February 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

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Page 6—February 2022USARC sets disabled spirits freeSome can’t see, others can’t stand orwalk. But all experience the exhilarationof sliding downhill on snowthanks to the United States Adaptive RecreationCenter at Bear Mountain.Skiing means freedom for all of us butfor the disabled it’s the ultimate release.An escape from the confines of a wheelchair,the chance to experience mountainrecreation for the bedridden, and for over30 years USARC at Bear Mountain hasbeen setting spirits free to soar on theslopes.Clients may not be able to see the treeswhiz by as they slide or carve turns downthe mountain but they feel the winter airblow by. People who are paralyzed or haveno arms and legs still ski thanks to specializedequipment and the efforts of volunteers,hundreds of whom have donatedEst. 1947 by Andy Devineas the Sportsmans TavernOpen Nightly 4:30 p.m.Lunch Weekends11:30 am-3 pm"Still haunted by our Ghost George"Fine Dining in a Rustic Stone & Log RetreattFine Steaks • Seafood • Prime Rib • LobsterEnjoy Great FoodWelcome Back!in a Historic SettingOutdoor Diningon Our New Patio!Valentine's Day ReservationsStrongly SuggestedMolekule Air Purifiersfor Safety of Customers & Staffwww.CaptainsAnchorage.comRare Photos, Memorabilia,and More!Advance ReservationsHighly Recommendedtime since the program began in 1988.The pilot program was a ski club activitywith just eight days of lessons for 10participants. In recent years USARCreached highs of over 2,000 lessons taughtwith 1,267 last season, which screechedto a halt in mid-March along with the restof the world thanks to the virus.The pandemic saw the number of lessonstrimmed by about 50%, according toprogram executive director Sara Rosell,with about five or six each day and nogroup lessons. Things are obviously different—masksare required and distancingis a priority—but otherwise USARC continuesto make a difference.”We lost some volunteers who didn’twant to teach because of Covid but overall we’re doing pretty good,” Rosell said.USARC hascome a long way,empowering hundredsof lives inthe process. Likean eight-year-oldboy, a neardrowningvictimwho could onlymove his eyes leftor right to communicate.But hecould ski, thanksto a sit-ski that’skind of like a sleda volunteer negotiatesfrom behind.In another case meningitis left one clientwith no arms or legs, just stubs. SoUSARC staff mounted one pound coffeecans onto the remaining limbs and was ableto take the client snowboarding. Whetherits cerebral palsy or Down’s Syndrome,autism or paralysis, if there’s a will there’sa way to get the disabled out onto the snow.Fat skis have revolutionized the sportfor us all and the disabled are no different.Besides affording wider platforms, skis arekept together with tip connectors insteadof the bulky braces of yesteryear. Sit skisthat began as modified sleds with the clientwielding ice pick-like poles are nowsleek bi-skis with two planks underneaththat can carve turns.“Probably the best new piece of equipmentare snow sliders,” said USARC’sSara Rosell. “It’s like a walker on skis thatcame out several years ago. The skier hasskis on too and we follow behind holdinga tether. It’s something we use for skierswith severe autism, spina bifida, strokes,traumatic brain injury. Basically anyonewho uses a walker in their (daily) life.”Monoskis on the other hand are usedby those who can’t use their legs but haveCut lift lines while raising money fora good cause when the annual Ski-A-Thon benefitting the Adaptive Ski Schoolreturns to Bear Mountain on March 12.This is a fundraiser with an emphasison fun as skiers and snowboarders cutlift lines all day, a priceless privilege indeedwhen conditions are right. There’sopportunity drawings for prizes all dayand it’s all about helping get the disabledout onto the slopes. More than one Ski-A-Thon has fallen on powder daysthrough the years too.Truly everyone wins during thispopular event. Getting in on the fun iseasy—all registration in 2022 is onlinewith participants needing to raise a minimum$200 for individuals or $600 forteams of four. Get friends, families orcoworkers to sponsor you or just write aBig Bear TodayVolunteers using adaptivetechniques and equipment likemono skis and outriggers bringwinter to people withdisabilities at USARCsufficient upper body strength. “It’s a completelyindependent ski,” Rosell said. “Itusually takes a day or so to get used to it.The goal is to be an independent skier, justwith equipment and not the use of legs.”Visually impaired lessons are alsogiven. “Some can see shapes or shadows,others are fully blind,” Rosell said. “I’llski backwards while they come at me andI 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 followblind skiers, who are sometimes on atether. “One girl followed the instructor justby the sound of her turns, she didn’t wantverbal instructions,” Rosell said. “Chancesare (the blind) end up awesome skiers becausethere’s nothing physically wrongwith them, except they can’t see.”There’s also an expanded summer recreationprogram on Big Bear Lake, as clientskayak, stand up paddleboard, waterand jet ski or fish. It was a virus casualtyin 2020 but returned last year. Along withan exciting downhill off-road wheelchairprogram serving up backcountry terrainand gravity-fueled thrills previously re-Continued on page 8Cut lift lines, raise money at Ski-A-Thontax-deductible check for a great, inspiringday on the mountain that includeslunch, swag bag and more.Participants get their own personalfundraising website where donors can paywith credit cards, E-checks and Pay-Pal.Those who solicit larger amounts are inline win prizes like Bear Mountain andMammoth lift tickets, lodging and more.The donation includes all-day liftticket plus those precious line cuttingprivileges, lunch voucher, cotton event T-shirt and famous “Survival Kit” swag bagfilled with all kinds of goodies. Alsothere’s an opportunity drawing for a 2022-23 Snow Summit and Bear Mountain anytimeseason pass. No deck party afterthanks to the virus but the day still shouldbe a blast. Visit www.USARC.org or call(909) 584-0269.
Big Bear Today February 2022—Page 7ARESORT SHORTSAWhat's Happening at Snow Summit & Bear MountainKROQ Storms Mountain How to save a buck or 2with free deck concert at Big Bear resortsEveryone loves to save money and theBig Bear area resorts have a few discountsout there for the 2021-22 winter season.* Reload! Keep that lift pass you’vepurchased and save on future visits. NewRFID technology at Snow Summit andBear Mountain saves money as well astime, up to $41 on future dates, by reloadingyour pass instead of replacing. And asalways, purchase skiing and riding in advanceto save serious money.*Celebrate your birthday on the slopesand Big Bear resorts will give you a freelift ticket for a gift! Must be on your actualbirthday; present valid ID on your specialday and ski or ride both resorts for free.* And if you’ve made it to 80 yearsold, congratulations! Every day is now freesince you’ve lived long ernough to qualifyfor the resorts’ senior discount. Ages 4 andunder get free tickets too.*Snow Summit and Bear MountainSki racing, USASA eventshonor active duty military members andon tap at Summit, Bear their families with discounts all seasonlong. Present a current active duty militaryID at the window and get 25% off lift tickets,rentals and lessons. Or purchase in advancefrom MWR/ITT offices; for a list ofparticipating bases call (909) 866-5766 ext.126. There’s also Uniform Days whenbadge-carrying military and emergencypersonnel ski or ride for $59 (see below).* Reserve Saturday rental equipmentin advance and get a free Friday night liftticket at Snow Summit. Pick up Saturday’sgear after 5 p.m. Friday and carve that nightfor free.* Season passes always save moneyif you ski or ride more than a few days.While Snow Summit and Bear Mountainpasses are not currently available, look forthem to go on sale in March along withIkon and Ikon Base Passes valid at some47 destinations around the globe. IncludingBig Bear, plus Mammoth and JuneMountains, Utah areas like Deer Valley andSolitude, Canada’s Big 3 of Lake Louise,Sunshine Village and Norquay, and more.Discount Tickets forKROQ returns to Bear for its annual“Storm the Mountain” on Saturday, February26 with free performance on the13,000 sq. ft. sun deck by a still-to-be-determinedbig name band.The radio station’s popular event at theresort, hosted by Nicole Alvarez, featurestunes from KROQ’s Jeremiah Red in betweensets on the stage. There’s swag onthe deck and who knows, maybe powderon the mountain.It’s always a big time party on theslopes with the list of past performers includingBadflower two years ago, last timethe event was held. The Offspring, DirtyHeads, K Flay and Andrew and the Wildernessare among the other performerswho have stormed the mountain in previousyears.Storm the Mountain is from 11 a.m.-2p.m. and admission is free for all ages.See exciting ski racing close up—includingSnow Summit’s powerhouse youthrace team—plus snowboard and freeskiaction during February events at SnowSummit and Bear Mountain.Snow Summit has long fielded a powerhouseski race team, one that annuallycompetes with success against teams frommuch larger resorts. Now the resort hasfreestyle and snowboard teams too, reflectingits place as the Southland’s leading skiarea.See potential stars of the future on Feb.26-27 at Snow Summit as the resort hostsFar West Ski Association South Seriesevent. Ski racers ages 8 to 14 will competeon Ego Trip in exciting head-to-headdual slalom competition. Racing is fast andfurious with competitors from the Big Bearresorts and other Southern California areasin action along with racers from LakeTahoe and Mammoth.United States Amateur SnowboardAssociation (USASA) events also continueat Bear Mountain with Slopestyle #1 and#2 set for Feb. 13. Boardercross andskiercross #1 and #2 follows two weekslater on Feb. 27. Register from 8-9 a..m.Events are open to all boarders andfreeskiers—there’s different age and skillclassifications to choose from—and thereare several reasons for every rider to getinvolved. First, the $125 membership feeentitles riders to enter all events at seriousdiscounts that include lift ticket, race fees,T-shirt and more. Then there’s the apreseventparties, which are legendary, with somuch swag and giveaways it’s hard not towin something.There are over 500 events held at some120 resorts in the country, making USASAthe largest snowboard and freeski event inthe world. The USASA National Championshipsare held at Copper Mountain inColorado over 12 days with over 1,800 athletesparticipating. Visit www.usasa.org.Heroes on Uniform DaysSnow Summit and Bear Mountaincontinue to show gratitude to all military,emergency and medical personnel by offeringdiscount lift tickets during popularUniform Day promotions.Police, fire, EMT and active militaryneed only flash their badges or proper IDat Snow Summit or Bear Mountain windowsto purchase an all-day lift ticket for$59 plus 2% TBID charge during UniformDays with remaining dates this season setfor February 2-3 and March 2-3.Remember these are two-mountainpasses for the discounted price of one andthere’s a free shuttle running between theresorts every half hour.bigbeartodaymag.comStandardMotel Rooms$85with Fireplace& Queen BedNon-Holiday / MidweekWeekends Slightly HigherSubject to change without notice.CLOSE TO VILLAGE,LAKE, DINNINGCLOSE to SLOPES!DeluxeSpa Rooms$145with CozyFireplace(800) 255-4378local (909) 866-216641121 Big Bear Blvd. • Big Bear Lake, CAwww.BlackForestLodge.comNEWWEBSITELive weather!Photo Gallery!PDF Reader!If you can’t pick us up ... then click us up!Monthly!Your Best Source for activities and happenings in the Big Bear Lake AreaSummer!Fall!Winter!Lake ActivitiesBoating • Fishing • HikingBiking & Special EventsFollow UsOn Facebook!All Things Oktoberfest!Join the Two Month long Celebrationwith all the insider information.Essential Information about the#1 Ski Resorts in Southern Californiafor All Skiers, Snowboarders& SnowplayersBig Bear's Best Calendar of Events• Lodging • Attractions • Much More!All Available On-line: www.BigBearTodayMag.com
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