First time at Big Bear: 1 Rock and 2 Black Diamonds

It was the end of February 2010 and I was going to Big Bear for the first time. Specifically, I was meeting a snowboarding buddy to ski Bear Mountain. Well, me to ski and she to board. My buddy had been renting a condo across the street from Snow Summit (the other big ski resort in Big Bear) with a bunch of super cool Bear Mountain snowboarding instructors. All I needed to bring for my one-night stay was some snacks. Sold!

It was snowing when I arrived on a Saturday night. It was a winter wonderland. There was no night skiing at Bear Mountain which meant the next morning would deliver fresh powder skiing. The good news about staying with gung-ho snowboarding instructors was they were also pumped to wake up at 5AM.

Unfortunately, I decided to be the driver in the morning with the plan of my buddy and I meeting the others at the mountain to try to get first chair. The unfortunate part of this story was my “light on the wheels” car caught a small patch of ice and popped us up on a rock near the entrance of the 7-11. Not the door entrance, the driveway entrance. To make a long story short (plus reliving the memory of what happened will make me annoyed again) we hit the mountain a little later than expected. However, the crew of locals who helped to lift my car off the rock and leaving minimal to no damage were so helpful, I felt as if I was back in the Midwest. Yes, Midwesterns are the best. Yes, we are.

The Rock that almost got the best of my car

Once we got to the mountain, there were still some patches of nice riding powder available. We met up with everybody and they kept harping about the amazing powder they had and that there was a lot still untouched off the groomed paths. Okay, so I admit I first thought, “Yeah, no problem. Even though I’ve never skied in the backcountry, (backcountry including the off the beaten path in the trees at a resort) I can do it.” Haha yeah, right.

We took CHAIR 8 to the top. As we started our "out of bounds adventures" with me going last, I did the first bit and stopped. I was not prepared with my boots and fear-not presence. It was steep and there was not a lot of room for making wider turns. I told those in the back with me I was going down the groomed path. THE DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND. Also knows as, Geronimo. At least this route had more room and there was no chance I would smash into a tree.

At the top of Chair 8

Since getting back on the mountain, I had yet to ski a double black. Actually now that I think of it, I don’t remember ever had skiing a double black. I know Bear Mountain’s double blacks are not as intense as let’s say a Mammoth Mountain’s double black or  those found in the European mountains, but remember I had a boot situation. The result? I nailed it! No falling and smooth cutting moves all the way down. I had conquered my first Double Black Diamond.

 Geronimo

We hit a couple more runs and then après skied on the mountain, and watched the Men’s USA Olympic Hockey Team lose the gold to Canada. Perhaps, there was too much winning that day for me that they had lose. Sorry USA Men’s Hockey Team.

Needless to say, on my first trip to Big Bear I conquered 1 rock and 2 black diamonds. Not bad if I do say so myself.

 Quick break was had at The Beach Bar. Haha, get it?! Beach Bar.

Free Lift Ticket Dilemma

We all like free things. Even celebrities who can afford anything but receive freebies anyway (this paradox I have been trying to solve). Free stuff generally equals happiness, especially if the stuff is worthy - like a lift ticket to a ski resort! A couple weeks ago, I started looking at lift tickets deals.  During the season, the ones usually offered are for college students, not for us thirty-somethings. 


When I went to Ski Dazzle and scored my beautiful meant for me K2's, I received a Big Bear Mountain Resorts lift ticket voucher for either Bear Mountain or Snow Summit. Score, right? Well not a total score since there are many restrictions. I received another lift ticket voucher to Heavenly Ski Resort (Tahoe) at a showing of Warren Miller's newest film Dynasty, but once again it had many restrictions. Hey, thanks for the vouchers but can you give out useful ones, please? No, that would be too easy.


Last week, I vaguely remembered catching parts of a television commercial (while distracted doing something else) where you could test drive a Ford car and receive a free Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort lift ticket. I was reminded again this weekend when friends told me about this seemingly cool deal. Due to the lack of sincerity with past vouchers, I began research. Some people I found had success stories, but I also found many with fails. I decided to call Ford dealerships in my area. Unfortunately, they were all out of the tickets and/or it ended today - great timing as usual for me. I really was looking forward to test driving a Ford too. I mean, my first car was my brother's 1985 white Ford Mustang convertible. I had to load it's trunk with bags of soil during the winter to help the rear-wheel swerve effect on the icy Cleveland roads. Mustang Sara, was my parent's jokingly nickname. 


Alas, no test driving for Mustang Sara this time. The search for lift ticket deals continue. Hopefully one day soon, the dilemma will be solved.