which

then become easy pickings.

Now it seems a population of Big

Bear-born birds is trying to be established,

estimated at around a half-dozen eagles or

so. “We all think Shadow was born in that

nest,” said Trisha Dale Green, local eagle

photographer and moderator of a popular

Facebook page.

According to Friends of Big Bear Valley,

the eagle nest has been in active use

since fall 2013. The eagle cam was installed

two years later and captured its first

eagle nesting season in 2017.

“Big Bear eagles are the most beautiful

birds,” Green said. “Stormy (another

offspring of Jackie) is a beautiful bird. The

more you watch him the more you realize

he’s really special. Same with Shadow.”

The area around the bald eagle nest is

closed by Forest order. Still some ignore

the well-posted closure, potentially spooking

the birds. “Bald eagles are known to

abandon nests, eggs and young when feeling

threatened by human activities,” said

Marc Stamer, district ranger for the

Mountaintop Ranger District.

“We are very excited to see bald eagles

continuing to successfully reside and raise

young in this part of the forest,” Stamer

aid. “But that success is shared by the public

who continue to adhere to an area closure

around the nest.” The area closure included

lower Gray’s Peak Trail and Grout

Bay picnic area among others.

Bald eagle tours have been a thing of

the past for some time and celebrations that

took their place aren’t happening thanks

to the virus. So people who want to spot

bald eagles in the wild are on their own,

doable if you’re willing to work at it. Scan

deadtop trees around the lake with a good

view of the water and you’ll often spot

birds, especially on aptly-named Eagle

Point along the south shore. There’s a wellknown

perch tree in the area that often

harbors bald eagles.

“Start at Grout Bay and use binoculars

to see a nest from the gangway at Captain

John’s Marina,” said Green. “In a boat

go toward the dam and look near Gilner

Point. Or drive to the west ramp and trees

above Stanfield Cutoff.”

The wrong way to see them is by using

a drone. Last year one of the remote

vehicles was spotted buzzing above the

eagle nest. Obviously not a good idea since

bald eagles (and golden eagles also) are

protected by Federal legislation against harassment

that includes not only drone operations

but also trespassing that can include

snow play.

Instead watch the eagles at

FriendsofBigBearValley.org/eagles and

follow Big Bear Lake Bald Eagles group

on Facebook. Chirp Nature Center in the

Village has the stream on as well.

Call Forest Service (909) 382-2790

Big Bear’s beautiful bald eagles as seen from the nest cam, as a few snow

flurries arrive (left) and at the dawn of sunrise (above)


Crafts, guided treks at Discovery Center

Craft projects for the kids, guided nature

walks for the whole family, volunteer

seed collection event and more are on tap

at Big Bear Discovery Center in February.

And maybe, just maybe, guided snowshoe

tours, if Old Man Winter returns to

grace the mountains with white stuff.

All of which adds up to a busy month

at Big Bear’s recreation destination, open

outdoors only due to Covid with activities,

information and more. There’s Nature Discovery

Trail to explore and things to see,

like a replica bald eagle nest. Weekends

see naturalist guided walks, information

booths with Adventure Passes and permits,

and activities for kids.

Pinecone Birdfeeders for instance are

popular programs held Sundays, Feb. 6, 13,

20 and 27 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Create your

own feeder to take home and watch the

birds flock to your backyard! Free and fun

for all ages. Story Time on Feb. 5 and 19

at 11 a.m. is fun for younger children who

enjoy nature-related stories read to them

outdoors for 30 minutes, free.

Guided Nature Walks are another

fun family activity, held Saturdays at 1 and

2 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. Stroll along

Nature Discovery Trail with naturalists

who describe in detail the flora and fauna

visitors see along the way. These 30-minute

adventures are non-strenuous and fun for

the whole family.

Nature Discovery Trail is open

weekdays, albeit with no naturalist guide,

an easy half-mile loop the whole family

enjoys. Fairly level with minimal elevation

gain, the trail winds through the forest with

several signposts noting mountain flora

like pinyon pine, service berry, Indian

paintbrush, Kennedy’s buckwheat and

more. There’s benches to take a break and

views that include the ski resorts and San

Gorgonio Wilderness in the distance, even

peek-a-boo vistas of Big Bear Lake.

Children experience the forest firsthand

in an outdoor “classroom” just for

them at Discovery Center. Ages 2-7 delight

in the Nature Discovery Zone—first one

in the National Forest system—which

combines education and unstructured play

areas just for youngsters, and now there’s

new areas to explore.

Nine interactive areas encourage outdoor

exploration and even children older

than the recommended age group enjoy the

activities. The zone lets kids climb and

crawl, build and dig, gather and enjoy art,

plus there’s Pollinator Pathway, Messy

Materials and Music and Movement.

Volunteer Restoration Days continue

as well including local seed collection

efforts on Feb. 12 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Get outdoors more in 2022 and help public

lands at the same time! Advance registration

is required as groups are limited;

lunderwood@mountainsfoundation.org.

Guided Snowshoe EcoTours are tap

Saturdays if Mother Nature cooperates.

Meet at the corner of Pennsylvania and

Knickerbocker in Big Bear Village for

popular treks that explore nearby Towne

Trail in search of signs of winter wildlife.

Participants enjoy a taste of winter recreation

as they venture into the woods during

these guided two-hour treks.

Participants learn proper snowshoeing

techniques and safety skills before heading

out with an experienced naturalist.

Equipment is provided including trekking

poles and Mountain Safety Research

(MSR) Denali snowshoes.

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. History of Big

Bear Valley and the San Bernardino National

Forest is presented and their unique

ecosystems. Outings can be up to three

miles though distance can be adjusted for

each tour, with two hours of snowshoeing.

Cost is $30, $20 ages 8-12, and in-

Continued on page 12

See a lifesize replica of a bald eagle nest at Big Bear Discovery Center


USARC sets disabled spirits free

Some can’t see, others can’t stand or

walk. But all experience the exhilaration

of sliding downhill on snow

thanks to the United States Adaptive Recreation

Center at Bear Mountain.

Skiing means freedom for all of us but

for the disabled it’s the ultimate release.

An escape from the confines of a wheelchair,

the chance to experience mountain

recreation for the bedridden, and for over

30 years USARC at Bear Mountain has

been setting spirits free to soar on the

slopes.

Clients may not be able to see the trees

whiz by as they slide or carve turns down

the mountain but they feel the winter air

blow by. People who are paralyzed or have

no arms and legs still ski thanks to specialized

equipment and the efforts of volunteers,

hundreds of whom have donated

Est. 1947 by Andy Devine

as the Sportsmans Tavern

Open Nightly 4:30 p.m.

Lunch Weekends

11:30 am-3 pm

"Still haunted by our Ghost George"

Fine Dining in a Rustic Stone & Log Retreatt

Fine Steaks • Seafood • Prime Rib • Lobster

Enjoy Great Food

Welcome Back!

in a Historic Setting

Outdoor Dining

on Our New Patio!

Valentine's Day Reservations

Strongly Suggested

Molekule Air Purifiers

for Safety of Customers & Staff

www.CaptainsAnchorage.com

Rare Photos, Memorabilia,

and More!

Advance Reservations

Highly Recommended

time since the program began in 1988.

The pilot program was a ski club activity

with just eight days of lessons for 10

participants. In recent years USARC

reached highs of over 2,000 lessons taught

with 1,267 last season, which screeched

to a halt in mid-March along with the rest

of the world thanks to the virus.

The pandemic saw the number of lessons

trimmed by about 50%, according to

program executive director Sara Rosell,

with about five or six each day and no

group lessons. Things are obviously different—masks

are required and distancing

is a priority—but otherwise USARC continues

to make a difference.

”We lost some volunteers who didn’t

want to teach because of Covid but over

all we’re doing pretty good,” Rosell said.

USARC has

come a long way,

empowering hundreds

of lives in

the process. Like

an eight-year-old

boy, a neardrowning

victim

who could only

move his eyes left

or right to communicate.

But he

could ski, thanks

to a sit-ski that’s

kind of like a sled

a volunteer negotiates

from behind.

In another case meningitis left one client

with no arms or legs, just stubs. So

USARC staff mounted one pound coffee

cans onto the remaining limbs and was able

to take the client snowboarding. Whether

its cerebral palsy or Down’s Syndrome,

autism or paralysis, if there’s a will there’s

a way to get the disabled out onto the snow.

Fat skis have revolutionized the sport

for us all and the disabled are no different.

Besides affording wider platforms, skis are

kept together with tip connectors instead

of the bulky braces of yesteryear. Sit skis

that began as modified sleds with the client

wielding ice pick-like poles are now

sleek bi-skis with two planks underneath

that can carve turns.

“Probably the best new piece of equipment

are snow sliders,” said USARC’s

Sara Rosell. “It’s like a walker on skis that

came out several years ago. The skier has

skis on too and we follow behind holding

a tether. It’s something we use for skiers

with severe autism, spina bifida, strokes,

traumatic brain injury. Basically anyone

who uses a walker in their (daily) life.”

Monoskis on the other hand are used

by those who can’t use their legs but have

Cut lift lines while raising money for

a good cause when the annual Ski-A-

Thon benefitting the Adaptive Ski School

returns to Bear Mountain on March 12.

This is a fundraiser with an emphasis

on fun as skiers and snowboarders cut

lift lines all day, a priceless privilege indeed

when conditions are right. There’s

opportunity drawings for prizes all day

and it’s all about helping get the disabled

out onto the slopes. More than one Ski-

A-Thon has fallen on powder days

through the years too.

Truly everyone wins during this

popular event. Getting in on the fun is

easy—all registration in 2022 is online

with participants needing to raise a minimum

$200 for individuals or $600 for

teams of four. Get friends, families or

coworkers to sponsor you or just write a

Big Bear Today

Volunteers using adaptive

techniques and equipment like

mono skis and outriggers bring

winter to people with

disabilities at USARC

sufficient upper body strength. “It’s a completely

independent ski,” Rosell said. “It

usually takes a day or so to get used to it.

The goal is to be an independent skier, just

with equipment and not the use of legs.”

Visually impaired lessons are also

given. “Some can see shapes or shadows,

others are fully blind,” Rosell said. “I’ll

ski backwards while they come at me and

I give verbal commands—turn left, right,

slow down, we’re coming into the lift area.

It’s a very long talking day.”

Volunteers who can’t ski switch follow

blind skiers, who are sometimes on a

tether. “One girl followed the instructor just

by the sound of her turns, she didn’t want

verbal instructions,” Rosell said. “Chances

are (the blind) end up awesome skiers because

there’s nothing physically wrong

with them, except they can’t see.”

There’s also an expanded summer recreation

program on Big Bear Lake, as clients

kayak, stand up paddleboard, water

and jet ski or fish. It was a virus casualty

in 2020 but returned last year. Along with

an exciting downhill off-road wheelchair

program serving up backcountry terrain

and gravity-fueled thrills previously re-

Continued on page 8

Cut lift lines, raise money at Ski-A-Thon

tax-deductible check for a great, inspiring

day on the mountain that includes

lunch, swag bag and more.

Participants get their own personal

fundraising website where donors can pay

with credit cards, E-checks and Pay-Pal.

Those who solicit larger amounts are in

line win prizes like Bear Mountain and

Mammoth lift tickets, lodging and more.

The donation includes all-day lift

ticket plus those precious line cutting

privileges, lunch voucher, cotton event T-

shirt and famous “Survival Kit” swag bag

filled with all kinds of goodies. Also

there’s an opportunity drawing for a 2022-

23 Snow Summit and Bear Mountain anytime

season pass. No deck party after

thanks to the virus but the day still should

be a blast. Visit www.USARC.org or call

(909) 584-0269.


A

RESORT SHORTS

A

What's Happening at Snow Summit & Bear Mountain

KROQ Storms Mountain How to save a buck or 2

with free deck concert at Big Bear resorts

Everyone loves to save money and the

Big Bear area resorts have a few discounts

out there for the 2021-22 winter season.

* Reload! Keep that lift pass you’ve

purchased and save on future visits. New

RFID technology at Snow Summit and

Bear Mountain saves money as well as

time, up to $41 on future dates, by reloading

your pass instead of replacing. And as

always, purchase skiing and riding in advance

to save serious money.

*Celebrate your birthday on the slopes

and Big Bear resorts will give you a free

lift ticket for a gift! Must be on your actual

birthday; present valid ID on your special

day and ski or ride both resorts for free.

* And if you’ve made it to 80 years

old, congratulations! Every day is now free

since you’ve lived long ernough to qualify

for the resorts’ senior discount. Ages 4 and

under get free tickets too.

*Snow Summit and Bear Mountain

Ski racing, USASA events

honor active duty military members and

on tap at Summit, Bear 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. Or purchase in advance

from MWR/ITT offices; for a list of

participating bases call (909) 866-5766 ext.

126. There’s also Uniform Days when

badge-carrying military and emergency

personnel ski or ride for $59 (see below).

* Reserve Saturday rental equipment

in advance and get a free Friday night lift

ticket at Snow Summit. Pick up Saturday’s

gear after 5 p.m. Friday and carve that night

for free.

* Season passes always save money

if you ski or ride more than a few days.

While Snow Summit and Bear Mountain

passes are not currently available, look for

them to go on sale in March along with

Ikon and Ikon Base Passes valid at some

47 destinations around the globe. Including

Big Bear, plus Mammoth and June

Mountains, Utah areas like Deer Valley and

Solitude, Canada’s Big 3 of Lake Louise,

Sunshine Village and Norquay, and more.

Discount Tickets for

KROQ returns to Bear for its annual

“Storm the Mountain” on Saturday, February

26 with free performance on the

13,000 sq. ft. sun deck by a still-to-be-determined

big name band.

The radio station’s popular event at the

resort, hosted by Nicole Alvarez, features

tunes from KROQ’s Jeremiah Red in between

sets on the stage. There’s swag on

the deck and who knows, maybe powder

on the mountain.

It’s always a big time party on the

slopes with the list of past performers including

Badflower two years ago, last time

the event was held. The Offspring, Dirty

Heads, K Flay and Andrew and the Wilderness

are among the other performers

who have stormed the mountain in previous

years.

Storm the Mountain is from 11 a.m.-2

p.m. and admission is free for all ages.

See exciting ski racing close up—including

Snow Summit’s powerhouse youth

race team—plus snowboard and freeski

action during February events at Snow

Summit and Bear Mountain.

Snow Summit has long fielded a powerhouse

ski race team, one that annually

competes with success against teams from

much larger resorts. Now the resort has

freestyle and snowboard teams too, reflecting

its place as the Southland’s leading ski

area.

See potential stars of the future on Feb.

26-27 at Snow Summit as the resort hosts

Far West Ski Association South Series

event. Ski racers ages 8 to 14 will compete

on Ego Trip in exciting head-to-head

dual slalom competition. Racing is fast and

furious with competitors from the Big Bear

resorts and other Southern California areas

in action along with racers from Lake

Tahoe and Mammoth.

United States Amateur Snowboard

Association (USASA) events also continue

at Bear Mountain with Slopestyle #1 and

#2 set for Feb. 13. Boardercross and

skiercross #1 and #2 follows two weeks

later on Feb. 27. Register from 8-9 a..m.

Events are open to all boarders and

freeskiers—there’s different age and skill

classifications to choose from—and there

are several reasons for every rider to get

involved. First, the $125 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.

There are over 500 events held at some

120 resorts in the country, making USASA

the largest snowboard and freeski event in

the world. The USASA National Championships

are held at Copper Mountain in

Colorado over 12 days with over 1,800 athletes

participating. Visit www.usasa.org.

Heroes on Uniform Days

Snow Summit and Bear Mountain

continue to show gratitude to all military,

emergency and medical personnel by offering

discount lift tickets during popular

Uniform Day promotions.

Police, fire, EMT and active military

need only flash their badges or proper ID

at Snow Summit or Bear Mountain windows

to purchase an all-day lift ticket for

$59 plus 2% TBID charge during Uniform

Days with remaining dates this season set

for February 2-3 and March 2-3.

Remember these are two-mountain

passes for the discounted price of one and

there’s a free shuttle running between the

resorts every half hour.

bigbeartodaymag.com

Standard

Motel Rooms

$85

with Fireplace

& Queen Bed

Non-Holiday / Midweek

Weekends Slightly Higher

Subject to change without notice.

CLOSE TO VILLAGE,

LAKE, DINNING

CLOSE to SLOPES!

Deluxe

Spa Rooms

$145

with Cozy

Fireplace

(800) 255-4378

local (909) 866-2166

41121 Big Bear Blvd. • Big Bear Lake, CA

www.BlackForestLodge.com

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All Available On-line: www.BigBearTodayMag.com


1/2 lb. burgers, live bands at Wyatt’s

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

L○ ive bands weekends, country dancing

Wednesdays, Cowboy Church

Saturdays. Plus great western grub

and spirits!

From Valentine’s weekend dinner special

served February 11-12 to next month’s

“Wearing of the Green” pre-St. Patrick’s

Day party, Wyatt’s Grill & Saloon has a

slew of happenings. Open Wednesdays,

Fridays and Saturdays during winter, Big

Bear’s largest restaurant has plenty of elbow

room for guests even during busy periods

so there’s never a wait and always

something happening. Family-friendly too.

At Wyatt’s the decor is pure Wild

West, a virtual frontier town with intricately-designed

facades depicting church,

Marshal’s office, hotel, and more. Wyatt’s

saloon fits right in as a place to whet the

whistle and fill the belly with wide selection

of beers on tap, assorted wines and

full cocktails.

The menu is all western too, with halfpound

burgers, flat bread pizzas, street

tacos and specialty sandwiches like

chicken club and cowboy cheesesteak

(available with bird too). Doc’s double

barrel burger features two of these enormous

hand-formed patties and stacks several

inches high!

Tri-tip is legendary, dry rubbed the day

before with special blend of herbs and

spices, then slow smoked for hours over

mesquite, marinated at least hourly to ensure

it’s moist. Served on sliders or as a

full meal.

The entertainment schedule sees

Wyatt’s Wednesdays with DJ Evan and free

country dance lessons with Bayley. Live

bands play Fridays and Saturdays with

both local favorites and top groups from

down the mountain.

Popular Terry McRaven Band opens

the month on Feb. 4 and returns two weeks

later on Feb. 19. Known for original Christian

tunes along with classic rock, country

and blues covers, the band has played local

venues including The Cave and is a favorite

on the outdoor stage during Big Bear

Oktoberfest.

American River Band takes the

Wyatt’s stage Feb. 5. At one time the group

was known as Born Country and was an

Alabama tribute band, but now has broadened

out to take advantage of terrific fourpart

harmonies.

Classic and Southern rock, classic

country and rock and more are all performed

with no electronic drums or backing

tapes, so every note is the real deal.

And yes, Alabama tunes still dot the

playlist.

Street Music Band is a highlight on

Feb. 11. The group features members of

favorite Big Bear bands like the Catz in

the Hats and Skeleton Key, with four lead

singers. The original song “I Want to Live

Like Jimmy Buffet” became a chart-topping

hit and CD release Bartlett Street received

plenty of airplay and has a cool

cover design, playing off Abby Road.

At Wyatt’s Street Music leans toward

Live bands each Friday and Saturday

at Wyatt’s include Southern Spirit on

Feb. 25-26; wrap your head—and

mouth—around Doc’s double barrel

burger

country but often reverts to rock and roll

classics. Cumberland Gap plays next night

on Feb. 12 with Thunder Country taking

the stage on Feb. 18.

High Desert favorite Southern Spirit

return to Wyatt’s with power country Feb.

25-26. Regulars at Buckeye Jack’s in Apple

Valley, Southern Spirit has played everywhere

from the old Crazy Horse in Orange

County to the late Cocky Bull in Victorville

during 25-plus years of music. Opening for

the likes of Martina McBride, Brooks and

Dunn and Toby Keith, among others.

Cowboy Church under the pine trees

is held at Wyatt’s each Saturday at 1 p.m.

Enjoy an inspiring nondenominational service

with message by Pastor Eric.

Plan for next month’s pre-St. Patrick’s

Day party at Wyatt’s on March 12. Kris

Colt and the Black Rose Band returns with

a unique blend of Celtic folk and rock. Favorites

at major Irish, Highland Games and

Renaissance festivals, the band’s music is

a blend of crafted originals with well

known traditional folk songs, bridging the

gap between Irish, Scottish, Americana,

and border ballads from the British Isles.

Colt and her band have opened for national

acts like The Young Dubliners and

Continued from page 6

served only for mountain bikers.

USARC operates on just a half-million

dollar annual budget, mostly grants

and donations, a pittance compared to what

is accomplished. In the current economic

environment, who knows what the status

of grants will be moving forward. Bear

Mountain has sponsored the program from

the beginning, offering free rent in a small

building on the slopes, paying for electricity,

and donating lift tickets. “It’s our most

valuable partnership,” Rosell said.

Two major fundraisers each year also

help out. The March 12 Ski-A-Thon (story

page 6) is a great tax-deductible day on

the slopes as participants cut lift lines and

enjoy a fun day on the slopes. In October

there’s the Peak to Peak bike ride to Mammoth

and despite the virus the event has

gone off as scheduled the past two years,

smaller than before but still impactful.

The program works. Just ask Bryan

Dilbeck, who has cerebral palsy and grew

up with USARC. For years the top Ski-A-

Thon fundraiser, he is a successful inves-

Big Bear Today

Flogging Molly. Their CD The Voyage a

Mystical Journey charted in the upper

ranks on national radio.

Corned beef and cabbage, wishing

well, cabbage bowling are other highlights.

For youngsters there’s leprechaun arts and

crafts and Lucky Charms eating contest.

Doors open at 5 with fun till 11.

Wyatt’s at the Convention Center is on

the boulevard at Division 1-1/2 miles east

of the supermarkets. Call (909) 585-3000.

USARC sets disabled spirits free...

tor and actor. Then there’s Allison Gray

who also has cerebral palsy and began skiing

with USARC as a young child. She’s

since appeared in a host of television shows

and does standup comedy.

Another day on the slopes for Wendy

Clouser, Tom Delgado and Rodney

Hseuh


Glow Bowling, Laser Maze at Barn

Hot fun, cool sports bar with big

screen TVs at the Bowling Barn, with good

times on the lanes plus Laser Maze, great

food and drink, video games and more.

Sixteen sanitized lanes separated by

plastic welding screens ensure bowlers social

distance safely while having a great

time. “The screens give the feeling that you

are in your own little space down there,”

said Bowling Barn’s Bill Ross. “There’s

only a handful of alleys in the country using

them and I’ve personally only seen one

other with them.”

When the house lights go down and

black lights kick up for Glow Bowling, the

experience gets surreal as the screen barriers

are something else to reflect light off.

Even neon bowling balls, sanitized of

Laser Maze is like limbo with lights for one or two players

course, illuminate with fluorescent color

under the black lights in dazzling orange,

blue, green and red hues.

The Bowling Barn has high-powered

speakers and amps to kick up the sound

system a few decibels and really get the

party going. There’s laser lights, dancing

and spinning on the lanes and above the

pins, while center screen drops down to

play music videos, flanked by two more

screens on each side.

State-of-the-art scorekeeping on video

screens above each lane tallies not just pin

total, spares and strikes but also running

player handicaps and even the speed of

their rolls. Easy to see why Glow Bowling

is so popular, held after 2 p.m. on Friday,

Saturday and Sunday after noon, and after

8 p.m. weeknights.

For more

social distance

fun head to the

Laser Maze for

challenge

that’s straight

out of an action

movie. Enter

the Arena and

try to break

into the vault

on the other

side of the

room by avoiding

countless

crisscrossing

Screens separate guests at the Bowling Barn, which lights up for Glow Bowling

beams of light, accented by fog to make

them stand out. Crawl, jump, slide, roll,

whatever it takes to cross the obstacle

course of light. Hurry...the clock is ticking!

Break a beam and the penalty isn’t

death like in the movies, just time added

to your score. Once across hold your hand

on the master key, money and red hand

scanner to complete the mission. Takes true

Ninja skills and while the game is easy to

learn, it’s impossible to master with four

different skill levels to choose from.

Beam Buster in contrast sees players

trying to bust each laser beam before time

runs out. Both games are fun for the whole

family with top scores posted outside the

arena. Even record your experience on

video for just a buck.! Each game is $3 for

single player or $6 for two.

Alley Oops Sports Bar is open with

great prices and full cocktail service including

specialty drinks, microbrews and domestics

on tap. Bowling Barn has terrific

grab and go food too like barbecue chicken

pizza, burgers, street tacos, chicken wraps,

flaming hot onion rings, carne asada fries

and much more.

There’s a myriad of video and action

games at Bowling Barn, like Hoop Fever,

pool tables, air hockey and many more. Including

old favorites like Alpine Skier and

Dance Revolution and today’s latest machines,

like super popular Jurassic Park.

Bowling Barn is at 40625 Big Bear

Blvd. (enter on Bonanza). Call 878-BOWL.


Civil War to Ives, Brad plays 9,000 songs

Big Bear Today

Rare indeed is the listener who can

stump Brad Riesau from Silver Moon with

a song request. That’s because he estimates

that he’s played over 9,000 tunes since

coming to Big Bear in 2006!

But even he was a little surprised when

a group from out of town came up to request

Burl Ives. From the depths of Brad’s

playlist came “Wayfaring Stranger” and

“Mr. Froggie Went A-Courtin.”

“Nailed it,” he said with a chuckle.

Rock, blues, country, standards,

reggae, even songs from the Civil War are

part of his playlist, gleaned from working

and playing in the music industry for decades

in a variety of capacities. With long-

Animal Sanctuary tours

Learn the stories of rescued critters

during one-hour tours of Grateful Heart

Animal Sanctuary in Big Bear City.

Horses, burros, chickens, ducks, roosters,

bunnies, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, even

a steer have found forever homes at the

nonprofit, volunteer-run facility. Enjoy upclose

personal interactions with goats and

pigs while touring the property and learning

the stories of how they ended up at

Grateful Heart Animal Sanctuary, a 100%

volunteer run facility.

Many of the farm animals have been

abused, abandoned, neglected, have special

needs or are otherwise at risk. Tours

are a fun and educational experience where

questions are always welcomed.

Tours are set for February 5 and 26

along with March 5, 12 and 26. Admission

is $10, $5 under 18, with proceeds

going to feed and care for the animals including

veterinary care, supplies and

equipment.

Tours take place regardless of weather

so dress appropriately. Ticket sales end two

days prior to each tour so book in advance

by calling (909) 979-9333, or visit

BigBear.com

time Big Bear bass player Hank Kalvin the

duo forms popular Silver Moon. Regularly

sitting in with Brad the last few years has

been Emmy nominated engineer Rusty

Smith and 8-string picker Randy Boswell.

Brad plays his wide variety of music

at Stillwells restaurant every Saturday from

6-9 p.m. He’s also at Big Bear Mountain

Brewery on Red Ant Hill across from Alpine

Slide from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 4 and 18 plus

5-8 p.m. on Feb. 8, 10, 13 and 24, so there’s

lots of opportunities to hear Brad this

month and see if you can stump him.

“People love to request their favorite

tunes and I love to play all kinds of music

and have a decent memory for melodies

and lyrics,” Riesau said. “Having an iPad

full of so many great songs, I can usually

get close to something they request.” Some

nights see him play 60-80% requests.

Fullfilled courtesy of Brad’s guitar,

harmonica and musical memory that’s

catalouged so many songs he’s come

across through the years. He’s worked in

concert and music promotion for people

like Willie Nelson, with whom he spent

four years, along with Derek Trucks,

Herbie Hancock, Bruce Hornsby, members

of the Rolling Stones, Dave Brubeck and

many others. He also owned a Delaware

music store in the 1980’s and 90’s.

Brad has written over 400 originals

and released 15 of his own group and solo

projects and produced, arranged, co-wrote

and/or coordinated albums/sessions for a

variety of artists. Plus recorded as sideman

on sessions for still more artists. Before Big

Bear he founded popular Delaware bands

Porch Chops and Love Minus Zero, and

Goldrush in San Diego.

Click Us Up!

bigbeartodaymag.com

Man of 9,000 songs Brd Riesau, at Stillwells and Big Bear Mountain Brewery

Song notes course through Brad’s

veins and he’ll do anything the music businesses

offers. As a journalist he’s written

nationally for Jazziz, Relix, Dupree’s Diamond

News magazines and local for Big

Bear Today. For two years he served as

`Super’ weekend with Bear Bowl, party

Get psyched for a “Super” weekend

of football when Bear Mountain again

hosts its annual Bear Bowl VI on February

12, followed the next day by the resort’s

killer Big Game Party.

Awesome prizes are on the line for

teams of four that compete from 11 a.m.-1

p.m. in fun activities during Bear Bowl.

Events include a relay race, field goal kicking

and tire toss contest. Team that scores

the most overall points wins. The competition

is free to enter and open to the first

12 teams to sign up that morning so get

your bros together and try to capture the

coveted Bear Bowl trophy.

There’s serious prizes too, like four

free 2022-23 Bear+Summit Anytime season

passes, $1,000 in cash ($250 per person

for team of four), and VIP treatment at

next day’s Super Sunday Viewing Party on

musical director for Bear Valley Center for

Spiritual Enrichment.

Call Stillwells (909) 866-3121 or

Brewery (909) 878-0616

Feb. 13 in Methods Sports Bar.

Registration is from 9-10:30 a.m. followed

by players meeting and moment of

silence for the late, great NFL coach and

announcer John Madden.

All team members must have valid

season pass or lift ticket to compete.

There’s also music on the newly-expanded

deck and other giveaways making for a

great Bear bash.

Don’t miss the next day’s super party

at Methods when the Los Angeles Rams

and Cincinnati Bengals go at it to determine

pro football’s champion. There’s

drink and food specials plus giveaways and

action on big screen TVs with kickoff at

3:30 p.m. Don your favorite team’s jersey

and watch the big game after a few morning

laps on the mountain!

18


Long tubing runs, ropes course at BBSP

Winter was slow in arriving but when

it did show up, it came in a blizzard, both

natural and manmade.

Significant December snow storms

followed by great snowmaking conditions

in January have allowed Big Bear Snow

Play to build a deep snowpack that’s measured

in feet. Ski area-quality fan snow

guns have done the lion’s share of the

work, taking full advantage of cold, dry

weather to pile up product, ensuring there’s

inner tubing through Easter and beyond.

All of which is making for an exciting

2022 at Big Bear Snow Play, where

there’s new expanded base lodge featuring

snack bar with 3,000 sq. ft. of seating.

Serving goodies like burgers and pizza, the

indoor space is just part of an enlarged,

renovated base lodge that more than

doubled in size and sports two stories featuring

a 6,700 sq. ft. observation deck,

serving up great views of snow play action.

The wraparound deck is amazing with

radiant heat that helps melt snow and ice,

spanning the entire building.

At one time the Rebel Ridge ski area,

longtime family favorite Big Bear Snow

Play sports by far the longest inner tubing

runs in the region. By making snow at every

opportunity, Big Bear Snow Play offers

tubing whether storms arrive or not,

with daily sessions from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

So much product enables Big Bear

Snow Play to create signature snow features

in addition to traditional downhill

sliding, features like whoop-di-doos,

bumps and berms. Nightly grooming

means tubers enjoy perfect surface conditions

each morning with corduroy snow.

Getting to the top of all the snow

would be a real chore if not for two Magic

Carpet uphill lifts. Just step on and step

off! No uphill climb to tucker parents and

kids out so they save energy for downhill

fun and get all the runs they can handle.

For a special treat try after dark Glow

Tubing sessions at Big Bear Snow Play, 5-

9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holiday periods

including February 20. The slopes already

looked like a Christmas tree for night

tubing when 11 RGB strobes that change

sequences from color to color and 1,500

LED lights were installed and then even

more lighting was put in. Now the runs are

a virtual kaleidoscope of colors with all the

shades of the rainbow reflecting off snow.

Enhancing the experience even more

are colored inner tubes instead of traditional

black tires. Red, white and blue camo

tubes—the area went to colorful inner

tubes instead of the traditional black tirelook

several years ago—really light up after

dark, especially when the black light

comes around. Even the Magic Carpet lift,

enclosed for guest comfort, is lit up.

All inner tubing sessions at Big Bear

Snow Play are $40, children $25, which

includes tube rental and Magic Carpet.

The 6,400 sq. ft. Big Bear Ropes

Course adjacent to the lodge is open yearround,

weather permitting with 37 challenging

elements including suspension

bridges, ropes, spinning log, curved bars

and more. The state-of-the-art ropes

course, only one in Big Bear, is two stories

high with an engaging mix of obstacles

and challenges that bring out your inner

Ninja warrior. Unlike Ninjas, guests are

wearing five-point, full-body safety harnesses

that are tethered into the structure,

so there’s zero chance of falling as they

navigate obstacles like spinning log or a

variety of rope challenges.

There’s curved bars that adventurers

must wind their way around and swinging

steps. Along with a variety of suspension

bridges, some with wide-open gaps and

others dangling ropes to grasp onto. Even

an 80-foot descent on the Sky Rail zipline

with automatic braking. Sessions are $12.

All users must be at least 42” tall and

under 48” must be accompanied by an

adult. Maximum weight 300 lbs.

Big Bear Snow Play/ Ropes Course is

at 42825 Big Bear Blvd. (909) 585-0075.

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

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

Full Hot & Cold Deli

Groceries • Firewood & Propane • Spirits • Lotto

Try Our Famous

Rotisserie Chicken

& Kabobs!

We cut the highest

Quality Meats

Daily

Award

Winners:

1st

Liquor

2nd

Groceries

2017

Chamber of

Commerce

Excellence

in Business!

Fully-Cooked Delicious Heat & Serve Meals Like Tri-Tip,

Smoked Pork Loin, Enchiladas & More! • Fresh Produce Too!

(909) 585-2641 • Open 7 Days

Community Market

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

1 mile east of The Convention Center


New coaster, old favorites at Slide

New coaster that’s the only one of its

kind in California. Longtime favorite Alpine

Slide and high-flying Soaring Eagle.

Plus family-favorite snow play area.

There’s a plethora of ways to play at

Alpine Slide, which in the past couple

years has introduced one-of-a-kind rides

to go along with longtime favorites. The

hard part is choosing which to explore first!

Mineshaft Coaster is the attraction

everyone is talking about after opening in

2020. No wonder: riders on carts they control

encounter three complete 360° corkscrew

turns, steep descents, two 100-foot

tunnels, dips and drops galore, all during a

mile-long gravity-fueled adventure that can

Discovery Center...

Continued from page 5

cludes snowshoe and pole rental, snack and

water. Wear warm clothing layers and waterproof

boots or shoes. Visit

MountainsFoundation.org for required advance

reservations.

Discovery Center is also a great place

to catch Cougar Crest Trail; park there

and no Adventure Pass is required unlike

at the nearby trailhead. The short half-mile

connector path is a nice forest walk more

enjoyable than the beginning of Cougar

Crest anyway. Just be sure to return to your

car before gates close at 5 p.m.

Discovery Center is open Thursday-

Monday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Call (909) 382-2790 or visit

MountainsFoundaton.org.

Bear Valley Center for

Spiritual Enrichment

579 Knickerbocker Rd., Big Bear Lake

(Bridges Presbyterian Fellowship)

Sundays 11:45 a.m.

(909) 866-8081

Bear Valley Church

Big Bear

41960 Big Bear Blvd.,Big Bear Lake

Sundays 10 a.m.

(909) 866-3951

www.BVCBigbear.org\

Believers Chapel

42180 Moonridge Rd., Big Bear Lake

Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 6 p.m.

(909) 866-2552

Foursquare Church

at Big Bear Airport

501 Valley Blvd., Big Bear City

Saturday Worship 6:30 p.m.

Sundays 10 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

(909) 856-6259

www.bigbearfoursquare.com

Bridges Presbyterian

Fellowship

579 Knickerbocker Rd.

reach speeds of up to 27 mph at multiple

points during the ride.

Two up tracks on a motorized

bullwheel pulley system provide the uphill

lift, including a long one out of a cool new

start house built at the bottom. The real fun

is on two downhill tracks, as carts cross

three 200-foot bridges, shoot through S-

turns and catch a few whoop-di-doos. It’s

a roughly nine minute ride, faster drivers

can get closer to seven minutes..

Guests are secured by multipoint

safety belts at the start house. Rider in back

controls the cart’s braking mechanism and

is required to keep at least 80 feet from the

sled in front. But Mineshaft Coaster

features “Smart Cart” technology with a

computer controlled, fail-safe magnetic

braking system that gently applies brakes

if a cart approaches too close to another.

Each cart features specially designed,

lockable seat belts and shoulder restraints

to assure rider comfort at all times. Plus

carts have energy absorbing front and rear

buffers. Mineshaft Coaster tickets are $20

per person, children $10. The ride is open

seven days a week, all year long.

Inner Tubing is another family

favorte at Alpine Slde. The area’s ski resort

quality Lenko snowguns blanket the slopes

with tons of beautiful snow to ensure great

conditions even when it hasn’t snowed in

weeks. There’s an enclosed 210-foot long

Magic Carpet uphill lift to take guests and

their tubes to the top of all the snow—just

step on and step off!

Church Directory

Big Bear Lake

Sundays 10 a.m.

(909) 866-5683

www.bigbearpresbyterian.org

Calvary Chapel Big Bear

1001 Holden Ave. Big Bear City

Sundays 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.


(909) 866-9328

Christian Faith Center

39853 Crocus Dr. Big Bear Lake

Sundays 10 a.m., also on

Facebook Live

(909) 273-9234

www.cfcbigbear.com

Church of Christ

41035 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake

Sunday Worship 10 a.m.


(909) 866-2828

Community Church

Big Bear

40946 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake

Sunday Worship 8:45, 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Dinner/Study 6 p.m.

(909) 866-7523

First Church of Christ

Scientist

550 Squirrel Ln., Big Bear Lake

Sunday Services/School 10 a.m.

www.cschurchbigbearlake.org

Seventh Day

Adventist Church

349 E. North Shore Dr.,

Big Bear City

Saturday Worship 11 a.m.,

lunch follows

(909) 585-2275

www.BigBearSeventhDayAdventisChurch.org

Sheperd in the Pines

Lutheran Church

42450 North Shore. Dr., Big Bear

Lake


(909) 547-0934

www.SITPBigbear.org

Spirit of Peace

Lutheran Church

42324 North Shore Dr.

Big Bear City

(St. Columbas Episcopal Church)

Sunday Service 10 a.m.

(909) 866-7239

Big Bear Today

A mile of drops, dips and turns await riders on Mineshaft Coaster

Tubing under the stars was introduced

at Alpine Slide years ago and has become

wildly popular. Guests love sliding on

snow that gets another fresh groom after

the day session. There’s new glow lighting

and the snow gets faster and faster as

the evening progresses.

Tubing is daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

with night sessions Fridays, Saturdays and

holidays 5-9 p.m., including February 20.

Sessions are $40, $25 small child, and include

tube rental.

Soaring Eagle is a zipline-like experience

with a couple notable differences.

Riders sit instead of lie down and ride up

to the top tower backwards. Plus guests

don’t have to apply any brake or use any

skill set, since it’s an amusement park ride

rather than zipline, so they’re just along

for the ride. Between the two towers riders

soar 500 feet—close to two football

fields!—and reach speeds up to 26 mph,

with a vertical drop of about 125 feet.

It’s the first ride of its kind in California

with the nearest other one atop the Rio

Hotel in Las Vegas. Soaring Eagle costs

$12 per rider.

Unleash your inner Olympian while

navigating sleds you control down two

quarter-mile long cement tracks on the famous

Alpine Slide, only one west of Utah..

The sleds sport ball-bearing wheels and

teflon runners so snow and ice aren’t necessary,

but otherwise the ride is the same

as drivers whip through turns and down

long straightaways.

Each sled carries one or two guests—

typically parent with a young child. Alpine

Slide is an experience that’s different

every time down, since riders control their

own speed. Bobsled rides cost $9 each, $40

for five-ride book.

Alpine Slide is at 800 Wildrose Ln.

Call (909) 866-4626, open daily.

St. Columba’s

Episcopal Church

42324 North Shore Dr.,

Big Bear City

Sunday Services/Communion

10 a.m.

(909) 866-7239 * (951) 809-5232

www.stcolumbas.bigbear.com

St. Joseph’s Catholic

Community Church

42242 North Shore Dr., Big Bear

Lake

Monday-Friday Mass 8 a.m.

Saturday Reconciliation 4 p.m.,

Mass 5:30

Sunday Mass 8 and 11 a.m.,

Spanish 1 p.m.

(909) 866-3030

Summit Christian

Fellowship

41965 Garstin Dr., Big Bear Lake


Wednesday Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

(909) 878-HOPE (4673)

SummitChristianFellowship.com

The Journey Church

800 Greenspot (Hwy. 38)

Big Bear City

Sunday Service 9:30 a.m.

(909) 585-4428

TheJourneyChurchBigBear.com

Big Bear Today

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!

NIGHTLY DINNER SPECIALS

WED—CLOSED

THURS—PRIME RIB

FRIDAY—HOMEMADE POT PIES

OR SURF & TURF

SAT—ALL-U-CAN-EAT BEEF RIBS

CHICKEN POT PIES IF AVAILABLE

SUN-HOLIDAYS—PRIME RIB

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

Marina

CAPT. JOHN’S GROUT BAY

West Boat Ramp

MARINA WINDY POINT

W E

North Shore

Landing

Castle Rock

Trail

Holcomb

Valley

BOULDER

BAY

1989 25 YEARS 2014


Must dial area code (909) with all

number unless otherwise noted

February

2-3

Uniform Days at Snow Summit

and Bear Mountain; $59 lift tickets

for badge-carrying personnel.

866-5766.

5

Ikon Early-Ups at Snow Summit

8 a.m.; chair 1 opens 30 minutes

early for all Ikon pass holders.

866-5766.

6

Pinecone Birdfeeders 10 a.m.-1

p.m. at Discovery Center sees

kids make their own feeder.

Free. 382-2790.

10

Historical Society Meeting 7

p.m. at Presbyterian Church

(579 Knickerbocker); historic

map collection, pioneer sites,

early trails and geological formations

with Mark Durban. Free,

refreshments, drawing.

12

Restoration Volunteer Day sees

local seed collection from 9 a.m.-

2 p.m. Must preregister

lunderwood@

mountainsfoundation.org.

12-13

Bear Bowl 2022 at Bear Mountain

with teams of 4 competing

Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for

cash and season pass prizes,

big game party Sunday in Methods.

866-5766.

13

USASA Slopestyle #1 and #2

10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Bear Mountain.

866-5766.

13



kids make their own feeder.

Free. 382-2790.

20


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

Walk

Board

February 2022—Page 13

Big Bear City

Moonridge


kids make their own feeder. Free.

382-2790.

26

KROQ Storms the Mountain at

Bear 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with free

concert by artist TBD on the

deck. 866-5766.

26-27

U10-14 South Series slalom race

at Snow Summit, free spectating.

866-5766.

27

USASA Boardercross #1 and #2

10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Bear Mountain.

866-5766.

27



kids make their own feeder. Free.

382-2790.

March

2-3

Uniform Days at Snow Summit

and Bear Mountain; $59 lift tickets

for badge-carrying personnel.

866-5766.

4-6

“The Lilies of the Field” by BBHS

at the Little Theater 7 p.m., 2

p.m. Sunday matinee. $15, student/senior

$10. 585-6892.

5

Ikon Early-Ups at Snow Summit

8 a.m.; chair 1 opens 30 minutes

early for all Ikon pass holders.

866-5766.

6

18th Annual Bear Mountain

Scout Day for boys and girls

with discounted lift tickets, rentals

and lessons for registered

scouts. 866-5766.

11-13

“The Lilies of the Field” by BBHS

at the Little Theater 7 p.m., 2

p.m. Sunday matinee. $15, student/senior

$10. 585-6892.

For updated calendar of events visit us on the Internet!

www.bigbeartodaymag.com

CC

Club View Drive

Big Bear Mountain

12

Greenthumbs Native Plant Restoration

Program returns with

volunteers working with virus

protocols from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.;

meet at the Ranger Station. 382-

2809.

12

USARC Ski-A-Thon at Bear

Mountain; $200 donation ($600

teams of four) for lift ticket, line

cutting, lunch, apres ski party

and goodie bag. 584-0269.

12

Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Party at

Wyatt’s at the Convention Center

with Kris Colt and the Black

Rose Band, contests, Irish specials.

585-3000.

April

2

Big Bear Polar Plunge at Veteran’s

Park as entrants jump in the lake

at noon. Family fun area with

climbing wall, displays, live and

silent auctions, more. $50.

www.sosc.org/bigbearplunge.

Have fun and support adaptive

skiers at March 12 Ski-A-Thon

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. (909) 866-0390.

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. $9/ride, 5-ride books $40. Also

a snowplay area with Magic Carpet uphill

ride, plus miniature golf, Go-Karts, Soaring

Eagle, family-priced snack bar, video

games. Open daily. Big Bear Blvd., 1/4

mile west of the Village. (909) 866-4626.

Bike Rentals

Bear Valley Bikes across from Alpine

Slide has a variety of bike rentals. Front

suspension $10/hour, $30/4 hours, $40/all

day. Full suspension $20/hour, $50/4 hours,

$70/all day. Full suspension demo $25/

hour, $60/4 hours, $85/all day. 40298 Big

Bear Blvd. Call (909) 866-8000.

Goldsmiths Pedego Electric Bike Shop

has a variety of electric bike rentals, 42071

Big Bear Blvd. (909) 866-2728.

THE ALMANAC

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.

(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. Open daily.

40625 Big Bear Blvd. (enter on Bonanza).(909)

878-BOWL.

Discovery Center

Discovery Center on the north shore, two

miles west of Stanfield Cutoff, open outdoors

with information, self and naturalist

guided tours, Adventure passes and wilderness

permits. 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

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.

Gold Rush Mining Adv.

The adventures are real and so are the

treasures! Pan for gemstones and fossils

Big Bear Today

Recreation • Dining • Nightlife • And More

Road Conditions: (800) 427-ROAD quickmap.dot.ca.gov

Win big bucks at Elks Lodge bingo each Friday night, open to the public. Great

food at the new Cookshak too! Call (909) 866-3557

millions of years old in the working sluice

with water wheel, crack geodes to reveal

prescious stones within, find real pearls in

oysters and unearth dinosaur bones and

poop. Emporium with mining and dinosaur

theme gifts plus old fashioned fudge,

candy, sarsaparilla and more. 50016 Big

Bear Blvd. (909) 866-5678.

Helicopter Tours

See Big Bear from above during aerial

tours by Helicopter Big Bear. The lake, ski

resorts, desert and surrounding mountains

can be viewed aboard a climate-controlled

Robinson R44 helicopter , 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. (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. (909) 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.

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

Continued on page 15

Enough Pause. Fast Forward to fun with Big Bear Today!

Time to Push Play!

Packed with all the ways to get out and just have FUN,

from the lake to the trails.

Keep your distance, and your sanity, with Big Bear Today!

And when you can't

PICK US UP,

then CLICK US UP

for online adventure!


www.BigBearTodayMag.com


(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.

Other Popular Big Bear Hikes: Champion

Lodgepole Trail (.3 mile, easy), Bluff Mesa

Trail (.4 mile, easy), Camp Creek National

Recreation Trail (3.6 miles, difficult),

Sugarloaf Trail ( 10 miles, strenuous),

Gray’s Peak (7 miles, moderate), and

Siberia Creek Trail (7 miles, difficult). For

information on other trails, call or visit

theDiscovery Center on the North Shore at

866-3437.

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 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.

Mineshaft Coaster

First ride of its kind in California! Ride

carts you control on a mile-long track with

steep drops and climbs, 360-degree

corkscrew turns, two mining tunnels and

more. Up to two can ride at one time. Open

daily at Alpine Slide, on the boulevard 1/4

mile west of the Village. (909) 866-4626.

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

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.

Snow Playing

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, which

has snowmaking to ensure snow, offers

great inner tubing daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and

there’s a Magic Carpet to take riders to the

top. Night tubing (5-9 p.m.) Fridays and

Saturdays plus holidays. All sessions $35

which includes tube rental and lift. The

area also has the Southland’s only Alpine

Slide and a great outdoor deck, plus the

Putt ‘N Around go-karts and miniature

After Dark...

Big Bear’s Nightlife & Entertainment Guide

ALLEY OOPS SPORTS BAR—Full cocktail service in Alley Oops Sports Bar at the

Bowling Barn. Watch the big game on big screen TVs, pool tables, good food,

40625 Big Bear Blvd. (909) 878-BOWL.

BIG BEAR BAR & GRILL—Live music weekends and midweek karaoke, horseshoe

pit, great food and drinks. 42164 Moonridge Rd. (909) 878-0802

BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN BREWERY— Craft microbrew beers, food in a cozy

atmosphere. Music seven days a week including Brad Riesau from Silver Moon 5-

8 p.m Feb. 8, 10, 13 and 24, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 4 and 18. 40260 Big Bear Blvd. (909)

878-0616.

THE BONE YARD—Over 40 beers on tap plus large selection of wines and spirits.

560 Pine Knot Ave. (909) 878-0401.

NOTTINGHAMS TAVERN— Dayton Borders Thursdays on the patio from 6-8 p.m.

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.

THE LODGE AT BIG BEAR LAKE—Brad Riesau from Silver Moon at Stillwells 6-9

p.m.every Saturday. 40650 Village Dr. (909) 866-3121.

THE PINES LAKEFRONT/TAVERN—Live music Fridays and Saturdays with Mike

Cross on the piano, joined by top bass players. 350 Alden Rd. (909) 878--0506.

WYATT’S CAFE & SALOON—Open Wednesdays with country dancing, Fridays

and Saturdays with live bands. Feb. 4-5: Terry McRaven Band, American River

Band. Feb. 11-12: Street Music Band, Cumberland Gap. Feb. 18-19: Thunder

Country, Terry McRaven Band. Feb. 25-26: Southern Spirit. Cowboy Church

Saturdays at 1 p.m.Wyatt’s is at Convention Center, Big Bear Blvd. at Division.

(909) 585-3000.

golf course. 1/4 mile west of the Village on

Big Bear Blvd. $40, small child $25. (909)

866-4626.

Big Bear Snow Play has Southern

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 boulevard

one mile east of the supermarkets.Sessions

daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. plus Glow Tubing

sessions Fridays, Saturdays, holiday

periods 5-9 p.m. All sessions $40, small

child $25, which includes tube rental. (909)

585-0075.

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.

Soaring Eagle

Zip 500' downhill on the new Soaring

Eagle attraction at Alpine Slide, only one

of its kind in California. Reach speeds up to

26 mph during the dramatic downhill

descent—only after riding backwards to

the top! Up to two can ride at one time.

Open daily. On the boulevard 1/4 mile

west of the Village. (909) 866-4626.

Zoo

The new Big Bear Alpine Zoo at Moonridge

opens November 5! Grizzly and black bears,

bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, , eagles,

and other animals now have a new state-ofthe-art

home with creatures comforts for

both animals residents and guests. Open 10

a.m.-4 p.m. with animal presentations and

special programing. 747 Clubview off

Moonridge Rd. $15 adults, $10 ages over

60 and children 3-12, two and under free.

(909) 584-1299.

Dining

Guide

Big Bear City

BARNSTORM 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. Daily breakfast,

lunch and dinner specials. All-you-can-eat

beef ribs 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 MOUNTAIN BREWERY—

Microbrews and wine served with gourmet

sandwiches like the Cubano, 50/50 burger,

wings, chicken tenders, more. Live music

seven days a week. 40260 Big Bear Blvd.

just west of Alpine Slide. (909) 878-0616.

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

with specialties like prime rib, Alaskan

King Crab legs, seafood, and steaks.

Romantic seating, and cocktails in the Andy

Devine Room. Open for dinner daily from

4:30 p.m. Moonridge Rd., lunch weekends,

just off Big Bear Blvd. (909) 866-3997.

COOKSHAK—At the Elks Lodge.

Gourmet sandwiches, burgers, fish and

chips, more. Wednesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-

6 p.m. (909) 878-0137.

DYNASTY—Authentic Szechuan cuisine

with an array of specialty dishes. Mongolian

BBQ too and great cocktails. 40989 Big

Bear Blvd. 866-7887.

OLD COUNTRY INN-Family-style home

cooking at this local’s favorite with

breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Steaks,

German and Italian specialties and much

more with great weekday specials. 41126

Big Bear Blvd., east of Pine Knot. Call

866-5600.

Click Us Up!

bigbeartodaymag.com


THE BACK PAGE

History, gifts meet at Village Faire

Carved bears or stuffed ones, cloth

purses, cozy animal print throws,

year-round Christmas room, incense

and tasty jerky. All in a historic Big

Bear setting that may or may not have its

own ghost.

Fnd whatever you’re looking for at

Village Faire, where there’s literally thousands

of gifts ranging from sports logo

items to hundreds of crosses and walls of

winter attire. No supply chain shortages

here, only endless gifts, from stuffed bears

and critters galore to amazing 3D wall art

that literally pops out of the frames.

The walls at the top of the stairs may

tell tales—the building smack in the middle

of the Village used to house Big Bear’s first

hotel, the historic Navajo Lodge built in

1920, kept busy by gold miners and ladies

of the night—but today the real story is on

the shelves, 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. The Pottery Room features

handmade clay plates and pots along with

soap pumps and dreamcatchers.

For sports fans there’s not one but two

rooms filled with memorabilia like play-

ing cards, team coffee cups and shot

glasses, signs and more. There’s a

stadium’s worth of football team selections

to choose from whether you root for the

Rams or Bengals and 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 and lamps. Steins and stemware,

signs and clocks, blankets and more, even

Dodgers premium earphones or Titans,

Patriots, 49ers and other noise isolating

ones for $9.98, the shelves are filled with

sports. USC and UCLA too.

Snow is guaranteed at Village Faire,

the indoor variety for $5.98—just add water.

It lasts for weeks, feels like the real

thing minus the cold, and assures a white

Christmas. Great for decorating too.

Three-dimensional art has to be seen

to be believed. Images of a wolf actually

appear to step out of the frame. Put your

hand into the image and watch it meld in!

Puppy and sports images available too.

Hand drawn and unique Big Bear T-

shirts cost just $11.95 and there’s a cool

“Welcome to Our Den” sign for $10.99 that

enhances any cabin. As do intricately designed

bear lamps. Discover infant wear

like Big Bear onesies and tanks tops for

Stuffed animals or sports gear,

Village Faire has it all

just $9.95 in the Baby Room.

There’s walls of winter stuff

too, with tons of gloves, hats, mittens

and scarves in all colors. Village

Faire also has award-winning

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.

Foodies will also appreciate

Big Bear Lake Wild Huckleberry jam and

Salmonberry honey. Plus there’s “Bear

Poop,” nut surrounded by caramel and

Big Bear Today

chocolate but a real conversation starter..

Village Faire is at 40794 Village Dr.

above Leather Depot. (909) 866-8220.

February 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

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