Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Once back on the highway, the most jaw-dropping stretch of road takes you into Big Bear
Lake.
Activities
Big Bear's two ski mountains are jointly managed by Big Bear Mountain Resorts
( www.bigbearmountainresorts.com ; adult/child lift ticket $56/46) . The higher of the two, Bear
Mountain (8805ft) is nirvana for freestyle freaks with more than 150 jumps, 80 jibs and
two pipes including a 580ft in-ground superpipe. Snow Summit (8200ft) is more about
traditional downhill and has trails for everyone. Altogether the mountains are served by 26
lifts and crisscrossed by more than 55 runs. Ski and boot rentals are about $30.
In summer Snow Summit issues its siren call to mountain bikers. Several pro and ama-
teur races take place here each year. The 9-mile Grandview Loop is great for getting your
feet in gear. The Scenic Sky Chair (one-way/day $12/25; May-start of ski season)
provides easy access to the top. Maps, tickets and bike rentals are available from Bear
Valley Bikes ( www.bvbikes.com ; 40298 Big Bear Blvd; bikes per hr incl helmet $10-20, per day
$40-70) . It charges higher rates for full suspension, and has fat bikes too.
To get off the beaten track, take your car for an off-road spin along the Gold Fever
Trail , a 20-mile self-guided romp on a graded dirt road around an old gold-mining area.
Sleeping & Eating
For cheap sleeps tuck into the clean and friendly Big Bear Hostel ( 909-866-8900;
www.adventurehostel.com ; 527 Knickerbocker Rd; r $20-40; ) . Switzerland Haus (
800-335-3729, 909-866-3729; www.switzerlandhaus.com ; 41829 Switzerland Dr; r incl breakfast
$125-249; ) offers comfy rooms with mountain-view patios and a Nordic sauna. Him-
alayan ( www.himalayanbigbear.com ; 672 Pine Knot Ave; mains $8-17; 11am-9pm Sun-Tue, to
10pm Fri & Sat; ) is a popular Nepali and Indian kitchen with speedy service. North
Shore Cafe ( 909-866-5879; www.dininginbigbear.com ; 39226 North Shore Dr/Hwy 38, Fawn-
skin; breakfast & lunch mains $6-12; 8am-4pm Wed-Thu, 8am-9pm Fri, 7am-9pm Sat, 7am-6pm
Sun Oct-Apr, also 8am-4pm Mon May-Sep;
) is a dear sweet diner set in a cabin with tasty
breakfasts. Hit Peppercorn Grille (
909-866-5405; www.peppercorngrille.com ; 553 Pine Knot
Ave; mains $8.95-15.95;
11am-9pm Sun-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat) for candlelight and tablecloths.
Information
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